James Dean

James has made ventilation cool—literally and figuratively. Under his leadership, Oxygen8 has shipped 2,000+ all-electric energy recovery ventilators across North America, reducing indoor air pollutants by up to 80%, slashing HVAC energy use by 40%, and recovering 70–90% of outgoing energy, dramatically lowering building operators’ carbon emissions. Since 2023, revenue has surged 150%, fueled by the opening of two new facilities spanning 65,000 sq. ft. But James’ vision goes beyond numbers: since 2023, they have shipped nearly 230 projects delivered to schools and senior care homes, creating healthier spaces for children and seniors alike. He’s also championed a people-first culture, elevating over ten engineers from assembly roles and supporting permanent residency for over 60 international workers. For James, innovation is personal, both for buildings and people – proven by this, his second trip to the Clean50, now leading a completely different company.