CleanTech Alliance and the greater Pacific Northwest cleantech community is mourning the loss of John Berdes, Founder and CEO of Craft3. John passed away over the weekend after a battle with lung cancer.
Steve McConnell, Chair of the Craft3 Board of Directors, released the following statement on John’s passing:
“It is with a great deal of sadness that I announce that John Berdes passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon. We have lost a leader, a mentor, and a friend – but John left in his wake a strong organization and legacy. Craft3 has the impact it has because John was strong, determined, deeply thoughtful, and frequently brilliant. John dedicated his life to helping those around him, and the greater Craft3 and community development families will miss him terribly. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts.”
Craft3 is one of the region’s leading nonprofit community development financial institutions (CDFI) dedicated to strengthening economic, ecologic and family resilience across the Pacific Northwest. Prior to joining the Craft3 team in 1995, John served the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and was founding Executive Director of Capitol Hill Housing. John resided in Astoria, OR and Seattle, WA.
“The Pacific Northwest and its cleantech community lost a leader and a friend with the passing of John Berdes,” said Tom Ranken, President and CEO of the CleanTech Alliance. “John’s work at Craft3 shaped the cleantech industry across our region, providing a trusted source of capital and support for countless projects and startups. His legacy at Craft3 will have lasting impact, and his absence will be felt.”
Adam Zimmerman will remain Acting President and CEO of Craft3.
In this difficult time, John’s family asks for privacy, and that any tributes be made to The Harbor resource center in Astoria or Lower Columbia Memorial Hospice via Columbia Memorial Hospital. You can also share memories of John on the Craft3 Facebook page.