AMES, IOWA, U.S. — Renewable Energy Group (REG) announced on Jan. 24 the promotion of  Jon Scharingson to executive director, sales and marketing and Jason Schwenneker to executive director, national sales and trading. 
As the new executive director, sales and marketing, Scharingson will continue to manage REG’s sales development and marketing programs and will now oversee the sales team responsible for new market penetration in the Northeast and Southern regions of the country.  Since November, REG has added five terminal positions in the Northeast and acquired a biodiesel plant in New Boston, Texas, U.S., slated for production in the first quarter of this year and another yet-to-be-completed biorefinery near Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. His team also oversees sales for the REG Clovis, New Mexico, U.S., terminal. 
“Jon’s extensive experience in customer relationship management, new business development and sales administration are ideal to support REG’s continuing market growth in the Northeast and South,” said REG President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel J. Oh. “With more than two decades of experience, he will continue to promote and position our REG-9000 branded biodiesel and our customer-focused solutions in this role.”
Scharingson joined REG in 2007 as director, marketing. Prior to joining REG, Scharingson spent 17 years in the seed, crop protection and the agriculture biotechnology industries, having worked for Imperial Chemical Industries, AstraZeneca and Syngenta.  He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management and a master’s of business administration degree in marketing from Iowa State University.
As the new executive director, national sales and trading, Schwenneker will focus on delivering liquid fuel and RIN solutions for RFS2 obligated parties. With seven operating commercial-scale biorefineries and 20 terminals nationwide, he is responsible for coordinating logistics, RIN sales, biodiesel trading, and contracting to help REG’s petroleum refining customers.
“Jason has been a leader in developing pricing, contracting, trading and risk management techniques in a complex and ever-evolving biodiesel industry,” said Oh. “His background in agricultural commodity trading and risk management offer unique insight for our petroleum industry customers.”
Prior to joining REG in 2007, Schwenneker worked as a risk management consultant for GROWMARK, Inc. and as grain manager for Farmers Elevator Company. He is a member of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and earned his bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture business from Iowa State University.