#201 – Desmond Wheatley | Beam Global – Off-Grid, Scalable Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Desmond Wheatley is President and CEO and Chairman of the Board at Beam Global, a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. Chapters Introduction and Background Early Challenges and Market Approach The Off-Grid Charging Solution Challenges in Implementing EV Charging Infrastructure The Need for Decentralized and Scalable Solutions The Product and its Hard Parts Changing the Fueling Behavior for EVs The Future of EV Charging: Fueling Behavior and Infrastructure The Importance of Ubiquitous, Slower Speed Charging Challenges of Energy Storage and Thermal Management Reasons for In-House Battery Manufacturing Balancing Manufacturing and System Level Assembly Strategic Considerations in Acquiring a Battery Company Managing Diversification and Focus Maintaining Motivation and Excitement in the Early Stages The Importance of Capital Markets and Innovation The Growth Potential and Expansion Plans Balancing Growth and Managing Success Embracing Progress and Electrification of Transportation Links Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/desmondwheatley https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondwheatley/ https://beamforall.com/ Bio: Desmond Wheatley is President and CEO and Chairman of the Board at Beam Global. Wheatley joined BEAM as a consultant in 2010 when it was Envision Solar and has served as the Company’s CEO since 2011 and as Chairman of the Board since 2016. He has two decades of senior international management experience in technology systems integration, energy management, communications and renewable energy. He was a founding partner in the international consulting practice Crichton Hill LLC. Prior to Crichton Hill, Wheatley was CEO of iAxis FZ LLC, a Dubai based alternative energy and technology systems integration company. From 2000 to 2007, he held a variety of senior management positions at San Diego based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, fka Wireless Facilities with the last five years as President of ENS, the largest independent security and energy management systems integrator in the USA. Prior to ENS, Wheatley held senior management positions in the cellular and broadband wireless industries, deploying infrastructure and lobbying in Washington DC on behalf of major wireless service providers. Wheatley has founded, funded and operated four profitable start-up companies and was previously engaged in M&A activities. Wheatley evaluated acquisition opportunities, conducted due diligence, and raised commitments of $500M in debt and equity. About Beam Global: Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Headquartered in San Diego with facilities in Chicago, Belgrade and Kraljevo, Beam Global has a deep patent portfolio and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbols BEEM and BEEMW. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/