Like the legendary race duo Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton from the movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”, successful teams thrive with a solid partner. In the case of the Battery Workforce Challenge, the Colorado School of Mines crew has found its match in partnering with Arapahoe Community College.
Among the incredible students at Arapahoe is Peyton Crenshaw, a rising star in the automotive service industry. While only in his second year, he is already honing skills to become a future automotive technician.
The team looks to leverage Peyton’s unique skills to gain an understanding of the serviceability of EVs and strengthen the community ties that will foster the next generation of EV technicians.
Meet Peyton Crenshaw, who sees the rapidly accelerating future of the EV industry and is excited to get to work.
In an interview with CBS Colorado, Crenshaw said he’s thrilled to be able to work hands-on with a car that potentially won’t even be out on the market yet.
Crenshaw was motivated to join the Battery Workforce Challenge because it allows him to transition from the service and repair aspects of cars to the development side.
At Arapahoe Community College students traditionally focus on the repair and service of conventional internal combustion engine cars, and the opportunity to delve into the realm of EVs was a driving factor for Crenshaw to become a core member of the Colorado School of Mines and Arapahoe Community College team.
Here Crenshaw’s taken on a leadership role. We’ve asked him a couple of questions about his motivation behind joining the team.
Q: What’s your why behind deciding to take your current role in the BattChallenge?
A: “What drove me to join the team and take the lead role on the automotive vocational role is that it really excited me that I was given the opportunity to change the world for the better, and that one day I could service a vehicle that I had a hand in developing.”
Q: What are you hoping to take away from this experience?
A: “I am most excited to help develop the future of Stellantis vehicles, as I have grown up a big Mopar fan. What I am hoping to take from this experience is to learn some new things and tidbits about electric vehicles. (I want to explore) how the processes of developing new technologies are started and thought through.”
Crenshaw’s drive to make an impact in the automotive industry, along with his interest in seeing the engineering and development of a road-worthy car, embodies the Battery Workforce Challenge’s mission to teach students valuable skills that transcend the classroom environment. His dedication and commitment to the EV future will be invaluable as the Colorado School of Mines and ACC team moves along in the Battery Workforce Challenge collegiate competition.
Follow Crenshaw and the entire Pack Mules team on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn or visit the team’s website. For any questions or inquiries, contact the team at bwc@mines.edu.
