Salute to Service: Stories from IHI Terrasun Veterans
In November, we make it a point to honor and thank all veterans who have served and sacrificed for the United States. It does not go unnoticed the difference these individuals make in our lives, and we are especially proud of the veterans who work at IHI Terrasun.
Thanks to its rapid expansion and constant innovation, the renewable energy sector presents an excellent opportunity for service members to return to the civilian workforce. Many characteristics that lend themselves to success in the armed forces translate well to renewable energy, from organization and quick-thinking, to future forward planning and attention to detail. Each veteran at IHI Terrasun brings their own unique value to our business.
Brian Christie, Senior Project Engineer
Brian started his career as a Track Vehicle Mechanic in the United States Army Infantry. His time with the Army provided him with invaluable experience and exposure to what interested him and would later push him towards a career in renewable energy.
“One of the infantry’s favorite phrases to use was ‘attention to detail.’ Attention to detail is important because if you are not aware of your surroundings, it can get you or someone else hurt or killed out in the field,” Brian said. “Attention to detail carries over to my work today when it comes to building big construction projects because sloppy construction or errors in plan sets can become a huge problem down the road. So, whether it’s poor construction or wiring details, anything that seems like a simple mistake can become a huge problem during commissioning.”
Brian recommends a career in renewable energy to any veteran out there. Most notably, he believes that anyone can begin in renewable energy and discover where they want to go from there. “The industry is in such high demand right now, you don't have to be an engineer,” he added. “You can be at any level and get your foot in the door. So if you have ambition, if you have a willingness to learn, the renewable industry is a terrific spot to look for meaningful work.”
Larry Kane, Senior Vice President, Projects and Product Engineering
Larry served as a member of the U.S. Navy. He first attended the U.S. Naval Academy before receiving additional schooling so that he could work on nuclear submarines, and later as a submarine school instructor.
Through his education as an engineer and his interest in nuclear power, Larry found his way into the renewable energy sector. He thanks his military background for his ability to lead dynamic teams in high-stakes scenarios. Larry added, “In my work now, I'm always thinking about what it is that we do. How could it affect people? How are we keeping everyone safe with the systems that we design and put out into the field?”
Regarding renewable energy as a career opportunity for fellow veterans, Larry said, “I see that the future of how we meet our electrical power needs relies upon whether we're going to preserve our planet. There are so many opportunities in this field. Engineers, people that like project management, logistics, any aspect of power distribution, you can find a role for it in the renewable space.”
Horacio Larios, Senior Director of Projects
Horacio joined IHI Terrasun as the Senior Director of Projects in 2024. His experience spans across different engineering and IPP companies in roles which include detailed engineering, construction management and project development.
Before getting into a career in energy, he earned a Commission through ROTC in the U.S. Navy and served as a submarine officer for nearly eight years. He frequently relies on the training he gained while a member of the U.S. Navy, specifically in the way he approaches leadership and project execution. During his service, he gained experience in the operation and design of integrated electric plants which included batteries, motor generators, AC turbines, frequency converters and more.
“I think that the renewable energy industry offers a great opportunity for veterans, given that it's an industry that provides essential services, and where someone can either specialize in any one area, or where generalists, such as myself, can be exposed to different aspects of project development, construction, engineering, all the while carving out very rewarding careers” said Horacio.
Carrie Murdock, Contracts Manager
When Carrie graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, she opted to continue her service in the Marine Corps. While being stationed at several different posts, she found that one of the things she appreciated most about the armed forces was the sense of community. Although there may be different titles within a team, everyone is working towards the same common goals with the same priorities.
She found a similar community when she joined IHI Terrasun, and adds, “Here you have the ability to learn. You can say, ‘what do I want to learn? How can I expand, both for my growth and to contribute to the company’s success?’”
Not only does the opportunity for growth make IHI Terrasun and the renewable energy sector as a whole a great place for veterans to work, but the mission makes it even more attractive. Carrie earned her law degree from Texas A&M University, and when asked why she chose IHI Terrasun over a typical legal path, she said, “I want to do something that's sustainable for my future, where my work and I are both valued beyond the money we bring into the organization. Everything we do as a team at IHI Terrasun lets us accomplish more when we rely on everybody’s expertise. Everyone has their own unique background and experiences, and we leverage those as a team.”
Overall, Carrie’s accomplishments in her military career led her to an organization that knows the value of teamwork, while also letting everyone pursue their own passions and skills.
Nick Reves, Senior Regional Service Manager, North America
Nick Reves also began his career as a member of the U.S. Navy working as a submarine electrician. Each submarine requires an annual electric inspection on their batteries, and Nick was tasked with making sure they all operated correctly. “That helped me get my start in the world of batteries, and led me to my next role as a government contractor working with submarine batteries,” Nick said. “But IHI Terrasun found me and gave me the opportunity to step into the world of renewable energy.”
IHI Terrasun supported Nick in developing the skills he already had from working on batteries and expanded them to help him succeed in the renewable energy industry.
“Military service is similar to working at IHI Terrasun in terms of the way we communicate openly with each other to reach common goals,” Nick added. “We also prioritize safety–the new service members coming in go through the training program with the sailors who are currently on the boat. The goals are the same, and everybody has the proper training and knowledge to do the job correctly and safely.”
Jony Sanchez, Field Engineering Technician
Jony Sanchez joined IHI Terrasun following four years of service in the U.S. Army. As a team leader and Vehicle Commander in an Infantry unit, Jony has plenty of experience leading technical teams through execution of complex systems while maintaining a high level of performance.
“One of my friends transitioned into the renewable energy field and convinced me to join once I left the service,” said Jony. Which led him to work as a wind turbine technician and later on into the battery energy storage field. “I believe the military trains us to analyze and resolve different situations to accomplish the mission or the task at hand, which translates well into this industry.”
Jony also believes that it’s his military training that makes him able to seek guidance from more experienced coworkers and lean on their technical knowledge to grow his own confidence in renewables. “Those of us who have served are already able to perform day-to-day tasks like building reports, keeping track of important information, balancing numbers, and remaining accountable, so it’s an easy transition.”
Thank you to our veterans!