Clifton is the CEO of Clifton Lemon Associates, a consultancy providing strategy, product development, marketing, and education services to manufacturers and firms in the lighting and energy sectors. He was formerly Marketing Communications Manager for Soraa, Director of Business Development at Integral Group in Oakland, and founder and CEO of BrandSequence, customer research, and brand management firm. He is an active writer and speaker, with extensive experience in event production and curriculum for professional development. He is the President of the Illuminating Engineering Society, San Francisco Section, and is on the Advisory Boards of Lighting Facts, Strategies in Light, and LightShow West.