Welcome to the Utility Broadband Alliance
Summit & Plugfest
2025

Bobbi Harris is a recognized leader and expert in the smart water and smart city industries, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and transformation within the utility sector. As the founder of Smart Water Smart City, Bobbi has built a reputation for her deep knowledge of market analysis, strategic intelligence, and cutting-edge marketing strategies, positioning her as a visionary in the field.

Throughout her distinguished career, Bobbi has specialized in addressing the evolving challenges of the utility industry, with a particular focus on smart water solutions, energy management, and telecom infrastructure. She has played a pivotal role in identifying key business and technology drivers that shape the future of water and energy utilities. Her work has spanned across the development of innovative technologies and strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing resource management and enhancing operational efficiency within the utility sector.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Bobbi led the creation and successful launch of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a pioneering effort aimed at improving broadband connectivity within the utility industry. Currently, she serves as UBBA’s Executive Director, where she continues to shape the future of broadband and utility integration.

Bobbi’s leadership and contributions to the smart energy sector have been recognized globally, with her being named one of the 2019 Global Smart Energy Elites by ESI. Her passion for the utility industry and its critical role in shaping sustainable cities and communities remains a driving force in all of her work.

A summa cum laude graduate from Campbell University, Bobbi further honed her expertise with an MBA from the same institution, cementing her foundation for continued leadership and innovation within the smart water and smart city sectors.

Bentina Chisolm Terry leads Southern Company’s telecommunications subsidiaries Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, Inc. which focus on providing mission critical LTE wireless and dark-fiber networks and services to electric utilities, businesses and public sector agencies.

Bentina has a track record of delivering transformational solutions that create value.  She leverages her extensive legal and regulatory expertise, her relationship orientation and her business knowledge to produce outcomes that benefit both customers and the company.

A versatile and strategic leader, Bentina serves on several boards of directors.  She is a board member of Mueller Water Products (NYSE: MWA), where she is part of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and the Environment, Health and Safety Committee.  Additionally, she serves on the boards of the International Women’s Forum – Georgia and two wireless industry associations—CTIA and the Competitive Carriers Association as well as the advisory board for OnBoard.   She is also chairperson of North Carolina State University Foundation Board.

Terry came to Southern Linc and Southern Telecom from Georgia Power where she served as senior vice president of Customer Strategy and Solutions.  She joined Georgia Power in 2001 and during her career, held roles of increasing responsibility in External Affairs, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Community and Economic Development, Corporate Communication, Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Compliance and Ethics, Corporate Services and Power Delivery at Gulf Power (now Florida Power & Light), Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear, where she served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

For several consecutive years, Bentina has been recognized as one of Atlanta Magazine’s 500 Most Influential Atlantans and one of Atlanta Business League’s 100 Most Influential Women.   In 2025, she was recognized as a Director to Watch by Directors and Board Magazine.  She was named a Woman of Influence by Atlanta Business Chronicle (2024) and one of the Greater Atlanta YWCA’s Women of Achievement (2020).

Bentina is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and Georgia State Bar, Leadership Atlanta, Leadership North Carolina, Leadership Florida, the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the International Women’s Forum, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Incorporated.  She is a founding member of Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB) organization.

Anthony Vincent Bova, Founder & President of EdgeWork Method and Bova Actors Workshop, has trained actors and executives for over three decades. Called the “missing link” by Fortune 500 leaders, engineers, and scientists, he identifies root communication challenges 99–100% of the time in the first session. 

This November, he will facilitate “The Only Woman … With a Seat at the Table!” at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest Women of UBBA Breakfast Workshop.

Stacey Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of ADB Companies, where she leads one of the nation's fastest-growing infrastructure service providers. With a focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer success, Stacey is driving ADB's mission to build the technology infrastructure that powers progress, from fiber in the ground, through wireless in the air, to data centers transforming the cloud-creating connections that matter.

Stacey joined ADB in 2022 as Chief Operating Officer, bringing with her a deep background in telecom, utilities, and large-scale network deployment. Prior to ADB, she spent over 26 years at AT&T, where she held senior leadership roles spanning construction, engineering, and wireless and fiber deployments across diverse geographies. Her experience includes leading cross-functional teams of 8,000+ and managing partner ecosystems of more than 4,000 vendors.

Throughout her career, Stacey has been recognized for building high-performing teams, scaling operations, and driving complex network transformation programs. She's a champion for diversity in STEM and an active advocate for women in leadership-supporting organizations like Women of AT&T, Teach for America, and most recently becoming a member of the Women's Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF).

