Lewis Von Thaer: Driving Innovations That Benefit the World

Lewis “Lou” Von Thaer is President and CEO of Battelle, the world’s largest independent nonprofit applied science and technology organization. With a team of over 40,000 highly skilled and trained employees, Battelle provides companies and governmental agencies with comprehensive scientific solutions, serving multiple markets, including health care, industry, national security, infrastructure, and the environment. 

Mr. Von Thaer describes what’s next in the R&D landscape as companies recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic citing examples of practices that have contributed to Battelle’s success. He describes how small and midsize companies can get help in establishing a focus and thriving as the economic landscape changes. He also outlines the many ways that Battelle is working to develop the next generation of thinkers and doers through its education programs that mine talent from underserved populations in the community. In addition, he shares stories of his remarkable career path, innovations he has fostered, and challenges he has met.

Discussion points:

• Greatest challenges in the innovation/R&D landscape, especially post-Covid
• Battelle’s dual mission set by its founder 100 years ago – research and giving back to the community
• Lou’s journey from blue-collar Kansas town to CEO of Battelle
• Battelle’s role in helping companies drive focused innovations
• The current talent gap and how Battelle is addressing it
• Lou’s perspectives on key innovations five or ten years down the road

Fernweh Insights is brought to you by Fernweh Group. The host of this episode, Paolo Baldesi, is a Senior Vice President at Fernweh. Fernweh Group is an investment company that is adapting an engaged investor and operator model to create alpha — performance superior to market indices — in the industrial/industrial tech sector. 

For More Information

Battelle website: https://www.battelle.org/

Lou Von Thaer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-von-thaer-1848b411/

Fernweh Group: https://www.fernweh.com

Paolo Baldesi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolo-b-a47b344/