CarbonQuest CEO Shane Johnson hopes Spokane can become a global leader in decarbonization and carbon management. 

Johnson recently was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Association of Washington Business on behalf of the company, a four-year-old startup headquartered in Spokane Valley.

Under his guidance, the clean tech company secured $36 million in Series A funding, one of the largest by an Inland Northwest company in recent years. 

As reported in the Journal, CarbonQuest plans to double its staff in the next year and is forging partnerships with multiple national and international companies.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Seattle Pacific University 

Why did you choose to do what you do? I found the center of technical skills, soft skills, and passion is innovation in creating a business opportunity from an idea. I have been involved in starting five different business opportunities that I can say are "first of its kind" over the last 30 years.

Who has been a significant influence in your life and career? My father was one of the hardest working people I've ever met. From an early year, I learned the important lesson of hard work, showing up early, and leaving late, and putting in the effort consistently day over day.

What advice would you have for others looking to follow a career path similar to yours? Never stop getting better; always learning, always improving, always developing. There are no shortcuts to success, commit and persevere.