Chief Executive Officer Appointment Green Plains Names Chris Osowski to Lead the Company
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE), a leading biorefining and renewable energy company, announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Chris Osowski as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective immediately. The appointment marks a significant step for the company as it positions itself for its next phase of growth, operational excellence, and strategic execution in the evolving renewable energy and agribusiness landscape.
Osowski is no stranger to Green Plains. Since January 2022, he has served as Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology, playing a critical role in advancing the company’s operational transformation initiatives. More recently, he became a member of the company’s Executive Committee in March 2025, where he collaborated closely with senior leadership on business strategy, safety culture, and performance optimization. His deep familiarity with Green Plains’ people, processes, and strategic objectives uniquely positions him to lead the company forward.
Jim Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Directors, expressed strong confidence in the new CEO. “Chris has the right combination of leadership, operational depth, and industry experience to lead Green Plains into its next chapter,” Anderson said. “As we considered several highly qualified candidates during this process, we focused on identifying a leader who could accelerate our safety-first, measurement-driven culture of operational excellence. Chris stood out as the clear choice to carry that agenda forward.”
Anderson also acknowledged the contributions of other leaders who provided stability during the leadership transition. “I would like to extend the Board’s sincere gratitude to Michelle Mapes for her outstanding service as Interim Principal Executive Officer and for her continued leadership as our Chief Legal and Administration Officer. We are equally grateful to the other members of the Executive Committee — Imre Havasi, Jamie Herbert, and Chris himself — for their steady leadership and collaboration during this important transition period.”
A Global Leader with Deep Industry Experience
Osowski brings to the CEO role more than 20 years of global leadership experience across the chemical, agribusiness, and renewable energy industries. Over the course of his career, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive operational transformation, implement innovative technologies, and create sustainable value across large-scale industrial platforms. His leadership experience spans multiple continents, having served in executive roles in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Before joining Green Plains, Osowski was Vice President of Global Technology for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), where he oversaw innovation and technical advancements across one of the world’s largest agricultural processors. He also held leadership roles at Tate & Lyle, Renewable Energy Group, and POET, giving him a uniquely broad perspective across renewable fuels, proteins, and agricultural technology.
A native of Argyle, Minnesota, Osowski holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biosystems engineering from North Dakota State University and an MBA from Minnesota State University. His technical expertise, combined with his global business experience, gives him a balanced perspective on both operational detail and high-level corporate strategy.
CEO Vision: Operational Excellence and Long-Term Value
In his first remarks as CEO, Osowski expressed both pride and optimism about the opportunity to lead Green Plains. “I am excited and honored to lead Green Plains,” he said. “We have an exceptional team and a clear strategy focused on operational excellence, disciplined execution, and long-term value creation for our shareholders, customers, and communities. Our industry is at a pivotal moment, and Green Plains is well positioned to lead in sustainable solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment.”
Osowski emphasized that Green Plains’ success will continue to be built on its people, culture, and operational discipline. He pointed to safety, accountability, and performance as the pillars of the company’s strategy, stressing the importance of building a workplace where innovation thrives and every team member feels empowered to contribute to shared goals.
Strengthening the Leadership Team: Appointment of Trent Collins
In addition to assuming his new role, Osowski announced another key leadership move designed to further strengthen operational performance. Trent Collins, who joined Green Plains in April 2024 as Vice President of Operational Excellence, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations.
“I have worked closely with Trent over the years and have seen firsthand the depth of his operational expertise and his unwavering commitment to building a culture centered on safety and accountability,” Osowski said. “His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our performance and deliver on our strategic priorities.”
Collins brings more than three decades of leadership experience in the protein and agribusiness sectors. Before joining Green Plains, he served as Senior Vice President of Ingredients Operations at Benson Hill and held the role of Global Director of Proteins Technology at ADM. His extensive track record in operational leadership makes him a strong addition to Green Plains’ executive team at a time when efficiency, innovation, and execution are critical to industry success.
Positioning Green Plains for the Future
The leadership transition comes at a time of opportunity and transformation for Green Plains. The company has been pursuing a strategic shift from a traditional ethanol producer to a value-added biorefining platform that generates sustainable products ranging from low-carbon fuels to high-protein ingredients and renewable corn oil. This evolution requires strong leadership to balance operational execution with long-term innovation.
By naming Osowski as CEO, the Board of Directors has signaled its confidence in his ability to deliver on both near-term operational goals and long-term strategic ambitions. His appointment underscores Green Plains’ commitment to building a resilient, sustainable business model that creates value not only for shareholders but also for farmers, customers, employees, and the communities in which the company operates.
As Anderson noted, the company’s focus remains on maintaining a culture of safety, accountability, and performance while pursuing growth opportunities in renewable energy and agribusiness. With Osowski at the helm and a strengthened leadership team, Green Plains is positioning itself for continued success in a competitive and rapidly changing industry.
