Mr. Hartlein currently works with the National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC) as the interim director. He served as NEETRAC’s director starting in 2007 until his retirement in 2020. He spent the first 20 years of his career working at the Georgia Power Research Center, evaluating transmission and distribution materials, developing material specifications and industry standards, managing research and testing programs, and providing engineering services. He came to Georgia Tech in 1996 where he helped to establish NEETRAC, an electric energy focused research and testing organization with over 35 electric utility and manufacturing members.

As NEETRAC's director, Mr. Hartlein works with members, staff, and academic faculty to coordinate and perform research and testing projects related to the transmission and distribution of electric energy. He has served in several leadership roles in industry technical organizations related to this field. In his role as NEETRAC director, he serves as the chair of the NEETRAC Management Board and continues to work as a principal investigator on projects in the field of underground cable systems. Mr. Hartlein obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering, both from Georgia Tech.