BJ JohnsonCo Founder

United States - Greater Chicago Area

For our climate, for our health, and for our future, we need energy solutions that can make an impact today.

Improving access to clean energy while also making the most efficient and best use of those limited resources cannot be done in a vacuum. With a deep understanding of the whole energy picture and the underlying connections that drive it, my mission is to help identify the clearest paths for a clean energy future.

Heavy-duty diesel engines have been the gold standard for heavy-duty applications for decades because of their reliability, durability, efficiency, and power. And yet, they are also some of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases and poor urban air quality. In 2016, I co-founded ClearFlame Engine Technologies to provide rapid, scalable decarbonization for those toughest industries.

At ClearFlame, we developed the quickest and most cost-effective pathway for heavy-duty engines by taking the dirty diesel fuel out of the diesel engine and replacing it with decarbonized, liquid fuels. We’ve secured non-dilutive grant and investor support—from sources such as the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, USDA, and Clean Energy Ventures—and continue to build our ecosystem of strategic partners to assist in the development and deployment.

I grew up in Seattle, and did my undergrad and graduate work at Stanford. I am an engineering PhD by training, but I enjoy using a wide range of technical, business, and analytical skills. I am also a former member of the USA Swimming National Team.