Randy Pettus, '96

What is your role, and how does sustainability intersect with your work responsibilities?

As a domestic custom battery cell manufacturer, Nanotech Energy directly addresses an over-reliance on carbon-intensive, opaque overseas battery supply chains. My work in the energy storage space supports the reduction of long-haul shipping emissions, supply-chain risk, NDAA compliance, and traceable sourcing. My team innovates and designs custom cells for select Defense, Data Center, Medical, and/or Micro-mobility applications. These solutions adhere to product stewardship guidance and enable client circular economy work. They also enable OEM/downstream customers and integrators to meet their sustainability objectives.

Did you always plan to work in sustainability? If not, how did you make the jump?

I had spent 20+ years in the commercial disciplines (sales, marketing, product management) of the chemical materials industry. My product stewardship training and compliance on new product launches were my first exposure to sustainability. Over the last eight to nine years, my work in the energy solutions space has enabled me to understand better the domestic challenges with our grid infrastructure and how the growing power T&D needs affect the grid. I also worked with clients in the wind, solar, and clean energy space, providing thermal management materials to support their innovation.

What are a job incumbent's "must-haves" in a sustainability-focused role or task?

Broad perspective - depending on where the job is 'situated'. 

What advice would you give to current Robins School students interested in pursuing careers in sustainability?

Be open-minded; be ready to create job fullness; depending on the company, you may be the expert... be prepared to evangelize your value and why sustainability is important to the company's bottom line.