Jimmy Samartzis

Jimmy Samartzis is the Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet, Inc., a global leader in renewable fuels technology and production of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. Samartzis is leading the company through a scale-up in technology and production, with renewable fuel refineries planned in multiple countries – US, EU, UK, Japan, Canada, and others. LanzaJet’s technology was developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the company is financially supported by strategic investors Suncor, Mitsui, and LanzaTech.

Samartzis has spent the majority of his career focused on climate change, advancing the decarbonization of industries reliant on fossil fuels. His work in the airline industry led to pioneering test flights, the first commercial-scale renewable jet fuel deal and commercial production, and a global industry agreement to enable a reduction in aviation emissions and adoption of sustainable fuels. Additionally, he has led a global coalition of stakeholders across the value chain to break down the barriers of the commercialization of renewable fuels.

Samartzis previously served in several executive roles at United Airlines including as chief executive of a $2B business unit, and as an executive advisor to clients globally through his work with Oliver Wyman, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Slalom. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, a global leader in high-energy particle physics.

Samartzis earned his MBA from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, an MA from John Hopkins University, and a BA from the University of Chicago. He is actively engaged in the community as a Director on several Boards of nonprofit organization focused on youth development, an issue of importance and dedication throughout his life.