Brett Cope

Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer, POWELL INDUSTRIES INC

Search every verified Brett Cope interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Brett Cope, chairman, president, and CEO of Powell Industries, discussed the company's operations and challenges in a September 2023 podcast. He described Powell as a publicly traded manufacturer of electrical distribution equipment, including breakers and switchgear, that serves industrial, utility, and commercial markets. Cope noted that the company is celebrating its 75th year and emphasized its "can-do spirit" and entrepreneurial culture, while acknowledging that the company has worked over the past decade to build process and structure to manage risks and project execution during cyclical downturns. Cope addressed several recent challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on order intake and the ongoing supply chain and logistics evolution. He stated that Powell is the last U.S. publicly traded company that manufactures intellectual property around breakers, with most competitors building offshore. Cope said the company is reframing itself as a distribution solutions company to address changing electrical grid needs. He also commented on the energy transition, stating that he does not believe oil and gas will be eliminated and that natural gas will continue to play a role, while renewables and battery storage will grow. Cope described the war for talent as an ongoing challenge but said Powell's culture has helped retain employees.