Honing Skills
Ohio Wesleyan Student Completes Two Internships with Calpine Energy Solutions
Name: Kevin Fratz '25
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
High School: Cuyahoga Falls High School
Major: Finance
Minor: Economics
OWU Connection Experience: Internship at Calpine Energy Solutions in San Diego, California, with support from a Blaine E. Grimes Grant awarded by OWU's Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship
Fratz spent the summer working at the company, a licensed retail energy provider that seeks to help "businesses transform their energy/carbon management programs from a traditional, transactional approach to a data-driven, sustainable business process." He also worked for the company in 2023.
With the rise of green energy, I believe this market has so much room to grow.
"The 2023 internship I had with them got me interested in the energy market, and I wanted to continue learning about it. With the rise of green energy, I believe this market has so much room to grow.
"I learned a lot of lessons through my internship, and I took a class on financial derivatives (fall) semester to improve my knowledge and skills about them. I didn't realize how connected they were until we started discussing hedging, futures, and forward contracts. I felt like the knowledge I had earned put me a small step ahead, but I enjoyed honing my skills."
Learning As You Go
"I would do anything they asked me to do, even if I didn't know a lot about it. I would help model and price out deals that come in from the sales team and offer support or suggestions on what kind of deal, term length, and any additional add-ons I could to maximize the margin we could make. I also did a lot of market research in the Midwest to see where we could develop business and get our sales team some new leads."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite day was my last day, not because I was done, but because my boss took me surfing for the first time. I learned about the stingray shuffle, that I was a goofy rider, and that surfing is way harder than it looks."
Campus Involvement
"I am the treasurer for Phi Gamma Delta and on the community service committee." Fratz also is an Accounting and Finance Fellow, a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar, and a Woltemade Economics and Business Fellow.
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose OWU because of the smaller, community feel of the campus. It was the only campus tour I took that I could remember where everything was – it just felt organized and efficient. I have made friends for life, and I will always miss coming back after I graduate."
My Plans After Graduation
"I plan to get a job in the finance field, pursue my CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst credential), and build a family."