LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) welcomes Jamie Bearup to the board as the labor representative. Bearup is a business representative for the Steamfitters and Plumbers Local Union 464, advocating for skilled labor and supporting projects that strengthen local economies and promote sustainable energy solutions. Bearup was appointed to the NEB in September 2025 by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to serve the remainder of Brad Bird’s term, through August 2026.
A long-time Nebraska labor leader, Bearup has been a member of Local Union 464 for more than 25 years. He has held several roles with the union. Bearup began his career as a steamfitter and has long worked with the ethanol industry in the labor and workforce areas.
“I’m honored and excited to join the NEB at this pivotal time,” Bearup said. “For years I’ve seen how the board promotes and encourages a robust Nebraska workforce in ethanol and agriculture. I’m glad to join the board to provide my firsthand knowledge of the unions and labor arenas. I look forward to supporting the producers and farmers who make Nebraska a leader in ethanol production.”
Originally from a farm in central Illinois, Bearup served in the United States Marine Corps before becoming a steamfitter. He has lived in Nebraska for decades and currently resides in Lincoln.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to the board,” said NEB Chairman Jan tenBensel. “His experience and expertise in the labor and workforce industries will be crucial to our mission of promoting and developing ethanol in Nebraska. Jamie is a proven leader with a valuable voice, and we’re excited to have that voice on the NEB.”
The NEB is a seven-member board that includes four members actively engaged in farming (general farming, corn, wheat and sorghum), one member representing labor interests, one member representing petroleum marketers, and one member representing business. The Board also has three technical advisors. Members of the NEB are appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the Nebraska Legislature, to serve four-year terms. Bearup is still subject to legislative confirmation next spring, although his appointment by Gov. Pillen grants him immediate full voting privileges on the NEB.
“Nebraska’s ethanol industry and the labor unions have a long history of working together,” Bearup said. “Our state’s 24 ethanol facilities collectively employ nearly 2,000 individuals, and the total labor impact including contractors and others is almost 9,000 jobs. I myself helped build and worked on several ethanol plants during my career as a steamfitter. I plan to use all my experience to help guide the NEB’s efforts regarding workforce development and strong labor utilization.”
Outgoing NEB Labor representative Brad Bird, who resigned for personal reasons earlier this year, served one full term and most of a second on the board.
“We sincerely thank Brad for his service to the NEB and the ethanol industry,” tenBensel said. “His expert perspective on labor issues was critical to the NEB during his seven years on the board, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Bearup joins current board members Jan tenBensel, chairman (Cambridge, Neb.); Scott McPheeters, vice chairman (Gothenburg, Neb.); Randy Gard, secretary (Grand Island, Neb.); Tracy Zink, board member (Indianola, Neb.); Taylor Nelson, board member (Jackson, Neb.); Mike Thede, board member (Palmer, Neb.); University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Hunter Flodman, technical advisor; ADM Corn Processing Columbus Plant Manager Todd Good, advisor representing producers with an annual cumulative production capacity above 100 million gallons; and Trenton Agri Products Vice President of Operations Joe Shanle, advisor representing producers with an annual cumulative production capacity below 100 million gallons.
The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.
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