Reinvention in Motion

By Carole Reinert

At first, Paul McMahon’s career followed a relatively straight line.  He earned an undergraduate degree in physics, then became an officer in the Army. When he was discharged, he launched and taught robotics and engineering at a high school. 

His focus was clearly on science. Then, he enrolled in an MBA program.

“An MBA gave me a chance to reinvent myself professionally,” he says. McMahon (MBA ’24) pursued an MBA program to gain the formal business knowledge necessary to turn an invention into something scalable. 

During the pandemic, he and a friend invented a machine, called Kevo, to make cold brew coffee.

They quickly learned it takes more than a patent to bring a product to market.

“While building Kevo and working closely with manufacturers, I realized I wanted to manage large-scale projects, especially in manufacturing and technology. That aligned well with my passion for science and environmental stewardship,” says McMahon. 

He served in the military as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer, where he was trained in identifying, disarming, and safely disposing of various types of ordnance, including nuclear weapons. From that experience, he gained a deep respect and fascination for nuclear science, safety, and innovation.

Imagine how thrilled he was to learn that Westinghouse, one of the world’s oldest and most respected nuclear energy companies, was interviewing for project management roles. Suddenly, a new career was taking shape.

Today, this married, father of two is employed as an innovation product manager at Westinghouse.

“My MBA didn’t just help me build my business; it helped me return to my technical roots and combine my military background, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for innovation into a career that truly excites me,” he says.

As he looks back over his career, he doesn’t see a zig-zagging line. Instead, he sees a path that “reflects someone who’s been following his passion, constantly learning, and striving to make a meaningful impact. I’ve never been someone who sticks to just one lane. I find everything too fascinating.”

His advice for others considering a new venture is to “start before you feel ready. You will never have all the answers up front, but clarity comes through actions.”

If your career has taken you down an exciting, unexpected path, we want to hear from you!

Send your story to McCloskey@business.pitt.edu, and you just might be featured in the next issue.