Stacey holds an MBA in Finance from Saint Louis University and has been featured as one of ISE Magazine's Top Women in Telecom. Outside of work, Stacey enjoys traveling, surfing, snow skiing, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her family.

Julie Turner is an accomplished executive with 34 years of experience in the energy industry. 

She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Power Grid Operations Grid Services which includes the responsibility of enterprise fleet services, lighting, vegetation management, training and learning services and Business Enablement functions. 

She recently served as the Vice President of Carolinas Dispatchable Generation for Duke Energy where she managed a fleet responsible for producing 20,000 Megawatts of power generation for customers in the Carolinas. 

She began her career with Duke Energy (legacy Carolina Power & Light) in 1991 as a design engineer at Harris Nuclear Plant. She has held many roles throughout her career with growing responsibility in operational and business management roles, including inventory management, audit services, and station manager. She is passionate about keeping work processes simple and eliminating obstacles that hinder employees from achieving their goals. 

Julie is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Master of Business Administration. She is also a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

Alice Moy-Gonzalez joined Anterix in 2016, and is currently the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, responsible for planning and executing the company’s integrated business and corporate strategy. Prior to joining Anterix, Alice gained a combined 16 years of experience in the clean energy technology, smart grid and telecommunication industries at GE, Petra Solar, Arcadian Networks and Nextel. In her prior positions she led SaaS sales for the Northeast region, Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT) product development including networking, software and services, business development and strategy for utility telecom, and RF engineering.  

Named a Fierce Wireless 2017 influential woman in startups, and recipient of a Public Utilities Fortnightly Top Innovator award, Alice has proven to be a role model both in the industry as well as in the community in which she lives, launching and chairing interactive STEM experiences to elementary school families.  

Alice holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad, and a Master’s in business administration from Mercy College, NY.  

Richard Donaldson serves as vice president and chief information officer for Duke Energy. He is responsible for the company’s digital strategy, including technology initiatives, reliability, vulnerability and life cycle management, as well as oversight of infrastructure operations and telecom. His current focus is on leveraging digital capabilities and artificial intelligence to transform the company’s internal operations, modernize customer experiences and help the company achieve its energy transition goals.

Donaldson joined Duke Energy in 2001 as an engineer in enterprise applications. He took on progressively expanding roles, including leading application infrastructure/architecture for the corporate applications domain until 2010, when he joined the telecom organization. While in telecom, Donaldson had responsibility for the company’s wireless communications systems, including land and plant mobile radio systems used by Duke Energy's operations fleet. In 2013, Donaldson joined the Program Management Office (PMO), where he was named division manager in 2014. After leading the PMO through the Progress Energy merger integration projects, Donaldson assumed the role of leading the digital transformation function.

Before joining Duke Energy in 2001, Donaldson spent four years practicing civil and environmental engineering at a consulting firm in Charlotte. He earned a Master of Science in environmental engineering and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of North Carolina.

Donaldson currently serves as vice chairman of the board of directors for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. He is also an active former board chair of Apparo, a nonprofit in Charlotte that assists local nonprofits with leveraging technology to improve business processes to expand their social change in the community.

He and his wife, Aimee, along with their three daughters, live in Huntersville, N.C. In his spare time, Donaldson enjoys coaching and cheering on his daughters’ sports teams, hiking and skiing in the Banner Elk/Sugar Mountain area, and visiting Holden Beach.

Genevieve Burkindine, a Director of IT Telecom at Duke Energy, is a seasoned technology leader with a diverse background in utility operations and IT management.  In her current role she spearheads transport network planning and oversees Carolinas support and delivery for the network that underpins Duke Energy's electric and gas utilities.

Genevieve joined Duke Energy through the merger with Cincinnati Gas & Electric in 2006.  Prior to joining telecom in 2019, she managed IT solution teams in support of cyber and physical security, Finance, HR, and document management.  Under Genevieve's leadership, telecom recently explored Private LTE technology for Duke Energy. This discovery phase has led to the launch of several strategic initiatives aimed at dramatically enhancing the company's cellular capabilities, directly addressing the evolving needs of their utility business functions.

Genevieve resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is an avid quilter and casual hiker. Genevieve also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity Charlotte and cherishes spending quality time with her kids and grandkids.

