By Em Jankauski
David DeLisle took home the Battery Workforce Challenge’s Year Two Competition Excellence in Leadership Award for a Project Manager during the year-end competition’s awards ceremony earlier on May 9.
Let’s catch up with the now former project manager for The Ohio State University & Columbus State Community College team in a fun Q&A.
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Q: What does earning this award mean to you?
A: “Earning (this award) is incredibly meaningful to me. Its validation for my hard work over two years, and reflects the dedication and collaborative spirit of our team. I’m honored to have played a part in guiding us through such a challenging and rewarding competition!”
Q: What’s your secret sauce for excellence in project management in the BattChallenge?
A: “Clear communication, strong organization and a commitment to including every voice were essential. I focused on building trust, listening to diverse perspectives, and applying that input to guide our timeline, scope, and budget.
“Creating an agile environment allowed the team to adapt quickly when priorities shifted, which was critical for meeting competition requirements within a tight timeframe. Staying involved in the technical work also kept me grounded in the team’s daily challenges and helped me better support their efforts.”
Q: I know this is the last competition for you in the BattChallenge. What’s next for you?
A: “I’m finishing my master’s in electrical and computer engineering at Ohio State and looking to grow into an advanced electrical engineering role focused on vehicle electrification. I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned here into the industry, challenging myself to lead new initiatives.”
Q: How do you hope your involvement in the BattChallenge has prepared you for the future?
A: “The BattChallenge gave me experience working across disciplines, navigating real engineering and project constraints, and staying aligned with safety, agile innovation and timelines. It’s shaped how I lead and how I think about scalable battery systems. I hope to carry that forward and contribute meaningfully to the future of electric mobility.”
