Behind the Brand - Meet Mike Judd, CEO and President of Stryten Energy
April 30th, 2026
In case you missed it, we announced our newest partner last week: Stryten Energy.
Now it’s time to go a bit behind the brand with someone who knows it inside and out, Stryten CEO Mike Judd.
Mike has been closely following the rally over the past few years, supporting Stryten teams in the competition and becoming a genuine advocate along the way. He’s also just as comfortable out there himself, having been off-roading since he was 16 and still taking any chance he can get to get into the dirt, whether that’s on a motorcycle or in a 4WD.
At Stryten, Mike leads a team focused on building energy storage solutions designed to perform in demanding, real-world conditions. That focus on reliability and problem-solving is part of what connects naturally to the Rebelle.
In our conversation with Mike, he shares what drew him in, what it’s like watching his teams take on the challenge, and why the experience keeps him coming back.
Stryten Energy’s involvement with the Rebelle Rally has grown over the past few years, from supporting teams, to sponsoring a stage, and now stepping in as a Gold Partner. What first sparked your interest in the rally, and what stood out when you experienced it in person?
At Stryten Energy, we embrace our rallying cry, “The Energy to Challenge.” For every member of the Stryten team, that means challenging the status quo to deliver top-performing energy storage solutions every day. When we were first introduced to the Rebelle Rally, I immediately recognized that the spirit of the Rally was not unlike our culture at Stryten: testing our capabilities to engineer and manufacture batteries that solve our customers’ evolving energy needs. Just like the Rally, our Stryten team uses its skills and abilities to tackle problems with sound training and processes, along with a bit of ingenuity. Additionally, the batteries we make must perform well and endure some of the harshest conditions on the planet, not unlike what the participants in the Rally experience in the longest competitive, off-road navigation event in the U.S.
From the plant floor to our corporate offices, what it comes down to is not being afraid to do the hard things. This is the same mindset our teams bring to the Rally: to take on the challenge, overcome obstacles, be resilient, stay focused on the task at hand, complete each stage, and be proud of what they were able to accomplish. That alignment with what the Rally represents to how we think at Stryten was what inspired us to become a Gold Partner.
Stryten employees have competed in the Rebelle themselves. What was it like watching members of your own team take on the challenge out in the desert and off-grid (and out of the office!)?
The first year our team participated in the Rebelle was stressful! We weren’t sure if they were fully prepared. This type of event was completely out of their wheelhouse and new to them. Jully and Amanda embraced the challenge and faced the unknown with the same tenacity they bring to their jobs at Stryten. Their goal was to finish, and I’m proud to say they accomplished that goal.
We will have two teams in the Rebelle this year, and while you can never prepare for every situation they may encounter in the Rally, we now have an experienced team with two Rallies under their belt to help train our new Rebelles. That has helped build confidence and recruit new Stryten women to take on this challenge. It’s exciting to see the program grow in our organization, and I look forward to Stryten teams participating for many years to come.
You’re known to spend some of your spare time off-roading and even host customer events in places like Moab. What originally pulled you into that world, and what do you enjoy most about getting off pavement?
We like to do things a little differently at Stryten. I’ve been off-roading since I first got my license at 16. I take any chance I have to get out of town and take on challenges on my motorcycle and 4WD. There’s something personally fulfilling about being off the beaten path and testing your skills, which led me to the idea of bringing an off-road experience to our customers.
Lots of companies host company events at golf tournaments or other sporting events. But we wanted to provide our customers with an experience you don’t often have, rock-crawling in Jeeps. For the past three years, we have invited our customers on an adventure in Moab to rock-crawl on trails with a few “white-knuckle” obstacles in some of the most majestic terrain in America. This year, we’ll take our fleet of modified Jeeps to Breckenridge to tackle new trails. There is always a little apprehension for the first timers, but once they have faced what might seem like an impossible rock formation to go up, they are hooked! There’s a bit of an adventure-seeker in all of us, and it’s fun to give our customers and partners the opportunity to bring that out and experience the thrill of rock-crawling.
Energy storage might not seem like the most obvious connection to an off-road rally at first glance, yet reliable power in remote locations is crucial. How does Stryten’s technology and mission align with an event like the Rebelle?
We rely on batteries to get us to work, transport goods across the country, and keep the lights on when power fails. Every vehicle in the Rally relies on a battery to start the vehicle and power electronics, such as safety features. At Stryten, we make batteries that are essential to powering all of these needs.
Like the Rebelle Rally participants, our batteries are put through the paces in real-life, demanding situations. Our Rebelles’ jeeps are powered by Stryten Energy’s Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFBs) that are built to last in high-heat environments and withstand the increased electrical demands of today’s vehicles. Our rock-crawling Jeeps run on Stryten’s EFBs and have proven to be durable and perform in tough conditions. You certainly don’t want a dead battery when you’re in an off-road, remote location. Our EFBs provide the reliability and peace of mind you need when you’re off the beaten path.