John Pressley is the Managing Director of Clean Energy Digital Strategy & Engineering within the Enterprise Technology & Innovation organization at Duke Energy.  John’s responsibilities primarily involve the technologies that support the grid of today and the ones driving the grid of tomorrow. Which includes the advanced distribution management system, GIS, meter, planning apps, sensor data, and the technologies to monitor and control distributed energy resources. His teams leverage technologies such AI and IoT to push the company in new, innovative directions.

Mike Brozek is a 30-year veteran of the Energy Sector. As VP of Customer Success, he is ensuring Anterix 900 MHz spectrum customers realize the full transformative value of PLTE in support of their decarbonization, digitalization, and operational efficiency efforts to modernize our nation's electric grid.

Mark has spent over 30 years creating and developing innovative technology solutions for the wireless communications industry. He is currently focused on private broadband solutions for the critical infrastructure industry and has dedicated many years to broadband solutions for public safety and government agencies. He has a long history with 4G, 3G, and 2G cellular technologies with a focus on iDEN and Push to Talk systems.

Mitch Rappard leads a team focused on enabling, testing, and documenting mobile network security solutions. With experience spanning 3G, 4G, and 5G design and deployments, he partners with operators, integrators, and enterprises to secure networks. He holds multiple mobile security patents and regularly blogs on the topic.

Cyber security architect with 13 years’ experience in designing strategies and implementations for IT, OT, and Telecommunications infrastructure.  I have an MS in Cyber Security and an MBA from the University of Maryland. I have participated in numerous roundtable events with cyber subject matter experts and collaborated on white papers concerning Cyber security in telecommunications.

Jan Forslow is Itron’s Solutions Architect for its cellular solutions, encompasses millions of electric, water and gas meter deployments as well as a large fleet of streetlight network controllers. Jan has a degree in Electrical Engineering and Communications and a more recent Master of Data Science degree from UC Berkeley. Jan has 12 approved patents and has been a delegate for Itron in 3GPP, UBBA and Wi-SUN. Current focus is on how to leverage Cellular Networks with AI-infused SmartGrid use cases.

Oleg Pachkovets is a global IoT leader with over 18 years of experience in business strategy, product development, and technical consulting. As Sr. Manager, Global Business Strategy, Intelligent Connectivity at Itron, he drives multi-network connectivity solutions—spanning LTE, 5G, eSIM, and FirstNet—to support smart grid innovation. His career includes leadership roles at Vodafone Business, Thales, and Gemalto, with a focus on B2B growth and international team leadership. Having worked across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S., Oleg brings a strong global perspective and frequently speaks at industry events like DistribuTECH, where he shares insights on utility transformation and connected infrastructure.

Carson Zerpa is a Senior Business Growth Manager for Grid Management at Itron, and an expert in smart grid, distributed intelligence, and utility operations. With a background in industrial and systems engineering, he has held roles in system engineering, consulting, and sales, supporting utilities across grid modernization initiatives. At Itron, Carson focuses on leveraging distributed intelligence and AMI to enhance grid resiliency, wildfire mitigation, and DER integration. He is a frequent speaker at industry events like Distributech and Utility Analytics Week, helping utilities translate innovation into actionable, data-driven outcomes.

Bobbi Harris is a recognized leader and expert in the smart water and smart city industries, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and transformation within the utility sector. As the founder of Smart Water Smart City, Bobbi has built a reputation for her deep knowledge of market analysis, strategic intelligence, and cutting-edge marketing strategies, positioning her as a visionary in the field.

Throughout her distinguished career, Bobbi has specialized in addressing the evolving challenges of the utility industry, with a particular focus on smart water solutions, energy management, and telecom infrastructure. She has played a pivotal role in identifying key business and technology drivers that shape the future of water and energy utilities. Her work has spanned across the development of innovative technologies and strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing resource management and enhancing operational efficiency within the utility sector.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Bobbi led the creation and successful launch of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a pioneering effort aimed at improving broadband connectivity within the utility industry. Currently, she serves as UBBA’s Executive Director, where she continues to shape the future of broadband and utility integration.

Bobbi’s leadership and contributions to the smart energy sector have been recognized globally, with her being named one of the 2019 Global Smart Energy Elites by ESI. Her passion for the utility industry and its critical role in shaping sustainable cities and communities remains a driving force in all of her work.

A summa cum laude graduate from Campbell University, Bobbi further honed her expertise with an MBA from the same institution, cementing her foundation for continued leadership and innovation within the smart water and smart city sectors.

