Robert Threlkeld

"Nothing can disrupt progress when you prioritize collaboration and keep an open mind."

While attending Purdue University, Rob Threlkeld participated in a Co-op program completing five rotations at General Electric.

After graduating with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Rob began his career at GM in 2000, serving several short assignments at the company site in southeast Michigan before assuming the role as assistant Site Utility Manager at Orion Assembly in 2001.

In 2002, Rob was promoted to Site Utility Manager of the powerhouse and wastewater treatment plant operations at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, Assembly Complex. Rob progressively worked his way up in the organization, making his way back to Detroit in 2006, taking on the role of managing Third- Party Utility Contracts. This is also where Rob got his start in contracting renewable energy for sites.

Since then, Rob has been the Global Manager of Renewable Energy, Manager of Energy Procurement and Reliability, and now holds the position of Director of Global Energy Strategy. In this position, Rob leads the company’s energy strategy efforts that range from renewables procurement, clean technology investment, and policy efforts related to grid decarbonization, supporting GM’s effort to a zero-emission future. This includes the commitment to meet the electricity needs of its global operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and in the United States by 2025.

Rob is a board member of the Clean Energy Buyer’s Association where he serves as vice-chair and serves as an industry advisor for Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue. He is a former member of the American Clean Power Board and a member of the Association of Energy Engineers, and the RE+ Education Council.

In 2023, Energy Manager Today recognized him as one of 50 top energy managers for driving GM and the energy management industry forward and Crain’s Detroit named him as a Notable Leader in Energy. Rob holds the following professional certifications: Certified Energy Manager, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Business Energy Professional, and Certified Sustainable Development Professional.