Power Distribution Challenges and Opportunities
SAI Advanced Power Solutions Chairman and CEO Shapour Arami will discuss the state of the industry as keynote speaker at the 11th annual MEM Industry Night.
SAI (Switchboard Apparatus Inc.) Advanced Power Solutions has created innovative and reliable electrical power distribution products for more than 100 years, navigating difficult obstacles and new technologies along the way.
In the past five years, SAI significantly transformed its supply chain and operations to be future-ready.
"The power distribution industry has undergone rapid changes, driving growth," said SAI chairman and CEO Shapour Arami. "However, SAI is outpacing the market due to our investments in people and capabilities, expansion into high-growth market segments, diversification of our customer base, and innovative products and services."
Arami will talk about SAI's growth and its approach to navigating today's power realities during the 11th annual industry night, hosted by Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management program. The event will be Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Guild Lounge in Scott Hall (601 University Place) on Northwestern's Evanston campus.
Arami is the keynote speaker for the event and will discuss his work and the state of the industry as part of a fireside chat with attendees. He is looking forward to educating students and MEM alumni about the industry and informing them about the skill set needed to thrive in the field.
Selfishly, he's hoping to meet some future SAI employees as well.
"MEM is doing a good job of training students to get ready for the field and the challenges," Arami said. "There are some very top-notch students with a lot of energy and a lot of focus to advance."
Arami knows that firsthand. SAI has hired multiple MEM graduates in the past two years.
Arami believes that the skills needed to thrive in the field — or any engineering industry for that matter — are the exact skill being taught in MEM.
"The biggest thing is the balance of technical skills and managerial skills," Arami said. "This way, they can be ready for the next challenges."
That balance is at the heart of MEM, and it's why the program launched Industry Night in 2014. The goal was to recognize and establish community among students, alumni, and companies who value the importance of education at the intersection of engineering and business.
"We're thrilled that Shapour was willing to take time out of the inherent busy schedule that comes with being a CEO of a major company to come and talk with our students and alumni," MEM director Mark Werwath said. "We want to introduce our students to as many industry leaders and visionaries as possible, both to inspire them and to give them an idea of what job opportunities might be available. I firmly believe Shapour will do just that."
