Network Visibility: A Path to Increased Grid Reliability, Performance, and Safety [an Energy Central PowerSession™]

Driven by the convergence of a multitude of factors – aging infrastructure, digitization, the explosion of distributed energy, and intelligent infrastructure, to name a few – the utility industry has undergone sweeping changes over the last decade. To be able to deliver energy in this challenging, real-time environment, utility leaders need to have networks that are reliable, safe, scalable, and flexible…AND they need to be able to have improved, more granular levels of visibility into the networks to support and drive a suite of emerging use cases. Join us for the PowerSession where we’ll hear from subject matter experts from the leaders in network visibility, system integration, and utility operations and learn how:

• Managing PLTE and private 5G networks is part of their critical infrastructure strategy,
• Utilities  are executing on use cases that deliver business value by leveraging improved network visibility,
• Improved network visibility is improving a utility’s safety and security posture, and enabling grid modernization and AMI 2.0.

Panelists

Adam Nathan, Area Director for the Utilities and Energy Industry, WWT

Adam Nathan is the Area Director for the Utilities and Energy Industry for World Wide Technology (WWT). Adam has been at WWT for 10 years, all of which spent serving the Energy and Utility industries in a mix of Sales Leadership, Business Development and Management Consulting. In addition, Adam is a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), serving the industry in an effort to improve telecommunications infrastructure and operations.
 

Bri Swierstok, MBA, Manager, Telecommunications Operations & Maintenance, SMUD

Bri Swierstok is the Manager of Telecom Operations & Maintenance at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), where she leverages over 13 years of experience in the utility industry, including a decade dedicated to utility operations. Bri holds a Master’s in Business Administration from CSU Sacramento and is passionate about driving operational excellence and fostering positive change within her organization. She is dedicated to building trust and breaking down barriers to enhance collaboration and efficiency. Additionally, Bri is a participant in the 2025 U2030 RADIATE program, furthering her commitment to innovation, leadership and empowering women in the utility sector.

Rick Fulwiler, Senior Director, Product Management, NESCOUT

Rick leverages three decades of technology experience in the Telecom industry to his position as Senior Director, Product Management at NETSCOUT working closely with our global customers and strategic partners on AIOps / Analytics, 5G SA and Virtualization. Prior to moving to the Product Management office, he spent a few years in our CTO office when he was repatriated back to the US in 2016.   Rick spent three years as Vice President of Sales- EMEA for Tektronix Communications in their United Kingdom office. Before his international role, he served as Tektronix Communications Director of Sales for the Americas since 2006. Before Tektronix Communications, Richard sent 5 years as the Director of North American Sales for Ixia and 7 years as the Director, North American Sales for Tekelec. Rick has also held senior Product Marketing and Application Engineering leadership roles with a Telecom OSS/EMS startup now a part of VIAVI Solutions, over the course of 10+ years.

Mike Smith (Moderator), Principal, Utility 2030 Collaborative

Mike is a 31-year veteran of the utility ‘smart grid’/IT/automation, information services and media business, and is currently Principal with Utility2030. Previously, he was an Industry Principal at SAS, where he was involved in client engagement, thought leadership, and business development activities to drive growth of the SAS utilities business. Prior to joining SAS, Mike was Vice President, Sales & Marketing at E Source.