About
Materials science has finally caught up to Dr. Johnson
In 1982, Dr. Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker — one of the world's best-selling toys — and invested those profits into a world-class laboratory in the heart of Atlanta, dedicated to solving the world's energy problem through the creation of a fundamentally new source of power.
Twenty years ago, he envisioned the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter (JTEC): a device that transforms waste heat into usable electricity at unprecedented efficiency. The physics worked on the whiteboard, but the materials required to make it a reality did not yet exist. The dramatic advances in material science over the last decade have changed that entirely. His bold idea is now buildable.
In 2020, Dr. Johnson and Mike McQuary assembled a team of chemists, material scientists, and engineers to bring the JTEC to fruition. JTEC Energy was formed — and the work began in earnest.
JTEC Leadership
Dr. Lonnie Johnson
Co-Founder & JTEC Inventor
Inventor of the Super Soaker and founder of Johnson R&D. Former NASA JPL Senior Systems Engineer (Galileo, Mars Observer, Cassini) and decorated U.S. Air Force officer. Holds 100+ patents. 2008 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award. Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame inductee (2011). M.S. Nuclear Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering.
Mike (McQ) McQuary
Co-Founder & CEO
Dr. Ted Campbell
Director of R&D
David Johnson
CTO
Ron Keeton
CFO
Devon Lyman
VP of Business Development
Susan Nicholson
COO
Board of Directors
Dr. Lonnie Johnson
Inventor of the Super Soaker and founder of Johnson R&D. Former NASA JPL Senior Systems Engineer (Galileo, Mars Observer, Cassini) and decorated U.S. Air Force officer. Holds 100+ patents. 2008 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award. Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame inductee (2011). M.S. Nuclear Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering.
Michael S. McQuary
Built MindSpring into the world's second-largest ISP as President & COO before its merger with EarthLink. Founded Brash Music, an early digital music distribution pioneer. CEO of Usenetserver. Founded Wheego Electric Cars, partnering with Foxconn for EV manufacturing in China. BA, University of Virginia; MBA, Pepperdine University.
John G. Rice
Retired vice chairman of General Electric. Rice began his GE career in 1978 and held several leadership positions based both in the United States and in other global markets including Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. He served as vice chairman of GE and president & CEO of GE Technology Infrastructure; vice chairman of GE's industrial and infrastructure businesses; president and CEO of GE Energy; and president & CEO of GE Transportation. Rice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.
U. Bertram Ellis
CEO and Chairman of Ellis Capital, a consulting and investment firm primarily focused on the media, technology, healthcare, and fintech industries. Ellis primarily manages acquisitions, strategic relationships, and fundraising for his companies but has also been integrally involved in sales, operations, and strategic planning. Previously founded and served as CEO of Act III Broadcasting, Ellis Communications, and iXL, and was a founding investor and board member in WebMD. He is also a founding investor and board member of Vivex Biologics, NOWaccount Network Corporation, Brightwell Payments, MAXEX, Semantic-AI, Pensare, and VoAPPs. Holds an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at UVA and a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia.
Technical Advisory Board
Dr. Brian Benicewicz
Professor, University of South Carolina — Polymer Nanocomposite Research
Kurt Jacobus, Ph.D.
Managing Director, GRA Venture Fund; Adjunct Professor, Georgia Tech
Matt McDowell, Ph.D.
Professor, Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering
David Ratcliffe
Retired Chairman & CEO, Southern Company
Rodney Sampson
Executive Chair & CEO, OHUB; General Partner, 100 Black Angels & Allies Fund
Clyde Tuggle
Retired SVP, The Coca-Cola Company; former Board of Directors, Georgia Power Company
Glenn Eisman, Ph.D.
Eisman Technology Consultants LLC; former CTO, H2Pump
Daryl Ludlow, Ph.D.
CEO, Ludlow Electrochemical Hardware
Richard Kidd IV
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment & Energy Resilience
Mission and Core Values
To electrify the planet by providing a new power source for the world. To revolutionize the energy industry by developing and implementing a groundbreaking process for the efficient creation of environmentally friendly power.
Respect & Responsibility
We believe that individuals who are treated with respect and given responsibility respond by giving their best.
Integrity
We make commitments with care, and then live up to them. We keep our word and do what we say we are going to do.
The Golden Rule
We are believers in the Golden Rule. In all our dealings we will strive to be friendly and courteous, as well as fair and compassionate.
STEM Driven
We are STEM driven — all of our work is underpinned by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Transparency
Transparency in what we do is important. We want to communicate clearly and honestly with all of our stakeholders — investors, employees, suppliers, and customers.
Diversity & Inclusion
Cultural diversity is the hallmark of our employee base and hiring practices. We want the best and the brightest regardless of race, creed, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.