2015 Engineering Leader Under 40: Nathan Wingate, 26

Utilities and Technology Manager, Cooper River Partners; Goose Creek, S.C.; BS Mechanical Engineering, University of North Carolina—Charlotte

By Amanda Pelliccione, Project Manager and Director of Research September 17, 2015

Nathan Wingate, 26
Utilities and Technology Manager, Cooper River Partners; Goose Creek, S.C.
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of North Carolina—Charlotte

Wingate exhibits the technical and analytical skills of a competent engineer and exhibits positive character and moral foundation apparent to all who work with him. He has a logical sense of what is required of engineered systems, the analytical engineering knowledge to test his intuition, the curiosity to delve into working details, and the engineer’s fulfillment of accomplishment when his involvement has resulted in a more efficient and safer plant operation. Wingate began his career as a maintenance engineer and advanced to utilities and technology manager, which includes management of all operational utilities, process control systems, and information technology. To move so quickly from entry-level engineer to the top position of technical management for a large and diverse industrial complex requires technical knowledge, leadership skill, and the ability to gain trust, make decisions, and deliver on promises. Wingate’s diligence and efforts have contributed to an overall utility uptime of 99.97% for three successive years in a facility that operates round the clock. Wingate applies analysis skills to guide problem solving and drive corrective action through the maintenance department and capital projects. He quickly narrows focus to find the root cause of the problem, and then takes appropriate action to prevent another occurrence. Wingate understands that his professional role and his family responsibilities are intertwined. He has young children and is a committed husband and father. He is a leader in his community and church who has a deep interest in promoting missions to help underprivileged people here and around the world.