Ron Brady is a Senior Network Architect with over 30 years of experience leading operational and technical deployment teams. He holds a master’s degree in IT Business Management from WGU Indiana. Throughout his career, Ron has led and contributed to the deployment of diverse wireless technologies, including iDEN, CDMA, GSM, Microwave, Mesh, and LTE networks. His work spans major initiatives with Southern LINC, Sprint, NEXTEL, AT&T, Duke Energy, SBA Technical Services, and Snapping Shoals Electric. As a charter member of UBBA and the technical lead for its inaugural Plug-fest event, Ron brings a wealth of expertise in wireless communications and deployment strategies. His leadership is marked by a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in network architecture.

Ron “Griff” Griffith has worked for Xcel Energy for the past 10 years and supported many facets of technology for the utility during that time. Currently Griff is the IT Manager for OT Connectivity and oversees Xcel’s pLTE project along with the Field Area Network for AMI. Griff leads a team that is focused on delivering a true end to end private cellular network for Xcel Energy’s Electric Generation, Distribution, Transmission and Natural Gas operations. The pLTE network is designed to provide a reliable and resilient private network for the internal business unit’s critical communication needs. Xcel Energy is an investor-owned utility operating in 8 states and provides service to over 5 million customers. Griff is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from Colorado State University where he is also currently enrolled working towards his Master of Science degree in Management of Information Systems.

Mike Brozek is a 30-year veteran of the Energy Sector. As VP of Customer Success, he is ensuring Anterix 900 MHz spectrum customers realize the full transformative value of PLTE in support of their decarbonization, digitalization, and operational efficiency efforts to modernize our nation's electric grid.

Jason Ervin has a passion for communications technology and has devoted much of his career to incorporating advances in technology into utility communications networks. In his more than 30 years with the Lower Colorado River Authority in Texas, Jason has led multiple major technology shifts in both transport systems and mission-critical push-to-talk networks.  He directed efforts for LCRA at the Federal Communications Commission and served in an executive role for LCRA’s broadband use-case development and spectrum procurement. Jason, who now serves as the LCRA senior vice president of Telecom, understands the business needs of utilities and knows firsthand how to integrate technology advances to improve efficiency, security, reliability, and scalability in utilities.

Spencer Burks is a seasoned leader with 15+ years of experience across engineering, operations, strategy, and finance. Currently serving as Director, Private LTE Program at LCRA, he spearheads the design, deployment, and integration of next-generation network infrastructure while architecting comprehensive business strategies that drive organizational growth. Spencer combines deep technical expertise—grounded in electrical and computer engineering—with executive-level strategic thinking developed through his MBA from Texas McCombs. His multidisciplinary background spans corporate development, financial planning, corporate strategy, system operations, and enterprise architecture, positioning him uniquely to bridge the gap between technical innovation and business impact. As a licensed Professional Engineer and TOGAF-certified enterprise architect, Spencer blends deep technical expertise with strategic vision to drive impactful transformation across the utility and telecommunications sectors, consistently turning visionary concepts into operational reality.

Mat is a Wireless Consultant with Burns & McDonnell and provides consulting to help utilities investigate, define and implement their future wireless network strategy. His recent focus has been on wireless security and mission critical services (3GPP MCPTT). Mat has 30+ years experience representing a blend of wireless carrier experience and network strategy and planning experience at a large U.S. investor owned utility where he championed the spectrum investigation and planning effort that resulted in the initial private LTE deployment. Mat is active in the utility industry and led the first three UBBA "Plugfest" events.

Victor Atkins is the Director of Security Strategy & Risk Advisory Services for Industrial Cybersecurity in 1898 & Co., a part of Burns & McDonnell, where he consults with executives across critical infrastructure sectors on strategies and initiatives to reduce risks to control system environments posed by advanced cyber threats.   

Atkins was previously the Associate Deputy Director for Operations within the Cyber Intelligence Directorate of the Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence & Counterintelligence (DOE/IN), where he led and managed the Department’s cyber intelligence mission to deliver all-source intelligence products and services relating to foreign cyber threats to the DOE Enterprise and U.S. sector networks. In this role, Atkins led initiatives at the National Laboratories to develop unique capabilities that discover and characterize sophisticated foreign cyber threats with the potential to disrupt energy sector operations, which required collaboration with stakeholders across the Intelligence, National and Homeland Security, cybersecurity, and private energy sector communities.

