RNG: Dairy’s New Financial, Sustainable Gas

Caleb Case·June 18, 2022·0 comments

It’s a win-win scenario for the dairy industry that seems almost too good to be true. And yet the evolution of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is not without its challenges and roadblocks. RNG is natural gas derived from the decomposition of organic waste material, including food waste; garden and lawn clippings; municipal wastewater; landfill waste; and – the biggie for livestock production – manure. To capture RNG, manure is loaded into anaerobic digesters, where complex microbial communities break it down…

Caleb Case

Related posts

Chad Griffith

General Counsel

Chad is a dynamic energy leader with over 20 years of experience in law, engineering, and business, adept at transforming legal complexities into financial gains and sustainable solutions. As General Counsel at Northern Biogas, he excels in legal strategy, focusing on maximizing ROI through various tax credits and market participations. Previously COO at CNX Resources, Chad led operations through market disruptions, achieving significant cost savings and operational efficiencies, including pioneering a real-time waterline leak detection system. He holds degrees in Physics and Computer Science from Frostburg State University, a law degree from West Virginia University, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.

David Barry

Chief Financial Officer

David has 20 years of experience in the finance and energy sectors.

Prior to Northern Biogas, he was CFO & COO of Viking Pure Solutions, a green chemistry technology business that commercialized patent electrolysis technology. At Viking David oversaw 10x revenue growth and expanded manufacturing, service and distribution capabilities to serve customers in 30 states. Prior to Viking, David worked in the investment banking industry for 12 years, with a focus on energy, renewables and industrial technology. He has completed over $10bn of M&A and has helped clients raise over $20bn of capital, having led multiple debt and equity financings in most funding markets.

David was educated at Harvard College (BA) and the University of Chicago (MBA).

Brett Nixon

Chief Commercial Officer

Brett brings over 20 years of diverse experience in legal, finance, engineering, and natural gas sectors, with a recent focus on developing renewable natural gas opportunities from dairy, food waste, and landfills. Co-founding Trillium Energy Partners, which acquired Northern Biogas in 2021, Brett previously excelled as Vice President of Business Development at Energy Transfer, significantly expanding the company’s northeast unregulated business. His tenure at PVR Partners was instrumental in transitioning the company from coal to natural gas midstream. Earlier, Brett practiced as a finance attorney in New York, specializing in acquisition and energy project finance. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Southern Methodist University and a law degree from Columbia Law School, with early career experience at El Paso Field Services in engineering and commercial roles.

Dave Fitch

President & COO

Dave Fitch offers over 25 years of experience in engineering design, construction, operations, and commercial development, primarily in the Appalachian basin. Before joining Northern Biogas, he co-founded Trillium Energy Partners, which acquired Northern Biogas in 2021, and earlier, Ryno Energy Partners, focusing on midstream and downstream natural gas and oil production opportunities. At MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., Dave led the Northeast Region, overseeing the implementation of significant midstream assets in the Utica and Marcellus Shales. His tenure at Dominion Transmission, Inc. (Dominion Energy) was marked by leading engineering and construction of midstream assets. Earlier, Dave worked for Allegheny Power in facility planning and substation engineering. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served as a nuclear reactor operator on the USS Columbia (SSN-771) and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from West Virginia University, with a professional engineering license.

Chris Akers

Chief Executive Officer

Chris is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in midstream operations, construction, engineering, and finance, primarily in the Appalachian Basin. He co-founded Trillium after a transformative tenure as President and COO of Eureka Midstream, where he led significant growth in system throughput and EBITDA, turning it into a diversified operation. Before Eureka, Chris played a pivotal role in EQT Midstream’s expansion during his 13-year tenure, overseeing a team of 400+ and contributing to its evolution into a major midstream company. His earlier career includes various roles at Dominion Transmission, Inc. Chris has been an active member of several industry boards and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia Institute of Technology and an MBA from West Virginia Wesleyan.