Stillwater Associates is proud to welcome Chuck LeTavec to our team. Chuck is a seasoned expert whose career bridges technical innovation, regulatory transformation, and energy market strategy. His ability to connect the economic, political, and scientific dimensions of transportation fuels brings valuable perspective to Stillwater’s work helping clients navigate change.
Chuck brings over three decades of experience and leadership in the transportation fuels market to Stillwater Associates. He has led organizations through complex transitions in renewable fuels, refining, logistics, and supply optimization – delivering more than $500 million in commercial value through innovative solutions and operational excellence. His background includes directing multi-billion-dollar project appraisals, managing supply chain and optimization for bp’s Cherry Point Refinery, and resolving high-profile regulatory challenges. Chuck’s expertise spans fuels strategy, sustainable energy projects, and investment case development for low-carbon fuels like sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. His career is marked by a consistent drive to advance practical, profitable, and sustainable approaches across the evolving energy landscape.
Chuck was drawn to Stillwater by trusted peers and the quality of Stillwater’s insights. “I was inspired by colleagues and friends who were already part of Stillwater,” he says. “And I’d been consistently impressed by the newsletters and articles. They reflect unique insights grounded in deep experience, something you don’t find in many organizations.” That mix of intellectual rigor and collaboration made Stillwater a natural fit.
Among Chuck’s many career highlights, one stands out: his leadership in introducing ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “I led a test program involving engine manufacturers, government agencies, and fleet operators,” he recalls. “We conducted road and emissions testing of ULSD compared to 500 ppm sulfur diesel and natural gas vehicles. It was a once-in-a-career opportunity — challenging but incredibly rewarding.” The program’s success helped establish ULSD as a market standard, delivering major air quality and public health benefits.
When asked what excites him most about working in the transportation fuels space, Chuck points to the unique mix of discipline and impacts. “I really enjoy working at the intersection of the economic, political, and physical sciences,” he says. “Helping people and organizations navigate a path through changing regulations, market impacts, emissions, and the effects on society is a very interesting, challenging space.”
Today, Chuck is particularly energized by the global drive to decarbonize transportation. “Decarbonizing transportation fuels is fascinating because traditional hydrocarbons will remain part of the picture for some time,” he explains. “Which fuels and technologies lead that transition, and how those choices ripple across markets and society, are questions that drive a lot of my work.”
He’s closely following trends such as the pace of EV adoption, the evolution of commercial fleets, and emerging solutions for decarbonizing aviation. “These are big, interconnected challenges,” he says. “Each has implications for supply, demand, and economics that we’re only beginning to understand.”
Outside of work, Chuck values time with family and staying active. He and his wife recently returned from a three-week trip to Europe, including a memorable week in Prague with their two sons and daughter-in-law. When not traveling, he enjoys golfing, running, pickleball, and experimenting in the kitchen.
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