RFA's Bob Dinneen to Step Aside from Leadership Role in October
By Todd Neeley , DTN Staff Reporter
July 18, 2018
The Renewable Fuels Association announced long-time President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Dinneen is planning to step aside in the fall, according to a news release from the group on Wednesday.
Current Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper is set to assume the role as CEO and president in October. Dinneen will begin transitioning into a role as senior strategic advisor to the RFA.
Dinneen has been with RFA for more than 30 years, and has served as the RFA's president and CEO since 2001.
"During his tenure, Dinneen led the industry and achieved a number of landmark legislative and regulatory victories for ethanol, including passage of the original Renewable Fuel Standard in 2005 and significant expansion and extension of the RFS program in 2007," the RFA said in a news release. "Dinneen also played a crucial role in the creation of the reformulated gasoline and oxygenated fuels requirements; securing the RVP (Reid vapor pressure) waiver for E10; working with states to adopt bans on MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether); and multiple extensions of the ethanol blender's tax credit and secondary tariff on imported ethanol, among other important victories."
Dinneen said in a statement that he has "had the privilege of working for an industry whose mission inspires me, a Board of Directors that supports me, and an organization that exemplifies the highest degree of professionalism, creativity, and competence. I have borne witness to phenomenal growth, seen rural economies transformed and gotten to know and work side-by-side with the people who made this industry the success it is today. Every day I am thankful for our accomplishments and still enthusiastic to tackle the challenges ahead. Without a doubt, I have been truly blessed.
"But 30 years is a long time and I believe now is the right time for new leadership, new ideas, and new energy at the helm of the Renewable Fuels Association."
Cooper joined RFA in 2008 as director of research and analysis, becoming executive vice president in 2016. Cooper previously worked on ethanol issues for the National Corn Growers Association and served as a captain in the U.S. Army, specializing in bulk petroleum product logistics. He has led RFA's regulatory activities, while also overseeing the association's research and technical initiatives, supporting public and media relations efforts, and managing the Renewable Fuels Foundation.
"For the past decade, I have been incredibly fortunate to serve an industry and an organization whose values align so well with my own," Cooper said in a news release. "It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to work alongside Bob, the RFA staff, and our diverse membership to advance RFA's strategic goals and vision. Ethanol is a remarkable product that has an incredibly bright future filled with opportunity, and I am excited to help write the next chapter in our industry's amazing story."
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
Follow me on Twitter @toddneeleyDTN
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