Nathan Bessette

About Nathan Bessette

An entrepreneurially-minded business leader and engineer with 10+ years’ experience creating and implementing solutions that solve real-world, large-scale problems and drive revenue, margin, and mission through excellent customer/stakeholder/employee relations and experience.Key Accomplishments Include:• Doubled EdgeDweller, Inc. revenue and increased profit margin 50% by developing new product and service offerings, operationalizing existing offerings, and establishing strategic partners to extend offerings into new market segments.• Rebuilt new initiative pipeline for Trusted Autonomy projects at NASA and Air Force Space Command achieving near-term and long-term value, balanced risk, and high Technology Readiness Level (TRL).• Established and installed customized end-to-end innovation processes at WestRock, the New York Power Authority, and SourceAmerica, a $2 billion defense contractor.• Taught over 500 people how to participate and engage in innovation through over 50 in-person trainings.• Successfully merged and relocated Moog Sensor & Surveillance Systems from site in Decatur, GA to site in Northbrook, IL. Maintained quality and delivery throughout the move with significant planning and communication to minimize customer impact.• Established a Turnkey program for full upstream assembly and drop shipping of high-volume products at raw material vendors in the US and Asia for over 40 core Moog Sensor & Surveillance Systems products. Improved the margin of individual products by up to 70%, while increasing quality.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Southface Institute

   Feb 2026 — Present · Atlanta, GA, US

   Serving as Interim Executive Director through February 2028, lead organizational strategy, operations, and external engagement for a nationally recognized nonprofit advancing sustainable buildings, energy efficiency, and marketplace solutions.• Provide executive leadership for organizational strategy, financial performance, and programmatic impact across advocacy, education, and services initiatives• Partner with the Board of Directors to guide governance, strategic planning, and long-term organizational positioning• Oversee a multidisciplinary team, strengthening internal alignment, culture, and operational effectiveness• Lead fundraising and external relations, deepening partnerships with philanthropic organizations, government agencies, utilities, and industry stakeholders• Support evaluation and evolution of organizational structure, systems, and leadership to position Southface for its next phase of growth

Education

• Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), General Business

  2013 — 2015

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  B.S., Mechanical Engineering

  2005 — 2009

Skills

• Negotiation
• Mechanical Testing
• Innovation Management
• Matlab
• Vibration Control
• Product Development
• Mechanical Design
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Surveillance
• Strategic Planning
• Contract Manufacturing
• Product Marketing
• 5s
• Manufacturing
• Brainstorm Facilitation
• Financial Accounting
• Value Stream Mapping
• Erp Systems
• Product Design
• Root Cause Analysis
• Creativity
• Design for Manufacturing
• Product Management
• Mechanical Engineering
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Supplier Quality
• Marketing Strategy
• Manufacturing Operations
• Excel
• Automotive Engineering
• Lean Manufacturing
• Continuous Improvement
• Start-Ups