Holger paid for his own education and chose Gonzaga University based on the most generous scholarship offer and began his academic path in mathematics. A pivotal conversation with a counselor steered him toward engineering — a field that aligned with his love for problem-solving and opened the door to a lifelong career in power and energy.
Holger’s passion for the outdoors influenced his job search. He only applied to companies located in areas with access to skiing, hiking, and mountain biking — ultimately joining POWER Engineers in Hailey, Idaho. He spent his early years immersed in technical work, developing deep subject matter expertise and initially resisting management roles in favor of hands-on engineering. Over the years, he progressed through roles including regional manager, business unit director and eventually division manager overseeing all engineering operations.
Encouraged by a mentor, Holger pursued an Executive MBA while transitioning into HR — a move that broadened his business acumen and gave him a new lens on organizational leadership. He later returned to operations as a project manager and then stepped into the role of COO. When POWER Engineers was acquired by WSP in 2024, Holger was named President and COO, taking on responsibility for the full integration of POWER into WSP. He now serves as WSP’s global director of Power and Energy.
Today, Holger leads with a blend of technical insight and strategic vision. He remains passionate about mentoring the next generation, championing technical excellence and fostering a culture where both engineers and managers can thrive. His story is a powerful example of how embracing opportunity, staying grounded in your roots and continuously evolving can lead to extraordinary leadership.
Was there a pivotal moment or a project that significantly advanced your expertise?
Absolutely. The most pivotal moment wasn’t a single project — it was a combination of two transformative experiences: pursuing my Executive MBA and stepping into a role in HR. Coming from a deeply technical background, the MBA opened my eyes to the broader mechanics of business — finance, operations, strategy — and HR gave me a real-time lab to apply those lessons. I wasn’t managing 300 people anymore, but I was influencing systems and policies that impacted the entire organization. That dual exposure expanded my understanding of how a business runs and helped me grow from a technical leader into a business leader.
