John Szoka

John Szoka is a West Point graduate and served a distinguished career as an infantry officer in various command and staff positions in the United States Army. After retirement from active duty, he founded several successful small businesses and holds two US patents. First elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012 he served in senior House Republican leadership positions including House Republican conference leader, chair of the Finance Committee, chair of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and co-chair of the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy. During his five-term legislative career he sponsored and passed several clean energy bills which resulted in saving ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

In 2023 he became CEO of The Conservative Energy Network (CEN), a national network of state-based organizations focused on championing secure, reliable, affordable, clean, American energy. Working with policymakers and industry partners in 26 states, CEN assists state legislators across the country and members of Congress to understand how all forms of energy generation, transmission, and energy efficiency can work best to achieve American energy dominance. A project of CEN, the Land & Liberty Coalition is a growing network of local advocates who believe the future of energy should be shaped by the people who live closest to the land and is comprised of local citizens, landowners, farmers, ranchers, and neighbors who support utility-scale renewable energy through education, community conversations, and grassroots advocacy.