Client-Focused, Economically Driven, Sustainable Results.

Who We Are

As affordable energy becomes an increasingly urgent concern for companies around the globe, Waters & Associates brings front-line insight to businesses looking for sustainable and profitable alternatives. We deliver exceptional solutions to automotive and industrial companies, academic institutions, and government groups by leveraging our technical expertise in enterprise development, energy storage, electric and hybrid vehicle technology, and smart-grid systems.

Our Principals

John E. Waters

President of Waters & Associates (W&A), John Waters is an entrepreneurial and business development professional with over 25 years in energy, enterprise solutions, sustainability, strategic planning, and transportation. At W&A, John leads a professional network to support corporate clients in achieving breakthrough products and solutions, while meeting sustainability’s triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.

As Founder of Leave It Better Than We Found It, LLC, he is currently developing global sustainability energy and mobility initiatives and has spoken at the United Nations. John’s U.S.-patented Universal Energy Module®, and his work in developing the Wireless Grid, is currently patent-pending in 65 nations, including Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

In addition, John has recently launched a non-profit, www.thrivingwaters.org, to develop “living lab” SHOWCASES in sustainable energy, food, water, shelter, waste systems, and electric transportation demonstrating high quality living in off-grid global communities and island nations.

Mr. Waters is a Technical Fellow at Energy Systems Network, a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute, and previously a member of Duke Energy’s “Thought Leaders Council”. He has been featured on CNBC, Wall Street Journal, Wired, and multiple media outlets.

In 2008 (-2012), Mr. Waters led and co-developed a $2B automotive OEM developing a 100-MPG plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for the commercial fleet sector. He was founding CEO of Bright Automotive, Inc. and in 2010 upon finalized investment from GM Ventures AND the U.S. DOE $500 Million loan award (unfortunately, U.S. DOE reneged on loan award commitment). 

Prior to leading Bright, Mr. Waters was VP of Transportation at Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) where he provided energy efficiency solutions for corporate clients (e.g., Coca-Cola, Google, Walmart, etc.). Prior to RMI, he was VP of Business Development for EnerDel, Inc., where he led the forming of the joint-venture, developed $30 Million in battery sales, and responsible for government relations.

As Manager of Product Engineering at Delphi Corporation (2001–2004), Mr. Waters led the design, testing, and production of multiple lithium battery products, including solutions for the iBot® and Segway®. Delphi’s lithium battery plant was the first large-format pouch production facility in the U.S.A.

Prior to Delphi, Mr. Waters worked for GM where he led numerous projects, including the invention of battery packs for the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicles, GM’s EV1, and Electric S-10. Mr. Waters has ten (10) U.S. and International patents, holds two defensive papers in battery pack designs, and has received numerous industry awards.

Ning Zhou

Hailing from Somerville, Massachusetts, Ning brings to Waters & Associates more than 20 years of expertise in the automotive industry, supply chain development, business cultivation, precision manufacturing, and semiconductor fabrication. Ning recently co-founded Global Bridge, LLC, a venture to develop strategic partnerships between U.S. colleges and Chinese schools, and to develop programs to help Chinese students better assimilate into Western culture.

From 2006 to 2009, he served at Intel Corporation as Director of Supply Chain Development, responsible for developing a competitive supply base in China. Prior to that, he worked as Director and Co-founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Greater China Development Center, where he consulted with global automotive and electronics companies on Chinese relations. He also worked for Amazon.com and Chrysler Motors. He holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. Ning is currently helping Waters & Associates expand its business into the Chinese market.

Armin Lorsbach

With experience in both start-up company agility and large company disciplines, Armin has a lengthy and robust career in product engineering, manufacturing, and environmental technology. He launched his career with graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, welding, and manufacturing processes. Armin has also led multiple entrepreneurial efforts in the automotive sector, sheet metal production, energy, and water desalination.

Armin has held leadership roles in multiple industrial companies and worked extensively in the Middle East in various countries, including: Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Turkey and UAE. Armin formed industrial partnerships and launched multiple engineering efforts in Russia and the Middle East from 2005 to 2014.

In 2014 Armin launched R&D efforts of the “Ion Power Station”, which provides sustainable clean energy and water for small-to-large (“off-grid”) communities. Armin is also leading technology development and sustainable engineered solutions for addressing energy, food, transportation, waste-to-energy, and water for humanitarian purposes.

Armin holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Neuwied Vocational System and the University of Koblenz. In 1987 Armin acquired additional degrees from Berlin with a diploma in mechanical engineering, process engineering, and environmental technology.