Experienced Engineer Uplifts Next Generation, Embraces Innovation

Furthering electrification for Thermo King and the industry

Matt’s role of Principal Electrification Engineer is within the Thermo King Electrification Center of Excellence (COE). This team, led by Grant Ovsak, was formed to focus on furthering product electrification and developing technology architectures and components. This team built battery electric-hybrid demonstration trailer TRU equipment for customer use.  The COE supports technology partnerships, systems integration and product development like the Thermo King e1000 all-electric truck TRU. 

Matt also recently played a key role in developing Thermo King’s Electrification Readiness Program, which has equipped the company’s vast dealer network with deep technical expertise, resources and support for advancing decarbonization in the transport refrigeration sector. 

“I advised on infrastructure planning for dealerships,” said Matt. “I also served as the technical leader on a project to select a portable DC charging station for dealers to purchase and offer to their customers looking for flexible solutions for commercial EV charging in their service shops.”  The resulting partnership led to adding Kempower mobile chargers to Thermo King aftermarket offerings.

Matt enjoys engaging in partnership efforts like this. “I like that we are willing to find the best technology to meet our customer needs,” he said. “I like that we can partner with others and don’t need to originate everything here at Thermo King.”

As an active member of various industry groups, Matt also has engaged in industry advocacy to support the transport industry’s move toward electrification. He has served on the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council since 2012 and is also active with the Society of Automotive Engineers as a task force leader of the Truck and Bus Electrical Committee. The committee is working to develop standards for electrical power take-off for vehicle systems.

Opportunities to make an impact

Matt is enthusiastic about the opportunities that electrification creates. “It’s really fun to work in a segment that we’re working to understand, demonstrate and develop all at the same time,” he said.  

It offers some exciting opportunities from a sustainability standpoint. “I am pushing the boundaries on what we can achieve with our products for all the right reasons – to challenge what’s possible from a sustainability standpoint, to grow the business and to grow myself, too,” he said. Sustainability is important to him for multiple reasons. “We have a lot of customers that have very aggressive sustainability goals built into their long-range plans,” he said. He also wants to leave this world a better place for his kids and the next generation, because “it just feels like the right thing to do.”  

Overall, Matt finds that “Trane Technologies has been really good at providing the structure, the flexibility, the support” he needs. “I do really value the ability to have work-life balance that Thermo King provides,” he said. “And, Thermo King has really been good at providing challenges and a level of engagement to help lead and even outperform the competition,” he said. “It’s engaging.” 

And it’s a two-way street. He explained that he has spoken to people at other companies where they don’t get a lot of input. “We’re small enough that I think we do get a lot of good feedback on our work.”

“So, I think if you just want to sit and crank out widgets, this probably isn’t the right place for you,” he added. “But if you want to contribute and grow and find a path for yourself, there’s opportunity here for you.”