Better Than We Found It
At GS2, we believe in leaving the world better than we found it. Our purpose is to connect individuals who share this belief and strive to make a positive impact.
We are excited to introduce our new podcast, Better Than We Found It, where we engage with purpose-focused executive leaders and aspiring future leaders to explore the concepts of sustainability and improving the world for future generations.
Better Than We Found It
Building at Scale: From Navy to Solar Leadership with Chris Hodrick
Welcome to Season 4, Episode 2 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices.
Today, Josh sits down with Chris Hodrick, CEO of Qcells USA Corp. Chris’s story is anything but typical. He spent over two decades as a U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer before leading $35 billion of construction projects at Amazon, taking the helm of a 9,000-strong renewables workforce at Blattner, and now leading Qcells’ mission to create a fully American-made solar supply chain.
In this conversation, Chris shares:
- Lessons on leadership from growing up in coal country and serving in the Navy
- How he translated military systems thinking into success at Amazon
- The pivotal career shift to renewable energy and solar construction
- Why building operating systems and empowering people is central to scaling
- His advice for veterans and professionals transitioning into clean energy
- His vision for Qcells USA and what it takes to deliver certainty in a volatile energy landscape
If you’re curious about leadership at scale, career transitions, or the future of America’s solar industry, this episode is full of insights.