Joe Hester

• Led business development activities by identifying new contract opportunities through market research. • Managed progress and funding data for a multi billion dollar portfolio of over 300 infrastructure projects and communicated portfolio risks to client leadership. • Proactively identified and communicated emerging risks to contract leadership, collaborating with client representatives to develop mitigation strategies. • Drove fiscal year-end closeout by engaging 50+ stakeholders to resolve outstanding transactions.

• Executed high-volume cold outreach campaign, connecting with 100+ industry decision-makers and securing media partnerships for the world's largest light electric vehicle conference. • Created world's first micro-EV incentive tracker by synthesizing $1.3B in rebate data across 28 countries, serving as key lead generation tool. • Grew newsletter subscriber base to 13,000+ weekly readers through targeted content that positioned company as industry thought leader.

• Pitched and secured $20,000 capital investment through targeted outreach to university stakeholders and investors. • Conducted market research by engaging 150+ potential customers to validate product-market fit for low-carbon transportation solution. • Presented business plan to judges and advanced to finals in UVA Entrepreneurship Cup, demonstrating ability to communicate value proposition under pressure.

• Collaborated with team to assess client needs and deliver strategic recommendations that would triple online engagement. • Presented comprehensive growth strategy to nonprofit leadership, demonstrating ability to tailor messaging to stakeholder priorities.

• Generated and managed deal pipeline by conducting targeted outreach to 20+ behavioral health companies, identifying opportunities with $1M+ cash flow. • Researched and qualified acquisition targets to support M&A growth strategy and geographic expansion. • Conducted due diligence and presented investment thesis to prospective investors, demonstrating complex information synthesis and persuasive communication.

O'Connell 2024 GIE Global Scholarship Faculty ‘Catalyst for Learning’ Award Study Abroad in Scandinavia and UK - Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, and FinTech.

Studied abroad in Germany and Switzerland, discovering the role of business in achieving sustainable development goals. Coursework included business site visits at: BMW Motorrad, Climeworks carbon capture plant, Deutsche Bahn, UBS Financial Services, S&P Global, and more.

Majored in Global Studies with a concentration in the Middle East and South Asian regions, minored in Global Sustainability. Coursework included: Sustainable Design Thinking, Built Environment and Health Impacts, Systems Thinking/Modeling, and more.