WARREN, Ohio – Rick Stockburger, who has led Brite Energy Innovators as its CEO for nearly eight years, will step down at the end of June to move into a “prominent national role in the energy sector,” the organization announced Wednesday.
Jing Lyon, Brite managing director, will serve as interim CEO while the board conducts a national search for a permanent replacement.
“Leading Brite has been such a privilege,” Stockburger said. “Together with our incredible team and trailblazing startups, we’ve built a place where proud Midwestern grit meets innovation. The future of energy is being written here in the heartland, and I’m excited to watch Brite’s next era unfold.”
Stockburger said he could not disclose his new position.
Under Stockburger’s leadership, Brite has emerged as a powerhouse for energy innovation, helping its portfolio companies raise more than $200 million in capital in 2024 alone. Since its founding in 2010, Brite has supported more than 650 energy-tech startups, catalyzing over 2,100 jobs and raising more than half a billion dollars in third-party investment.
“Rick has been at the heart of Brite since its early days,” said Michael Stacey, board chairman and managing director at KPMG US. “His leadership has guided the organization’s momentum, and we are grateful for his commitment to our mission. We are excited for him to enter a new chapter and continue to make an impact in building an advanced energy economy. Jing has worked alongside Rick for several years, showcasing her proven leadership that will guide us through this transition and search for a new CEO.”
Brite, an energy technology incubator, helps early-stage companies commercialize new technology by providing office and lab space, while also helping these firms secure venture capital to expand their products and business.
Lyon, a Case Western Reserve-trained chemical engineer and early team member at battery technology startup Stratum Energy, joined Brite in 2022.
Under her leadership, Brite’s startup programs have tripled in scale, including the launch and rapid growth of its flagship CXO Program, which embeds fractional executives into startup teams.
“I’m honored to build on Rick’s legacy,” Lyon said. “Brite’s success stems from our Midwest foothold and national reach. We’ll continue connecting startups to investors, corporations and federal resources, proving innovation thrives between the coasts.”
Stockburger will remain at Brite in an advisory capacity through June 30 to ensure a smooth transition, with Lyon fully assuming leadership July 1 as the CEO search is underway.
Pictured at top: Rick Stockburger, CEO of Brite Energy Innovators.