Aside from powering vehicles, we supply backup power systems around the world that can be used for emergencies or normal power requirements.
We have taken backup power a step further with our mobile microgrid concept, powered by a hybrid diesel-electric Jeep. The aftermath of a storm can leave entire communities in the dark. But even when disaster cuts access to power, a mobile microgrid can bring the power where it is most needed. Stryten Energy’s Mobile Microgrid, named “Reluctance,” acts as a self-sustainable power station on wheels, delivering critical disaster relief and an emergency power supply to places with prolonged outages. Reluctance features a Stryten Energy 100‑kilowatt lithium battery capable of powering a typical home for up to three days and functions as a mobile energy solution with flexible power distribution.
Reluctance is a modified 2007 Jeep JK running a 5.9‑liter Cummins inline‑six cylinder producing about 410 horsepower. Reluctance is ideal for off-road environments—it uses 42‑inch Mickey Thompson tires and Dana 80 portals, providing major ground clearance and durability for rough terrain.
Reluctance combines the diesel engine with an EV system built around the IM 4 25 motor‑inverter unit. One IM 4 25 generates electricity for the battery pack, while a second identical unit sends battery power through the transfer case to drive both axles.
It would be great to see Stryten’s stationary batteries or our mobile microgrid powering the Rebelle Rally basecamp in the future!
The Rebelle is built around endurance, precision, and resilience. Do those same qualities show up at Stryten, and if so, how?
Energy storage is an evolving industry, and you have to continuously improve and innovate your product offerings. Launching new products can be a long process of R&D, engineering, installing plant equipment, and establishing new supply chains before you reach the commercialization stage to launch into new markets and customer segments. This takes a team that is focused on the end goal yet stays resilient to navigate challenges and setbacks along the way.
If you think about what it takes for a Rebelle to train, prepare, and then be ready to participate in the Rally, these same disciplines come into play. The Stryten Rebelles have these qualities, not to mention a competitive edge that keeps them going when things get tough.
In your day job, you’re helping shape the future of energy storage. What developments in the industry right now are you most excited about?
If you go back five years, no one was really talking about batteries or energy storage. Today, our country is focused on reshoring domestic manufacturing and strengthening the supply chain for all battery chemistries. Stryten Energy is unique in that we offer three battery technologies to our customers: advanced lead, lithium, and vanadium redox flow batteries. This broad portfolio of energy storage solutions positions us to provide the best battery for our customers’ needs. We’re seeing a growing need for energy resiliency for people and businesses as more and more demand for power is straining the electrical grid. Our batteries provide that resiliency, which is an exciting business to be in and keeps us focused on innovating and developing solutions to solve the world’s most pressing energy challenges.
Watching competitors navigate the Rebelle without GPS, relying on skill, strategy, and teamwork, what stands out to you most about the competitors who take on this challenge?
The unwavering focus they bring to getting the job done is what comes to mind. They have done the work to learn navigation skills and to perform maintenance on their vehicles, and they have packed what they need to survive during the Rally. But those are all table stakes. It’s the decision to finish the Rally, no matter what happens out there, that gives them the physical and mental endurance to tackle each day with resolve and determination. When one of them is tired or frustrated, they can rely on the other to rally and help them push through to complete the day’s mission.
You’ve built a career spanning more than three decades in manufacturing and energy. When you look back, what were some of the key moments that ultimately led you to the CEO seat at Stryten Energy?
I’ve learned a lot over my career in manufacturing, but what ultimately drove me to lead Stryten Energy was the relentless pursuit of understanding the energy storage business and linking it to what consumers and businesses need. Looking back, each role I held from the beginning of my career has prepared me for the next. My career journey has shaped me into a leader who can recognize the talents of my team and empower them to make decisions that keep the business successful and growing. That approach has resulted in the best leadership team I’ve ever worked with. The results speak for themselves.
If you could take any vehicle on a dream off-road trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and who’s your navigator?
Hands down, it would be the Camel Trophy Series. I would be at the wheel, and my brother, Tim, would be the navigator.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about Stryten Energy’s continued involvement with the Rebelle community?
I’ve been proud to see how the Stryten Energy team has embraced and supported our Rebelles participating in the Rally, and I am excited to see our partnership with Rebelle grow now that we’re a Gold Sponsor. We see this as a great platform to involve more women across our company, as well as invite our customers to experience parts of the Rally. I hope to see the Rally branch out to other locations and countries too, like the Camel Trophy Series.
And lastly, any words of wisdom?
Don’t quit. It’s eight days, so take your time and stay focused on your goals. The Rally provides women with the opportunity to test their skills and abilities. Success doesn’t depend on how fast you go, or if you have a big company sponsoring you, it’s about tactical execution and being committed to finishing. A little bit of luck helps too.
