Indiana Corn Marketing Council recently recognized two Hoosier renewable energy leaders for their commitment to providing ethanol-blended fuel options to consumers across Indiana and beyond.
Mike and Ann Ackerman of Circle A Food Mart and John DiMartini of The Andersons, Inc. were presented awards by ICMC President David Gottbrath at the 2016 Indiana Ethanol Forum in Indianapolis on May 19 to commend their support of ethanol and Indiana corn farmers.
“Over the last several years, the corn checkoff has worked with fuel retailers across the state to add Flex Fuel or Blender Pumps to their stations – giving their customers the option of filling up with higher blends of ethanol, like E15, E30 and E85,” said Gottbrath, a farmer from Pekin, Ind. “Market development is a key function of the corn checkoff and our investment in supporting the ethanol industry is critical to the success of Indiana corn farmers. Mike and John have been valuable friends in efforts to develop the Indiana ethanol industry.”
In 2015, Circle A became the first Indiana fuel retailer and convenience store operator to add E15 to their product mix under the leadership of Mike Ackerman and Paul Grammer. With ICMC grant funding, Circle A added both E15 and E85 to their Ferdinand, Ind. store, a high volume location located at the I-64 exit to Holiday World, and E15 to its Jasper, Ind. location.
The Andersons, Inc. has become one of the leading E85 suppliers in the country by supplying product via truck to Indiana’s fuel retailers, as well as retailers throughout the United States. John DiMartini has been instrumental in these efforts. Bypassing fuel wholesalers and terminals with shipments directly from the ethanol plant allows fuel retailers to offer E85 to consumers at competitive prices. Through John’s efforts, The Andersons continues to open new markets and set new E85 sales records.
“Supporting and growing the ethanol industry is vital to the success of Indiana corn farmers,” Gottbrath said. “And we applaud the efforts of companies, like Circle A and The Andersons, Inc., who are working hard to make ethanol-blended fuels available to consumers throughout Indiana and the country.”
ICMC was a sponsor of the 2016 Indiana Ethanol Forum. To learn more about ICMC’s ethanol initiatives, visit incorn.org/ethanol.