(October 1, 2010) Mason City – Walter Wendland, CEO of Golden Grain Energy in Mason City, Iowa, has been elected Secretary of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Golden Grain is a 110 million gallon per year ethanol facility.

“Ethanol has proven to be an unparalleled economic success for rural communities in Iowa and all across the country,” Wendland said. “In order to ensure this success continues and expands, this nation must get serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil. That means expanding the market for ethanol, increasing the number of vehicles able to use higher ethanol blends, and establishing and continuing consistent public policies that moves the nation in that direction. I am honored to join with my fellow ethanol producers at the RFA in working to achieve these goals.”

Wendland has served on the Board of Directors of the RFA for 5 years. He was elected to a one-year term as Secretary at the RFA’s annual membership meeting this week in Washington, DC.

About Golden Grain Energy: Golden Grain Energy is a privately-held company dedicated to adding value to northern Iowa’s corn production by turning locally-grown corn into clean-burning ethanol. The company currently produces approximately 100 million gallons of ethanol annually at a plant in Mason City, Iowa. Owned by more than 800 members, the majority of whom are northeast Iowa farmers, Golden Grain Energy is committed to being a strong partner in the local community, a key player in the regional economy and a leader in Iowa’s ethanol industry. Learn more at www.goldengrainenergy.com.

About the Renewable Fuels Association: Organized in 1981, RFA serves as the voice of the ethanol industry, providing advocacy, authoritative analysis, and important industry data to its members, Congress, federal and state government agencies, strategic partners, the media and other opinion-leader audiences. The RFA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of a representative from each producer member. The Board meets several times a year to set Association policy. Learn more at www.EthanolRFA.org.