ABOUT

PENNCARA TECHNOLOGY

Our Record of Success

Penncara Energy, LLC was founded in 1999 by a team of entrepreneurs and scientists determined to develop opportunities in the coal and carbon materials industries. From 2000 to 2008, Penncara was the primary consultant in developing the largest project converting coal fines into useable fuel ever done in the United States. This project generated in excess of $1 billion of pre-tax equivalent earnings for participating companies.

Today, Penncara and their team of entrepreneurial, research, and legal experts boasts over two decades of unmatched success. Their work has accrued dozens of original patents and expanded into academic research and development collaborations with universities such as Penn State University and West Virginia University.

Our Record of Success

Penncara Energy, LLC was founded in 1999 by a team of entrepreneurs and scientists determined to develop opportunities in the coal and carbon materials industries. From 2000 to 2008, Penncara was the primary consultant in developing the largest project converting coal fines into useable fuel ever done in the United States. This project generated in excess of $1 billion of pre-tax equivalent earnings for participating companies.

Today, Penncara and their team of entrepreneurial, research, and legal experts boasts over two decades of unmatched success. Their work has accrued dozens of original patents and expanded into academic research and development collaborations with universities such as Penn State University & West Virginia University.

Our Record  of Successs

Penncara Energy, LLC was founded in 1999 by a team of entrepreneurs and scientists determined to develop opportunities in the coal and carbon materials industries. From 2000 to 2008, Penncara was the primary consultant in developing the largest project converting coal fines into useable fuel ever done in the United States. This project generated in excess of $1 billion of pre-tax equivalent earnings for participating companies.

Today, Penncara and their team of entrepreneurial, research, and legal experts boasts over two decades of unmatched success. Their work has accrued dozens of original patents and expanded into academic research and development collaborations with universities such as Penn State University & West Virginia University.

120+

years that Pennsylvania has been America’s carbon manufacturing hub

2.8%

current estimation of the U.S.’s contribution to the global production of coal tar 

4

industries in need of U.S. produced carbon products—defense, medical, energy, and infrastructure

0

CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere with Penncara synthetic pitch technology

120+

years that Pennsylvania has been America’s carbon manufacturing hub

2.8%

current estimation of the U.S.’s contribution to the global production of coal tar 

4

industries in need of U.S. produced carbon products—defense, medical, energy, and infrastructure

0

CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere with Penncara synthetic pitch technology

What Makes Our Materials Different

We believe in the clean use of coal.

Take our synthetic pitch, for example. Unlike common coal tar pitch, Penncara synthetic pitch—known as “Pennpitch”—contains no alpha benzo pyrene, a known carcinogen. Pennpitch is also the perfect carbon fiber precursor as it is contains no quinoline insolubles. And unlike most manufacturing processes, the process of making Pennpitch creates nearly zero CO2 emissions.

Penncara is careful to make use of coal through methods that are essentially non-polluting. We create only high-quality products with minimal waste and greenhouse gas emissions.


We believe in decreasing American dependence on foreign resources.

Currently, the carbon industry in the U.S. is heavily dependent on foreign imports for its required feedstocks. Penncara has invested in research and technology that will secure a U.S.-made supply of carbon manufacturing feedstocks. 

Our primary efforts are centered on restoring pitch production in the U.S. through a process that creates pitch directly from coal. Because pitch is often a byproduct of cokemaking, our pitch cuts out alternative industries, foreign dependencies, and supply chain threats.


We believe in American products made with American hands.

As Penncara secures a U.S.-made supply of carbon manufacturing feedstocks, we will create a new market for locally produced coal.

We have tested coal from states across the nation, such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Further still, our pitch production facilities can be located at or near our customers. As this venture expands, we will create much needed jobs in economically-strapped portions of the nation.

What Makes Our Materials Different

We believe in the clean use of coal.

Take our synthetic pitch, for example. Unlike common coal tar pitch, Penncara synthetic pitch—known as “Pennpitch”—contains no alpha benzo pyrene, a known carcinogen. Pennpitch is also the perfect carbon fiber precursor as it is contains no quinoline insolubles. And unlike most manufacturing processes, the process of making Pennpitch creates nearly zero CO2 emissions.

Penncara is careful to make use of coal through methods that are essentially non-polluting. We create only high-quality products with minimal waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

We believe in decreasing American dependence on foreign resources.

Currently, the carbon industry in the U.S. is heavily dependent on foreign imports for its required feedstocks. Penncara has invested in research and technology that will secure a U.S.-made supply of carbon manufacturing feedstocks. 

Our primary efforts are centered on restoring pitch production in the U.S. through a process that creates pitch directly from coal. Because pitch is often a byproduct of cokemaking, our pitch cuts out alternative industries, foreign dependencies, and supply chain threats.

We believe in American products made with American hands.

As Penncara secures a U.S.-made supply of carbon manufacturing feedstocks, we will create a new market for locally produced coal.

We have tested coal from states across the nation, such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Further still, our pitch production facilities can be located at or near our customers. As this venture expands, we will create much needed jobs in economically-strapped portions of the nation.

