John K. Coors

Biography

Dr. John Coors has served as Director and Chairman of the Board since January 2000. John began as the President of the company from October 1998 to February 2016. During his tenure, the company has grown to become the world’s largest engineered ceramics manufacturer — serving more than 10,000 customers worldwide. John began his career with Coors Brewing Company in 1979, holding a variety of R&D, engineering, human resources, project management, and plant manager roles — ultimately serving as Vice President of Global Brewing Operations until he departed the company in 1992. He then ventured into the emerging solar industry as President of Golden Photon, a developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic solar modules. He became CEO of Golden Genesis Company, an integrator of remote solar power systems — growing the company from a small start-up to the largest public solar electric integrator in the country before selling the business in 1998. Dr. Coors holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas and a Doctorate in Engineering from the Technical University of Munich. He currently serves as a member of the Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board of Governors. Dr. Coors is also a founding member of One Thousand & One Voices, a private capital fund focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. John and his wife Sharna have ten children, including six adopted children of diverse nationalities. Five of their children currently work at CoorsTek. Dr. John Coors has served as Director and Chairman of the Board since January 2000. John began as the President of the company from October 1998 to February 2016. During his tenure, the company has grown to become the world’s largest engineered ceramics manufacturer — serving more than 10,000 customers worldwide. John began his career with Coors Brewing Company in 1979, holding a variety of R&D, engineering, human resources, project management, and plant manager roles — ultimately serving as Vice President of Global Brewing Operations until he departed the company in 1992. He then ventured into the emerging solar industry as President of Golden Photon, a developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic solar modules. He became CEO of Golden Genesis Company, an integrator of remote solar power systems — growing the company from a small start-up to the largest public solar electric integrator in the country before selling the business in 1998. Dr. Coors holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas and a Doctorate in Engineering from the Technical University of Munich. He currently serves as a member of the Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board of Governors. Dr. Coors is also a founding member of One Thousand & One Voices, a private capital fund focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. John and his wife Sharna have ten children, including six adopted children of diverse nationalities. Five of their children currently work at CoorsTek.

Research Interest

R&D, engineering, human resources, project management