December 16, 2025: Battery industry and East Penn Manufacturing veteran Chris Pruitt has described his career as “an honour of a lifetime”, in an interview marking his stepping down from the board of Battery Council International.
Batteries International reported in the summer that East Penn was separating the roles of president and CEO on Pruitt’s retirement from the posts. He became executive chairman of the board in September.
Now, in an interview with BCI president and executive director Roger Miksad, released online by BCI on December 8, Pruitt talked about his journey in the battery industry — from his deep roots with the East Penn family to his strategic leadership that helped shape BCI’s own growth and transformation.
Pruitt shared his journey into the battery industry, starting in 1994, after being approached during a search for a new CFO at East Penn.
He said the interview process involved multiple meetings with senior leaders and culminated in an offer after just a few days — which his instincts told him to accept, despite being close to becoming a partner at Ernst & Young.
Pruitt described the decision as life-changing, expressing deep appreciation and no regrets about his long tenure.
He welcomed the opportunity he had over the years to work closely with key leaders of the company, including founder DeLight Breidegam junior. DeLight’s values, including an emphasis on people, customers, community and common sense, deeply influenced Pruitt’s own leadership style.
He also recognized the foundational influence of Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz — whose memory lives on in the annual BCI Innovation Award.
Pruitt credited his own experiences and success to the daily dedication of East Penn’s 10,500 employees, past and present.
Pruitt worked as president and president/CEO for 11 years and has been with the company for over 31 years, holding several financial posts including CFO.
Effective from September 29, Pete Stanislawczyk was promoted to CEO at East Penn and Christy Weeber was promoted to president. (Full interviews with Pete and Christy can be found in the current issue of Batteries International (batteries-international.in-beta6.co.uk/).
As president of the BCI board from 2021-2023, Pruitt was elected by the BCI membership to the newly created post of chairman of the board in April 2023.
Miksad hailed Pruitt as a “stalwart leader of the industry and a member of the BCI board” and thanked him for his time and dedication.
To see the interview in full, visit: https://batterycouncil.org/news/an-honor-of-a-lifetime-chris-pruitt-on-his-battery-industry-career/
