Hudson Valley Community College Chair of the Applied Technologies Program
Dr. Chris McNally doesn’t describe himself as someone who chose the energy field because it was easy or familiar. In fact, quite the opposite. “It’s a relatively new challenge,” he said, explaining that much of his motivation comes from stepping outside his comfort zone and learning things most people don’t yet understand. That challenge—combined with the opportunity to make a lasting impact—is what continues to fuel his work as Chair of Applied Technologies at Hudson Valley Community College.
McNally’s pathway into energy was anything but direct. He began his career as an automotive technician, earning a two-year and spending a decade in the field. As pollution controls became standard in vehicles, he witnessed firsthand how cleaner technologies could improve quality of life. Growing up near Washington, D.C., he vividly remembers the thick smog that once hung over the city. “It’s not there anymore,” he reflected, noting that cleaner cars played a major role in that transformation. Seeing tangible environmental progress over his lifetime shaped both his values as a parent and grandparent and his belief that renewable energy can create similar change.
Today, McNally oversees 13 programs within the Applied Technologies department, most of which intersect with the energy sector in some way. One of his proudest accomplishments has been breaking down silos between traditionally separate technical fields. “It always bothered me,” he recalled, “that I was teaching AC motors after studying them the night before, while experts were literally 15 feet across the hall.” By encouraging collaboration between automotive, electrician, and line worker programs, McNally helped create a learning environment where students gain cross-disciplinary skills and learn to communicate across trades.
This approach has real-world benefits. Automotive students now wire portions of electric vehicle charging systems, while electricians learn how chargers interface with vehicles. “They’ll never do this again in their lives, most likely,” McNally admitted, “but when they have a problem, they can speak to each other intelligently.” That shared language opens doors—not just immediately after graduation, but years down the road if students decide to shift careers.
After nearly 30 years in these programs, McNally finds the greatest reward in his students’ success. Few moments compare to seeing a former student return five years later with a stable, well-paying job. “They’re making six figures, they’ve got good health insurance, and they’re providing for their families,” he said. For him, teaching has always been about growth—watching students enter at 17 or 18 and leave as confident professionals ready to contribute to their communities
Looking ahead, McNally is especially excited by emerging areas like energy storage. While batteries are familiar territory, newer concepts such as thermal storage present another opportunity to learn. “It’s new to me,” he said, “and that’s the challenge of it.” Despite political and societal hurdles that can slow progress, he remains optimistic. Change, in his view, is inevitable.
His advice to future energy students is simple but firm: master the fundamentals. “Everything we’re seeing is just growing from what already exists,” he emphasized. Understanding the basics, staying curious, and learning how to read and evaluate information will prepare students not just for today’s technologies, but for the next wave still to come.
