Veterans in Advanced Energy Profiles — Veterans Advanced Energy Project

As told to Leah Emanuel, Jordan Bekenstein, and Madalin How.

Veterans comprise approximately ten percent of all US energy jobs. Veterans are a good fit for the energy industry because they gain technical experience from operating equipment and electrical systems while serving in the military. They also bring desirable soft skills to civilian careers like critical thinking, decision making, and performance under pressure.

Veterans are mission oriented and highly motivated by service to their country. These skills can be put to use towards achieving a secure energy future. Energy security is integral to national security by reducing reliance on foreign fuels, securing energy systems against cyber and physical threats, mitigating international conflicts driven by climate change, and ensuring economic success for the future.

The Veterans Advanced Energy Project aims to give veterans and milspouses a better understanding of today’s global energy security challenges to inspire continued service to the country through careers in the advanced energy industry. As the best and brightest exit the military service with years of hands-on experience and training, it is in the best interest of our national security to return that investment for implementation of technology that would provide flexibility to forces in the field, lessen our dependence on foreign fuels, and mitigate future conflicts resulting from climate change.

We are proud to share some of these stories below to highlight the experiences of military veterans and how military service prepared them for a career in advanced energy:

Featured

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Warren Sakey

Warren Sakey, a 2021-2022 Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow, served as a US Army transportation officer organizing convoys in Afghanistan. This firsthand experience in nation-building by developing new infrastructure led him back to school for infrastructure finance before joining the renewable energy industry. Transforming energy infrastructure, he says, will improve national security and economic stability by reducing reliance on international commodities like oil and gas while also mitigating long-term climate effects.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Kendra Ryan

Kendra Ryan had an interest in the environment at a young age. After training as a nuclear engineer for the US Navy, her graduate studies led her to work at the NATO Undersea Research Center in Italy evaluating the impacts of active sonar on marine mammals. She later used this experience to study offshore wind and how to overcome environmental barriers. Today, her work continues at the intersection of sustainable energy and water developments.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Jordan Shontz

Jordan Shontz served as a US Army infantry officer in Afghanistan and Iraq. After the military, he found a new mission in renewable energy development. Domestic clean energy, he says, brings economic benefits to local communities and improves national security by reducing reliance on foreign fuels. To other veterans entering the energy industry, he says to network early and often—you might be surprised by how willing other veterans are to help.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Allison Bennett Irion

Allisson Bennett Irion used her experience from the US Navy and Merchant Marines to help research nuclear proliferation risks at international seaports. Today, she helps the US nuclear industry export technology to maintain global leadership in nuclear safety and security. To meet our clean energy goals, she says, supply chains must continue to diversify and innovate to meet the demand and reduce reliance on geopolitically sensitive sources.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Carlton Brinda

Carlton Brinda had a highly technical military career as a nuclear electrician on US Navy submarines operating under pressure in a demanding underwater environment. After retirement, he used that experience to work in the lithium manufacturing industry producing materials used in advanced energy applications like batteries for electric vehicles. Today, he helps maintain a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity to fuel the US economy as a Control Center Supervisor for AES Clean Energy.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Alex Yachanin

Alex Yachanin studied ocean and environmental engineering to learn as much as he could about the causes and solutions to climate change. After his service in the US Navy as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer, he has applied this technical education and hands-on experience in the clean energy industry to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and create economic opportunities.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Kevin Doffing

Kevin Doffing saw the negative effects of energy poverty firsthand while deployed to Iraq as an Army platoon officer charged with securing stable electricity for war-torn regions. This experience drives his career today to democratize energy access and independence for greater stability and economic growth. To other veterans, he says, the energy transition is the next battlefront and strong leaders with a sense of service are needed to ensure success.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Kevin Booher

Kevin Booher served as a Marine Corps combat engineer in Iraq and Afghanistan supporting city security and soldier safety. After the military, he was drawn to an energy career by the challenge of climate change. He is most excited about investments in new technology but concerned whether countries can come together for global solutions while maintaining equitable opportunity for economic growth.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Chris Rawlings

Chris Rawlings knew he wanted to be a Marine from a young age. He relied on his experience auditing aircraft maintenance centers to start his own energy efficiency business, VLED, and podcast, Energy Sense. To other veterans leaving military service, he says, try new things, find your tribe, use the available resources, and start building your support network early for a successful transition.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Timothy Crowder

