Member Press Release
American Biogas Council Announces New Board Chair
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WASHINGTON – June 2, 2026 – The American Biogas Council (ABC) today announced that its Board leadership will transition as longtime Chair Bernie Sheff of Burns & McDonnell hands the ABC Board gavel to Randy Beck, Senior Director of Renewable Energy at WM. Sheff will step down after 15 years of dedicated service to the organization, including 12 years as Board Chair.
During Bernie Sheff’s 12 years as Board Chair, the U.S. biogas industry experienced extraordinary growth. The number of new biogas capture facilities increased by 812 (45%), while annual biogas-derived methane production grew 6.5 times to approximately 360 Bcf. Sheff helped guide the Board and Executive Director Patrick Serfass through major industry milestones, including the development of innovative federal and state policies and new market opportunities that continue to strengthen the industry. Under Sheff’s and Serfass’ leadership, the American Biogas Council also developed the only digester operator school, the only digestate certification program, and BIOGAS AMERICAS, the largest tradeshow and conference for the industry in North America.
“Bernie’s leadership has been instrumental to the success of the American Biogas Council and the growth of our industry,” said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of the American Biogas Council. “His steady guidance, deep technical expertise, and unwavering commitment have helped position biogas as a vital part of America’s energy, agricultural, and waste management future. We are profoundly grateful for the thousands of hours he’s donated to growing the only trade association that represents the entire biogas industry in the U.S.”
“I am at once both humbled and awed by the achievements of the ABC and the contribution our organization has made to propel the evolution of the biogas industry over the past 15 years, and proud to have been part of leading this amazing team!” said Bernie Sheff, former ABC Board Chair. “We always kept our eyes clearly on where we wanted to go and never gave up on this journey, and it has paid off. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the board that leads this amazing, purpose-driven group ahead toward a future of American-made energy available to all. Randy’s leadership is what the ABC needs for this next chapter.”
Randy Beck Brings More Than Three Decades of Renewable Energy Experience
Randy Beck is a 35-year energy industry veteran and currently serves as Senior Director of Renewable Energy at WM (Waste Management). He leads the development of WM’s extensive portfolio of landfill gas-to-energy and renewable natural gas projects.
Beck has played a central role in developing, constructing, and operating more than 90 renewable energy facilities and bringing over 20 new RNG projects online. Under his leadership, WM’s renewable natural gas portfolio is expected to reach approximately 30 Bcf of RNG production annually by the end of this year. Randy’s broad experience spans engineering, operations, project development, and strategic market growth, making him exceptionally well positioned to lead the ABC Board.
“I’m honored to be elected Chairman of an organization that has been critical to supporting and growing the biogas industry,” said Randy Beck. “The ABC has created tremendous opportunities for biogas development through our policy advocacy, education, and outreach. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and members to eliminate barriers to emerging markets, expand opportunities, and ensure biogas continues to provide jobs, strengthen our economy, and deliver homegrown renewable energy and organic recycling solutions to communities across the country.”
WM has played an active leadership role in the American Biogas Council since 2012 and is proud to continue to be an industry leader by being a feedstock provider, developer, operator, and purchaser of renewable energy. The company is actively involved in landfill gas-to-energy, owning or hosting 163 beneficial use projects on WM landfills, with over 100 of those projects owned and operated by WM. WM has also been involved in developing co-digestion projects in California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, and is actively developing additional food waste digestion projects. Through their work with anaerobic digester operators, WM helps facilitate the processing of over 200,000 ton per year of food waste into biogas.
Continuing Momentum for the Biogas Industry
The U.S. biogas industry converts organic waste streams, including food scraps, manure, wastewater solids, and landfill waste into renewable electricity, renewable natural gas, sustainable vehicle fuel, and renewable heat.
Biogas systems create environmental benefits while supporting local economies and improving public health. The industry:
- Produces clean, renewable energy
- Recycles nutrients and organic materials
- Reduces methane emissions from waste
- Creates jobs and investment in rural and urban communities
- Improves soil health and agricultural productivity
The American Biogas Council will continue to focus on expanding domestic biogas development by advancing supportive policies, growing education and workforce opportunities, and accelerating access to emerging markets. To learn more about the American Biogas Council Board of Directors and to view full biographies, visit the ABC Board page at americanbiogascouncil.org.
About the American Biogas Council
The American Biogas Council (ABC) is the voice of the U.S. biogas industry dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems, which capture energy from organic materials like manure, wastewater solids and wastewater solids as they break down. Biogas can be used to power and heat homes, fuel vehicles, or generate electricity. In addition, the process produces nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. The ABC represents more than 400 companies in all parts of the biogas supply chain who are leading the way to a better future by maximizing all the positive environmental and economic impacts biogas systems offer when they recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products. Learn more online at AmericanBiogasCouncil.org, X @ambiogascouncil, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Melissa Bailey, 310.465.5647, melissa@americanbiogascouncil.org