Renewable Fuels Nebraska Hires Caldwell as Executive Director
Renewable Fuels Nebraska today announced the hiring of Dawn Caldwell as executive director of the organization. Ms. Caldwell will assume her position on November 1.
Commenting on the hire Tony Leiding, RFN board president, said: “We are excited for Dawn to lead the organization into the future. Dawn brings significant experience and credibility to our team with her strong background in agriculture and leadership skills. I know she will represent our producer and associate members exceptionally well, while growing demand for biofuels and their co-products in Nebraska.”
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in the agriculture and ethanol sectors. Dawn was raised on a diversified family farm near Guide Rock, Neb., where she was active in 4-H and worked on the family farm. She then attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science. Early in her career she worked in the Nuckolls, Thayer, and Fillmore Counties extension office before moving into the private sector as a feed specialist at Deshler Grain and Feed. In December of 2000, the opportunity to be a livestock specialist for Aurora Cooperative presented itself and Dawn began her nearly 21-year stint with the company.
During her time at Aurora Cooperative, Dawn spent 10 years in the animal nutrition division, working directly with both the livestock producers and the feed operations staff. She then accepted a role as corporate communications manager for five years and spent the balance of her time with Aurora Cooperative as the head of government affairs.
Dawn has been an active servant to agriculture both personally and professionally. She is a graduate of Nebraska L.E.A.D. Class 24, which contributed greatly to her preparedness for various board seats and ag advocacy activities. She has served two terms on the Nebraska Beef Council and was elected to lead the Federation of State Beef Councils on the NCBA officer team, has been a CommonGround volunteer, sits on the Ag Builders of Nebraska board, the Nebraska State Fair Board, as well as the Nebraska Cattlemen board and has served on various local boards and committees. Through her role at Aurora Cooperative, Dawn has held seats on the Ag Retailers Association, and National Grain and Feed Association boards of directors, as well as serving on various trade association policy committees. She has served on the RFN board of directors since June 2020.
Dawn and her husband, Matt, live near Edgar, Neb., and have two grown children and one grandson. Their daughter, Kaydee, is an ag teacher and FFA adviser at Bloomfield, Neb., where she lives with her husband, Ty, an agronomist, and their son, Tate. Dawn and Matt’s son, Emmet, lives in Lincoln, Neb., and is a beef agent for Producers Livestock Marketing. The family ranches and farms in North Central Kansas and South Central Nebraska.
Dawn replaces Pam Miller who has served as interim executive director since February 2021 following Troy Bredenkamp’s departure to the Renewable Fuels Association.
In regards to her new position, Dawn Caldwell said: “I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with them and lead this great organization.”
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