Timothy Crowder served in the US Navy as an Electronics Warfare Technician before studying sustainable energy systems. Today, he is helping to expand the availability of solar energy across Illinois, and says that the United States needs to increase domestic panel manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign imports. His advice for other veterans? Making connections within the veteran community is key.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Sara Lechtenberg-Kasten

Sara Lechtenberg-Kasten, a US Army military spouse, is using her experiences as a US diplomat and researcher to help provide equitable and sustainable access to energy in developing countries because, she says, energy is an economic, social, and political driver in our day-to-day lives.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Jasper Camacho

Jasper Camacho jump-started his career in the US Army and National Guard with the opportunity to study economics and invest in power generation around the world. To other veterans, he says, the military prepares people to look at a problem, develop a plan, and execute. The energy industry is a complex coordination problem and needs future leaders to execute the mission.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Max Adams

Max Adams started his career integrating experimental technologies with the US Army’s special operations in Latin America. He is now using that experience as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Parasanti, providing machine learning data solutions for the Department of Defense and renewable energy industry.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: George Bonner

George Bonner spent the last half of his Coast Guard career repairing costal infrastructure damaged by rising seas and hurricanes. After retirement, he wanted to continue making a difference and now works in research and testing of marine energy — such as waves, tides, and currents — to help combat climate change.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Robin Tyner

Robin Tyner witnessed firsthand how US military strategy around renewable energy developed from inside the Pentagon walls working for the Chief of Naval Operations. Today, she says renewable energy is a “win-win” and is excited about emerging technologies like river and tidal energy.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Robert Hayward

Robert Hayward helped rebuild electric and water infrastructure in Baghdad, Iraq as a young US Army officer. That experience helped him to see how important energy access is to our society and drives his work to close the gap here at home. To other veterans leaving the military, he says to take a pause to find your cause before jumping job to job.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Jon Gillis

Jon Gillis developed drones and robots with the US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. Fuel consumption was just one practical design problem to solve, and he uses the same approach in his energy resilience work today. To other veterans, he says “keep showing up.” Someone might help you today, and you will pay it forward.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Mike Petersen

Mike Petersen traveled the world with the US Navy. After the military, graduate studies in business and international affairs led him to a career in energy. Today, he is encouraged by the rapid developments of clean energy technology but concerned whether developing countries will get any of the benefits. To other veterans, he says be patient, be humble, be flexible

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: David Tancabel

David Tancabel leveraged his experience as a nuclear engineer in the US Navy to start a career in energy. After working at various levels of government, he’s most excited about utility reform and most concerned about having the transmission lines needed to deliver electricity. His advice to other veterans leaving the military is to have a plan and work in energy for a sense of service.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Jessica Klinge

Jessica Klinge says her military service and nonprofit work to educate veterans on the environment and climate change are driven by a desire to help other people and love of her country. Her advice for other veterans? Follow your passion and don’t settle for a job you don’t want.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Justin Lau

Justin Lau joined the Air Force for an education in technology. He is now working to improve US national security by modernizing the grid and ensuring reliable energy infrastructure. To other veterans, he says to follow your passion and use your leadership skills to create your own opportunities.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Mike Henchen

Mike Henchen searched fuel trucks for bombs as an Army officer in Bagram, Afghanistan. The military dependence on these fuel transports and danger to US soldiers helps inspire his work in the clean energy transition today.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Taylor Searcy

Taylor Searcy was surprised to see the power go out every night in the capital city of East Timor on his Navy tour. Ensuring reliable and affordable access to abundant energy resources around the globe has helped drive his post-military career in advanced energy. He recommends other veterans bring their unique perspectives to the table in the clean energy transition.

Veterans in Advanced Energy Profile: Jesse Medlong

Jesse Medlong joined the US Navy for educational and economic opportunities. His decision to pursue a career in international law stemmed from days enforcing UN sanctions against Saddam Hussein. Today, he represents the country of Georgia in multilateral climate change negotiations. To other veterans, he recommends staying in touch with your peers and looking out for one another.

The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is designed to drive US leadership in advanced energy by recruiting, equipping, and empowering military veterans who understand the importance of the evolving energy landscape to our future security and prosperity. The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is a managed by the Global Energy Center within the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit. www.AtlanticCouncil.org

News & Announcements

The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is proud to feature the stories and experiences of military veterans who have pursued careers in the advanced energy industry.

As told to Leah Emanuel, Jordan Bekenstein, and Madalin How.