Bill Johnson of Vision RNG: Five Strategies Our Company Is Using To Tackle Climate Change & Become More Sustainable
There’s really one big thing: make certain to surround yourself with the right people. That doesn’t always mean the smartest people or the ones with the most talent. It means partnering with people who share the same value system that you do. They share your vision and work ethic. I’ve had experiences along my career where that has not always been the case. It makes for a difficult work environment and can stifle your success.
As part of my series about how companies are becoming more sustainable, I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Johnson, CEO of Vision RNG.
Bill Johnson brings over 35 years leadership experience in engineering, construction, and oil and gas to his role as CEO of Vision RNG. A graduate of the University of Florida and the Wharton School Advanced Management Program, he has long built high-performing teams in engineering, construction, and project management.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was the CEO of ShalePro and was looking to diversify. I saw a great opportunity in renewable energy sources. At the same time, Vision Ridge Partners had invested a sizable sum into converting dairy and food waste into a renewable energy source and was having great success with that. They were interested in expanding into capturing landfill gasses and approached me about taking on a new initiative. They are committed to making an environmental impact by investing in sustainable assets and provided our startup capital.
What is the mission of your company? What problems are you aiming to solve?
Greenhouse gasses are a key part of the environmental discussion. We know that methane gas is many times more destructive to the climate than CO2 gas. Landfills are a major contributor to these methane emissions, and we can help to mitigate that. By capturing those emissions and turning it into renewable natural gas, we can have a double impact: We reduce harmful emissions and provide a clean burning fuel.
Can you tell our readers about the initiatives that you or your company are taking to address climate change or sustainability? Can you give an example for each?
We recently entered into a partnership with a leading progressive landfill operator. They own multiple landfills across a few states. Their mission is similar to ours in that they want to harness the organic decomposition process to provide clean energy for homes and businesses. We’re beginning to install gas collection and control systems at their sites and anticipate delivering renewable natural gas in the next year to 18 months. Again, we’re helping a landfill to mitigate their methane emissions and bringing a clean energy solution to consumers.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
Sustainability is not only good for the environment, but it’s a smart business move. Many of the resources that we use in our daily lives are finite — like coal or lithium for batteries. That’s why you see major corporations like Ford Motor Company investing so heavily in sustainable practices. They keep inching closer to a “closed loop” vehicle, where all of the component parts can be recycled into the next vehicle. Their aluminum body truck is just one step. At Vision RNG, we’re creating solutions for some of the smaller landfill operators. You don’t have to be the #1 vehicle producer in the world to make an impact. And more and more consumers are looking for business partners who believe in making a difference in the environment. A company doing good is a more attractive option for consumers.
The youth led climate strikes of September 2019 showed an impressive degree of activism and initiative by young people on behalf of climate change. This was great, and there is still plenty that needs to be done. In your opinion what are 5 things parents should do to inspire the next generation to become engaged in sustainability and the environmental movement? Please give a story or an example for each.
More than anything, lead by your words and by example. When you look at consumer trends, brand loyalty has a great deal to do with your upbringing. You use a particular detergent because that’s what your mom used. If your dad was loyal to a sports team, you will be too. If you practice sustainability and talk about our environmental responsibility, your children will follow your lead. Take the time to sort your trash and deliberately recycle. Because we’re in the waste-to-energy business, the recyclability of our habits is important. That “closed loop” is an important goal, and it’s achievable.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
There’s really one big thing: make certain to surround yourself with the right people. That doesn’t always mean the smartest people or the ones with the most talent. It means partnering with people who share the same value system that you do. They share your vision and work ethic. I’ve had experiences along my career where that has not always been the case. It makes for a difficult work environment and can stifle your success.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m hesitant to put anyone on the spot, but I was fortunate early in my career. I was a young guy, and they were where I’m at now. They took the time and effort to nurture my ambition. They understood that having passion and a drive to excel can sometimes be more important than an impressive resume or a breadth of experience, so they bent a few rules here and there to expose me to important meetings and experiences that I normally wouldn’t have gotten. Those experiences have now carried over to my interactions with the younger members of my own teams.
You are a person of great influence and doing some great things for the world! If you could inspire a movement that would bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
We’ve known for a long time that we need to transition to cleaner energy solutions. That urgency has been accelerating over the past decade, but it’s still going to be at least a 50-year transition. There is no magic wand to wave. We simply have to be aggressive towards maintaining that sense of urgency and compel that forward momentum.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you tell us how that was relevant to you in your own life?
The great basketball coach John Wooden said, “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.” Our success comes through hard work, and there are failures and setbacks along the way that those around you don’t always see. So, you work hard and wade through those tough days until you get to the point where people outside view you as successful.
What is the best way for people to follow you on social media?
Being the CEO of an innovative company takes up most of my time, so I’m really not on Facebook or TikTok or whatever the latest platform is. I stay active and keep things up-to-date on LinkedIn, and people can always connect with me there.
This was so inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
It was certainly my pleasure!
Bill Johnson of Vision RNG: Five Strategies Our Company Is Using To Tackle Climate Change & Become… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.