Hey, I’m Don!
I'm driven by a passion for driving business growth and transformation in the energy sector. My career trajectory—from hands-on grid operations in Australia to leading multi-million dollar product portfolios in the US—reflects a consistent pursuit of bridging technical possibilities with real-world impact. This journey has uniquely positioned me to excel as a strategic business and technology leader in the Energy SaaS industry.
Want to explore my perspectives on the future of energy?
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My foundation in electrical engineering at Ergon Energy (2009-2011) provided invaluable experience with grid operations, asset management, and implementing alternative energy solutions. Honing my skills with SCADA and control systems, I focused on optimizing grid performance and reliability, gaining a deep understanding of the energy grid's intricacies. This experience instilled a core appreciation for reliability and efficiency.
As an E.S. Cornwall Scholar (2011-2013), I tackled cutting-edge energy challenges internationally. At UK Power Networks, I spearheaded program and project management for a £28 million smart grid pilot, establishing pilots focused on EVs, distributed generation, active network management, smart meters, and demand response. This ignited my passion for driving innovation in the energy sector.
At DNV KEMA in the Netherlands, I led the development of a novel modeling suite for optimizing electricity distribution networks, creating the "grid of 2050" model to evaluate the long-term impacts of emerging technologies. This sharpened my strategic foresight.
I then joined ECOtality in Phoenix as Product Manager for E-mobility Demand Response, serving as the power system subject matter expert on a $100 million EV charger program and developing their demand response market entry strategy. This immersed me in the burgeoning EV and demand response space.
Returning to Australia, I continued to hone my technical and strategic skills, leading utility transformation initiatives and establishing world-leading connection policies that facilitated 1.5GW of new renewable generation. This experience instilled in me the importance of balancing technical feasibility with commercial and regulatory realities—a crucial skill that continues to inform my approach today. One particularly impactful project involved leading a PMO to deliver a $54M smart grid program. By focusing on efficient execution and meticulous planning, we completed the program 36% under budget, on time, and fully within scope, demonstrating my ability to deliver large-scale technical projects effectively, and being recognized with the Queensland Premier’s Excellence in Leadership award.
In 2017 with the formation of Energy Queensland following the $25B merger of Ergon Energy and Energex, I took on a pivotal role as Manager of Intelligent Grid and Future Energy - leading a team of engineers and analysts to spearhead the utility’s strategic transformation. I delivered the Future Grid Roadmap, guiding the business through the disruptions of decarbonization, evolving customer expectations, and emerging technologies. Overseeing $30M of R&D initiatives and leading due diligence for startup investments, enabled me to hone my strategic leadership and ability to drive large-scale change within a complex organization.
My journey then led me to Tendril to support the formation of Uplight in 2019, where I transitioned into product leadership. As VP of Product, I manage a $50M+ P&L for a Virtual Power Plant offering, serving utilities and their customers across North America, EU, and APAC. Leading product and technology strategy for the $200M M&A evaluation, transaction, and integration of Autogrid was a defining achievement, demanding technical expertise, commercial acumen, and seamless team integration. I also led the merger of four business lines into a new $80M Residential Customer Solutions business, embedding a product model that optimized OPEX by 25%, while retaining key talent and improving employee satisfaction.
Beyond my core roles, I’m deeply committed to advancing the energy industry. My contributions as an advisor and leadership committee member for organizations like Engineers Australia, the Clean Energy Council, the Australian Energy Storage Alliance, and Boulder County’s Energy Impact Offset Fund have allowed me to contribute to shaping policy, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
I'm confident my unique blend of technical expertise, product vision, and strategic leadership can significantly impact your organization's success in the dynamic energy sector. I invite you to connect and explore the possibilities for how we can partner or expand our collective impact.