Field Frequency

Jason Cortes

Field Frequency sits at the intersection of energy and technology, where innovation powers possibility. Each episode brings you a steady stream of insights, real-world stories, and timely updates straight from the field. From breakthrough advancements and evolving infrastructure to expert perspectives on emerging tech, we uncover the tools, trends, and talent shaping the future of EV, fueling, and the technology that surrounds both industries. Whether you’re deep in the industry or simply curious about where energy meets innovation, Field Frequency keeps you connected, informed, and inspired — fueling the future, one conversation at a time.

  1. 4d ago

    Why IONNA Is Designing More Than Just Charging Infrastructure

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 30 of Field Frequency, Jason sits down with Seth Cutler, CEO of IONNA, to discuss one of the fastest-growing EV charging networks in the United States. Backed by a coalition of major automotive OEMs, IONNA is redefining public charging through its “Rechargery” concept, blending high-power charging with premium driver experiences, simplified pricing, and strategic site design. Seth shares his journey through the EV industry, lessons learned from GE, Electrify America, and EV Connect, and how IONNA is building charging infrastructure focused on reliability, scale, and consumer trust. From 400kW charging to driver lounges, canopy-covered charging bays, and integrated OEM ecosystems, this conversation explores what the next generation of EV charging in America could look like. Show Notes  Seth Cutler’s 14+ year journey through the EV charging industry, including roles at GE, Electrify America, and EV ConnectThe origin story and mission behind IONNA and its OEM-backed joint venture modelHow IONNA surpassed 1,000 high-power charging bays in just 26 monthsUnderstanding the “Rechargery” concept and how IONNA is building charging destinations, not just charging stationsThe three tiers of IONNA charging experiences:Rechargery RelayRechargeryBeacon sitesWhy canopy-covered charging bays, 24/7 bathrooms, driver lounges, and retail integration matter for EV adoptionIONNA’s partnerships with brands like Circle K, Wawa, Casey’s, and SheetsHow IONNA is using customer feedback, focus groups, and UX testing to improve charging experiencesThe importance of consistency, simplicity, and “muscle memory” for EV charging networksCompetitive charging pricing strategy and OEM-specific charging discountsWhy IONNA believes “quality and scale” are the keys to mass EV adoptionThe future roadmap for IONNA, including its goal of reaching 30,000 charging bays by 2030 Seth Cutler Bio  Seth Cutler is a seasoned electric mobility and infrastructure executive with more than a decade of leadership experience across the EV charging ecosystem. As CEO of IONNA, Seth leads one of the fastest-growing EV charging joint ventures in North America, focused on delivering high-quality, high-power charging experiences backed by major global automotive manufacturers. Throughout his career, Seth has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of EV charging infrastructure in the United States. He began his journey in the electrification space at GE (General Electric), where he worked as an engineer developing early residential and commercial EV charging solutions. He later joined Electrify America as one of its earliest employees and served as Chief Engineer during the company’s formative deployment years, helping establish the technical foundation for one of the nation’s largest charging networks. Prior to joining IONNA, Seth held leadership roles at EV Connect, where he focused on software and charging network solutions that enabled charge point operators to scale and manage infrastructure more effectively. His broad experience across hardware, software, charging operations, and network deployment has given him a unique systems-level perspective on the challenges and opportunities within transportation electrification. Recognized for his technical depth, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership style, Seth is passionate about improving charging reliability, customer experience, and infrastructure accessibility to accelerate mainstream EV adoption. Under his leadership, IONNA is redefining public charging through its “Rechargery” concept, combining premium amenities, streamlined user experiences, and scalable infrastructure designed for the next generation of electric mobility.

