Christopher Barker, based in Scottsdale, AZ, is a distinguished executive with over two decades of leadership experience in the global clean energy, transportation, technology, and smart cities markets.
Chris is a Managing Partner at Hyve 1, a pioneering green hydrogen development company dedicated to decarbonizing transportation and promoting sustainable living. In this role, he has led the design, build, and operational launch of the large-scale green hydrogen project, managing multidisciplinary teams of clean energy engineers, site designers, hydrologists, and transportation logistics operators plus investors and partners in building a mult-billion-dollar green hydrogen production site. He has lead an in-progress capital raise and joint-venture agreements as well as negotiated energy power purchase agreements and hydrogen offtake contracts across the clean energy, green building, transportation and logistics, utility and government sectors.
Prior to Hyve 1, Chris was the Vice President of New Mobility at Keolis, where he was instrumental in deploying multimodal clean energy transit services across North America and parts of Europe. His leadership in launching autonomous shuttle services in major cities such as Las Vegas, Montreal, London, and Paris, as well as on-demand micro-transit services, has significantly advanced pedestrian mobility and sustainable transportation options.
As the Founder and CEO of CBC, Chris has been at the forefront of global mobility services, focusing on autonomous and electric surface transportation, commercial aviation, and urban air mobility (UAM). His consultancy has spearheaded numerous high-profile projects, including the deployment of the first autonomous shuttle service in a large planned retirement community the Western US, and advising the Florida Department of Transportation on the design and operation of a large-scale autonomous transportation test track.
Chris’s tenure at Cisco as the Lead for the Public Sector and Global Smart Cities Business showcased his ability to drive innovation in connected citizen services, managing a $9 billion global initiative. He played a pivotal role in launching Smart+Connected cities programs in cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Charlotte, as well as internationally in Songdo, South Korea. His strategic approach was also evident in his contributions to Cisco’s telehealth initiatives and smart and connected stadium technology deployments at New York Yankees Stadium, New York Jets/Giants Meadowlands Stadium and the Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium – to name a few.
At Honeywell Aerospace, Chris served as the Global Director of Communications and Business Development, a $16 billion business. He recruited and led a global team to drive market growth in business aviation, commercial aviation, and space and defense sectors. His crisis management expertise was crucial in handling major incidents, including response to multiple plane crashes, a nuclear weapons facility labor strike, and multiple military aircraft investigations, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex challenges effectively.
Chris’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident in his role at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, where he launched the Connected Car/Transportation practice, driving significant revenue growth and securing major clients such as Volvo Cars of North America and Nissan/Infiniti. His leadership in business development and marketing at Text 100 further solidified his reputation as a global team builder and strategic communicator.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris is a sought-after global keynote speaker on topics including additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, clean energy, cyber security, and the future of transportation. His presentations at prominent events like CES, SXSW, and the RSA Conference have positioned him as a thought leader in the industry.
Chris’s accolades from industry leaders highlight his exceptional skills and contributions. Mark Stouse, former EVP at Honeywell, praised Chris for his relationship-building capabilities and strategic creativity. Steve Crumb, Vice President at InVentures, lauded him as a knowledgeable and highly connected consultant on Smart Cities and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Kathy O’Connell, Senior Director at Cisco, recognized Chris as a talented business leader whose strategic approach consistently surpasses expectations. Ken Peterson, President and CEO at Churchill & Harriman, commended Chris’s world-class knowledge of the global security market and his communication prowess. Lisa Sullivan, President at Axicom, highlighted he is a true business leader, able to see around the corner, beyond the hype and buzz of today, into what will be important tomorrow.
Chris is a Board Member for the Association for Commuter Transportation, reflecting his commitment to advancing sustainable transportation solutions. His professional journey, marked by innovation, strategic vision, and exceptional leadership, continues to inspire and drive progress in clean energy and smart mobility sectors.
Character: Chris is a visionary leader renowned for his ability to inspire and motivate teams while maintaining a strategic focus on achieving organizational goals.
Knowledge: With over 20 years of expertise in clean energy, transportation, and smart cities, Chris is highly regarded for his deep understanding and innovative contributions to these sectors.
Strategic: Chris excels in launching and leading high-impact projects, from founding green hydrogen companies to deploying multimodal transit services, showcasing his exceptional strategic planning and execution skills.
Communication: Chris is an effective communicator and crisis management leader, adept at navigating complex challenges and delivering highly-effective results, reinforcing his status as a thought leader.
