TEI Announces Leadership Board for 2026–2027
Plus, it announced the First Board of Advisors Class of 2026.
Jun 25, 2026 | 3 min read
The Transportation Energy Institute (TEI) has announced its Board of Directors leadership for the 2026–2027 term, along with the election of its new Board of Advisors Class of 2026.
Joe Butler, vice president, fuel supply & optimization at Pilot Company, has been re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In his role at Pilot, Butler brings extensive experience in fuel supply strategy and optimization across one of the nation’s leading travel center networks. He oversees fuel procurement and supply chain operations at Pilot Company, providing valuable insight into downstream energy markets and retail distribution dynamics.
Karl Fails, chief operating officer at Sunoco LP, has been elected to serve as Treasurer. At Sunoco, Fails leads operational performance across one of the largest independent fuel distributors in the industry, with distribution, terminal, pipeline and refining operations located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Greater Caribbean and Europe. His experience spans logistics, terminal operations and wholesale fuel distribution, contributing deep expertise on infrastructure and market delivery systems.
In addition, TEI has elected Mark McCarthy, Toyota Motor North America, to the Board of Directors, effective August 29, 2026. McCarthy is currently a program manager with Toyota’s Regulatory Affairs and Environmental Sustainability group. He is responsible for Toyota Motor North America’s strategic planning on liquid fuels. McCarthy previously worked for Japanese governmental organizations in both the U.S. and Japan including as the assistant director of energy and technology at the Japan External Trade Organization Houston. In addition, he is a US Army veteran.
TEI also announced the first Board of Advisors Class of 2026, representing leaders elected during the first half of the year. This group reflects the breadth of today’s transportation energy ecosystem, spanning fuels, infrastructure, research and mobility sectors.
The TEI Board of Advisors Class of 2026 includes:
- Austin Robida, CHS
- Ginger Laidlaw, Alternative Fuels Council
- Cassie Benfield, Cenovus Energy
- Brian Simpson, EcoEnergy
- Brian Kuebert, Gilbarco Veeder-Root
- Chad Kobayashi, Maverik Inc.
- Doug Haugh, New Tide Development
- Josh Pihl, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Robert Grace, BP
- Drew Lohoff, Colonial Pipeline
- Wesley Carter, Gulf Inc.
- Bo Sasnett, United Uptime Services
- Chris Bambury, Bambury, Inc.
“TEI’s strength comes from the diversity of expertise and perspectives represented across our leadership,” said John Eichberger, executive director of the Transportation Energy Institute. “This new class of Board of Advisors members reflects the breadth of today’s transportation energy landscape—from traditional fuels and infrastructure to emerging technologies and research. Their insights, along with the continued leadership of our Board of Directors, will help ensure TEI remains a trusted source of objective, fact-based analysis as the industry evolves.”
The TEI Board of Advisors provides strategic guidance and industry insight to support the Institute’s mission of delivering independent, non-advocacy research on transportation energy trends, technologies and policy considerations.