    30 min

  2. Jun 16

    Less Components, Less Failure: Power Innovations International

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 29 of Field Frequency, Jason sits down with Tim Rees of Power Innovations International (PII) to explore the engineering realities behind reliable EV charging infrastructure. Tim shares how his background in power conversion and data center electronics shaped PII’s unique approach to DC fast charging, with a focus on fleet applications, simplified deployment, and serviceability. The conversation dives into charging architectures, mobile charging solutions, power flexibility, and why reducing failure points matters more than flashy features. From school bus fleets to hydrogen-powered charging trailers, this episode is packed with practical insights into the future of resilient charging infrastructure. Show Notes Tim Rees’ journey from power electronics and data centers into EV charging infrastructureAn overview of Power Innovations International (PII) and its fleet-focused DC fast charging strategyWhy PII focuses on 30kW to 60kW charging for predictable fleet operations like school buses and delivery fleetsMobile charging solutions and EV rescue applications for fleets and dealershipsHydrogen-powered charging trailers and renewable energy integration conceptsHow PII’s charging platforms differ from traditional DC fast chargers:Modular rectifier architectureReduced failure pointsSimplified serviceabilityAir-to-air heat exchanger cooling systemsDesigning chargers around uptime, reliability, and field maintenance efficiencyWhy using existing site power infrastructure can dramatically reduce deployment costs and timeThe relationship between Lite-On Technology and PII, and how vertical integration supports product manufacturing and reliabilityThe hidden costs of EV charging deployments beyond the charger hardware itselfWhy durable engineering and long-term reliability matter more than “flashy” charging features in fleet environments Tim Rees Bio  Tim Rees is a seasoned executive and business leader with extensive experience driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic transformation across the transportation, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Known for his collaborative leadership style and ability to build high-performing organizations, Tim has spent his career helping companies navigate evolving markets while delivering innovative solutions that create long-term customer value. Throughout his professional journey, Tim has led teams focused on business development, operational strategy, customer engagement, and market expansion. His expertise spans fleet operations, emerging technologies, infrastructure deployment, and organizational leadership, giving him a unique perspective on the intersection of mobility, energy, and technology-driven transformation. Recognized for his practical approach and industry insight, Tim is passionate about fostering strong partnerships, developing scalable business strategies, and helping organizations adapt to changing customer and operational demands. Colleagues value his ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on execution, making him a trusted leader and advisor across the industries he serves.

    42 min

  3. Jun 9

    Inspiration Mobility: Inside the Economics of Fleet Electrification

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 28 of Field Frequency, Jason welcomes Dan Wilson, Vice President of Energy Solutions at Inspiration Mobility, for a deep dive into the realities of fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, and the evolving economics of EV adoption. Dan shares his journey from renewable energy consulting to leading charging strategy for one of the industry’s most comprehensive fleet electrification companies. Together, they unpack the six charging models shaping commercial fleet operations, the impact of changing federal incentives, the role of AI in charger maintenance and fleet optimization, and why long-term success in the EV industry comes down to discipline, adaptability, and solving real operational problems.  Show Notes:  Dan Wilson’s path from sustainability studies at the University of Michigan to EV infrastructure leadershipLessons learned deploying 614 DC fast charging ports for FedEx delivery fleets in CaliforniaInside Inspiration Mobility and its “outcome-first” approach to fleet electrificationThe six charging solutions fleets should evaluate:Depot chargingHome chargingPublic chargingMobile & temporary chargingPark-and-charge solutionsMulti-fleet charging hubsWhy total cost of ownership still favors EV fleets despite policy and tax credit changesInspiration Mobility’s work advocating for commercial EV incentives on Capitol HillHow AI is improving charger diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and operational scalabilityStructuring fleet charging deals around utilization, energy pricing, and risk allocationRoaming partnerships and expanding charging accessibility for fleet operatorsWhat separates durable EV infrastructure companies from hype-cycle casualtiesDan’s outlook on the future of EV adoption and the biggest barriers still facing fleet electrificationDan Wilson Bio:  Dan Wilson is an accomplished technology and product leader with a proven track record of driving innovation, building high-performing teams, and delivering transformative digital experiences. With extensive experience spanning financial services, enterprise technology, and emerging AI initiatives, he is recognized for his ability to translate complex challenges into clear strategies and measurable business outcomes. Throughout his career, Dan has led cross-functional teams across product development, engineering, user experience, and innovation, helping organizations accelerate growth while navigating evolving technology landscapes. Known for his collaborative leadership style and strategic mindset, Dan has successfully guided initiatives ranging from startup innovation to enterprise-scale digital transformation. His expertise includes product strategy, human-centered design, generative AI, technology business development, and organizational leadership. Colleagues and industry peers frequently describe him as a thoughtful leader who combines technical depth with strong communication and relationship-building skills. Dan is also passionate about fostering innovation cultures that empower teams to experiment, learn quickly, and deliver meaningful customer experiences. His work continues to focus on leveraging emerging technologies to create practical, scalable solutions that drive long-term value for both businesses and the people they serve

