University of Alabama : Automotive Veteran Tapped to Lead Mobility and Power Center.
ENPNewswire-July 29, 2022--University of Alabama : Automotive Veteran Tapped to Lead Mobility and Power Center
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Release date- 28072022 - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - An experienced leader in the automotive industry and entrepreneur will direct the Alabama Mobility and Power Center at The University of Alabama.
Michael Oatridge will join UA Aug. 1 as AMP executive director. AMP was recently established in partnership with Alabama Power Company and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. as a research and workforce development center to meet the needs of the emerging electric vehicle market.
Oatridge worked for Honda Motor Company for more than 30 years, retiring in 2021 as senior vice president of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. Most recently, he has been president and owner of Strategic Workforce Solutions, a startup company in Birmingham that helps recruit businesses to the state.
'With Mike on board to lead AMP, this initiative can fully begin its mission to improve our state's position on the cutting edge of electric vehicles while strengthening the University's research and education,' said Dr. Russell J. Mumper, UA vice president for research and economic development. 'We are fortunate to find such a quality person to lead this partnership with Alabama Power and Mercedes.'
AMP envisions to be a premier research and development hub for creating and sustaining modern mobility and power technologies, developing charging infrastructure and managing power delivery to support large-scale growth in electric vehicles.
A critical mass of faculty and staff experts will be built at UA to support both private and government investment on new battery technologies and secure an efficient infrastructure to charge electric vehicles. The AMP Center is organized under the Alabama Transportation Institute at UA and will be housed in the recently approved Smart Communities and Innovation Building.
'Mike is a proven leader with a passion for workforce development,' said Jeff Peoples, Alabama Power executive vice president of customer and employee services. 'We are looking forward to continuing to partner with AMP to solve challenges and identify growth opportunities for the automotive industry in our state.'
Chip Fuqua, chief of staff, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., said, 'We are delighted to welcome Mike to this essential role within the AMP Center. Mike's vast experience in the automotive industry and his...
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