From Stages and Stadiums to Utility Infrastructure

Career paths rarely follow a straight line. In the latest edition of UAA Newsline, Zak Hermans, Director of Business Development at XKIG, shares how experiences in theater, professional baseball, military contracting, and even a lifelong fascination with severe weather ultimately led him to the utility infrastructure industry. 

In his article, “A Career Shaped by Stages, Stadiums, and Storms,” Zak reflects on lessons from each chapter. Theater strengthened his confidence and communication skills. Baseball (including two seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization) reinforced discipline, preparation, and teamwork. His work in military contracting and manufacturing gave him experience navigating complex, high-stakes environments where reliability and execution matter. 

Today, Zak brings those experiences to XKIG, where he works to understand utility customers’ evolving needs and to build partnerships that support reliable, resilient infrastructure.