

That search resulted in the startup of Sierra Energy, which he launched in 2004 to bring waste gasification technology to market.Ĭhris Soderquist, founder of Davis-based solar energy firm Repower Yolo, describes Hart as one of relatively few local leaders who are taking decisive action to develop the entrepreneurial economy. As CEO of the railroad, Hart has spent years searching for an alternative fuel to replace the petroleum diesel that runs his locomotives. It also operates the Sacramento RiverTrain and Sierra DinnerTrain. Hart became CEO of the railroad, which operates the Skunk Train that carries 60,000 passengers a year on scenic trips through the Mendocino County redwoods. Although that effort was blocked by political opposition, the investor group he assembled bought the Sierra Railroad instead. He first tried to buy a freight railroad between Santa Cruz and San Jose to haul sand. Hart got into the railroad business in 1993. Hart then used his knowledge of hydroponics and military systems to land a consulting gig with NASA, advising on deep-space crew missions.

He owned a 150,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse in Colorado, growing organic cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. After the Cold War ended in 1991, Hart started his entrepreneurial career, focusing on sustainability.
#Sacramento business journal software#
He later wrote software programs to analyze weapons systems. But after graduating from University of California Davis in 1985, he worked as a systems analyst on sophisticated weapons systems for the military. Hart first developed an interest in sustainability when in high school during the energy crisis of the 1970s. It is something we can do something about, and we should do something about.” “We’re working to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. “It may seem like I’m a squirrel collecting all kinds of random nuts, but there is a larger objective in mind,” he said. And last month, Hart announced plans to develop commercial property in the proposed 47-acre Nishi Gateway innovation center, also in Davis. He’s also developing a co-working space in Davis called Area 52 in the building that previously housed flying car company Moller International. For 23 years, Hart has been CEO of Sierra Railroad Co., which operates 140 miles of rail lines in Northern California. But the founder and CEO of Davis-based Sierra Energy never seems to leave his previous ventures behind. Mike Hart: An entrepreneur of many tradesįor entrepreneur Mike Hart, one venture always seems to lead to another. To read more about business in the greater Sacramento region and an extra Q&A with Mike Hart, read the article on the Sacramento Business Journal Website. The text of the article can be read below.

In the article titled “Mike Hart: An entrepreneur of many trades”, Anderson explores Mike’s passion for sustainability and economic development in Davis. Sacramento Business Journal‘s Mark Anderson writes about CEO Mike G Hart and his many business ventures. Sacramento Business Journal Interviews CEO Mike G Hart
