John Clarke Mills

John Clarke Mills is the co-founder and CEO of Watch Duty, a nonprofit disaster intelligence platform that delivers real-time wildfire alerts and updates to communities in fire-prone regions. Drawing on his background in software engineering and entrepreneurship, Mills has developed Watch Duty into a public safety resource by organizing a network of volunteers who monitor first-responder radio traffic and relay critical information to the public. Mills has positioned Watch Duty as a tool for both residents and emergency responders, contributing to improved wildfire preparedness and response.

Before founding Watch Duty, Mills was a cofounder and CTO of Zenput, an operations execution software company, where he guided the organization from its inception to acquisition. He has also held engineering and leadership roles at several technology firms, including Webtrends, Transpond, Radar Networks, and CNET Networks, and serves as an advisor to organizations focused on wildfire solutions. Mills’s technical expertise in software engineering and disaster technology has earned him recognition in the intersection of technology and community safety.

Mills is a public speaker, delivering keynotes and participating in panels on disaster preparedness, technology for public good, and community resilience. He shares personal experiences that motivated his work, such as near-misses with wildfires, and advocates for systemic improvements in emergency response. Mills communicates complex technical solutions with clarity, making him a voice in both the technology and disaster response communities.