Since joining the Department of Energy in 2009, Atkins also performed key roles in counterterrorism and counterproliferation. Assigned to the White House National Security Council in 2011, he served three years as the Director of Countering Nuclear Terrorism where he led multiple policy coordination efforts to respond to WMD-Terrorism threats to U.S. interests at home and overseas. He also served three years on detail at the Central Intelligence Agency’s Weapons and Counterproliferation Mission Center leading Community Engagement efforts. 

Atkins holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California at San Diego, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, graduating with distinction from the University of Virginia.

Mr. Spratt serves as the Manager of Cybersecurity Business Liaisons at Southern Company and leads the Cyber Security Program at Southern Communications. With a background in cybersecurity within the government and military contracting sectors, he has dedicated the past 13 years to safeguarding Southern Company’s telecommunications networks. Mr. Spratt is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional and holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance from Western Governor’s University. Outside of work, he is a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoys traveling with his wife and two children.

Possesses four decades of progressive experience in the utility industry, with a comprehensive background in communications technology across diverse roles.

Current position as Lead Portfolio Management Specialist with responsibilities related to grid connectivity strategy for grid modernization.

Providing strategic support for Duke Energy’s enterprise communications by formulating funding approaches and technology plans for telecommunications investments.

Juan Macias is a seasoned Radio Frequency Communications and Electrical Engineer with over 28 years of experience and 13 years managing both engineering and non-engineering teams. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and electronics engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City, Mexico, and has completed over 50 continuing education courses in RF Engineering and Management since 1997. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in designing Cellular Networks (like CDMA, GSM, and LTE), DAS systems, Transport networks (WAN and LPWAN), IoT, Mesh, mm Wave and Edge networks. His professional journey includes leading significant projects, has served as RF Engineer and Lead Engineering teams for large corporations, work as consultant RF Network Engineer for Malaysia’s largest utility company, and currently serving as Lead IT Enterprise Architect for Duke Energy as off February 2022. As a senior member of IEEE since 2016, Juan brings comprehensive knowledge in telecommunication protocols, cellular core systems, compliance regulations, electromagnetics, and antenna theory, while maintaining a leadership philosophy focused on employee growth and team collaboration.

Avishag is the VP of Product Management at OneLayer, with a decade of experience in cybersecurity. Avishag previously was a senior product director at Guardicore (Now an Akamai company) and Head of Product at Aporia. Avishag is an active advocate and mentor for women in cybersecurity and product management and had previously led a curriculum of studies for high school minorities focusing on cybersecurity.

Spencer Burks is a seasoned leader with 15+ years of experience across engineering, operations, strategy, and finance. Currently serving as Director, Private LTE Program at LCRA, he spearheads the design, deployment, and integration of next-generation network infrastructure while architecting comprehensive business strategies that drive organizational growth. Spencer combines deep technical expertise—grounded in electrical and computer engineering—with executive-level strategic thinking developed through his MBA from Texas McCombs. His multidisciplinary background spans corporate development, financial planning, corporate strategy, system operations, and enterprise architecture, positioning him uniquely to bridge the gap between technical innovation and business impact. As a licensed Professional Engineer and TOGAF-certified enterprise architect, Spencer blends deep technical expertise with strategic vision to drive impactful transformation across the utility and telecommunications sectors, consistently turning visionary concepts into operational reality.

David Rines is an attorney at Lerman Senter, where he advises on a variety of regulatory, policy, and transactional issues involving communications services, systems, and technologies. David works with electric and gas utilities and other operators of private and commercial communications networks on issues such as spectrum policy, spectrum acquisition and management, regulatory compliance, infrastructure matters, and new and emerging technologies such as smart grid applications, private LTE (pLTE) deployment, and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). David was recently selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Communications Law. 

Kevin Cookler is an attorney at Lerman Senter.  He advises on regulatory, transactional, litigation, and policy matters for electric and gas utilities, wireless internet service providers, equipment manufacturers and vendors, and other technology companies. 

He regularly advises utilities on issues associated with the licensing, deployment, and use of private LTE spectrum, including FCC eligibility and application requirements, the relocation and clearing process, buildout and renewal criteria, technical standards, assessment of regulatory risks, and other issues.  He has successfully negotiated numerous spectrum purchase and lease agreements for utilities to acquire private LTE spectrum, as well as agreements on behalf of covered incumbents to relocate out of the 900 MHz band.

