Rimvydas Adomavičius, Head of the Electrical Engineering Division at Tetas, a company belonging to the EPSO-G energy group, has been working in the energy sector for more than 18 years and volunteering in the Lithuanian Armed Forces for two decades. He says that responsibility and teamwork are equally important when leading a team of electrical engineering specialists as when wearing a soldier’s uniform.
From Electrician to Head of the Department
Adomavičius began his career at Tetas in 2007. At that time, he was a second-year student at Kaunas University of Technology and joined the company as an electrician in the RPA division, quickly immersing himself in the world of complex energy projects.
Over the years, the talented specialist climbed the career ladder: first as an engineer, later as a project manager, and today he leads the entire Electrical Engineering Department.
“The company gave me a wealth of knowledge and practical experience – without it, I probably would not have become a department head,” admits Adomavičius.
Currently, 37 specialists work under his leadership.
In 2022, he was awarded recognition by the Minister of Energy for his significant contribution to the sector.
With his extensive experience, he notes that each project brings new challenges. “Every site has its unique aspects. Unexpected issues often arise during implementation, and we need to solve them quickly,” he explains. One unusual task was laying 22 kilometers of underground cables in the Medininkai area, connecting 22 small substations – a scale of cabling that was unprecedented at the time.
Loyalty to the company, he says, is also strengthened by an excellent team. “The colleagues I work with are very strong – without them, I would not have come this far,” Adomavičius emphasizes, giving much of the credit for success to his coworkers.
Serving in the Military out of Calling
Patriotism and an attraction to the uniform have been with Adomavičius since youth. His father was a police officer, and at home they often watched historical films together. Right after finishing school in 2004, he joined the National Defence Volunteer Forces.
“I was drawn to the uniform from a young age – while still in school I had already decided to volunteer. I went, was accepted, and stayed,” he recalls.
During his 20 years of service, he has advanced in the military just as in his civilian career. “Just like I started as an electrician at work and became a department head, in the army I began as a machine gunner and became a squad leader,” he says.
Today he commands a squad of 9 soldiers, holds multiple instructor qualifications, and has led numerous courses for younger soldiers.
In 2009, he spent six months on an international mission in southern Afghanistan. “That mission was probably the highlight of my military service. Not everyone gets the chance, so I was very glad to contribute,” he recalls.
Preparation took five months in Lithuania, followed by six months of real patrols in a war zone, guarding a base in a remote mountain province. “That experience was invaluable and shaped me for life,” he admits.
This year, Adomavičius was awarded the medal “For Exemplary Service,” one of many honors he has received.
He has also taken part in significant recent operations – for example, during the 2021 illegal migration crisis, he was deployed to guard the border. Interestingly, Tetas was building the physical barrier at the same section of the border at the same time, so in a way, both of his worlds came together.
Responsibility and a Cool Head
Both at work and in service, Adomavičius must lead teams and take responsibility. He notes that the two roles complement each other. “Everything runs in parallel – I lead squads in both areas. There I have 9 soldiers, here I have 37 energy specialists; only the tactics differ,” he says.
In both settings, he strives to lead by example, whether in uniform or at the office. Military discipline helps him organize work more effectively, while combat experience teaches him to keep a cool head in stressful situations. “I try not to react impulsively to problems – I don’t flare up like a match. Everything must be thought through and weighed,” he explains, noting that rash decisions are ineffective both on the battlefield and in complex projects.
He has developed a habit of assessing risks and preparing a plan B before taking on a task. “I immediately plan for what could go wrong – it’s a practice I brought from the military into project management,” he says.
Experience in the energy sector is also useful in service. Skills in planning, communication, and teamwork honed at work help him operate effectively in the military as well. Both areas demand similar leadership qualities: the ability to assign tasks clearly, motivate teams, and mentor young specialists.
Balancing Work, Service, and Family
When asked how he manages to balance demanding work and regular military training, Adomavičius answers candidly: “Until I became a department head, it wasn’t easy – I was studying, working, building a family. But the tough years are behind me, and now it’s easier to balance everything.”
He insists that his dual activity does not exhaust him – on the contrary, it enriches daily life. “Service doesn’t drain me physically or mentally. Sometimes it’s even better to go on exercises – walking through the forest helps me relax from work,” he says.
Even on rare weekends when he doesn’t have to work or serve, he avoids idle time. “I never spend a weekend just sitting at home in front of the TV. If I have free time, I use it actively – with my family we travel around Lithuania, visit castles, museums,” he explains.
Active living has become a natural part of his routine – now he says he would feel restless if he had to spend the whole weekend at home.
Summing up, Adomavičius concludes: “Duty to the Homeland and civilian work are compatible – both allow me to contribute to national security, develop responsibility, and strengthen leadership skills that are useful in all areas of life.”
