Fortistar, LLC, a sustainability-focused private company helping to facilitate the transition to a zero-carbon economy, has hired David Unger as the senior vice president responsible for developing renewable natural gas (RNG) business projects. Unger is joining Fortistar from Waste Management, where he served as director of renewable energy.

During WasteExpo 2018 in Las Vegas, Fortistar announced that the firm has started to develop a portfolio of new RNG projects. RNG is carbon neutral and chemically identical to geological natural gas, allowing it to be used as a transportation fuel in natural gas vehicles and trucks.

“RNG from landfills offers a tremendous opportunity to sustainably expand America’s transportation fuel supply, and David’s deep knowledge of and experience in landfill gas projects will be instrumental in our rapid development of RNG projects,” said Mark Comora, president of Fortistar, in a statement. “David will fit in seamlessly with the Fortistar team, helping us to fulfill our vision of ensuring the most value both to our landfill partners and to our RNG transportation fuel customers. Fortistar’s best-in-class execution ensures continual project success for landfill owners, and our ability to deliver RNG fuel through TruStar fueling stations provides transportation fleets with the powerful ability to achieve their sustainability goals while also improving their bottom line.”

While at Waste Management, Unger was responsible for the marketing and development of all beneficial use landfill gas projects. In his career, Unger has developed more than 65 power plants and renewable energy facilities, 62 of which are currently operating and more than three are in design and/or under construction. In recognition of his outstanding achievement in developing beneficial use landfill gas projects, Unger was awarded a placement in Waste Management’s “Circle of Excellence.” He holds a bachelor of science in renewable natural resources from the University of Connecticut, and he received his master of business administration from the University of New Haven.

“Fortistar is a leader in extracting more value and better performance from low carbon power, transportation and industrial projects,” said Unger in a statement. “I look forward to working with the experienced and talented team at Fortistar and their affiliate TruStar Energy to build this new portfolio of RNG landfill projects.”

Fortistar, celebrating 25 years as a private company, has built, invested in and managed portfolios of successful independent and sustainable/clean energy generation projects in both the United States and Canada, including dozens of landfill gas-to-energy projects and the construction of more than 100 natural gas fueling stations. Fortistar’s demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with its investors, customers and local communities has been a major tenet of its decades-long successes.