Spencer Burks is a seasoned leader with 15+ years of experience across engineering, operations, strategy, and finance. Currently serving as Director, Private LTE Program at LCRA, he spearheads the design, deployment, and integration of next-generation network infrastructure while architecting comprehensive business strategies that drive organizational growth. Spencer combines deep technical expertise—grounded in electrical and computer engineering—with executive-level strategic thinking developed through his MBA from Texas McCombs. His multidisciplinary background spans corporate development, financial planning, corporate strategy, system operations, and enterprise architecture, positioning him uniquely to bridge the gap between technical innovation and business impact. As a licensed Professional Engineer and TOGAF-certified enterprise architect, Spencer blends deep technical expertise with strategic vision to drive impactful transformation across the utility and telecommunications sectors, consistently turning visionary concepts into operational reality.

Matt Wakefield is the Director of Information, Communication and Cyber Security (ICCS) at EPRI, where he leads efforts to modernize the electric grid through the integration of emerging technologies in communication, standards, and cybersecurity. His work supports advanced grid applications and addresses cyber threats in interconnected systems. He also leads industry efforts associated with utility digital field workers, secure utility telecommunications and advancing next generation metering (aka AMI 2.0). Since joining EPRI in 2008, Matt has led major research initiatives, including the international Smart Grid Demonstration and data analytics projects. He facilitates strategic collaboration with industry IT/OT leaders through the ICCS Executive Committee. His career began in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Power Plant Reactor Operator, followed by leadership roles at Wisconsin Public Service and Integrys Energy. He holds a B.S. in Technology Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

John Toone is a Technical Sales Account Manager at Forsk, the developer of the industry-leading Atoll wireless network planning software. With over 30 years of experience in the wireless communications industry, John is a subject matter expert in wireless system design, network deployment, and performance optimization. His current focus is on supporting utility companies in the development of private LTE networks.

Andy Knepler is a telecommunications leader with 20+ years of experience designing and managing large-scale wireless networks in the utility and commercial sectors. As Manager – RF Networks /Telecom at Oncor Electric Delivery, he leads a multi-hundred-million dollar private LTE deployment covering 78,000 square miles to support grid modernization and critical connectivity for 13 million Texans. Previously, he spent more than a decade at TMobile, advancing to Senior Manager and overseeing spectrum planning, RAN design, hardware lifecycle management, and deployment strategy across 12 markets, influencing over $1billion in annual infrastructure investments. Andy is recognized for his people-focused leadership style, combined with expertise in network architecture, spectrum management, vendor negotiations, and regulatory compliance. He leverages data analytics to support informed decision-making and business outcomes. He holds an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and is completing his MBA at Texas A&M University.

Bobbi Harris is a recognized leader and expert in the smart water and smart city industries, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and transformation within the utility sector. As the founder of Smart Water Smart City, Bobbi has built a reputation for her deep knowledge of market analysis, strategic intelligence, and cutting-edge marketing strategies, positioning her as a visionary in the field.

Throughout her distinguished career, Bobbi has specialized in addressing the evolving challenges of the utility industry, with a particular focus on smart water solutions, energy management, and telecom infrastructure. She has played a pivotal role in identifying key business and technology drivers that shape the future of water and energy utilities. Her work has spanned across the development of innovative technologies and strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing resource management and enhancing operational efficiency within the utility sector.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Bobbi led the creation and successful launch of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a pioneering effort aimed at improving broadband connectivity within the utility industry. Currently, she serves as UBBA’s Executive Director, where she continues to shape the future of broadband and utility integration.

Bobbi’s leadership and contributions to the smart energy sector have been recognized globally, with her being named one of the 2019 Global Smart Energy Elites by ESI. Her passion for the utility industry and its critical role in shaping sustainable cities and communities remains a driving force in all of her work.

A summa cum laude graduate from Campbell University, Bobbi further honed her expertise with an MBA from the same institution, cementing her foundation for continued leadership and innovation within the smart water and smart city sectors.

Steve Lowe is a Sales Director with the Ericsson Utilities team focused on the delivery of Private Wireless networks supporting their many use cases. He has over 30 years’ experience in the combined Utility and Telecommunications Industry.

In previous roles, he was responsible for leading a consultative sales team focused on Energy and Utility applications including connected devices, partner ecosystem, advanced metering infrastructure, distribution automation, distributed generation, Smart Cities and FirstNet IoT. This included successful solutions delivered in the Investor Owned, Cooperative and Municipal Utility verticals.

Alan McIntyre is the Vice President of Engineering & Operations for a team that is known for providing highly reliable, highly resilient wireless voice and data services for Southern Company systems and users, and for local and state government customers.

