John Szoka is a West Point graduate and served a distinguished career 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 NC House of Representatives in 2012 he served in senior House leadership positions including House Republican Conference Leader, Chairman of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Senior Chairman of the House Finance Committee and Chairman of the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy.  He sponsored and passed several energy bills which saved ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs. In 2021 he was the primary sponsor of, and passed, HB951 which set carbon reduction goals for NC to be met by the least cost forms of generaton and directed establishment of the NC Carbon Plan.
Szoka is widely recognized as a leading conservative advocate for free market solutions to a clean energy future.  From 2020 to 2024 he served on the State Energy Policy Council and was also appointed by the Governor to the NC Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC Towers).
In 2023 he became CEO of The Conservative Energy Network (CEN), a national network of state-based organizations focused on promoting clean energy innovation rooted in conservative principles. Working with policymakers and industry partners in 27 states, CEN champions secure, reliable, affordable clean American energy.  CEN assists legislators across the country understand energy generation and transmission and how to best save money for ratepayers.  At the county and local level, CEN has assisted in the siting of over 10 GW of clean energy and storage and is currently assisting in the siting of another 45 GW across the nation.