Some people chase a career. Others follow curiosity — and find themselves at the intersection of people, purpose and possibility. Jan is very much the latter. Starting as an intern in 2020, he has since become a driving presence on AESOLAR’s Asia-Pacific stage. Young, unflappable and endlessly curious, Jan brings an energetic mix of optimism, cultural fluency and practical hustle to a role that is as much about relationships as it is about modules.

From Augsburg to Asia-Pacific

Jan’s AESOLAR story began in a corner of the company many of us remember fondly: the early internship that turns into something more. Still a student when he first joined, he quickly moved from assistant roles into sales — a transition that revealed a natural affinity for connecting technical value with customer needs. After gaining experience in the European market, Jan embraced a new challenge: relocating to Asia and helping expand AESOLAR’s footprint across the region. He admits the move was a leap, but one that felt right.

Jan is quick to acknowledge that he didn’t make the journey alone. He credits his father and his uncle for their steady support in those early years — “I couldn’t have made it this far without them,” he says — and he remembers colleagues who invested time teaching him the ropes. That mix of family encouragement and workplace mentorship helped turn a curious intern into a confident leader.

“I didn’t regret my decision to move to APAC for a single moment,” Jan says with a smile. “The warmth of the people, their drive for sustainability, and the strong sense of connection here are incredibly inspiring.”

Two markets, two rhythms — the same heartbeat

Having worked in both Europe and Asia, Jan speaks with the kind of clarity that comes from living between cultures. He sees Europe as methodical — a place where process, standards and incremental improvement rule the day. Asia, on the other hand, moves quickly: decisions accelerate, timelines compress, and solutions must be pragmatic and local. Yet beneath these differences lies a shared truth: business everywhere is built on trust.

“For me, the biggest difference is the depth of personal connection in Asia,” Jan explains. “Many of our clients here become friends. We eat together, we laugh together, and then we do business — in that order.” That ability to weave personal rapport into professional collaboration is something AESOLAR nurtures: it’s a company that prizes technical excellence and long-term partnerships in equal measure. Jan’s role is to translate between those worlds, ensuring that German engineering standards meet local realities — and that the result benefits both customers and communities.

He’s also grateful to people who helped shape his early development. Jan singles out Jesus Torres by name — “Jesus Torres helped me a lot during my time working in Europe, offering guidance and sharing his experience,” — a support that made the transition to larger responsibilities smoother and more confident.

Building trust, one conversation at a time

Jan’s approach is simple and consistent: listen first, respond thoughtfully, and show up. He describes trust as a daily habit rather than an occasional event. Practically, this means tailoring proposals to real on-site challenges, coordinating closely with technical teams, and following through long after contracts are signed. It also means small human gestures — bringing a local snack to a meeting, sharing a round of beers after a negotiation, or remembering a client’s family story when you next meet. “Those little things matter,” he says. “They turn a supplier into a partner.”

Jan attributes much of his growth to mentors and teammates who invested in him early on. Colleagues taught him how to read a specification sheet, how to balance commercial pressure with integrity, and how to manage time zones without losing your smile. That combination of mentorship and on-the-job learning is part of AESOLAR’s culture: professional rigor wrapped in practical kindness.

Music, Mindset, and Motivation

What keeps Jan energized? A few steady routines — like morning gym sessions that clear his head — and an almost poetic hobby: the guitar. Music, he says, helps him switch modes. After a week of tight schedules and long flights, picking up the guitar is a way to slow down and make sense of the noise. He also makes time for FaceTime chats with family back home and prefers to find small pockets of calm wherever his travels take him.

Jan’s philosophy is upbeat and pragmatic: “Mistakes happen, but being negative doesn’t help anyone. I try to stay positive, keep moving forward, and learn as much as I can from every experience.”

Looking ahead: growth with purpose

When asked about goals for APAC, Jan speaks about two parallel ambitions. One is commercial: to grow AESOLAR’s presence, expand project opportunities and build robust, repeatable partnerships across markets. The other is personal and philanthropic: to continue supporting charity initiatives that bring reliable, clean energy to communities that need it most. For him, business impact and social impact are two sides of the same coin.

Ultimately, Jan’s compass points to one clear north: meaningful contribution. He wants AESOLAR to be recognized not just for modules and specs, but for the people who deliver value, protect investments and build trust over time. “Knowing our work helps make the planet cleaner — that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” he says.

Jan’s story reminds us that the future of energy is built on human connections as much as technical advances. At AESOLAR, we’re proud to have people who can read a datasheet in the morning and share a laugh with a client in the evening — people who bridge cultures, mentor newcomers, and bring warmth to every market they serve.

Follow our #AEFaces series to meet more colleagues powering the clean energy transition — one conversation, one project, one community at a time.