Dhruv Patel
39, President, Renewable Energies and Energy Storage
McCarthy Building Cos.
phoenix
A nationally recognized leader in the power and energy industry, Patel has nearly two decades of experience in utility operations, renewable development and large-scale construction. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from Arizona State University, which he credits with helping him bridge technical expertise and business leadership. Patel began his career at Arizona Public Service, spending eight years in key roles in distribution and transmission operations, power procurement and resource program management. He led its utility-owned solar program, providing 200 MW of solar assets.
Since joining McCarthy in 2013, Patel has helped grow the company’s workforce to include 1,500 artisans, providing nearly 20 GW of solar capacity and more than 12 GWh of energy storage across 18 states. Serving on McCarthy’s national leadership team, she actively supports emerging leaders and supports apprenticeship and craft training programs. Within the industry, Patel also serves on the National Advisory Board of the Energy Storage Association and remains active in the Solar Energy Industry Association and other industry organizations. His project resume includes the 800 MW Double Black Diamond Solar Project in Illinois, the 250 MW Gateway Energy Storage Project in California, and the $2 billion Sun Streams Energy Complex in Arizona, among others.
How did you get into the industry?
Very early in my career, while working at Arizona Public Service, and before solar power was mainstream, I reluctantly volunteered to lead the utility’s efforts to prepare the grid to incorporate renewable energy into its operations. Through sheer luck and coincidence, I became involved in the process of bringing renewable energy to the state by engineering and managing the assessment and support in establishing utility grid connection requirements, developing technical PPA terms and conditions, and over time helping to build systems to support the utility’s resource management program. This work expanded into permitting, financial analysis, and development and construction of multiple solar projects, ultimately helping to execute the company’s renewable energy strategy. This experience set me on my career path in renewable energy and construction.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The work I have been involved in over the last few years at McCarthy has been the most rewarding of my career. My role as a coach, advisor, mediator and mentor allows me to help others develop their leadership skills, communication skills and problem solving skills. Investing here not only makes all our projects better and achieves better outcomes for our clients, but I’m also involved in developing trusted leaders who value each other’s perspectives and push each other to innovate, improve and do better, which benefits individual projects and our industry. It’s been amazing to be part of this people-centric development initiative and see where our industry is headed.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years and what goals have you set yourself to get there?
Ten years from now, I look forward to being involved in shaping McCarthy’s broader business strategies and business initiatives, while contributing to the way our industry continues to evolve. That would include continuing the work I’m doing today, which involves developing future leaders and shaping McCarthy’s national efforts beyond the Renewable Energy group. We are creating a model that we believe can be successfully replicated in other market sectors.
Through my experience leading McCarthy’s national Renewable Energy group, I am consciously developing and leveraging my skills and knowledge around business growth, and I plan to progressively bring the practices we are implementing with our team to other McCarthy teams while staying externally engaged with partners, customers and industry peers to help advance best practices.
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How do you balance work and family life?
I have a daily practice of meditation and exercise [and that] it allows me to decompress, think more clearly, and be intentional and present. I also set healthy boundaries that protect my time at work, time with family and friends, and taking care of myself so I can show up for everyone as my best self.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with other young professionals in this industry or those coming after you?
I often hear young professionals talking about their goals for obtaining degrees. My advice is don’t chase titles. Instead, chase skills and knowledge and let the titles chase you.
