John Adams

John Adams

• Managing Director Natural Gas Innovation Fund

John Q. Adams was appointed as Managing Director, Natural Gas Innovation Fund, at the Canadian Gas Association effective September 01, 2016 with over 25 years in cleantech/clean energy experience in industry.

As the Managing Director, John is responsible for the fund, its portfolio of investments, investors and strategic partnerships. His responsibilities include developing the fund's investment process, governance and accountability, and implementing the fund's investment strategy for natural gas cleantech priorities. This includes meeting with investors and entrepreneurs, calling on new prospects, technology scouting and deal review, conducting detailed industry, business and financial due diligence on prospective investments, developing investment themes within the natural gas sector while managing existing investments and their performance, and providing entrepreneurial support through its portfolio company management teams.

Prior to CGA, John was with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in 2011 and occupied a range of increasingly senior positions over a five year span. He joined as Director, Applications/Funding Advisory in 2011, and then went to Director, Stakeholder Relations in 2012, Vice President Industry in 2013, and Executive Director in 2016. While at SDTC, John raised almost $40M in partnership agreements with industry and federal/provincial government agencies, led a series of national funding competitions, created a national Virtual Incubator, and launched a pilot for a more simplified, applicant process.

Prior to SDTC, John was with Mitsui & Co. (Canada) Ltd. holding positions in infrastructure business and international trade. Born in Toronto, Ontario, John graduated from University of Toronto in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in science, specializing in environmental science.