Michael Hudson, chairman and CEO of iPower Energy Systems, was not good at retirement.

Previously in the corporate administration of Rolls-Royce Allison, Hudson retired from the business in 2002 only to return to it again in November 2005 when he helped buy iPower from Detroit Edison.

“I flunked retirement, and I bought this place,” he said.

Maybe his persistent dedication to the technology industry is why Hudson was asked to sit on the National Academies’ Panel on Air and Ground Vehicle Technology, which assesses new technology for the U.S. Army.

“I think it speaks well on what we’re doing here at iPower,” Hudson said. “It means iPower is considered a technological company.”

iPower Energy Systems creates advanced generation equipment. According to information Hudson provided, the company “designs, develops, manufactures and supports power generation equipment.”

To a non-technical person, basically, the company makes energy-efficient, environmentally friendly equipment that provides heat and power.

The nomination to the panel is good for iPower and for Anderson, Hudson said.

“It’s indicative of the type of businesses that are attracted to Anderson these days,” he said.

Being on the panel will allow Hudson to explore new technologies for his business.

“Sitting on the committee provides me with the opportunity to see what the requirements are and what the Army is interested in for new products,” Hudson said.

iPower currently has proposed two products to contract with the Department of Defense: a light-weight portable generator and tactical microgrids.