John Joseph Campion (January 17, 1963 – October 2, 2020) was an Irish-American entrepreneur. In 1987, he founded Showpower, Inc.,[1] a California company that provided portable generators for the Rolling Stones, U2, Kiss and AC/DC.[2] Campion served as chairman and chief executive officer of APR Energy plc (LSE: APR).[3][4]
Early life
Born in Cork, Ireland, Campion was held back in primary school twice, failed secondary school exams, and did not attend college.[5] At age 21, Campion emigrated to the United States with an airline ticket and $25 in his possession.[2]
Corporate leadership
Under the leadership of Campion, APR Energy specialized in the rapid deployment of electrical power-generating plants in areas of the world that have been struck by natural disasters or that are experiencing a shortage of energy.[5] The modular power plants are typically constructed in a few months. Campion held several patents for this technology.[6] One such plant was assembled in 45 days following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a task that would normally require from three to four years to complete for a permanent power plant installation.[2][7] It took APR Energy less than a month to deploy a power plant in Cyprus with the equivalent generating capacity to power approximately 120,000 American homes.[5]
From zero revenues at its founding, APR Energy has grown to $486 million in revenues, projected for 2014. The company employs more than 150 people in Jacksonville and over 850 internationally.[10] In 2014, the company was valued at $1.2 billion.[5]
Campion, who founded APR Energy, left his role as CEO in May 2019 to take over as the non-executive chairman for the APR board.[11]
The Campion Automotive Collection
A portion of John J. Campion's car collection.
Campion assembled a stable of Lancias.[12] His collection includes seven models that have each raced in the World Rally Championship (WRC):
1969 Lancia Fulvia, winner of the 1972 Daily Mirror Royal Automobile Club Rally, a predecessor of the WRC[12][13]
1975 Lancia Stratos, winner of several races in the late 1970s and restored in 2011[12]
1979 Fiat 131, was on the cover of Road & Track, May issue 1980[14]
1983 Lancia 037 Evo 2 chassis #11 of 20 Evolution 2s. Took part in nearly two dozen rally races, earning several top-three finishes, including first place in a 1985 Coppa Italia race[12]
1983 Lancia LC2 chassis #001 of 7, raced at Monza and Le Mans in the 1983 and ‘84 seasons, and three races at Fuji in 1985 [16]
1985 Lancia Delta S4, used as a test car for all the races that the Delta S4 was in on the World Rally Championship[14]
His Lancia collection has been displayed at the 2015 Concours d’Elegance on Amelia Island, Florida.[17][18] Campion's complete car collection also includes Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Porsches.[13]
Philanthropy
Inaugural Participants on Team Ireland Photo: Peter Houlihan
Campion helped to launch Team Ireland along with the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the President of Motorsport Ireland.[19] The Team Ireland Foundation is a national program designed to support young drivers in the sports of rallying, racing and karting.[20]
Campion was involved with the University of North Florida’s Osprey SAE Student Race Team.[21] The UNF Osprey Student Racing team received financial support and mentorship from Campion in 2015 and 2016.[22] A partner of the Just a Bunch of Roadies (JABOR) global humanitarian group,[23] Campion's work included donating fuel, plus trucks and personnel to relief efforts in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010.[24][25] In addition to his other works, Campion served as a board member to The Catholic University of America, providing students development support.[26]
Death
Campion died from leukemia on October 2, 2020, aged 57.[27][28]
