WARREN, Ohio – Jade Davis, one of Ohio’s leading public affairs and energy executives, has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Brite Energy Innovators.
Davis is replacing Rick Stockburger, who earlier this year was named the inaugural CEO of The Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation, based in Washington, D.C. Jing Lyon served as interim CEO while the Brite board conducted a national search for a permanent replacement.
“After a comprehensive search process, we are proud to welcome Jade Davis to guide Brite in its next chapter. Jade’s proven track record gives him an unmatched ability to bridge policy and entrepreneurship, and his forward-thinking, progressive leadership style will be instrumental in unlocking capital and creating the environment our startups need to thrive,” said Michael Stacey, Brite board chair. “We are confident that under Jade’s guidance, Brite will continue to accelerate the advanced energy economy and solidify the Midwest as a national leader in innovation. We also want to thank Jing Lyon for her years of leadership at Brite and her critical role serving as our interim CEO during this search process.”
Davis, a Cleveland native, has nearly two decades of experience in guiding corporations, nonprofits and civic institutions through complex regulatory and policy environments. He is the co-owner of Thornton Buckeye Group, a firm specializing in public affairs and government relations, and he has served in executive roles at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity and the Port of Cleveland. He is also an alumnus of the College of Wooster and Harvard Business School.
“I am honored to lead an organization with the mission and momentum of Brite. My career has been focused on the intersection of energy, innovation and policy, and I see a great opportunity to establish the Midwest as the national launchpad for advanced energy technology and create jobs right here at home,” Davis said. “As I look forward to Brite’s future, our focus will be set on identifying opportunities at the forefront of new energy innovation and efficiency that have promising growth potential within our national energy landscape.”
Brite saw a landmark year of growth and impact in 2024, the organization said in a news release. Brite-supported startups raised more than $201 million in follow-on funding and secured an additional $60 million in public funding, while the companies served by Brite generated $66 million in revenue.