GRID ASSURANCE - Key Persons
American Electric Power, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and FirstEnergy launched Grid Assurance to provide an industry-led grid recovery solution to mitigate risks from increasing extreme weather, physical attacks, and cybersecurity events on the electric grid all while improving its resilience.
Job Titles:
- Director of Asset Strategy
Dale Russell, Director of Asset Strategy, leads the modeling and analysis of asset impacts due to high-impact, low-frequency events; inventory development; and equipment acquisition. Dale has over 35 years of professional experience.
He also has led transmission and substation asset renewal planning and resiliency efforts at American Electric Power. In this role, he primarily focuses on significant infrastructure renewal programs, but also develops strategic initiatives such as physical and cybersecurity, telecommunications expansion and asset monitoring deployment and spare substation equipment programs.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Chief Executive Officer, Has Extensive Leadership Experience Gained over His 40 - Year Career in Engineering, Aerospace and Utility Industries
David E. Rupert, Chief Executive Officer, has extensive leadership experience gained over his 40-year career in Engineering, Aerospace and Utility industries.
Prior to this role, Rupert was the Director of Business Development for eastern regions of the United States, focusing on PJM and other Eastern ISOs for American Electric Power (AEP). He continues to serve as the Vice President of Business Development for BOLD Transmission, LLC (BOLD® is an advanced transmission technology line design). Previously, Rupert was Director of Delivery Operations for EASi, LLC, providing engineering services to AEP. He also served over a decade in the aerospace industry with McDonnell Douglas as Director of Operations Support, more than a decade in private legal practice, and a number of years in AEP's Supply Chain organization in various roles including the de facto Chief Procurement Officer.
Rupert received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. He also holds a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Law in Business Administration from Capital University Law School. He is trained as an Industrial Engineer and a LEAN Six-Sigma Black Belt.
Job Titles:
- Director - Logistics & Warehouse Operations
- Director of Logistics
James Zumstein, Director of Logistics & Warehouse Operations, has led the effort to develop Grid Assurance secure storage requirements. He identified and assessed many facilities in the U.S. James implemented the warehouse improvements and security improvement requirements. He oversees the equipment maintenance policies to safeguard equipment in long-term storage.
James leads the effort regarding the movement of all equipment. He coordinates with Grid Assurance logistic partner on development of subscriber-specific "delivery plans." In addition, he reviews rail clearances annually to maintain accuracy of delivery routes.
Before his assignment with Grid Assurance, James led a team of AEP transmission project managers in the Indiana/Michigan region. His team provided construction support, leadership, project scheduling, project budget control and financial forecasting. James also supported the purchase and delivery logistics for AEP Transmission EHV transformers and other large equipment.
Job Titles:
- Director - Business Administrations
- Director of Business
Lynn E. McConnell, Director of Business Administrations, is responsible for the development and communication of financial forecasts, budgets, reports and controls.
Lynn's career in Finance has spanned the energy, retail and financial services industries. In her 17-year tenure with AEP, Lynn has provided financial analysis support to Transmission, Corporate Sustainability, Strategy & Policy, Corporate Finance, Retail and Risk Oversight departments. Areas of expertise include financial forecasting, economic modeling and project management. In addition to her energy industry experience, Lynn was a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch and a Financial Analyst in the Retail industry.
Lynn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Finance and Marketing, from The Ohio State University. She also has a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University.