The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) congratulated Iowa biofuels trailblazer Rick Schwarck as the latest recipient of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Industry Award, presented at the 2025 National Ethanol Conference. Schwarck has worked for more than two decades to advance Iowa’s biofuel economy and nation’s leadership as he has served as President, Chairman, and CEO of Absolute Energy in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Schwarck also held numerous leadership positions in biofuels trade associations, including IRFA, RFA, and Growth Energy.
IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:
“The most important thing I can say about Rick Schwarck is that he is passionate about bringing people together to work on behalf of the entire biofuels family. His sincerity is his secret weapon. It has been a pleasure to work with Rick over the years because you never had to worry if he’d have your back. Rick has tirelessly advocated for renewable fuels from small rooms in Iowa to large stages across the nation. IRFA members sincerely thank him for all he has done
