Tell us about your experience with Panasonic and your current role with PENA.
I joined the Panasonic team in 2018 and have had the opportunity to serve in various capacities across multiple areas of the business. I currently lead the informational technology (IT) and digital transformation strategy for PENA, which keeps me focused on identifying strategic partnerships, creating and launching new strategies, and introducing large-scale technology platforms. Of course, each of these areas has its own distinct opportunities and challenges. But in the simplest terms, my job is to leverage the best innovation and maximize efficiencies across these and other areas to drive our continued aim to increase EV battery production in North America while supporting our sustainability commitments.
What is your role with new De Soto facility?
My responsibilities at the new De Soto plant mirror—and in many ways build upon—my leadership at our Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada. The opening of our Kansas plant is scheduled for early next year, but we’ve already begun implementing core elements of our “smart factory” model in De Soto, including AI applications for finance and construction management that are increasing efficiencies and ensuring we’re positioned to meet our 2025 production target.
What excites you most about this new facility?
We’re scaling our production-ready GenAI models from Nevada to apply them to our operations in Kansas, while also introducing new models and use cases for the new plant. It’s been an exciting time for all of us as we realize the significant returns on our smart factory investments in Nevada. We’re now leveraging our learnings and established processes to empower even more employees and to drive our business—and the North American EV industry—forward with increased speed, efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
What challenges do you enjoy tackling each day?
One of the most interesting and rewarding challenges that I face daily—and it’s an increasingly important consideration for practically every industry—is ensuring that our ongoing adoption and advancement of AI-driven technologies and solutions is always guided by a human-centric approach. One of Panasonic’s foundational principles has always been to put people before products, so it’s critical that we remain vigilant in emphasizing the role of AI as an enabler for our valued employees. I enjoy the challenge of applying new and existing technologies to elevating individuals within our company and making their work more fulfilling and impactful.
What drew you to Panasonic Energy?
For me, it was the Vision that Allan Swan shared for Panasonic Energy and the impact we will have on the EV industry. I was immediately drawn to the role innovation and technology could play in assisting in achieving this vision. It is not often you can be a part of a true paradigm shift in an industry that has a global impact for generations to come.
What is your favorite aspect of Panasonic culture?
There are many things I appreciate about the culture of this company, including the people-first approach I mentioned earlier. More broadly, I’m always impressed by our ongoing commitment to honor, uphold, and incorporate the foundational values on which this company was built. Even after more than 100 years in business, the wisdom and legacy of our visionary founder, Kōnosuke Matsushita, continue to inspire our approach every day.
Launched in 2017, Panasonic Energy of North America is a relatively new organization, and we tend to operate more like a fast and nimble startup within a well-established company. This creates a unique environment that encourages rapid innovation and agility guided by foundational values and vision established over more than a century of progress. It’s the best of both worlds in that sense.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Health and fitness are a key motivator for me and if you don't see me in the gym or running laps, you can find me on the lake wakeboarding and spending time with my family.
What’s on your bucket list that might surprise people?
I am an avid rugby supporter and look forward to attending a Rugby World Cup to cheer-on my team, the Springboks, in a rugby world cup final.
Learn more about Justin and his commitment to powering the future of clean energy in this recent profile article featured in EV Magazine.