    47 min

  4. Jun 2

    The EV Talent Pendulum: Building Teams That Outlast Funding Cycles

    Send us Fan Mail The EV hiring market swings like a pendulum — from growth hype and inflated salaries to layoffs and capital discipline. So how do you build a talent strategy that outlasts the next funding cycle? In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason sits down with Josh Hallberry, Manager of Mobility at Brightsmith, a certified B Corp recruitment firm focused on the energy transition. Drawing on five years in e-mobility recruiting, Josh explains why SaaS and pure-tech hiring playbooks don't translate to infrastructure-heavy EV businesses, how compensation has recalibrated since the post-COVID boom, and what really closes the "back door" on employee retention. This isn't a conversation about recruiters filling seats. It's about talent architecture in a volatile, capital-constrained industry — and what both candidates and employers need to understand if they want to build something that lasts. In this episode: Why the EV talent pool is uniquely constrained, and whether the industry is building real depth or just recycling peopleThe mistake companies make when they apply a software hiring playbook to infrastructure deploymentHow EV compensation has escalated, peaked, and recalibrated over the past five yearsTransient talent vs. genuine commitment, and what drives people to jump shipEmployer differentiation beyond pay: mission, transparent leadership, and intentional career designTalent architecture vs. reactive, transactional hiringThe myths Josh wants to debunk — including "I can't work in EV because I've never worked in EV"Field Frequency is powered by Field Advantage, an IT field services company specializing in the deployment, maintenance, and operation of critical infrastructure, including EV charging networks. Produced and edited by Autozy (autozy.co).

    40 min

  5. May 26

    The 30-Minute Opportunity: Electrification Isn’t Replacing Petroleum - It’s Expanding Retail

    Send us Fan Mail The headlines say EVs are slowing down. The data tells a different story. In this episode of Field Frequency, host Jason sits down with John Eichberger, Executive Director of the Transportation Energy Institute (TEI), to cut through the noise around electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure. While retailers react to last week's news cycle, a quieter shift is reshaping the market: millions of used EVs are about to land in the hands of drivers who can't charge at home — and they'll need a place to plug in. This isn't a debate about gasoline versus electrons. It's about relevance, retention, and whether petroleum retailers are positioning for the next decade or reacting to the latest swing in sentiment. In this conversation, John and Jason explore: - Why the "EV slowdown" narrative misses the bigger signal - The coming wave of used EV buyers who depend on public charging - Why the 30-minute charging window is a retail goldmine — and the Capital One data that proves it - How agentic AI in vehicles is moving the buying decision from the pump to the couch - What separates an early-mover retailer from a long-term winner: reliability, amenities, and integrated loyalty - The retailer-vs-CPO data tug-of-war and how to actually share the customer - Utilities, demand charges, and the road to true price competition - Hardware fragmentation, J3400, and choosing partners that will still be here in five years - What success looks like for a fuel retailer by 2030 If you operate at the intersection of energy, retail, and infrastructure — whether you run one location or a thousand — this episode is a playbook for staying relevant as the next generation of fueling takes shape. Connect with John and TEI: Website: transportationenergy.org Email: jeichberger@transportationenergy.org Field Frequency is powered by Field Advantage, an IT field services company specializing in the deployment, maintenance, and operation of critical infrastructure — including EV charging networks. This episode was produced and edited by the team at Autozy. Learn more at autozy.co.

    47 min

  6. May 19

    Replacing Speculation With Logic: Real-Time EV Site Modeling with James Tillman

    Send us Fan Mail Most EV charging projects don't fail in the field — they fail months earlier, during pre-development, when assumptions stand in for realities. Timelines stretch, capital burns, and roughly 40% of projects get cancelled before construction even begins. In this episode, Jason sits down with James Tillman, co-founder and CEO of EVLogic, a platform that lets developers, EPCs, A&E firms, and as-a-service providers design, engineer, and price EV charging sites in real time — with every stakeholder on the same call. James has lived this problem from every angle: utility programs at Reliant/NRG, network deployment at EVgo, and EPC execution at Brighten Energy. Now he's building the tool he wishes he'd had for the last 15 years. In this conversation: — Why pre-development is the real bottleneck in EV infrastructure — The "fail early, fail fast" philosophy and how it protects everyone in the value chain — The truth behind the "$7,200 DC fast charger install" myth — Why DC fast charging grew 30% year-over-year — and why that's still only a third of what the market needs — The under-the-radar opportunity in off-lease used EVs — Hotels, multifamily, and fleet — the segments quietly driving deployment in a "down" market — Founding a company in a down cycle: what's harder, what's secretly easier Whether you're a CPO, developer, EPC, fleet operator, or project finance team, this conversation will sharpen how you think about deploying EV charging infrastructure. Field Frequency is powered by Field Advantage — an IT field services company specializing in the deployment, maintenance, and operation of critical infrastructure, including EV charging networks.

