# Exploring the Intersection of Government and Business with ndustrial.io COO Natalie Birdwell

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2021-08-17
- Length: 47m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Natalie Birdwell, COO of ndustrial.io, discusses her unconventional career path from sales engineering at Rockwell Automation to the public sector and back to the startup world. She details her time as Executive Director of the North Carolina Coal Ash Management Commission, explaining the complex political and regulatory challenges of managing coal ash cleanup after a Duke Energy incident. Birdwell also shares advice for professionals transitioning from large corporations to startups, highlighting the need for adaptability and a hands-on approach in resource-constrained environments.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=0) Introduction and Career Overview
- [8:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=532) Rockwell Automation and the Value of Teamwork
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=702) Transition to Public Sector and UNC MBA
- [21:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=1272) Leading the North Carolina Coal Ash Management Commission
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=1530) Challenges of Public Service and Political Pressure
- [32:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=1953) Joining ndustrial.io and Startup Advice
- [39:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata#t=2356) Energy Optimization and ESG Reporting

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, established companies

## Mentioned

- ndustrial.io (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Duke Energy (company)
- Lynnwood Brewing Concern (company)
- Modecai Beverage Co. (company)
- The Raleigh Beer Garden (company)

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- [Ep. 25 | Microsoft US's CTO Gina Loften on Identifying the Next Big Tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-05-25-ep-25-microsoft-uss-cto-gina-loften-on-identifying-the-next-big-tech) (Moore's Lobby)
- [001 - “Learning Never Exhausts the Mind” with Rick Doe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-06-001-learning-never-exhausts-the-mind-with-rick-doe) (Let's Combinate)
- [120: Boll Weevil Eradication](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-01-120-boll-weevil-eradication) (Embedded.fm)
- [Unlocking the Potential of Industrial IoT: Insights from Jeremy Frank, CEO of KCF Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-01-18-unlocking-the-potential-of-industrial-iot-insights-from-jeremy-frank-ceo-of-kcf) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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