Gene Gebolys Receives YPO's Prestigious 2024 Global Impact Award For Environmental Leadership

NEW YORK -- In a significant announcement today, YPO, the premier global leadership community comprising over 35,000 chief executives across 150 countries, has awarded Gene Gebolys, the visionary Founder and CEO of World Energy, with the 2024 Global Impact Award. This prestigious accolade is YPO's highest honor, celebrating members who have made a sustainable and scalable impact beyond the organization. World Energy, under Gebolys' leadership, is at the forefront of providing low-carbon solutions and is instrumental in aiding leading companies to fulfill their net-zero commitments through the acceleration of alternatives to fossil-based motor fuels.

Thayer Smith, CEO of YPO, lauded Gebolys and World Energy for their pioneering efforts in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a crucial element in the global decarbonization agenda. "Gene and World Energy are boldly tackling sustainable aviation fuel, a critical step in decarbonizing our world," Smith remarked. "His groundbreaking work at World Energy is fueling global change and stands as a beacon of inspiration for our YPO community."

For over a quarter-century, World Energy has been a leader in renewable fuels and emerging sustainability technologies. It holds the distinction of being the world's first commercial-scale producer of SAF—a renewable alternative to fossil jet fuel derived from sources like used cooking oil, waste animal fat, and agricultural waste. Gebolys has also positioned World Energy as an early adopter in the high-integrity market for decarbonization as a service with sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc), or "insets," allowing companies across various sectors to purchase carbon savings SAF delivers by the metric ton.

Moreover, World Energy is on an ambitious path to significantly boost SAF production. This includes a USD3 billion initiative to transform a legacy petroleum refinery in Los Angeles into a 100% renewable production facility—a model mirrored by their Houston facility conversion. Upon completion, these facilities are expected to produce a combined total of 500 million gallons of SAF annually by 2027. With an overall investment of USD15 billion across North America, World Energy aims to expedite leaders' efforts towards achieving net-zero realities.

World Energy's initiatives have already made a notable impact by eliminating 250,000 metric tons of aviation emissions. A landmark achievement was their partnership with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. in November 2023 for the world's first 100% net-zero transatlantic flight powered entirely by SAF from Savannah, Georgia, USA, to London, England.

Gebolys expressed his gratitude upon receiving the YPO Global Impact Award, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration as essential components of making a global impact. "Life is a team sport. Nobody makes a global impact alone," he stated. He extended his appreciation to partners, teammates, suppliers, customers, host communities, government supporters, joint venturers, and his family for their unwavering support.

The selection of Gebolys was made from honorees representing YPO's super regions globally. Among them were Nicolette Maury, CEO of Avani Solutions—a climate technology company focused on delivering ESG technology to the real estate industry—and Carissa Reiniger, Founder and CEO of Silver Lining which aims to transform the economy one small business at a time through its SaaS solution based on behavior change science.

About YPO: YPO is the global leadership community connecting more than 35,000 chief executives in 150 countries through the shared belief in better leadership and business as a force for good. Its members lead organizations employing over 22 million people worldwide and generating over USD9 trillion in combined revenue. YPO fosters learning and idea exchange among its members to make a positive impact on their lives, businesses, and communities. For more information about YPO and its initiatives, visit ypo.org.