    41 min

  7. May 12

    Acquire, Convert, Retain: Rewiring Go-To-Market in the Energy Space

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Field Frequency, powered by Field Advantage and hosted by Jason Cortes, we sit down with Jonathan Colbert, founder of Fractal, to explore how companies in energy, mobility, and electrification are rethinking growth. As the industry shifts away from “growth at all costs,” Jonathan shares how disciplined go-to-market strategies, aligned teams, and sustainable business models are becoming essential for long-term success. From his experience at Mercedes-Benz and Rivian to launching Fractal, Jonathan brings a unique perspective on what it takes to scale effectively in today’s market. Key Topics Covered The shift from rapid growth to capital-efficient scalingWhat a broken go-to-market strategy looks likeWhy companies often misdiagnose growth challengesThe importance of aligning product, marketing, and salesLessons from traditional industries like automotive and fuel infrastructureHow AI and emerging tools are changing how companies buildThe rise of fractional leadership and the future of work Key Takeaways Growth problems are often system problems, not just sales or marketing gapsStrong go-to-market alignment is critical for scaling efficientlyCustomer insight should drive product and strategy decisionsBuilding unnecessary tools can slow growth and create complexitySustainable companies focus on long-term operational health, not just speed Notable Insights “Growth at all costs is gone—discipline and sustainability matter more than ever.”“If things feel harder than they should, the issue may be upstream in your system.”“If it doesn’t help you acquire, convert, or retain customers, reconsider building it.” Learn More Fractal: scalewithfractal.comConnect with Jonathan Colbert on LinkedIn About Field Frequency Field Frequency explores the people, technology, and strategies shaping the future of field service, EV infrastructure, and connected systems—bringing real-world insight from leaders across the industry. If you want, I can also spin this into Spotify/Apple Podcasts descriptions, social promos, or email newsletter blurbs. Jonathan Colbert Bio  Most growth-stage companies don’t have a go-to-market problem—they have a systems problem. They may have traction, strong teams, and a product the market wants, but the approaches that drive early success rarely scale. Jonathan Colbert founded Fractal Fractional Leadership to address this gap, embedding with leadership teams to build repeatable, connected go-to-market systems across sales, marketing, product, revenue operations, and customer experience. He brings over a decade of experience across electrification and mobility, including leadership roles at Voltera, Rivian, and Mercedes-Benz USA, where he led charging and infrastructure strategy for North America. His career has focused on turning complex, early-stage opportunities into scalable commercial systems. Based in Florida, he holds an MBA from Georgia Tech and a BS from Florida State. Outside of work, he spends most of his time with his wife and two young children.

    43 min

  8. May 5

    Electrifying Freight & Fleets: How Einride Is Re-Architecting The Industry

    Send us Fan Mail Charging infrastructure is expensive. Fleets can't pause while the technology matures. And every kilowatt-hour has to compete with diesel on a dollars-per-mile basis. So how do you actually electrify heavy-duty freight without bolting on a green premium? On this episode of Field Frequency, Jason is joined by Sean Ackley, VP of Energy & Infrastructure, and Josie-Dee Li, Product Director of Energy & Infrastructure at Einride — a freight tech company tying together electric trucks, autonomous vehicles, energy infrastructure, and a digital ecosystem called Saga. In this conversation: Sean and Josie-Dee's paths through e-mobility, utilities, smart home, and EV chargingThe origin and operational role of Einride's cabless autonomous eBotWhy an autonomous future has to be an electric futureThe four cost pillars of delivering electric fuel — land, hardware, O&M, and go-to-market — and how each one impacts TCOHow Saga blends route planning, charging reservations, state-of-charge tracking, and dynamic routing into one pane of glassThree charging models: private depots, third-party hubs, and Einride-managed sites with co-located solar and storageEnergy arbitrage, wholesale capacity offtake, and monetizing electrons back to the gridReal proof that mixed electric/diesel fleets can hit — and even beat — diesel TCO parityWhat MCS charging, bigger batteries, and on-the-go fueling unlock for the next wave of adoptionWhether you run a fleet, build charging infrastructure, or work anywhere in freight tech, this is a grounded look at the economics, execution, and digital tooling behind heavy-duty electrification today. Connect Learn more about Einride: einride.tech Find Sean Ackley and Josie-Dee Li on LinkedIn Field Frequency is powered by Field Advantage — an IT field services company specializing in deployment, maintenance, and operation of critical infrastructure, including EV charging networks. Learn more at fieldadvantage.com. Produced and edited by Autozy — autozy.co

    47 min
See All (30)

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Field Frequency sits at the intersection of energy and technology, where innovation powers possibility. Each episode brings you a steady stream of insights, real-world stories, and timely updates straight from the field. From breakthrough advancements and evolving infrastructure to expert perspectives on emerging tech, we uncover the tools, trends, and talent shaping the future of EV, fueling, and the technology that surrounds both industries. Whether you’re deep in the industry or simply curious about where energy meets innovation, Field Frequency keeps you connected, informed, and inspired — fueling the future, one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Cortes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Field Frequency
  • Show Website
    Field Frequency