Volvo Group North America’s Keith Brandis, vice president of system solutions and partnerships, was presented the Industry Distinguished Service Award by the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT).
Brandis (pictured above, left) was recognized for his contributions and leadership in several innovative transport initiatives, including the award-winning Volvo LIGHTS (Low-Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions) project. He received the honor during the university’s 30th annual awards ceremony at the Riverside, California research center earlier this month.
The Industry Distinguished Service Award is a long-honored tradition to recognize an outside affiliate who has contributed to CE-CERT’s growth and advancement of its mission. Brandis worked closely with CE-CERT throughout the Volvo LIGHTS project, a unique collaboration between 14 public and private organizations to pioneer a range of vehicle, charging and workforce development innovations critical for the commercial success of heavy-duty, battery-electric trucks and equipment. To support the Volvo LIGHTS project goals, CE-CERT used project data to develop algorithms to improve truck routing and reduce impacts on local communities.
The California Air Resources Board invested $44.8 million in Inland Southern California to reduce emissions from goods-movement trucks and equipment. With investments and resources from the Volvo Group, South Coast Air Quality Management District and other partners throughout the three-year project, Volvo LIGHTS has demonstrated the ability for heavy-duty, battery-electric trucks and equipment to reliably move freight between two of California’s two major ports and warehouses throughout the region with less noise and zero emissions.
Brandis is a 40-plus-year veteran of the trucking industry with a diverse background in truck manufacturing, engineering, sales and marketing for the Volvo Group. He began his career with Volvo Trucks at its New River Valley manufacturing operations in Dublin, Virginia, where all of the brands’ Class 8 trucks for the North American market are assembled.
Today, Brandis works in the Project and Product Strategy Office as the vice president of system solutions and partnerships for North America and is actively involved in several projects driving technological and industry-transforming progress in transportation and sustainability.
