Meet Josh Cherry, Development Engineer – Energy Storage Systems at Treaty Oak. We asked Josh to provide a brief bio, why he is interested in the industry, and what made Treaty Oak Clean Energy the right organization for him.
What is your background?
Professionally, I have an electrical engineering background with experience in the EPC and utility spaces. Prior to joining Treaty Oak Clean Energy, I worked for Burns & McDonnell, a large EPC firm. In this role, I gained extensive power generation experience in development-stage engineering, detailed design engineering, system studies, procurement, and more. My projects spanned nearly all forms of utility-scale generation with an eventual specialization in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Before that, I gained experience in the Utility space performing transmission planning and reliability work for Georgia Power Company and Southern Company Services.
On the personal side, I’m from Philadelphia and currently live in Denver, Colorado. Like many others in CO, I’m an outdoor enthusiast. My main weekend hobbies are hiking, backpacking, and snowboarding. This winter I hope to improve my backcountry snowboarding skills and add mountaineering to the hobbies list. When not outdoors (or sometimes in a tent), I’m an avid reader. I mostly read non-fiction, but I’ve been enjoying Frank Herbert’s Dune series recently. My other main interest is Effective Altruism, a practical movement where people try to maximize the positive impact of their careers and giving. I recently took the Giving What We Can Pledge to donate at least 10% of my lifetime income to the most impactful charities. Currently, my support goes to the GiveWell Maximum Impact Fund.
Why are you interested in the renewable / clean energy industry?
Reliable energy access has had a profoundly positive impact in the well-being of billions to date. Unfortunately, the historical means (i.e. carbon emitting fuels) by which we’ve gained reliable energy access are fundamentally opposed to the well-being of untold trillions of future lives. As much as 75% of global carbon emissions come from energy sector. Decarbonization of the energy sector, especially power generation, is necessary for maintaining and expanding the positive benefits of reliable energy access while avoiding the negative effects of climate change. By working in the renewable / clean energy industry at Treaty Oak, I’m having a positive impact on the welfare of our future generations.
What made Treaty Oak Clean Energy the right organization for you?
There’s a lot about the organization and myself that made it a strong mutual fit. First, I appreciate the people-focused approach to efficiency and growth. I want to join a company for the long-haul, and this strategy struck me as a sustainable long-term approach for both Treaty Oak’s success and my participation therein. Next, I was impressed with the company’s leadership and staff. It’s a brilliant and accomplished group that sincerely want to help me learn and grow in my career. Additionally, Treaty Oak offers flexibility and support for a healthy work-life balance. This is a crucial consideration for me since I’m pursuing not only a long and productive career but also a happy and fulfilling life. I’m excited to be a part of the Treaty Oak team and can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.