Built on Legacy, Powered for Tomorrow
PowerUp is carrying forward a legacy of dependable energy solutions with our state-of-the-art EV charging network. Inspired by a tradition of providing accessible and reliable fueling, we’ve embraced the electric vehicle revolution to offer an effortless charging experience. Our commitment to innovation and strong community partnerships ensures every charge supports your journey. Whether you’re heading out on a cross-country road trip or simply commuting, PowerUp transforms electric travel into an enjoyable and smooth experience. By continuing to build on a heritage of reliability and excellence, we aim to fuel your adventures and help you go farther with every charge.
Our advanced fast-charging technology delivers a significant charge in minutes, allowing you to get back on the road with minimal downtime.
Our charging stations are engineered with high-quality components and rigorous testing to ensure consistent, dependable performance every time you plug in.
Our chargers feature innovative design elements and customizable options that provide a distinctive and tailored charging experience unlike any other.
For generations, fueling stations have kept drivers moving, making travel easy and accessible. As electric vehicles become more common, the need for reliable charging solutions has grown. PowerUp is bridging the gap. Built on a foundation of fueling expertise, PowerUp is creating a fast, reliable, and accessible charging network—so every EV driver can hit the road with confidence and go the distance with ease.
For generations, the Kimbro family has understood the importance of energy dispensing and meeting the traveler’s needs. Their focus on providing energy, regardless of the source, led them to strategically place fueling stations within communities, offering convenience and speed. These fueling stations became vital hubs for economic activity, with communities building around them. They not only provided fuel but also served as centers for commerce and social interaction.
As time passed, technology began to evolve with the introduction of electric vehicles. Jessie Hensley and Josh Turner, two EV enthusiasts, loved their vehicles but found long-distance travel challenging due to the lack of charging infrastructure. This lack of infrastructure became more pressing with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which offered grants and incentives to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.
Josh and Jessie developed a concise strategy to improve EV infrastructure and reduce range anxiety. They named this strategy PowerUp. Their journey led them to the Kimbro family, who were experienced in running energy fueling stations. Sharing a mutual concern for the limitations faced by EV users, they decided to partner with the Kimbros to establish a reliable network of EV charging stations. This partnership focused on reducing range anxiety by strategically placing charging stations, making long-distance travel more feasible for EV owners.
PowerUp stands at the forefront of the electric vehicle infrastructure revolution. The company is actively expanding its network of charging stations, ensuring that EV users can travel confidently across long distances. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, PowerUp stands a trusted partner in the journey towards an effortless EV experience.
Josh Turner is the co-founder and CEO of PowerUp America, where he is driving the expansion of high-speed EV charging infrastructure across the Southeast with a focus on performance, reliability, and regional impact. As a serial entrepreneur with a background in technology and service-driven industries, Josh brings a dynamic approach to scaling infrastructure in ways that are both future-focused and grounded in operational excellence.
Josh’s leadership is defined by his ability to connect vision with execution. He helped launch PowerUp America by recognizing a clear market gap: the Southeast needed charging infrastructure that was not only fast but trusted by local communities, built by local partners, and supported by experienced operators. Drawing from a successful track record of launching and growing businesses, Josh has built PowerUp into a company capable of executing with the speed of a startup and the dependability of a legacy enterprise.
He works closely with utility partners, state agencies, real estate developers, and private landowners to ensure PowerUp’s charging stations are strategically placed, financially sustainable, and accessible to drivers across both urban corridors and rural highways.
With a deep belief in the Southeast’s role in America’s energy future, Josh is leading PowerUp to become more than a charging company—it’s a trusted infrastructure partner committed to creating jobs, accelerating transportation access, and strengthening energy independence across the region.
Jessie Hensley is the president and co-founder of PowerUp America, where he leads the company’s mission to expand reliable, high-speed EV charging and mission critical infrastructure across the Southeast. With a deep background in large-scale construction and energy systems, Jessie brings a rare blend of operational expertise and strategic vision to the rapidly evolving transportation sector.
Jessie began his career at Tri City Grading, his family’s construction firm in Kingsport, TN, where he managed major infrastructure projects and developed a hands-on understanding of regional development challenges. He later transitioned to lead development for hyperscale AI data centers, where he gained deep insight into energy efficiency, grid dynamics, and the future demands of connected infrastructure such as V2X and VPP systems.
Jessie co-founded PowerUp America to meet a vital need in the Southeast, delivering a safe, reliable, and unique charging experience through a system crafted by local teams who understand the region. This tailored approach integrates an all-of-the-above energy strategy, blending electrification with the Southeast’s traditional strengths to create jobs, expand energy access, and unlock long-term value for communities.
As both an EV driver and industry leader, Jessie is deeply committed to building the infrastructure that powers a more independent, connected, and resilient future.
Brooke Kimbro Vizard is Vice President at Kimbro Oil Company, a third-generation Tennessee-based energy and fluid services provider. She leads strategy, innovation, and new venture development across the Kimbro portfolio, including cutting-edge solutions like immersive cooling for data centers and edge AI infrastructure.
As a board member of PowerUp America, Brooke brings a unique blend of operational experience, future-focused leadership, and deep family legacy in fueling and logistics. Her insight is shaped by her work in both traditional and emerging energy sectors—including fossil fuels, alternative fuels, and electric vehicle infrastructure—and a strong commitment to responsible, long-term stewardship.
Brooke also plays a key role in her family’s commercial real estate holdings and currently serves as President of the Tennessee Fuel & Convenience Store Association. Actively engaged in regional workforce development and infrastructure planning, she brings a systems-level perspective to the PowerUp board—helping guide the company as it scales charging infrastructure with purpose, innovation, and trust.
Leila Frost Wiggins serves on the PowerUp America board as part of the third generation of the Kimbro family. Leila brings a valuable generational perspective to the company’s mission and long-term vision. Her presence on the board reflects the Kimbro family’s deep commitment to thoughtful ownership, future stewardship, and preparing the next generation to lead with purpose.
With a strong connection to the legacy that built Kimbro Oil Company and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives PowerUp forward, Leila’s voice reinforces the company’s focus on building for the future—grounded in trust, service, and innovation.
Des Carlisle serves as Chief of Staff for Kimbro Companies, a multi-generational family enterprise with a diverse portfolio spanning fuel distribution, retail, energy services, real estate, and emerging ventures. In her role, Des leads cross-company strategy and operations, helps steer investment decisions, and plays a central role in aligning the family’s long-term ownership vision with daily execution.
She also serves on the board of PowerUp America, where she brings her experience in fueling infrastructure, operations, and strategic partnerships to support the company’s growth in electric vehicle charging across the Southeast.
Des previously served as Executive Director of the Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance (SHEA), where she helped relaunch the organization and position it as a regional voice for hydrogen development.
Prior to joining Kimbro, Des spent a decade at Southwestern Energy in various operational and leadership roles. She holds a BA in Energy Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Oklahoma and currently lives in Nashville with her husband.
PowerUp is proud to partner with an array of outstanding institutions all working together to empower communities to embrace electric vehicles confidently.
