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| Best of NAMA 2025 |
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IOWA’S ABSOLUTE ENERGY CEO (RETIRED) RICK SCHWARCK HONORED WITH RENEWABLE FUELS ASSN INDUSTRY AWARD
Feb. 20, 2025
Source: Renewable Fuels Association news release
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| Rick Schwarck |
Ethanol industry pioneer Rick Schwarck was presented with the Renewable Fuels Association's 2025 Industry Award today at the National Ethanol Conference in Nashville, Tenn. He was honored for his years of working to unite the industry, and a focus on ethanol health's benefits.
"Since cofounding Absolute Energy twenty years ago, Rick Schwarck has demonstrated remarkable leadership in advocating for ethanol, defending the policies that have helped our industry grow, and advancing ethanol's scientific underpinnings," RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said.
"He has also been a driving force in forging industry unity and collaboration. Rick has often played the role of peacemaker, and he has a special talent for bringing people together to solve complex problems. When there have been family squabbles--and there have been a few over the years--Rick is the calm voice of reason that helps everyone get back on the same page."
Cooper also cited Schwarck's "untiring dedication" to advancing the science and research on the human health impacts of our fuel choices. "Many years ago, Rick began a conversation with researchers at the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, and University of Illinois-Chicago about the potential dangers of certain toxic components in our gasoline--like aromatic compounds. Those early conversations eventually grew into a multi-year, multi-institution, multi-million-dollar research program that resulted in important scientific breakthroughs and greatly advanced the understanding of the cancer risks associated with toxic fuel compounds and the benefits of using more ethanol. That work continues today, and continues to yield remarkable new insights."
Schwarck recently retired as CEO of Absolute Energy LLC, an ethanol biorefinery he co-founded near St. Ansgar, Iowa. He continues to serve on of the biorefinery's board of directors and represents the company as a board member of the Renewable Fuels Association, where he has previously served as board secretary.
Prior to co-founding Absolute Energy, Rick had a successful, 30-year financial services career. Born and raised on a family farm in Mitchell County, Iowa, he is still involved in the operation, living about five miles north of Saint Ansgar with his wife, Holly. They have four children and 12 grandchildren.
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