Chris Pruitt
Agenda for
5-9 September
2022
Bio
Chris currently serves as President/CEO of East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc., maker of Deka Batteries. East Penn Manufacturing is the largest privately held battery manufacturer in the world with over 10,000 employees. Chris also serves on the Board of Directors of East Penn Manufacturing Co., and the company’s Family Council and Foundation.
He has been with the company since May of 1994. He joined East Penn as the Controller and has held numerous financial positions including Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to joining East Penn, Chris was a CPA at Ernst & Young for ten years holding the position of a Senior Manager in the Audit division. While working at Ernst & Young, he earned his Certified Public Accountant designation. Chris earned a B.S.B.A degree in accounting from Shippensburg University in 1984.
Chris currently serves on several Industry Boards: Chairman of Battery Council International (BCI), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.
He currently serves on the Board of Flinchbaugh Engineering located in York, PA and Burnham Holdings in Lancaster, PA.
Formerly, he was the Chairman of the Board of the Wyomissing Foundation, and The United Way of Berks County; Board Member of YMCA; President and Treasurer of The Children’s Home of Reading; Board Member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Board Member of the Children Advisory Center; Treasurer and Board Member of The Reading Area Community College Foundation; Audit Committee Chairman and Board Member of the Berks Community Foundation.
In December of 2016, Chris received the Eugene L. Shirk award for Community Builder. This annual Community award is given by Berks Community Television.
In December of 2015, Chris received the Sydney D. Kline award for Outstanding Community Service. Chris was also honored by the YMCA in 2013 for his Community Service.
In 2013, he was named CFO of the year by the Lehigh Valley Business Journal.
In March 2011, Chris received the Wilburn H. Doran award in recognition of his outstanding work with the United Way and in the Berks County Community.
Energy storage has become even more critical to our world as we move toward solutions that enable decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction. Electric vehicles and renewable energy are some of the key topics in the conversation of ways to unlock an accelerated path to our progress. However, challenges remain in understanding all the implications (good and bad) that surround many initiatives. Regardless, the lead industry must play a leading role in this important evolution and have a strong voice at the table. Lead batteries will be the key to creating successful results and are ready to meet the challenges of economics, safety and a circular economy. This presentation will highlight areas where the lead industry can and will be successful in responsibly powering the next generation of needed solutions.