OUR TEAM

James Swistock, President and Co-Founder of Penncara Energy, LLC

In 1999, James “Jim” Swistock co-founded Penncara Energy, LLC with business partner Michael Corless to develop opportunities in the energy business. From the start, Jim stepped into the President’s role, and under his leadership, Penncara Energy, LLC has thrived, developing several large synthetic fuel projects in Pennsylvania and Ohio. One such project included assisting AIG Financial Products Corporation in the acquisition, relocation, and operation of six synthetic fuel facilities.


Over the last 46 years, Jim has invested in several other successful startups in energy, coal, and waste management. He has secured equity investments and financing for coal mining, explosives, waste management, and synthetic fuel ventures across the U.S., from Pennsylvania to Georgia, South Carolina, and even to Florida. Another company co-founded by Jim, Geo-Waste, was a NASQ traded waste management company that sold for $56 million.


Throughout his career, Jim has held a number of significant ownership and management positions, even serving as an officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Coal Mining Association. Jim has also prioritized investing time and resources into his local community, having sat on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia and having partnered with three minor league baseball teams—the Altoona Curves, State College Spikes, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. A graduate of Lock Haven University, Jim has served as a member of their Council of Trustees.


Michael J. Corless, Treasurer/CFO and Co-Founder of Penncara Energy, LLC

Michael “Mike” Corless co-founded Penncara Energy, LLC, along with James Swistock in 1999. Responsible for the development of the financial and tax aspects of several large synthetic fuel ventures, Mike has assisted one particular client, AIG Financial Products, in the acquisition, relocation, and operation of six synthetic fuel facilities.


As a Certified Public Accountant, Mike has worked in complex tax planning for the energy industry, including tax credit energy projects, for over 40 years. He began his career at Coopers and Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), advancing to senior tax manager and becoming a member of the firm's national energy tax consulting group. He was also a tax partner at a boutique firm before starting his own tax practice, Corless & Associates. 


Mike graduated magna cum laude from Saint Francis University (PA) in 1978 with a B.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Economics. He later obtained a Master’s of Taxation from Robert Morris University. Mike has kept close ties to his alma mater, serving as Vice-Chair of the Business Advisory Board as well as becoming a member of the President's Council. He has also served as Board Chair of his children's school and treasurer of his church. Mike has worked with numerous charities over the years, including Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as a local childcare facility and nursing home in central Pennsylvania.


A.H. Stiller, Senior Scientist

Alfred H. Stiller is a renowned expert in coal and carbon science with over 47 years of research and industry experience. Dr. Stiller’s innovative discoveries have resulted in over 75 publications, 46 U.S. patents, and an endless number of citations in the field of carbon technologies.


In 1973, Dr. Stiller earned a Ph.D. in Physical Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He spent several years working as an X-Ray Spectroscopist at the West Virginia Geological Survey before becoming an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at West Virginia University. Dr. Stiller spent 31 years at WVU engaging in interdisciplinary work across departments such as geology, chemistry, and animal science. Dr. Stiller now holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at WVU and continues to work with promising graduate students who pursue research in carbon technologies.


In 2011, Dr. Stiller became the Senior Scientist of Quantex, a private company that developed breakthrough technology in hydrocarbon conversion and bitumen upgrading. Now Senior Scientist at Penncara Energy, LLC, Dr. Stiller continues researching and writing patents related to the conversion of coal into value added carbon products like fuels, fertilizers, and other chemicals and materials. 


To examine just a few of his many patents, click on the links below.


1. US 8226816 Method of Producing Synpitch (2012)

2. US 8597503 Coal Liquefaction System (2013)

3. US 8882862 Method for Forming Mesophase Pitch from Coal Extract (2014)


Louis Prosperi, Lawyer and General Counsel

Louis A. Prosperi established the Law Office of Louis A. Prosperi in 1994. He has over 41 years of experience in tax and corporate planning and transaction matters as well as other business matters. Mr. Prosperi has been part of the Penncara Energy, LLC team since 2008.


Prior to establishing his own law office, Mr. Prosperi was a partner in the Pittsburgh office of Reed Smith LLP and a member of the firm's Business and Finance Department. He graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University in 1975 where he was valedictorian of his Business School graduating class. He went on to graduate cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978.


 Mr. Prosperi is a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania (status currently “inactive”). When he took the CPA exam in 1975, he finished second in Pennsylvania and ranked in the top 40 nationwide out of 38,000 candidates who sat for the exam.  He has published several articles and has lectured on numerous occasions before attorney, accountant, and business groups.  Mr. Prosperi has been named in the 2009-2020 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Tax Law, as well as the 2012-2020 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Litigation & Controversy – Tax and in the 2016-2020 editions in the area of Corporate Law.  He was also named as the Best Lawyers’ 2011 Pittsburgh Tax Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers’ 2015, 2017, and 2019 Pittsburgh Litigation & Controversy – Tax Lawyer of the Year, and Best Lawyers’ 2018 Pittsburgh Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year. 

