Christopher Johnson

PowerDrive Thermal is building critical cooling infrastructure for AI data centers with on-site power generation. We convert waste heat into compute capacity — the fastest path to more megawatts per site in a power-constrained market. Technology backed by $8M+ in federally funded R&D (DOE, ARPA-E, DOD). Currently in Chevron's Studio scale-up program and Schneider Electric Ventures accelerator program. Raising Seed round to bring validated technology to first commercial deployments.

Avanza Energy is the thought leadership and market analysis platform for Agilito's energy ventures. We publish insights on the energy industry, renewables and energy storage, data center energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization, laying the groundwork for ventures that we are building.

Bringing renewable energy industry expertise to a startup making solar affordable and accessible to everyone.

Venture studio focused on energy and infrastructure technology. Agilito incubated PowerDrive Thermal and supports early-stage deep-tech ventures at the intersection of energy systems and computing infrastructure. Formalizing tools for founders with Agilito.ai: A unified interface platform for AI systems.

Battery-based microgrid startup that empowers people to live the future with clean, safe, reliable energy. Oversaw launch of multiple energy storage and clean energy microgrid products including hardware, software and financing solutions to accelerate adoption. Took over CEO role from founder once duties expanded to include fundraising and board management. * Led company growth to become #297 fastest growing company of the Inc 5000 in 2020. * Drove adoption of Artificial Intelligence in software product to enhance financial performance of energy assets with predictive load and generation models. * Formed company board of directors with independent member and ran regular board meetings. * Managed investor engagement and data room creation to support equity, debt, and project finance needs of company. * Secured $25m for an industry-first financing product for zero-money down commercial clean energy microgrids * Renegotiated key supplier relationships to reduce working capital needs by 75%. * Negotiated multistakeholder partnership that delivered the largest energy resilience project in the US through 120+ microgrids in Puerto Rico, funded by the American Red Cross. * Represented the company in events and publications through speaking, writing original thought leadership pieces, and holding leadership roles within the industry including multiple positions with SEPA, Launch Alaska, and Elemental Excelerator.

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is dedicated to helping electric power stakeholders address the most pressing issues they encounter as they pursue the transition to a clean and modern electric future and a carbon-free energy system by 2050. I provided leadership as the Industry Chair for the technical working group focused on Energy Storage in order to promote adoption, sharing experiences, and producing industry-leading content. The Group has nearly 400 members, and is focused on tackling obstacles to enable widespread deployment of energy storage from pilots to full programs.

* Worked with a visionary founder to build operational capacity for a nascent startup with a bold mission of ending the use of fossil fuels. Grew team grew from 7 to 30 people. * Led software product development from initial product launch and subsequent upgrades to increase performance 75% while handling vast time series data sets and edge computing monitoring from 1,000 deployments internationally. * Built and led data analytics team from ground up, developing Python/Jupyter-based machine learning capabilities to transform operational data into strategic business intelligence. * Architected predictive maintenance system using pattern recognition algorithms that reduced customer issue resolution time by 50% and created preventative maintenance capabilities across 1,000+ international deployments * Leveraged ML insights to enhance product performance monitoring, improve warranty compliance tracking, and create more personalized customer engagement. * Led the company through a period of rapid scaling, achieving 15X growth in annual production while improving product quality and maintaining on time delivery to customers. Led CRM, accounting and inventory management system deployment.

For 16 years, I cofounded and led a software development firm that laid the groundwork for my technical expertise. We built complex enterprise software, AI-powered tools, and systems integrations, which is the experience I now apply to building hardware and AI companies. * Led multi-year enterprise digital transformation to overhaul business processes across a dozen departments and three organizations. Role included strategic planning, executive presentations, requirements definition, system architecture, and driving user adoption. Created a complex Salesforce-based solution that replaced dozens of siloed legacy databases and seamlessly made management of over 1 million records. * Implemented enterprise-wide agile methodology across 40-person internationally distributed team, driving increased delivery velocity and improved product quality. * Negotiated and nurtured key client relationships. Frequently presented strategic plans and budgets to C-level suite, project plans to management, and demonstrations to prospective clients. * Cofounded an international network for Corporate Social Responsibility in Latin America, led grant process and raised $2.5 million for the project, organized network of Argentine nonprofit organizations, and implemented online presence. * Organized and led collaborative development involving volunteers and staff software developers in open source projects including an ecommerce platform, Agile project management, and AI-powered search UX tools. * Led development of high-impact SaaS solutions including: geospatial route optimization for field sales teams, engagement tracking CRM, automated call center management platform, and Salesforce campaign automation tools. * Led sustainability planning for the company, became the 1st certified B Corporation in Georgia in recognition of progressive environmental, social, and community engagement.

I enjoy working at festivals and various events as a security guard as a part of High Rock Security, a professional and fun security company. I was licensed security guard in California.

Advisory Council member for Accelerating Capital for Entrepreneurs's Georgia Green Loans initiative

Serving on the Board of Directors to grow the green business community in the Southeast.