Pillen Appointed New Nebraska Ethanol Board Members
Governor Jim Pillen filled three newly created board seats following the passage of Legislative Bill 815.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has appointed three ethanol producers to the Nebraska Ethanol Board. The appointments follow the passage of Legislative Bill 815, which expanded the state board to nine voting members.
Why it matters
The expansion mandated by Legislative Bill 815 ensures increased representation for ethanol producers on the state board. These appointments reflect the state's ongoing legislative commitment to the agricultural energy sector.
The Nebraska Ethanol Board now consists of nine total voting members following the addition of three designated ethanol producer seats. Appointees were required to be selected within a 30-day window following the September 1 opening.
The players
Jim Pillen
Jim Pillen serves as the Governor of Nebraska.
Nebraska Ethanol Board
The Nebraska Ethanol Board is the state entity tasked with the development and promotion of the ethanol industry.
Todd Good
Todd Good is an ethanol producer who was recently appointed to the Nebraska Ethanol Board.
Joe Shanle
Joe Shanle is an ethanol producer who was recently appointed to the Nebraska Ethanol Board.
Brent Hoops
Brent Hoops is an ethanol producer who was recently appointed to the Nebraska Ethanol Board.
The details
Todd Good, Joe Shanle, and Brent Hoops have joined the board as the new voting members to fulfill the requirements of the legislation. Alongside these new appointments, Jamie Bearup was reappointed to the board's labor position for a four-year term, and Scott McPheeters was reappointed to the general farming position.
Timeline
Michael Thede retired from the board on August 31, 2026.
The new ethanol producer board seats officially opened on September 1, 2026.
The Nebraska Ethanol Board announced the new appointments on September 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
The board expansion follows the mandate set by Legislative Bill 815, which restructured the state's oversight body to increase industry-specific representation. This shift formalizes a larger trend of aligning state regulatory boards with regional production priorities.
Residents may see a change in how state-level agricultural energy policy is formulated due to the increased producer representation on the board. These organizational shifts impact how the state manages ethanol production goals and industry-related regulatory decisions.
The takeaway
The addition of three new seats creates a larger, more specialized voting body for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. Stakeholders should anticipate updated policy priorities as the new members begin their four-year terms on the board.
Further reading
For more information on state leadership and appointments, visit the Nebraska People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Energy.
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