For nearly 20 years, John Williams has stood at the forefront of the clean energy movement, steering the communications strategies that bring emerging climatetech innovations into the spotlight. Based in Seattle, John is the founder of Scoville Public Relations, a consultancy dedicated to helping clean energy startups achieve visibility, credibility, and commercial momentum.
John’s journey into clean energy communications began at Zipcar, where his early experience in sustainable transportation sparked a passion for environmental impact. “That was my first taste of sustainability,” he recalls. This passion led him to launch his own consulting firm, and in 2006, he took on a groundbreaking client in the biodiesel sector. It was a transformative moment.
At the time, the field was still known as “cleantech,” and John’s mission was simple but bold: help get America off fossil fuels. This work opened the door to collaborations with numerous startups—visionaries on the front lines of climate innovation. Notably, his clients produced biofuels for two of the first four sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) flights with Virgin Atlantic and Japan Airlines.
Over the years, John has cultivated a portfolio that spans the entire clean energy ecosystem, including:
John doesn’t just promote companies—he builds coalitions. He’s a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open and the PNW chapter of Clean Energy for Biden. He has also contributed pro bono work to E8 Angels, a fund supporting early-stage clean energy startups.
John describes himself as “mission-driven,” committed to applying everything he’s learned to help startups reach “escape velocity”—that crucial phase where vision becomes a viable product, and innovation becomes implementation. He sees communications not just as messaging, but as momentum-building—an essential ingredient for companies hoping to scale climate solutions.
“Today I remain concerned about the politicization of clean, domestic energy,” John says. “But I am always optimistic about this industry’s ability to drive down the cost curves to make the cleaner, more sustainable options not only better, but also less expensive than the incumbent.”
To learn more about John Williams and his work advancing climatetech innovation, visit Scoville Public Relations or connect with him on LinkedIn.
