During early 1995, the National Corn Growers Association and the Governors' Ethanol Coalition entered into a contract whereby the organizations would mutually support and manage a small operation dedicated to advancing the use of E85 as a form of alternative transportation fuel. This period coincided with the production of a limited number of vehicles being produced by Ford Motor Company that were capable of being operated on either unleaded gasoline or a blend of 85 percent methanol. These vehicles had been produced for sale only in the state of California; however, many groups, organizations, and individuals had expressed an interest in the use of ethanol, rather than methanol, in this new technology.

In June of 2000, the NEVC was formally incorporated with the following organizations as charter members:

Formation

The Board of Directors initially included:

• Harold Smedley, Chairman, Representing Colorado Corn Growers and Governors' Ethanol Coalition
• Gary Marshall, Vice-Chairman, Representing Missouri Corn Growers
• Todd Sneller, Sec.-Treas, Representing Nebraska Ethanol Board and Governors' Ethanol Coalition

These directors served through the end of 2001.

The Board of Directors immediately established a Search Committee to initiate a national search for an Executive Director to manage the day-to-day operations of the new NEVC. After having received more than 65 applications, the Search Committee recommended that the Board interview 6 candidates. These interviews took place in November of 2000 in Chicago, Illinois and, from this process, Phil Lampert was selected to serve as the Executive Director of the NEVC.