Forty Under 40: Kevin Butzlaff

Kevin Butzlaff describes the work he does for the world’s largest company as being pretty awesome. It also leaves a significant and lasting impact on the environment.

Most notably, he manages the implementation of the company’s push to provide ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its stores throughout the country. The goal is to create a network of increased access to EV services near highways, rural communities and driving routes in other sections of the country besides the East and West coasts.

The multimillion-dollar program started when the first charging station opened to the public July 24, 2018, in south Arkansas. During the next year, 150 were opened in 34 states, making it the largest and fastest implementation rollout in the industry. Dozens more are on the way.

Butzlaff travels the country managing the projects, from the initial vetting stage through completion. He has also managed other energy implementation programs for Walmart, including an LED retrofit program for exterior lighting, overseeing more than 1,500 site projects the past two years. A multimillion-dollar cost saving was the result.

The energy team’s next significant project is a sub-metering program that will use data to better understand our buildings, he said.

Butzlaff majored in environmental, soil and water science (ESWS) at the University of Arkansas. He earned a degree in 2011. A Bryant native, he worked as an environmental scientist in central Arkansas before moving back to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to be closer to his girlfriend (now wife).

His first job at Walmart was working as a construction manager. In 2017, he was promoted to work for the company’s energy team.

Butzlaff mentors ESWS students at the UA, advocating for career opportunities in the field.