David Darr Joins Vanguard Renewables as Chief Sustainability Officer

Vanguard Renewables, a U.S. leader in farm-derived renewable natural gas, announces the recent appointment of David Darr as its Chief Sustainability Officer. Darr joins Vanguard Renewables from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in Kansas City, KS.

“For more than twenty years, David has worked to enhance sustainable and regenerative farming practices across the United States. At this time of expansive growth for Vanguard Renewables, it is a tremendous opportunity to bring David to our team,” said Neil H. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Renewables. “David’s knowledge, expertise, and energy will be instrumental in guiding our sustainability initiatives and solutions internally and for our farm and food industry partners.”

Before joining Vanguard Renewables, Mr. Darr served as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Dairy Farmers of America. Dairy Farmers of America is a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 12,500 members producing ingredients for cheese, butter, ice cream, fluid milk and more under well-known, quality national and regional brands.

Mr. Darr provided leadership and strategic direction for DFA, and many of its customers. He worked alongside farms to develop viable, sustainable, and cost-effective processes to enhance income streams and herd health and production. At Vanguard Renewables, Darr will work across all areas of the business to lead internal and partner sustainability initiatives to meet the needs that the climate crisis demands.

“I've been passionate about sustainability, food, and farming my whole life. Joining Vanguard is an opportunity to even more deeply ‘talk the talk and walk the walk’ expanding sustainable initiatives for agriculture and the food industry, and producing renewable energy,” Darr said. “Developing projects and establishing partnerships and relationships that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support local farmers and their communities is incredibly important at this moment in time.”

Mr. Darr holds both a BS and MS in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University and an MBA from Rockhurst University. Darr assumed the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at Vanguard Renewables on January 4, 2022.