He helped develop the company's technology transformation plan that migrated Southern Linc's prior wireless network system to LTE.  The LTE project involved construction of two fully geographically redundant core network data centers and over 1,300 LTE cell sites, installation of VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and MCPTT (Mission Critical Push-to-Talk) sub-systems, and conversions of thousands of voice and data devices from iDEN to LTE.  During the project, he participated in the international 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards organization promoting specifications that were adopted to support Southern Linc's LTE deployment. 

He joined Southern Linc in 1995 as a RF site design and frequency planning engineer. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Auburn University.

Ravindra has over 25 years on experience in telecommunications industry taking on various roles like product development, system performance management, large network roll outs. Ravindra also possesses knowledge and background in electrical power generation and distribution systems. He has been responsible developing pLTE connectivity solutions for one of the largest utilities operators in the US. He is a respected leader in driving innovation and bringing the latest telecommunications technologies to utilities industry to achieve smart grid modernization objectives.

Bruce Albright is the 5G Business Line Manager at Burns & McDonnell, where he leads the firm’s national 4G/5G wireless initiatives. He works closely with utilities to modernize their communications infrastructure by designing and deploying private LTE networks that enhance reliability, security, and long-term cost effectiveness. With over 30 years of experience in wireless telecommunications, Bruce has delivered critical infrastructure for both utilities and public safety organizations.

He played a key role in launching Burns & McDonnell’s private LTE business line, creating foundational business models, deployment strategies, and RFP frameworks now used by numerous investor-owned utilities across the U.S. His work spans architecture design for LTE and IMS core networks, development of total cost of ownership models, and operational planning for complex utility-grade systems.

A recognized leader in LTE EPC/IMS architecture, RF engineering, transport design, and network operations, Bruce brings deep technical insight and strategic vision to every engagement—helping clients navigate emerging technologies with confidence and clarity.

Patrick is the Enterprise Architect, Sr Advisor in the Information Technology – Grid Services group at Southern California Edison. With 20+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Patrick specializes in implementing scalable, cost-efficient Private Wireless (LTE/5G) operations that improve service and drive customer satisfaction. Patrick has successfully developed and executed business strategies that focus on process improvements by leveraging cross functional talent to drive efficiency, including through engineering, software development and other platforms and networks.

Dr Ali Shah is the Head of Technology for Nokia Mobile Networks in North America. Ali has 25 years of experience in Mobile Network Strategy & Solutions, Network Planning and Optimization for Mobile Network Operators as well as Utilities in the North America and Europe.  Dr Shah has a PhD in Wireless Communications and has 14 Patents and numerous papers/white papers in academia and industry.

Greg’s career spans multiple decades wireless communications. His role is to Architect Private Wireless Networks for Utility customers and connect their use cases e.g., Distribution Automation and AMI, to LTE and 5G. Prior to this he has worked as a Product Manager where he collaborated with Engineering, Design, Managed Services, and Project Management teams to successful plan and deliver on-time product deployments for customers worldwide.

Jan Forslow is Itron’s Solutions Architect for its cellular solutions, encompasses millions of electric, water and gas meter deployments as well as a large fleet of streetlight network controllers. Jan has a degree in Electrical Engineering and Communications and a more recent Master of Data Science degree from UC Berkeley. Jan has 12 approved patents and has been a delegate for Itron in 3GPP, UBBA and Wi-SUN. Current focus is on how to leverage Cellular Networks with AI-infused SmartGrid use cases.

John Sala is a recognized infrastructure and IT leader with experience in experience in utility metering, operations, and communications technology. At Duquesne Light, he oversees metering and operational systems that keep the grid reliable, efficient, and smart. His deep technical background spans all aspects of utility technology—including business development, device manufacturing, technical implementation, and support. He’s driven large-scale smart-metering and IoT initiatives, delivering practical solutions across electric, water, and gas networks. John translates complex grid modernization topics into actionable insights. His wealth of experience and hands-on leadership make him a compelling voice on topics ranging from smart metering deployment to innovation in utility IT.

Daniel Allnutt is an Sr. Technical Consultant at Burns & McDonnell. He builds and maintains a portfolio of devices that can support various wireless technologies, electrical utility requirements and unique radio frequency spectrum requirements. He has more than 14 years of experience in the engineering field focusing on security, product deployments, software development, electrical design, testing and verification, and LTE/5G device integrations.

