Andy Schoettle

Andy Schoettle is Executive Director of Portfolio Management at ACES.
He joined ACES more than 20 years ago as an Hourly Trader. He, along with a team of day-ahead and term traders, help optimize resources for ACES’  Members and Customers operating in the Eastern Markets, such as PJM, MISO, and the traditional markets in the Eastern United States. “Every day is different in my role, and I never really know what I’m going to walk into when I show up each day, but the collective knowledge and experience within our walls helps us identify strategies to benefit our Members and Customers,” Andy says. “Providing services to so many unique entities and having learned so much from all their unique challenges really gives us an advantage,” he adds.

Andy began his career in the energy industry working for Indiana Municipal Power Agency shortly after obtaining a finance degree from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. “Ending up in the energy industry was pure chance,” says Andy. “It was through a series of contacts and various circumstances that I was offered a job in the industry and ultimately ended up at ACES. I had no concept of wholesale energy markets
and it took me a while to even be able to explain what I do to my friends and family,” he adds. Andy also notes the wide variety of degrees at backgrounds of ACES’ employees, commending ACES on developing individuals for successful careers in the industry.

Even though Andy has been in the industry for more than 20 years, he says he still feels like he’s just getting started. “In this industry you always have to be willing to change, and you will never have everything figured out. I’m constantly having to learn new things, and my views on the industry have changed dramatically from when I first started at ACES. We’re all going to make mistakes, but we have to be willing to admit our mistakes and learn from them,” Andy says. “Over the past 20 years, ACES has changed in ways that I could have not even imagined, and I’m really proud and grateful to be a part of
this company,” he adds.

In addition to his day-to-day work, Andy is also President of ACES’ Toastmasters Club, Power Talkers. “I understood that public speaking was a weakness of mine, so I was thrilled and terrified when ACES announced it was starting a Toastmasters Club,” he says. “I’ve been surprised at how great of an experience it has been. I really enjoy having a space to work on my speeches, receive useful critiques, and get to know my coworkers better. It’s also amazing to see how much our presentations to our Members and Customers have improved,” he adds.

Andy has three children that are very involved in the arts and sports, which keeps his schedule full outside the office. “My two daughters are very involved with dance and theater. I never pursued the arts, so it is really cool to watch them excel in these areas, and to experience these things that I never paid much attention to before,” Andy says. “My son is more interested in sports, which is more in line with where I spent my time as a kid. I’ve been coaching his baseball team for the past five years and really enjoy it. I’m grateful that he’s at an age where there are still things I can teach him, and I love
helping all the kids learn to play as a team, build their self-confidence, and have a positive experience,” he adds. Andy emphasizes how important it is for him always be present in the moment and enjoy life as it is happening. Andy’s
positivity and drive to help others succeed are just some of the traits that have helped him be successful at ACES.