Karpel Associates is an executive search firm for biofuels and renewable natural gas (RNG) companies across the US, recruiting for developers, producers, fuel marketers and investors. We fill the leadership seats that turn organic waste and crops into revenue: project development, feedstock, plant operations, commercial strategy and environmental credit compliance.
The biofuels business in brief
Biofuels companies make money in ways that look very little like a solar or wind developer. Their output is a molecule, not just electrons, and their economics depend on three moving parts at once: the cost and reliability of feedstock, the efficiency of the conversion process, and the value of environmental credits attached to each gallon or MMBtu.
The sector itself spans a wide range:
- Renewable natural gas from dairy and swine manure digesters, landfills and wastewater treatment plants
- Biomass power and thermal energy from forestry and agricultural residues
- Ethanol and biodiesel, the established first-generation fuels
- Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), often produced at converted refineries
- Emerging pathways such as cellulosic fuels and renewable hydrogen from biogas
Because these businesses are so different from one another, a leader who thrived at an ethanol plant may need significant ramp-up time at a landfill gas project. We map that fit carefully.
Policy adds another layer. Federal and state clean fuel programs reward lower carbon intensity, which pushes producers toward new feedstocks, carbon capture at ethanol plants and better measurement of farm practices. Leadership teams that understand how those incentives shift over time make better capital decisions, and boards increasingly expect that literacy from every senior hire, not only the compliance team.
Biofuels leadership skills that are in short supply
Feedstock strategy
Securing long-term supply from farms, haulers, municipalities or landfill owners is often the first constraint on growth. Strong candidates have negotiated feedstock agreements, managed logistics and built supplier relationships that survive price swings.
Process and plant operations
Anaerobic digestion, gas upgrading, hydrotreating and fermentation each demand specialized operations leaders. We look for people who have improved uptime and yield, managed hazardous processes safely and kept permits in good standing.
Credit and compliance expertise
RINs under the Renewable Fuel Standard, LCFS credits and clean fuel production tax credits can make or break a project. Directors who understand carbon intensity pathways, third-party verification and credit marketing are among the hardest people to recruit.
Matching candidates to your business model
| If your company is... | We prioritize candidates with... |
|---|---|
| An RNG developer | Digester and upgrading project delivery, pipeline interconnection, offtake contracting |
| A renewable diesel or SAF producer | Refinery operations, hydroprocessing, airline and fuel buyer relationships |
| A biomass power operator | Fuel supply chains, boiler operations, air permit management |
| An investor or platform builder | M&A integration, portfolio operations, capital raising |
How we run biofuels searches
We start with a discovery call to understand your feedstock, technology and commercial model. Then we search a proprietary database of more than 40,000 renewable energy professionals, along with adjacent pools in agriculture, oil refining, chemicals and waste management. You receive three to five finalists who each meet at least 90% of the agreed criteria, and we follow up after placement to make sure the hire is working. Most of the people we place were never on a job board.
Biofuels often overlaps with other waste and environmental businesses. Landfill gas and municipal solid waste projects share talent with our waste-to-energy recruiting work, and credit compliance leaders frequently come through our environmental and ESG search practice. For practical hiring insight across the sector, browse the Karpel Associates blog.
Begin your biofuels search
If you are building an RNG portfolio, launching a SAF project or replacing a plant leader, we can help. Contact us to discuss the role and the candidate landscape.