EnerSys has announced that David Shaffer will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2025, marking the end of his nearly two-decade tenure with the company.
As part of a planned succession, the Board of Directors has named Shawn O’Connell, currently President of Energy Systems Global, as his successor. Effective immediately, O’Connell has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer.
O’Connell will continue to lead Energy Systems Global until a successor is named, with a search process currently underway. In his new role, he will assume responsibility for the Operations and Information Technology functions, as well as the Motive Power Global, Energy Systems Global, and Specialty Global businesses. Over the next six months, Shaffer and O’Connell are planning to work closely to ensure a smooth transition.
Since joining EnerSys in 2011, O’Connell has held various leadership roles of increasing responsibility. As President of Energy Systems Global since November 2023, he led a significant business transformation, reshaping operational strategies and reducing annual costs by nearly $50 million. Prior to this, as President of Motive Power, he implemented initiatives that resulted in 20% operating earnings growth and a 210 basis point margin expansion.
Before joining EnerSys, O’Connell founded U.S. Energy Systems in 2003, a contracted reseller for EnerSys in the Western U.S. region. He also served in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Dave for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication throughout his more than eight years as CEO and nearly two decades with EnerSys,” said Paul Tufano, EnerSys Chair.
“Under Dave’s leadership, EnerSys has transformed from a traditional lead-acid battery company with limited scale into a global leader in energy systems solutions, growing revenue by approximately 35% through strategic acquisitions and groundbreaking product innovations. His efforts have built a unique portfolio of smart battery and energy management technologies, leaving an indelible mark on the company and our industry. We thank him for his tireless commitment and leadership and wish him all the best in this next chapter.”
Tufano added, “We are excited to welcome Shawn as the next leader of EnerSys. A highly respected and experienced member of our executive team, Shawn has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep industry expertise, and a clear strategic vision for the future. We are fully confident that his ability to drive innovation and profitable growth will build on the strong foundation already in place, propelling the company forward into its next chapter of success.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Shaffer commented, “As I reflect on my 19 years with this remarkable organisation and as CEO since 2016, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together. It has been an honour to lead this team in such a dynamic industry that is critical to the future of our evolving world, and I am excited about what lies ahead, not just for the company, but for the entire market. I want to thank Paul and our Board for their trust and guidance throughout my career, which has been instrumental in our success.”
He continued, “I am thrilled that Shawn has been named EnerSys’ next CEO. His ethics and character, commitment to doing things the right way, and natural leadership capabilities have supported our customer and supplier relationships and added to our culture. He has successfully executed every challenge presented, and his deep understanding of our business and strategic vision makes him the ideal leader to build on our success. I look forward to working closely with Shawn over the next six months as we execute a smooth transition.”
O’Connell concluded, “I am honoured to succeed Dave as EnerSys’ CEO and grateful to the Board for their trust and confidence. Having been a part of this incredible company for 21 years, including the decade prior to joining EnerSys, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented people in the industry and witnessed the tremendous progress made under Dave’s leadership, for which I am deeply grateful. I look forward to building on the strong foundation we’ve established, working with our team to continue our journey of innovation and growth as we pursue new opportunities that align with our long-term vision and delivering stakeholder value.”