Welcome Your New Expert Interview Series: Tom Morgan, New Expert in the Utility Management Group – [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Expert Interview]

Join us as we welcome Tom to the Energy Central community and learn from his expertise in delivering results-driven utility programs.

Matt Chester: Welcome to Energy Central as one of our Featured Experts! I’d love to give you a chance to have the community get to know you, so please start by introducing yourself, sharing your role in the power sector, and maybe what your key areas of interest and expertise are?

Tom Morgan: I’m a Senior Principal at Greencastle Consulting, and I’ve been working in the utility sector since 2017. I specialize in taking complex initiatives and turning them into clear, actionable plans that drive results. My work spans program & project management, change management, and process improvement. I really enjoy building teams and creating alignment to drive success.

MC: Utilities often have long project timelines and complex regulatory requirements. How do you adapt traditional project management approaches to be more effective in this environment?  

TM: Delivering large projects in the utility space requires more than just managing scope, schedule, and budget. To be successful, you need to manage all aspects of the project to make sure you arrive at the desired outcome. I focus on creating a shared understanding so that everyone (project teams, leadership, and stakeholders) understands what is being delivered, how it aligns to the organization’s broader strategy, and how it is being delivered. A key part of this is translating detailed project plans into simple, straightforward products so everyone has visibility into critical activities, interdependencies, and decision points. A project isn’t successful just because it finishes on time and within budget. It must deliver its intended value.

MC: Your background includes extensive military leadership experience. What key lessons from your time as an Engineer Officer translate well into managing large-scale utility programs?

TM: My time in the Army gave me valuable leadership experience and taught me how to run complex operations. I learned the importance of clear orders, defined roles & responsibilities, and coordination across teams. Success depended on understanding the commander’s intent and effectively managing people, time, and resources to achieve the mission. The same principles apply to large utility projects, where active sponsorship, clear communication, and structured decision-making make the difference. I’m grateful for my time in the Army and the exceptional people I worked with, who shaped how I solve problems and approach projects today.   

MC: Many utilities are looking to integrate Agile methodologies into their project management approach. What are the biggest challenges you’ve seen in implementing Agile in this sector, and how can they be overcome?

TM: Agile is highly effective for product enhancements and continuous improvement, but one of the biggest challenges in utilities is knowing when it’s the right fit. Agile works well when the requirements are evolving, but for time-constrained projects with a well-defined outcome, a traditional approach can sometimes be more efficient. Utilities operate in a structured regulatory environment that doesn’t always align with Agile’s flexibility. The key is applying Agile correctly, ensuring a shared understanding of priorities, active business engagement, and clear visibility into milestones and dependencies. When used appropriately, Agile helps deliver value faster while staying aligned to business and operational needs.

MC: What emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, predictive analytics) are having the biggest impact on utility program management, and how should leaders prepare for these changes? 

TM: I’m very excited about what can be done with emerging technologies, but I focus on simple solutions, executed well. Some of our technical experts at Greencastle have really been exploring AI technologies. For leaders preparing for these changes, I think the key is starting with clear use cases, aligning business and technical teams, and ensuring robust change management so new tools are effectively adopted. Technology is a powerful enabler, but real success comes from thoughtful execution and integration with business processes.

MC: What are you excited about when it comes to becoming a part of the Energy Central Community? What value do you hope to bring to your peers and what are you hoping you’ll get out of it personally?

TM: I’m excited to connect with others in the industry, learn from their experiences, and share what has worked well for me. My goal is to contribute practical perspectives on program execution, project dynamics, and strategy implementation.

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Thanks to Tom for joining me for this interview and providing a wealth of insights and expertise to the Energy Central Community. You can trust that Tom will be available for you to reach out and connect and ask questions as an Energy Central member, so be sure to make him feel welcome when you see him across the platform.

Other expert interviews in this series can be read here, and if you are interested in becoming an expert, you can reach out to me or  apply here.