Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Aaron Schutz

Aaron Schutz

Park Rapids,MN

Summary

Experienced in small to utility-scale BESS and HESS energy storage, EV charging, and microgrid design and construction, I've developed a well-rounded career that evolved from field installation to the development of projects and people. I've contributed alongside some of the hardest-working and talented teams in the industry. Every day holds opportunities to learn from others, develop skills, and create a better place where innovation can thrive!

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Manager, EPC Estimation

Energy Vault
Westlake Village, CA
12.2023 - Current
  • Developed RFP's and drove bidding process for EPC's on utility-scale battery energy storage (BESS) and hydrogen energy storage (HESS) projects, globally.
  • Collaborated with our European and Australian team to unify our RFP and estimating process, keeping it consistent throughout the company.
  • Optimized utility-scale energy storage projects from a site design and construction purview.
  • Reviewed and analyzed previous project performance to increase constructability and profitability on future projects.
  • Developed several tools for quickly and accurately estimating project costs globally, managing team workload, ultimately leading to a more efficient workflow across our team.
  • Provided feedback and suggestions on new product designs to enable a more cost-effective product for customers, meanwhile increasing our profits.
  • Interviewed and evaluated EPCs to contract on our energy storage projects, globally.
  • Expanded our capabilities through construction experience, relationships with US-based EPC companies and Engineering firms.

President

SavvyCharge
Owatonna, MN
12.2023 - Current
  • Evaluate, design, and specify electric vehicle charging stations for businesses, workplaces, and multi-family housing.
  • Contractor EV charging proposal evaluation.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with customers.
  • Operate and maintain business as sole owner.
  • Educate and guide communities on EV charging.

Adjunct Professor

Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN
01.2024 - 06.2024
  • Developed an Advanced Estimating course for the Electrical Construction, Design, and Management degree program.
  • Created assignments to challenge students into creating their own estimating tools.
  • Assisted students with 1:1 meetings to help them understand the material and process, leading to elevated grades and confidence in estimating/proposal development.
  • Collaborated with local distributors and contractors, giving students the opportunity for real-world exposure.
  • Exposed students to professional estimating software, preparing them for a career in the electrical estimating/project management field.

Estimating Manager

Retrofit Electric
Owatonna, MN
03.2022 - 12.2023
  • Familiarized myself with Hubspot CRM, using this as a tool for organizing customer relationships.
  • Implemented a simple phone application for tracking productivity in the field, creating an easy and accurate installation data capture.
  • Provided field support, change orders, and supporting documents for bidding and closing out projects.
  • Involved in Operations, delegated resources to ensure project execution went efficiently and safely.
  • Expanded existing relationships with cities, counties, and large utility companies, providing expertise in EV charging design and development.
  • Expanded our capabilities via relationships with vendors, engineering firms, and subcontractors for a better customer experience.
  • Monitored overhead and developed tools that increased profitability.
  • Built and managed a preconstruction team, introduced new procedures for bidding and managing projects.
  • Starting at point zero, built a business that closed $900k in 9 months, and $4M in sales in year two. Carved a path for continued success in the commercial electrical construction market.

Estimator III

Mortenson Construction
Minneapolis, MN
06.2019 - 03.2022
  • Responded to RFP's, providing anything from conceptual to firm contract price proposals on $3.5M - $175M utiliy-scale battery-energy storage projects.
  • Familiarity of technologies requested for an energy storage, EV charging, or microgrid project. These included SunGrow, Tesla, CATL, Fluence, Wartsila, BYD, GE, DynaPower, Power Electronics, SMA, Heliox, Proterra and others.
  • Routinely built construction schedules aligning with delivery and critical energization dates, keeping BESS climate controlled for warranty purposes.
  • Estimated, scheduled and assisted design phase for a microgrid at an active bus depot. I was presented a Pinnacle Award from our customer for the daily logistics plan accommodating disruption avoidance.
  • As a member of the Electrical Safety Team, I contributed to energization procedures on our energy storage projects, reviewed onsite electrical events, and helped reform process for higher accessability and safety throughout organization.
  • Actively discussed effective construction applications with our Superintendents and Project Managers to optimize our overall customer experience, increase margin, and implement safer working conditions.
  • Received a Pinnacle Award for Ingenuity for designing and implementing an optimized BESS installation method, increasing margin and bringing the project far ahead of schedule.

Electrical Foreman

Parsons Electric LLC
Minneapolis, MN
05.2011 - 06.2019
  • The majority of my field experience as an electrician was spent at Parsons Electric. To this day, I'm grateful for the hands-on skills I developed from my field assignments, foremen, and company leaders.
  • I developed into a supervisory position, leading several projects ranging from a multi-level $180,000 corporate remodel, a critical demolition of a 250 Megawatt steam turbine, and upgrading a natural gas storage facility for the local utility.
  • My introduction to the renewable energy market started here with an EV charging pilot project for Metro Transit. This experience lead me down a path that I'm still passionate about today.

Education

Master of Science - Finance

Georgetown University
Washington, DC
05-2027

Bachelor of Science - Construction Management

Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN
12.2020

Associate of Applied Science - Electrical Construction And Maintenance

Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, MN
06.2007

Skills

  • Drafting proposals and presentations
  • Preparing conceptual and firm price estimates
  • Electrical construction and workplace safety
  • Continued knowledge of most recent National Electrical Code
  • Understanding of battery technology, EV charging solutions, and hydrogen used in power generation
  • PowerProject and Microsoft Project user
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel user
  • Construction staffing and scheduling
  • Customer service and sales
  • Building interactive financial tools and models for multiple users
  • Public speaking
  • Communication and active listening
  • Time management
  • Project management
  • Owner representation
  • Responsible and reliable traveler
  • Leadership, coaching, and teaching

Certification

Class A Master Electrician - MN

Class A Journeyman Electrician - MN

Timeline

Adjunct Professor

Dunwoody College of Technology
01.2024 - 06.2024

Senior Manager, EPC Estimation

Energy Vault
12.2023 - Current

President

SavvyCharge
12.2023 - Current

Estimating Manager

Retrofit Electric
03.2022 - 12.2023

Estimator III

Mortenson Construction
06.2019 - 03.2022

Electrical Foreman

Parsons Electric LLC
05.2011 - 06.2019

Bachelor of Science - Construction Management

Dunwoody College of Technology

Associate of Applied Science - Electrical Construction And Maintenance

Dunwoody College of Technology

Master of Science - Finance

Georgetown University

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Aaron Schutz