Employee Spotlight – Zack Olson

Zack Olson joins Nexus PMG as Director of Business Development with over 10 years of experience in the water, waste-water, ag tech, and clean tech industries. Before joining the Nexus team, Mr. Olson worked for an international EPC firm, starting his career working on the design-build delivery of water and waste-water treatment facilities, including fast track projects delivering emergency water supply to drought-stricken regions and international development projects. Immediately prior to joining Nexus PMG he co-founded a new business line delivering scale-up support to novel technology in the ag tech and clean tech industries.  

What sparked your interest in Nexus PMG?

Nexus PMG is unique in the engineering services industry for a few different reasons. First, the focus exclusively on low carbon infrastructure and only working on projects that advance sustainability shows a true mission-driven alignment. Second, the entrepreneurial culture to build a host of various businesses (i.e. Nexus Dev, the Fort St. James asset investment) on top of the Nexus PMG services platform, which is one of a kind in what is typically a very conservative industry. To me, these were the big differentiators when considering joining the team.

What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy working with our clients to develop solutions that get to the heart of making their business successful. In my view, business development is all about creating the win-win, solving customer challenges, and working to bring innovative project to life. Using all of the unique tools in the Nexus PMG toolbox to develop a creative solution to the toughest challenges our clients can bring us is where the real fun happens.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

All of my best memories from childhood are spending time outdoors, from climbing trees to family camping trips. I just liked being outside! 

What was your favorite class of your educational career?

It’s not necessarily a favorite class per se, but as a student of engineering, with the typical focus of math and science in university, I really enjoyed studying literature and philosophy. These classes challenged me in a way that engineering classes didn’t and really crystallized my thinking about the purpose behind my engineering education.  

What are your hobbies outside of work? 

I like to run. A lot. Like seriously more than someone should like to run. I primarily train for (and race) ultramarathons, with my longest race to date being 100 miles. 

What places have you lived in?

I’ve lived in Kansas City for the past 13 years, but spent all of my childhood living in rural Michigan. I went to college in Valparaiso, Indiana.

What does leadership mean to you?

To me being a leader is about living your life, professionally, personally, and in your community, in accordance with your principles and values. Cultivating a strong sense of “why” and letting that purpose consistently direct your actions is the mark of a true leader to me.

Meet the rest of the Nexus PMG team.

Nexus PMG

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