May 7, 2025: Battery Council International has formally honoured Chris Pruitt, president and CEO of East Penn Manufacturing and David Shaffer, the outgoing CEO of EnerSys as recipients of BCI’s highest honor the Distinguished Service Award.
The award recognizes exemplary service to the energy storage industry and is the association’s highest individual honor. The award recognizes those who have made a sustained, long-term, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of both the association and the battery industry.
Both men have shown extraordinary commitment and loyalty to the battery industry and the work of the BCI.
“Chris Pruitt and Dave Shaffer are true leaders. They have guided their individual companies to success, but also worked hard to support the industry as a whole through partnership with BCI,” said BCI’s president and executive director Roger Miksad.
“These two executives both served as chairmen of BCI’s board during times of tremendous change, volunteering their time selflessly and with good cheer. They truly represent the best of what this industry has to offer.”
Chris Pruit
Chris Pruitt has had a tremendous impact since joining East Penn over 30 years ago. He began as the company’s controller in 1994, later serving in several financial leadership roles including CFO. In 2018 he became president and CEO, where he continues to spearhead the company’s progress and innovation.
He is both widely liked and well respected. His open-door policy within East Penn is legendary as has been his commitment to promoting a family feeling within the firm,
Chris’s impact extends beyond East Penn. He has a long history of service within BCI as a member of the board of directors, and was its chairman from 2021 to 2025. His guidance and support were critical toward helping the organization restructure its leadership and refocus its vision and mission for maximum impact on members.
His efforts have also been integral to tackling the immense regulatory and advisory work BCI conducts to support important federal policies that promote domestic battery manufacturing and encourage investment in research and development. Chris uses his leadership platform to encourage the entire industry to unite and advocate at a company, county, state and federal level to connect with policymakers and help them understand the importance of the battery industry’s role in the economy and energy storage future.
Dave Shaffer
Dave’s career with EnerSys spans more than two decades, including leadership positions such as president and COO, president of EMEA, and president of Asia, following earlier responsibilities leading telecommunications sales in the Americas. He began his career in the battery industry in 1989.
Under his leadership, EnerSys has delivered key innovations in lead and lithium battery technologies, including advances in safety, sustainability, and recycling. Dave champions EnerSys’ corporate responsibility initiatives, with a focus on community engagement, healthcare access, and education.
Dave worked on the BCI board of directors from 2016 to 2025, and was active in BCI’s activities for many years before that. He was president of the board from 2019-2021, providing critical leadership to BCI during the COVID pandemic.
Under Dave’s leadership, BCI has pivoted quickly during very difficult times, providing support and advocacy to help all members’ facilities stay open to serve the nation’s battery needs.
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Previous recipients of the Distinguished Service Award are Bob Flicker, Hal Hawkes and Roger Winslow. The award, previously called the BCI Honorary Lifetime Membership also include industry legends such as DeLight Breidegam Jr., Peter Aspinall, Norman Farsje, and Edward Foote. BCI first honored an individual with this award in 1945 by recognizing the service of Louis Raycroft.
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“These two executives both served as chairmen of BCI’s board during times of tremendous change, volunteering their time selflessly and with good cheer. They truly represent the best of what this industry has to offer.”
