Chet Benham
Global Energy Executive | Traditional & Renewable Energy Innovator | Board Advisor
- Role
- SVP & President, Renewable Energy Ventures at South Jersey Industries
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Chet Benham
With over 25 years of experience at the intersection of traditional and renewable energy, I have consistently led companies in navigating the complexities of global energy markets, specializing in driving innovation and scaling businesses across the energy landscape. My career spans private equity-backed ventures, Fortune Global 500 companies, and cutting-edge startups, where I have successfully joined cleantech innovation with established energy businesses. Throughout my career, I have played a key role in pioneering industry-first projects and driving transformational growth. I was part of a team that executed $375M in equity funding to accelerate the development of scalable renewable natural gas (RNG) projects, reshaping the North American RNG market. My work has enabled large-scale industry transactions. Early in my career, I helped catalyze the RNG industry by guiding the development, design, and construction of Air Liquide’s first RNG plant in the U.S, a milestone in cleantech innovation. I have also led the successful development of 17 waste-to-energy projects, structured complex M&A transactions, and helped secure over $100M in project financing with leading financial institutions—all while navigating the evolving regulatory and geopolitical landscape. In the traditional energy industry, I led the development of a Natural Gas business unit within Air Liquide that helped bring new technology solutions to the offshore industry – technologies that both enabled the development of new fields and lowered operating emissions significantly. As a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and investors, I thrive in dynamic, high-stakes environments where strategic vision and execution are paramount. Whether advising on corporate transformations, structuring capital raises, or pioneering large-scale energy initiatives, I bring a deep commitment to driving growth, innovation, and long-term value.
Experience
SVP & President, Renewable Energy Ventures
Jun 2025 — Present · Philadelphia & Houston, TX, US
Leading the non-utility businesses for South Jersey Industries, a leading U.S. energy services holding company that owns national scale non-utility energy businesses and gas utilities with over 1,200 employees serving customers across miles of distribution and transmission pipeline.SJI REV is focused on delivering a portfolio of high-performing energy assets and developing pragmatic, accretive new projects across the spectrum of renewables including low-carbon gas/RNG, hydrogen, fuel cells, battery storage and others. We are singularly focused on using operational excellence to deliver increasing NAV for our stakeholders - and doing so in full alignment with SJI\'s core values of Safety, Service, Community, Inclusion & Sustainability.
Education
University of Houston
MBA
2000 — 2003
London Business School
Executive Education
2019 — 2019
London Business School
Exec Education
2008 — 2008
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
Executive Education
2014 — 2014
Skills
- Energy
- Process Optimization
- R
- Chemical Engineering
- Continuous Improvement
- Product Development
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