An Unexpected Path to the Utility Industry

In the latest edition of UAA Newsline, Zak Hermans, Director of Business Development at XKIG, shares how a lifelong involvement in theater, a baseball career that took him to the minor leagues, nearly a decade in military contracting and manufacturing, and a fascination with severe weather have each contributed to the skills, perspective, and path that ultimately brought him to the utility industry. 

In his article, “A Career Shaped by Stages, Stadiums, and Storms,” Zak explores how lessons in communication, teamwork, preparation, resilience, and problem-solving have stayed with him throughout his career. He also reflects on his lifelong fascination with severe weather and how witnessing the effects of tornadoes and hurricanes deepened his appreciation for the infrastructure communities rely on when storms strike. 

Zak’s story is a reminder that resilience is often built through the experiences and challenges we encounter along the way. The ability to prepare, adapt, work together, and solve problems in changing conditions has shaped his career and remains essential in the utility industry today.