For over half a century, Potentials Inc. has been the leading provider of refurbishment services and newly designed high-voltage insulators (bushings) to the most advanced research and semiconductor companies in the world. The knowledgeable team at Potentials combines decades of experience in the field and on the manufacturing line, as well as an academic background in physics to ensure every product is performance-driven and of the highest quality.
Potentials, Inc. has grown substantially throughout the years, expanding beyond refurbishment into the development of new, enhanced bushings. With continued growth in 2020, despite a global pandemic, Potentials sought the expertise of Joshua Wahrmund to lead the development of a new line of products and to help expand the company’s marketing reach to foster further expansion.
Joshua Wahrmund earned his bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. He continued at the University of North Texas to earn a master’s degree in 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2012. Josh’s academic work focused on the material science and engineering of polymer systems, and this eventually led him into a research and development role with INVISTA, a subsidiary of Koch Industries. Josh spent over six years with INVISTA and contributed to the development of various patents and projects—oil and gas pipelines, engineering resins, fibers, and recycled plastic products.
As a new member of the Potentials team, Josh joins the family business, alongside Ave and Robert Wahrmund.
Ave Wahrmund has worked for Potentials, Inc. at various points in her life, as her father, Joseph Peoples, founded the company in 1969. She and her sister, Elizabeth Foley, took ownership of the company in 1990. Ave currently serves as the COO of Potentials, managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, human resources and facilities. She also serves as Board Chair for Potentials where she provides leadership in finance, management and organization. Her education, business and service background combine to bring a leadership style that has proven to be invaluable to the operations of Potentials, and the growth of the business overall.
Robert Wahrmund attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1971 and then continued at UT to earn an MBA in 1975. He joined Potentials in 1989 after working for several years at the Texas Medical Foundation. Since joining, Bob has contributed to the expansion of Potentials’ business. Though the company had initially focused on customers in the United States, Bob spearheaded networking efforts in Europe and Asia to secure a global customer base. Bob also diversified the business model of Potentials by moving beyond the refurbishment service into the development of new and enhanced source insulators. While the business still maintains its initial core capability in refurbishment, the latter developments have accounted for a majority of Potentials’ growth over the past two decades.
Since the company’s founding in 1969, Potentials has been a family-owned business, with the addition of Josh strengthening the bonds that give the company its unique advantages. With their diverse experience in physics, engineering, and manufacturing, the Wahrmund family possesses the perfect combination of skills necessary to produce cutting-edge products for semiconductor companies across the globe. Innovative designs and quality materials give longevity and efficiency to Potentials bushings unlike what can be found anywhere else.