Vanguard Renewables®, a leading environmental services company specializing in converting organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG), has appointed Michael O’Laughlin as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 20 years of leadership experience across clean energy, aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and industrial sectors, O’Laughlin brings a strong track record of operational excellence and strategic growth to the company.
Previously serving as President of Engineered Materials at Kymera International, O’Laughlin spearheaded the company’s rapid growth and established it as an industry leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. His leadership fostered innovation, process improvement, and expansion both organically and through acquisitions. Prior to Kymera, O’Laughlin held executive roles at Lydall, Raytheon, and General Electric.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mike to Vanguard Renewables,” said Doug Vaccari, Managing Director of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) at BlackRock and Lead Director of Vanguard’s Board. “His proven experience in scaling global organizations and driving sustainable growth aligns seamlessly with Vanguard’s mission to advance a sustainable future.”
As CEO, O’Laughlin will focus on scaling Vanguard’s Farm Powered® anaerobic digester platform across the United States, leveraging his expertise in operations management, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies. The company aims to broaden its impact by producing RNG and exploring advanced renewable fuel solutions to address market demands.
“I am excited to join Vanguard Renewables to lead the nationwide expansion of its environmental services platform,” said O’Laughlin. “Vanguard provides its partners with circular solutions for materials recycling and renewable energy procurement while advancing anaerobic digestion technologies. I am honored to contribute to this innovative and impactful journey.”
O’Laughlin holds an MBA from Boston University and a BS in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management from Clarkson University. His customer-focused leadership and commitment to continuous improvement will strengthen Vanguard’s position as a global leader in the renewable natural gas sector.
