Watertown, S.D. – When the wind chill plunges toward minus 55 degrees, there is no margin for hesitation. 

During a recent winter storm on the northern plains, Stefan Martinsen watched conditions deteriorate rapidly at generating sites across multiple states. Crews moved deliberately, traveling together and breaking work down minute-by-minute. 

“We always start with safety,” Martinsen says. “If risks can’t be mitigated, the work stops.” 

It’s the kind of leadership Martinsen learned long before joining the energy sector—in the engine rooms of cargo ships, where preparation, discipline and trust are essential for survival. 

Now executive director of operations at NextEra Energy Resources, Martinsen oversees sites from New Hampshire to Montana and across Canada. Many operate in some of the harshest environments in North America, from severe winter cold to summer heat and even tornado threats. The conditions may be different than those he once faced at sea, but the mindset is the same. 

“At sea, everyone understands the mission,” Martinsen says. “You depend on each other, and you have to be ready.” 

Martinsen grew up on Long Island, where a curiosity for engineering emerged early. At eight years old, he took apart a discarded television and shocked himself in the process, an experience that only deepened his fascination with how things work. Stories from his grandfather, a leader in the gas department at Long Island Lighting Company, reinforced that interest. 

That path led him to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and then to several years sailing as a watchstanding engineer. He worked aboard break bulkers carrying grain to countries like Bangladesh and Jordan, container ships running tight schedules along the Pacific coast and oil tankers navigating the unforgiving waters of Alaska. 

“You’re part of a small crew, responsible for keeping critical systems running around the clock,” Martinsen shares. “You learn quickly how to solve problems under pressure and how much you rely on the people around you.” 

Eventually, family brought him ashore. Martinsen joined Florida Power & Light Company, later building a career at NextEra Energy Resources that has spanned more than two decades. He’s worked in thermal performance engineering, plant engineering and operations leadership, managing plants in New York and helping stand up a combinedcycle facility in New Jersey. 

Along the way, his definition of leadership continued to evolve. 

“If you fix every problem yourself, you’re the only one learning,” Martinsen reminds.  

Helping the team grow, he learned early, matters more than having the right answer in the moment. 

That belief became even more important when he shifted into renewable operations. After years in fossil generation, the move required him to rely less on personal experience and more on the people around him. 

“I had to lean on the team and figure out how my skills could support them,” he says. 

The approach stuck. Martinsen later became general manager for the Great Plains region and, in November 2024, stepped into his current role overseeing a vast and geographically diverse fleet. He now leads leaders across North America. 

“It starts with getting to know people—their strengths, what they need, how you can support them,” he said. “It’s not one size fits all.” 

That philosophy mirrors the way Martinsen approaches life outside of work. He and his wife have raised two daughters through multiple moves across the country, including a relocation to the upper Midwest during the pandemic. He believes those experiences brought his family closer together.  

“The moves made us stronger together. With familiar surroundings gone, we relied more on each other, creating tighter connections than most families have,” shares Martinsen.  

Today, his commitment to mentorship extends throughout the organization. He has taught leadership courses for technicians and remains passionate about developing future leaders. 

“This company has given me incredible opportunities,” he says.  

For those early in their careers, his advice is simple: “Understand your strengths, be honest about your gaps and have the courage to say yes to new challenges.” 

“If you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone,” he recommends, “there’s almost no limit to what you can do here.” 

Away from work, Martinsen still tinkers—woodworking, home improvement projects, motorcycles and long reading lists that include biographies of U.S. presidents. Each offers new perspectives on leadership and resilience. 

His mentality always seems to come back to the same principles that shaped him early on. 

 “I want people to be able to say I helped them—that I was a reliable resource and someone who made a positive impact on their lives,” Martinsen shares. 

For Stefan Martinsen, it’s a legacy forged in service, strengthened under pressure and carried forward, wherever the mission leads.