Innovation Leadership
& Network
ENCENDIA is Founded on the Transformation Potential of
Diverse Innovation Experts and Organizations.
Specialties of Network Companies and Experts
CTOs, Entrepreneurs
& Materials Experts
Disruption Strategy Investors
Design for Sustainability
& User-Experience
Automotive, Battery & Electronic Systems Design & Technology Experts
Market & Operations
Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence
Prototyping & Pilot Manufacturing
Top Universities for
Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Public-Private Partnership
Development
Recycling Technology
Todd Summe
President & Founder
Todd founded ENCENDIA in 2022 based on the power of diverse innovators integrated & focused on discovering and solving transformational opportunities and challenges. He has curated a unique network of highly accomplished companies, executives, and experts with track records of integrating their specialties into disruptive innovation and business ventures.
In addition to leading ENCENDIA, Todd currently serves on the board of advisors for the Office of the Executive Vice President of Research at The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
Throughout his career, Todd has created and led new venture & market development, product design & development, and material technology research for global markets that include automotive & commercial transportation, aerospace & defense, semiconductor & electronic systems, renewable energy sub-systems, and consumer products.
Todd's track record for leading growth and transformation ranges from creating disruptive entrepreneurial ventures to scaling technologies for the automotive industry’s top-selling vehicles, and shaping global organizations and ecosystems to innovate across that full spectrum. The most recent examples of this, prior to founding ENCENDIA, include the establishment of advanced battery technology development programs, high recycle content materials for consumer products, and a semiconductor device startup business.
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Todd is frequently invited to speak on matters such as the aluminum industry's technology roadmap for light vehicle fuel economy improvements at the invitation of the National Academy of Sciences, and the design of products, materials and innovation ecosystems for a sustainable future.
Track Record at a glance ...
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2021 Semiconductor startup & spin-off for a new paradigm in power efficiency.
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2019 Georgia Automotive Innovation Award, Novelis-Georgia Tech Innovation Hub launch, opening of global customer co-development centers.
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2016 Disruptive aluminum sheet production process created for energy efficiency & electrification.
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2015 Ford F150 launch. Successful launch of new-to-world products and closed-loop production system for America's highest volume vehicle line, transforming Novelis to a leading automotive supplier.
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Earlier innovation-ignited ventures: Alcoa Energy Systems, Sustainable China City Bus, Alcoa Defense, Alcoa Automotive Structures, Design and Engineering.
Prior to ENCENDIA, Todd held the positions of Chief Research & Development Officer, Vice President of Corporate Development Special Projects, and Global Automotive Technology Director of Novelis Inc., the world leader in aluminum recycling & sheet products, and a subsidiary in the Aditya Birla Group. In addition, Todd’s career of igniting and leading innovation spans Alcoa, United Technologies, and Bell Helicopter.
At Novelis, Todd led the corporation’s innovation strategy, customer design & solution centers, R&D centers, and new domain growth initiatives, including electric vehicle advanced battery materials and award-winning system design solutions. Todd served on the CEO’s staff and executive committee, formed and chaired the Corporate Innovation Council, co-led the formation of the Alumobility industry consortium, created the Novelis Innovation Hub at Georgia Tech, and initiated artificial intelligence for material discovery, design, and recycling. As the Global Automotive Technology Director, he guided the development of new products and process technologies that fueled exceptional growth of aluminum lightweight body structures, transforming Novelis into a leading global automotive supplier.
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Prior to joining Novelis, Todd's career at Alcoa specialized in technology strategy, new market development, design of advanced products and engineered systems, program management, and process technology research spanning automotive & commercial transportation, aerospace & defense, energy systems, and consumer products. Todd’s early career was with Pratt & Whitney - United Technologies and Bell Helicopter.