Clay Corbus Takes Over as CEO of Clean Energy Fuels in Leadership Transition
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE) has announced a major leadership transition, naming Clay Corbus as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Corbus also joins the company’s Board of Directors as part of the transition. He succeeds Andrew Littlefair, the company’s co-founder and long-serving CEO, who has led the organization for three decades and played a central role in shaping its growth and influence within the alternative fuels sector.
Littlefair’s transition marks the end of an era for Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a company widely recognized for its pioneering efforts in promoting cleaner transportation fuels across the United States. While stepping down from his executive duties, Littlefair will remain closely involved with the organization. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and take on a new role as a non-employee government relations consultant, where his experience and industry relationships are expected to remain valuable assets.
The company’s Board expressed strong confidence in Corbus’s appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and leadership capabilities. Board Chairman Stephen Scully emphasized that Corbus brings a unique combination of institutional knowledge and strategic vision that positions him well to guide the company into its next phase. According to Scully, Corbus’s ability to anticipate market trends and craft forward-looking strategies will be instrumental in driving sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.
Scully also took the opportunity to acknowledge Littlefair’s remarkable contributions. Over the past 30 years, Littlefair has not only built Clean Energy from the ground up but has also helped shape the broader alternative fuels industry. Under his leadership, the company expanded its footprint, developed innovative renewable energy solutions, and became a key player in the transition toward cleaner transportation. His vision and persistence helped position Clean Energy as a leader in renewable natural gas (RNG), a fuel increasingly seen as a practical and scalable solution for reducing emissions in heavy-duty transportation.
Corbus steps into the CEO role with nearly two decades of experience within Clean Energy. Over his 19-year tenure, he has held several senior leadership positions, giving him deep insight into the company’s operations and strategic direction. His responsibilities have included leading corporate strategy development, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, and managing capital-raising initiatives. Most recently, Corbus has been in charge of the company’s rapidly expanding RNG production and distribution businesses, which are central to Clean Energy’s growth strategy.
Before his long career at Clean Energy, Corbus also gained valuable experience in the financial sector, serving as Co-CEO of the investment bank WR Hambrecht + Co. This background has contributed to his strong understanding of capital markets, deal-making, and strategic investments—skills that are expected to be highly relevant as Clean Energy continues to expand and navigate an increasingly competitive energy landscape.
In his remarks following the announcement, Corbus expressed gratitude for the opportunity and confidence placed in him by the Board. He also paid tribute to Littlefair’s leadership, acknowledging the solid foundation that has been built over the years. Corbus emphasized his commitment to leveraging the company’s existing strengths while exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation.
He highlighted the importance of teamwork and noted that Clean Energy’s experienced leadership bench will play a crucial role in shaping the company’s future. Corbus stated that he is eager to collaborate with the company’s employees to further develop its renewable natural gas platform, strengthen relationships with fleet customers, and expand its market presence. His vision includes not only maintaining the company’s leadership in RNG but also identifying new ways to accelerate the adoption of cleaner fuels across the transportation sector.
Littlefair, reflecting on his tenure, described co-founding Clean Energy alongside energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens as one of the greatest privileges of his career. He expressed pride in what the company has achieved and confidence in its future under Corbus’s leadership. Littlefair pointed to the ongoing transition within the heavy-duty transportation market as a particularly exciting opportunity, noting that the shift toward alternative fuels is gaining momentum and creating new avenues for growth.
He also voiced strong support for Corbus, stating that the new CEO has the experience, vision, and leadership qualities needed to guide the company through this next phase. According to Littlefair, the combination of Corbus’s strategic mindset and deep familiarity with Clean Energy’s operations makes him the right choice to lead during a time of significant industry transformation.
This leadership change comes at a critical moment for Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and the broader energy sector. As governments, businesses, and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and emissions reduction, the demand for cleaner fuel alternatives continues to rise. Renewable natural gas, in particular, has emerged as a viable solution for reducing carbon emissions in sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as trucking and heavy-duty transportation.
With Corbus at the helm, Clean Energy is expected to build on its existing momentum while exploring new growth opportunities. His leadership will likely focus on expanding RNG infrastructure, strengthening partnerships, and positioning the company to capitalize on evolving market dynamics. At the same time, Littlefair’s continued involvement ensures that the company retains access to his decades of experience and industry insight.
Overall, the transition represents both continuity and change—a passing of the torch from a visionary founder to a seasoned executive who has been deeply involved in the company’s journey. As Clean Energy moves forward, the combination of fresh leadership and established expertise positions it well to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the evolving clean energy landscape.
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