Mat is a Wireless Consultant with Burns & McDonnell and provides consulting to help utilities investigate, define and implement their future wireless network strategy. His recent focus has been on wireless security and mission critical services (3GPP MCPTT). Mat has 30+ years experience representing a blend of wireless carrier experience and network strategy and planning experience at a large U.S. investor owned utility where he championed the spectrum investigation and planning effort that resulted in the initial private LTE deployment. Mat is active in the utility industry and led the first three UBBA "Plugfest" events.

Ram Swaminathan brings over three decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, with deep expertise in architecting, designing, testing, and troubleshooting cellular packet data core systems from 2G through to 5G Standalone. His career spans a wide range of technologies, including SONET systems, network security, risk and vulnerability assessments, and roaming solutions. Ram has played a key role in integrating business logic into packet core gateway systems for major carriers such as Sprint and T-Mobile. He has also been a pioneer in working with Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and vendors to implement advanced features like online charging, IPSec transport for Lawful Intercept, and per-subscriber stateful firewalls. Currently, Ram is focused on helping utility companies design and deploy private 4G/5G networks tailored for distribution use cases. His areas of specialization include Data and Voice over LTE/NR, Push-to-Talk over 4G and 5G SA, IoT, Private APNs, roaming services, and cellular network security. He brings extensive hands-on experience with operating systems, network automation, cloud-native architectures, IP networking, and protocol analysis.

Brad Doyle is a seasoned IT leader with over 18 years of experience driving digital transformation in the electric utilities sector. He currently oversees the Meter Delivery Team at Duke Energy, where he leads the delivery of advanced Meter to Cash and AMI solutions. Brad specializes in integrating enterprise systems with modern cloud technologies, with a strong focus on AWS-based microservices and AMI optimization.  At Duke Energy, he has played a key role in consolidating and modernizing metering platforms, integrating SAP across multiple regions, and leading the migration of AMI Head End data integrations to scalable cloud solutions. His work has earned him multiple awards and recognitions at Duke Energy, reflecting his impact on both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations.

Earlier in his career, Brad served as a systems integration consultant with Accenture’s North American Utilities practice followed by years as an AMI Smart Grid independent contractor, delivering AMI and outage management projects for major utilities. In addition to his utilities work, Brad co-founded an agriculture technology startup, where he served as an Interim CTO and Technology Advisor from 2017 to 2024. There, he designed and implemented AI ML and cloud-based IoT solutions and integrated with SCADA and Work Management systems tailored for controlled environment agriculture.

Across industries, Brad is known for aligning technology with business goals to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions.

Ryan Sullivan, a Principal IT Business Analyst at Duke Energy, has been a key contributor since 2016. As the Product Owner and Lead of the PI Delivery team, he spearheads innovative solutions to help users extract maximum value from industrial data systems. His expertise spans enterprise architecture, data systems, and the AVEVA PI System, enabling seamless data collection and real-time monitoring across thousands of end devices. Ryan's work focuses on implementing near-real-time data collection systems, modernizing PI architecture, driving cloud migration strategies, and enhancing operational efficiency. His efforts have significantly improved decision-making processes, predictive maintenance, and overall system performance throughout Duke Energy. A recognized expert in utility operations, Ryan's innovative approach continues to drive operational excellence in the utility sector.

Bobbi Harris is a recognized leader and expert in the smart water and smart city industries, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and transformation within the utility sector. As the founder of Smart Water Smart City, Bobbi has built a reputation for her deep knowledge of market analysis, strategic intelligence, and cutting-edge marketing strategies, positioning her as a visionary in the field.

Throughout her distinguished career, Bobbi has specialized in addressing the evolving challenges of the utility industry, with a particular focus on smart water solutions, energy management, and telecom infrastructure. She has played a pivotal role in identifying key business and technology drivers that shape the future of water and energy utilities. Her work has spanned across the development of innovative technologies and strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing resource management and enhancing operational efficiency within the utility sector.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Bobbi led the creation and successful launch of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a pioneering effort aimed at improving broadband connectivity within the utility industry. Currently, she serves as UBBA’s Executive Director, where she continues to shape the future of broadband and utility integration.

Bobbi’s leadership and contributions to the smart energy sector have been recognized globally, with her being named one of the 2019 Global Smart Energy Elites by ESI. Her passion for the utility industry and its critical role in shaping sustainable cities and communities remains a driving force in all of her work.

A summa cum laude graduate from Campbell University, Bobbi further honed her expertise with an MBA from the same institution, cementing her foundation for continued leadership and innovation within the smart water and smart city sectors.