OUR TEAM

James Swistock, President and Co-Founder of Penncara Energy, LLC

In 1999, James “Jim” Swistock co-founded Penncara Energy, LLC with business partner Michael Corless to develop opportunities in the energy business. From the start, Jim stepped into the President’s role, and under his leadership, Penncara Energy, LLC has thrived, developing several large synthetic fuel projects in Pennsylvania and Ohio. One such project included assisting AIG Financial Products Corporation in the acquisition, relocation, and operation of six synthetic fuel facilities.


Over the last 46 years, Jim has invested in several other successful startups in energy, coal, and waste management. He has secured equity investments and financing for coal mining, explosives, waste management, and synthetic fuel ventures across the U.S., from Pennsylvania to Georgia, South Carolina, and even to Florida. Another company co-founded by Jim, Geo-Waste, was a NASQ traded waste management company that sold for $56 million.


Throughout his career, Jim has held a number of significant ownership and management positions, even serving as an officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Coal Mining Association. Jim has also prioritized investing time and resources into his local community, having sat on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia and having partnered with three minor league baseball teams—the Altoona Curves, State College Spikes, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. A graduate of Lock Haven University, Jim has served as a member of their Council of Trustees.


Michael J. Corless, Treasurer/CFO and Co-Founder of Penncara Energy, LLC

Michael “Mike” Corless co-founded Penncara Energy, LLC, along with James Swistock in 1999. Responsible for the development of the financial and tax aspects of several large synthetic fuel ventures, Mike has assisted one particular client, AIG Financial Products, in the acquisition, relocation, and operation of six synthetic fuel facilities.


As a Certified Public Accountant, Mike has worked in complex tax planning for the energy industry, including tax credit energy projects, for over 40 years. He began his career at Coopers and Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), advancing to senior tax manager and becoming a member of the firm's national energy tax consulting group. He was also a tax partner at a boutique firm before starting his own tax practice, Corless & Associates. 


Mike graduated magna cum laude from Saint Francis University (PA) in 1978 with a B.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Economics. He later obtained a Master’s of Taxation from Robert Morris University. Mike has kept close ties to his alma mater, serving as Vice-Chair of the Business Advisory Board as well as becoming a member of the President's Council. He has also served as Board Chair of his children's school and treasurer of his church. Mike has worked with numerous charities over the years, including Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as a local childcare facility and nursing home in central Pennsylvania.


A.H. Stiller, Senior Scientist

Alfred H. Stiller is a renowned expert in coal and carbon science with over 47 years of research and industry experience. Dr. Stiller’s innovative discoveries have resulted in over 75 publications, 46 U.S. patents, and an endless number of citations in the field of carbon technologies.


In 1973, Dr. Stiller earned a Ph.D. in Physical Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He spent several years working as an X-Ray Spectroscopist at the West Virginia Geological Survey before becoming an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at West Virginia University. Dr. Stiller spent 31 years at WVU engaging in interdisciplinary work across departments such as geology, chemistry, and animal science. Dr. Stiller now holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at WVU and continues to work with promising graduate students who pursue research in carbon technologies.


In 2011, Dr. Stiller became the Senior Scientist of Quantex, a private company that developed breakthrough technology in hydrocarbon conversion and bitumen upgrading. Now Senior Scientist at Penncara Energy, LLC, Dr. Stiller continues researching and writing patents related to the conversion of coal into value added carbon products like fuels, fertilizers, and other chemicals and materials. 


To examine just a few of his many patents, click on the links below.


1. US 8226816 Method of Producing Synpitch (2012)

2. US 8597503 Coal Liquefaction System (2013)

3. US 8882862 Method for Forming Mesophase Pitch from Coal Extract (2014)

Louis Prosperi, Lawyer and General Counsel

Louis A. Prosperi established the Law Office of Louis A. Prosperi in 1994. He has over 41 years of experience in tax and corporate planning and transaction matters as well as other business matters. Mr. Prosperi has been part of the Penncara Energy, LLC team since 2008.


Prior to establishing his own law office, Mr. Prosperi was a partner in the Pittsburgh office of Reed Smith LLP and a member of the firm's Business and Finance Department. He graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University in 1975 where he was valedictorian of his Business School graduating class. He went on to graduate cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978.


 Mr. Prosperi is a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania (status currently “inactive”). When he took the CPA exam in 1975, he finished second in Pennsylvania and ranked in the top 40 nationwide out of 38,000 candidates who sat for the exam.  He has published several articles and has lectured on numerous occasions before attorney, accountant, and business groups.  Mr. Prosperi has been named in the 2009-2020 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Tax Law, as well as the 2012-2020 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Litigation & Controversy – Tax and in the 2016-2020 editions in the area of Corporate Law.  He was also named as the Best Lawyers’ 2011 Pittsburgh Tax Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers’ 2015, 2017, and 2019 Pittsburgh Litigation & Controversy – Tax Lawyer of the Year, and Best Lawyers’ 2018 Pittsburgh Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year. 

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