For the past six years, Nebraska gas stations have united, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research as part of Fuel the Cure — a campaign that also educates others about healthier fuel options. Fuel retailers alone raised $18,733 this past year, and the six-year campaign total has grown to $64,572.
Annually, throughout October, drivers opting for higher blends of ethanol fuel like E15, E30 and E85 triggered a 3-cent donation for each gallon sold at participating stations. Ethanol, a natural octane booster derived from Nebraska field corn, plays a pivotal role in displacing harmful aromatics in gasoline linked to cancer, heart disease and respiratory issues. The campaign’s grand total comprises additional contributions from industry partners and participating Nebraska ethanol plants.
Donations from fuel retailers benefit the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, a nationally distinguished cancer facility that uses the most advanced biomedical and technological tools available to identify the causes behind cancer to create precise therapies for each cancer patient. This includes Nebraskans, as well as cancer fighters worldwide.
ACE Elects 2024 Executive Committee
During its first quarter meeting, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors elected its Executive Committee for 2024.
Re-elected to serve as officers on the 2024 Executive Committee are:
Dave Sovereign, President – Chairman of Golden Grain Energy’s Board, which oversees a locally owned 125 million-gallon-per-year (MGY) ethanol plant in Mason City, Iowa. Sovereign also serves on the Absolute Energy board, a locally owned 130 MGY ethanol producer in St. Ansgar, Iowa.
Troy Knecht, Vice President – South Dakota farmer, representing Redfield Energy, a 63 MGY ethanol producer in Redfield, South Dakota.
Ron Alverson, Secretary – Ron farms part-time with his son and serves as an expert resource on the GREET model and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, he represents Dakota Ethanol on the ACE Board, which owns a 100 MGY plant in Wentworth, South Dakota.
John Christianson, Treasurer – John is a Founding Partner and Director of Christianson PLLP, an accounting and business consulting firm for Ag and Renewable Energy, who also served on the Minnesota Biofuels Council’s Executive Committee.
Chris Studer, Chief Member and Public Relations Officer for East River Electric Power Cooperative, which is a founding member of ACE dating back to 1987.
Newly elected to serve on the 2024 Executive Committee is:
Bill Dartt, Chief Financial Officer for Cardinal Ethanol, a 138 MGY ethanol plant in Union City, Indiana.
Chris Wilson, who served on ACE’s Executive Committee for several years, is stepping down as an officer but keeping his seat on the ACE Board. Wilson is the General Manager of Mid-Missouri Energy, a 55 MGY plant in Malta Bend, Missouri.
Christianson PLLP Expands Footprint with Two New Partners
Continuing growth that began in 1987, the Partners at Christianson PLLP announced recently that Chelsey Mueller and Jamey Cline have been added to the partner group. “The Partners are excited to bring on Chelsey and Jamey to build on existing commitments to the Paynesville community, along with close partnerships within renewable fuel and agricultural industries” said Joel Gratz, Managing Partner.
Jamey Cline has been the Business Development Director at Christianson PLLP since 2013. An expert voice in the biofuel space, he connects potential and existing clients with Firm services like benchmarking, RIN attests and consulting, accounting and attest services, grant opportunities, business consulting and more. Cline was also recently appointed to be on the Steering Committee of the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota.
Chelsey Mueller, CPA, joined Christianson PLLP in 2014. She specializes in tax planning and preparation, as well as business consulting. She manages the Paynesville office which provides additional client services such as payroll, bookkeeping, audit and financial statement preparation. Mueller is a member of Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
L to R; Chelsey Mueller and Jamey Cline