About


The Penncara and PennCarbonX Teams have the scientific knowledge, technical understanding, strategic vision, and relevant work experience to successfully build and deliver on their Synthetic Pitch business plan. The company has assembled a unique group of people with the product knowledge and recent work history to successfully build and operate the initial plant and ultimately plan for the construction of numerous plants strategically located around the country. Our product development has been tested and challenged, and it keeps outperforming expectations.

Our Mission: to fortify domestic supply chains and reduce U.S dependence on foreign raw materials through sustainable, high performance pitch manufacturing.

  • PennCarbonX Corporation is committed to developing Critical Materials by leveraging domestic coal resources and advancing downstream carbon and graphite technologies, which are essential components in numerous critical supply chains in the United States.

    Our focus includes:

    • Nuclear Grade Graphite

    • Graphite Electrode Manufacturing

    • Carbon Fiber Production

    These materials are essential to national infrastructure, energy independence, and advanced manufacturing.

  • Through a newly secured licensing agreement with PennCara Energy, PennCarbonX now holds exclusive U.S. rights to a suite of patented technologies for producing synthetic carbon pitch, the foundational input for multiple critical carbon and graphite products.

    This breakthrough enables:

    • Direct conversion of coal into high performance carbon pitch

    • A scalable platform for producing strategic materials domestically

    • Collaboration with leading academic institutions to accelerate R&D and commercialization

  • PennCarbonX’s ability to produce carbon pitch directly from coal, a capability protected by PennCara’s patents, is a game changing innovation.

    Today, over 65% of the global carbon pitch supply originates from China, creating a significant vulnerability in the U.S. supply chain.

    Our technology directly addresses this national security concern by:

    • Localizing production of a strategic material

    • Reducing dependence on foreign supply

    • Supporting U.S. manufacturing and defense sectors

    PennCarbonX is uniquely positioned to restore domestic control over a critical industrial input and catalyze a new era of carbon based innovation.

Our Leadership Team

  • A middle-aged man with short gray hair and blue eyes, wearing a navy blue suit jacket and a light blue collared shirt, standing with arms crossed in a modern office or building with glass windows.

    James Swistock

    CHAIRMAN

    Launched PennCara in 1999. 
Led major synthetic fuel projects in PA and OH, including six-plants.

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a dark checkered blazer and white shirt, smiling in a professional setting with blurred lights and windows in the background.

    J. Gregory Pilewicz

    CEO & HEAD OF OPERATIONS

    Brings two decades of executive leadership in renewable fuels, energy, steel, and finance. Former President/COO at JSCE Global and Esmark, Inc

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and a bald head, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and dark tie, standing in front of a glass window in a modern building.

    A.H. Stiller

    PHD & SENIOR SCIENTIST

    Coal and Carbon Expert with 47+ years of research, 46 U.S. patents, and 75+ publications. Professor Emeritus at WVU

  • A smiling man in a gray suit, light blue shirt, and blue tie standing with arms crossed in an office or conference room with glass walls and people working in the background.

    Michael J. Corless

    TREASURER & CFO

    CPA with 40+ years in energy-sector tax strategy. Formerly with Coopers & Lybrand; founded Corless & Associates.

  • A smiling older man wearing glasses and a dark blazer, standing in front of a window.

    Louis Prosperi

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Tax and Corporate Law Specialist with 40+ years of experience. Former partner at Reed Smith LLP.

  • A woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a white shirt, smiling, standing in front of windows in an office setting.

    Jennifer Swistock

    DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT

    A Diverse background in business development across energy tech, finance, and nutrition. Co-founder of nonprofit Community Bite