Jack Johnson is a visionary entrepreneur who is adept at finding the value and potential in challenging opportunities. With specialized knowledge of capital projects involving chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines, Jack eagerly tackles challenging projects governed by complex regulations, requirements and standards.
As the co-founder of two unique technology companies in the energy storage industry, he’s spent his career driving innovation and process improvement with a refined focus on lean manufacturing and processes. Aside from his extensive technical knowledge, Jack possesses the ability to cultivate deep, meaningful, lasting partnerships and business relationships across industries.
Founded in 2014, Volta Power Systems provides safe, powerful and simple lithium-ion energy storage solutions for small to midsize businesses. RV, marine and specialty vehicle OEMs trust Volta to deliver advanced, automotive-grade power systems that enhance the lifestyle, freedom and comfort of their end-users.
Jack Johnson co-founded Jolt in 2014 along with chief science officer Tom Guarr. The company is using molecular design principles to create organic compounds that will revolutionize the field of energy storage, including improved battery safety and grid-scale organic redox flow batteries. Jolt is located in the Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute in Holland, MI, where Guarr serves as Director of the Organic Energy Storage Laboratory.
Jack, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience. What has been a lesson learned that you have been able to pass along?
Have a plan, do your research, insure you know your competitive advantage, then find the right people with the capability and drive to succeed. Make sure you have some fun while doing it.
Talk to us about company culture. What are some values that you and your team live by?
Volta is a fast-paced and growing business in the middle of some incredible advancements in energy storage technology. However, in the midst of that growth, we have been intentional in cultivating a team of highly-skilled, diverse and collaborative people, each of whom embody our core values:
- Learn – Grow – Succeed
- We Listen = We Do
- Everyone is Smiling
- Drive for Success
What is something that is currently energizing you about the business or industry?
Everyone in mobility is talking about advanced energy for EVs right now. There’s immense global investment now in the trillions of dollars along with consumers seeing the advantages of energy storage over traditional solutions. Volta is right in the middle of it!
Our exclusive technology design for mobile applications like RV, marine and work trucks, is providing us with the opportunity to build a great business here in the US. It represents both a user experience improvement and real economic returns. Two things that have us really excited right now are 1) the growth of off-grid and stealth camping in the RV sector and 2) the growing demand for idle-free solutions in municipalities and utilities.
On the RV side, we absolutely love seeing more and more campervans like Winnebagos and Storytellers running down the road. We’ve got users of these products that are living full time on the road and never stay in campgrounds because they’ve got all the power they need stored in their Volta system. We even have a user that tours and plays folk music and powers his concerts from the van.
On the work truck side, we’re excited to see cities adopting our technology for applications like fire trucks and utility trucks. These organizations can cut their emissions from idling to zero and work without disrupting sleeping residents.
Industry 4.0 is becoming a big topic of conversation. Can you share where this fits in as a priority at Volta Power Systems?
Volta is leaning strongly into advanced materials, data and IoT connectivity. As advanced energy storage is at the heart of our business, we are working with our suppliers constantly to gain access to high-density chemistries that enable greater energy storage with a fraction of the weight or space of previous batteries. We’re then going to the next level by integrating a custom battery management system to optimize performance while exporting data that not only benefits the user but also provides us with performance information of our units as they’re used across the country.
Can you share why it is a priority to you to invest in economic development?
Economic development initiatives like Lakeshore Advantage played a leadership role in transforming West Michigan into the hub of advanced energy storage manufacturing that it is today. As a result, we have access to incredible talent and intellectual capital that few other US cities can claim. Volta was born out of that environment.
Our continued investment in economic development today is not only a way to give back, but is to support continued cultivation of new markets, talent acquisition and entrepreneurial growth.