For Troy Shoen, his role as Business Consultant at Chevron is an opportunity to come full circle.
Shoen grew up on his grandfather's farm just outside of Cambridge, Iowa, and always hoped to either return to agriculture or build a career that added value back to farmers. Today, he leads unbranded fuel sales to strategic accounts, including trucking fleets, railroads and mining operations, with a focus on both traditional diesel and renewable fuels.
After graduating from the University of Iowa, Shoen worked in marketing roles with Iowa-based companies including Maytag Appliances and Tone's Spices. His desire to return to agriculture led him to Feed Energy, a Des Moines feed ingredient company, before joining Ames-based Renewable Energy Group (REG), which grew from a small farmer-owned cooperative into one of the nation's largest biodiesel producers.
REG was acquired by Chevron in 2022, allowing Shoen to continue advancing renewable fuels while staying connected to his original purpose.
1. What are the opportunities for renewable fuels such as biodiesel?
By turning agricultural byproducts such as waste oils and animal fats into high-quality, lower carbon diesel fuel, renewable fuels create additional value for Iowa farmers. I really enjoy talking to fleets who have always used diesel fuel and never considered renewable fuels before. It is fun to share the advantages of a lower carbon fuel, including cost savings, environmental benefits, and the added value it creates for Iowa farmers.
Renewable fuels represent an immediate opportunity for people to lower their carbon intensity. In Iowa, E15 is available across the majority of gas stations. Likewise, we are seeing greater retail adoption of biodiesel blended with diesel fuel so semis can fuel up with biodiesel blends across the country. There may be a place and time in the future when electric vehicles see greater adoption, but right now, the solution is ethanol and biodiesel. And the great news is that Iowa leads the way in production of both fuels.
I think one of the greatest opportunities in the future for renewable fuels is through use and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel. The airline industry is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, and we can produce a lower carbon alternative today.
2. You’ve had the opportunity to work with several well-known Iowa companies and brands, why has Iowa been the right fit for you throughout your career?
Nothing compares to Iowa’s culture and values. I couldn’t imagine living and working anywhere else. All the cliches apply: Iowans are nice, family-oriented and work extremely hard. I want neighbors and co-workers who exemplify those characteristics as well.
I’ve also had several colleagues and mentors who have shown me the opportunities here in the state. At Feed Energy, I learned from owner and entrepreneur Bob Riley about building, sustaining and growing a business in Iowa, and the value of surrounding yourself with great leaders to drive visionary growth.
Early in my career, I had the chance to interview for a role as a brand manager in Colorado. My wife and I flew out to Denver, looked at homes, visited the elementary schools and really considered what life would look like in Colorado.
But soon after we returned home from the visit, our neighbors invited us over for a get-together, our local school had a carnival for the kids, and my co-workers had a picnic to celebrate our work achievements. It made us realize Iowa is unique and we really didn’t want to give that up. Plus, nothing beats a July evening with fireflies over a cornfield and heat lightning flashing in the distant clouds.
3. You are a member of the first cohort of the Cultivate 360 industry education and professional development program. Talk about the program and its highlights.
The Cultivate 360 program has opened my eyes to business success stories across Iowa and how their journey can influence my journey. Whether you work for a small business or one of the largest in the nation like Chevron, we can learn from the experiences of others to bring back ideas and opportunities. And, networking has been phenomenal.
One of the program highlights came from our tour of Sukup Manufacturing Co. in Sheffield, Iowa, a small family business that has grown into a real giant in the material handling industry. Charles Sukup, co-chairman of the board of directors, was with us for most of the day. When he joined us on the facility tour, he greeted each employee by name as if they were family and their eyes lit up when they saw him. You could see that the workforce believed in the company’s purpose and focused on building quality products. And how truly Iowan is that? A leader who cares, a workforce working hard behind a common purpose and a product benefiting farmers.
4. What advice do you have for someone considering a move or return to Iowa?
Iowa offers so many opportunities if you are willing to embrace them. If you really get involved and spend time getting to know Iowa, you will see all the hidden gems.
When my son graduated high school, he went to the University of Tennessee. He enjoyed his time there and we enjoyed many trips to Knoxville to cheer on the Volunteer football team. When he graduated as one of the top students in his business class, he had opportunities to go anywhere to start his career, but he came back to Iowa. He couldn’t see starting a family anywhere else. He wanted access to good schools, friendly neighbors where he could feel safe, and an opportunity to grow his career.
5. Please share three recommendations of things to do or places to go in Iowa.
There are way too many great places to just choose three, so I’ll share a few recommendations for a perfect day in and around my central Iowa community of Huxley!
- Start the day with a vanilla iced latte from Heritage Coffee in Huxley. It is a great space that facilitates conversation and community while having a great cup of coffee.
- Take a walk through the Christiansen Forest Preserve just outside of town, one of my favorite places for reflection and to see deer.
- Feeling adventurous? Hop on your bike and take the High Trestle Trail to the Whistling Donkey in Woodward. Stop at the Slater Station and Flat Tire Lounge along the way for a beverage, and of course, a stop at the High Trestle Bridge for one of the best views in Iowa.
- Get a little R&R by meandering through Reiman Gardens on the campus of Iowa State University.
- Enjoy the best barbecue in Iowa at Whatcha Smokin in Luther.
- Finish out the evening with a sunset hike at the nearby Ledges State Park. And feel like a kid again by standing next to where the water crosses the road and cars speed up to see if they can splash you, much to the delight of everyone.
Iowa is such a wonderful place with great opportunities, great culture and most importantly, great people!
Published August 2026.