Working in energy

As president overseeing the Trench and Metals business for OldCastle, I have full P&L ownership. Most of my team’s products fall in the energy space; although some are also used in rail and communication projects, such as data centers. Everything we create is designed to connect communities and enhance the way the world operates.

When I first explored working at OldCastle Infrastructure, I was excited about the opportunity to lead in the organization’s product manufacturing, but what truly captivated me was OldCastle’s purpose. I feel fortunate to be part of an organization whose products are foundational to our everyday lives. Each day presents a learning opportunity as our team collaborates to find the best solutions for our customers through our expanding product portfolio, leveraging innovation to ensure our products work seamlessly together.

Initiatives in progress

I’m particularly excited about several projects that align with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. We are actively working on eco-friendly initiatives that encompass our entire operations, from manufacturing to daily practices. This involves revising our manufacturing processes to prioritize sustainable materials and methods, which is crucial in meeting the growing demand for environmentally responsible solutions.

Additionally, we’re integrating new products and expanding our lines of business, which will enhance our existing offerings. The introduction of additional metal products is particularly exciting, as it allows us to create customized solutions tailored to our customers’ unique needs.

Lastly, I’m eager to showcase the capabilities of our larger Infrastructure Products Group (IPG). This initiative aims to deliver more robust and comprehensive solutions, ultimately providing greater value to our customers and reinforcing our commitment to innovation in the industry.

Industry headwinds

Looking five years into the future, I believe the electric energy sector will face several significant challenges. First, with over 55,000 substations in North America, the need for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades is critical. Aging infrastructure requires urgent attention to ensure reliability and safety for both customers and communities.

Second, the unexpected surge in demand from data centers and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is placing additional strain on existing, and in some cases, aging systems. This increase in load necessitates aggressive investment in technology to optimize the management of current substations while also expanding capacity to accommodate new facilities.

Overall, the dual challenges for energy utilities to maintain aging infrastructure and meet the rising energy demands will require strategic planning and substantial investment in the coming years.

Addressing challenges for a reliable grid

To effectively address these challenges, utilities and industry partners should prioritize automation and proactive maintenance of existing infrastructure to enhance grid reliability.

At the substation and data center levels, investing in essential trenching solutions can help protect and maintain the communications cabling necessary for automation, ensuring seamless operations. Additionally, implementing firewalls is crucial for fire containment in data centers, as even a single incident can result in substantial financial losses. Similar measures at substations will safeguard critical, hard-to-source transformers.

Recognizing the heightened infrastructure challenges at substations, we should leverage innovative modular solutions designed to contain live cables without disruption. This approach not only enhances safety but also streamlines maintenance processes, ultimately supporting the reliability and efficiency of the electrical grid.

Preparing for the future

Even though transformer lead times have reduced in the past year, the scarcity is concerning and it affects substation operations far and wide. Companies like the one I work for have the opportunity to help our customers prevent the spread of fire across multiple transformers in substations and also prevent intrusion and ballistic incursions which can damage and disable the entire site.

Additionally, we know that the added pressure from EV charging and AI on the grid cannot be discounted. We’re seeing more and more data centers and battery electric storage sites come up across the country to support these pressures and we’re poised to help our customers with everything from cable management to fire and security walls for separation and containment, along with vaults and enclosures for communication and power lines.

Finally, we’re also tracking the twin demands for safety and sustainability. These calls to innovate on materials that not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance safety across the entire lifecycle.

Beyond the industry: Empowering tomorrow’s leaders

What I like most about my work is the emphasis on talent development and diversity. I have the opportunity to build and collaborate with an incredible team, hiring people from across the country. The strong support from leadership empowers us to cultivate future leaders within the organization.

We’re all encouraged to contribute to our industry’s leadership, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can develop their skills and grow. There’s no gatekeeping for leadership opportunities, which creates a culture of empowerment and collaboration. It’s rewarding to be part of a team where every individual has a voice and a chance to make a difference.