Exclusive Invitation: A Call to Collaborate
What:
Wire the Future Forum 2025
When:
November 3, 2025
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM CT
Where:
West End Conference Center
1600 Utica Ave S. Suite 100
St. Louis Park, MN. 55416
About the Forum
The Wire the Future Forum is a premier, invitation-only event bringing together industry leaders, visionaries and innovators dedicated to powering the future of energy infrastructure. This exclusive gathering is designed to foster collaboration, ignite insightful discussions and accelerate grid transformation across development, engineering, construction, in-service and optimization, or as we call it, The Journey of a Line. Join us as we collaborate to accelerate: connecting ideas, expertise and solutions to energize tomorrow’s world.
Learn more about Ulteig’s vision to Wire The Future
Agenda
Explore the schedule and check back for more information on panelists coming soon!
The Journey of a Line
Development
Laying the groundwork through strategic siting, stakeholder alignment and scalable vision.
Engineering
Transforming ideas into actionable designs that balance innovation, reliability and compliance.
Construction
Bringing infrastructure to life with precision planning and trusted field execution.
In-Service
Ensuring seamless integration and dependable performance from day one.
Optimization
Unlocking greater grid value through advanced technologies and smarter asset utilization.
Participating Panelist Organizations
Michael Rosenblum
Director, Engineering
Michael has 10 years of industry experience starting on the execution teams at the construction management level then transitioning into project engineering followed by engineering leadership. Michael leads teams and projects through development completion, engineering, construction, and project closeout. The mission within Blattner engineering is to merge construction experience, technical expertise, and value engineering.
Holly Lahd
Managing Director, Data Center Energy
Holly Lahd has over a decade of experience with Fortune 100 companies on large load energy agreements. At CBRE she supports clients in navigating complex grid interconnection processes and sourcing timely, reliable, and sustainable power solutions for sites across North America.
Aidan Tuohy
Director, Transmission Operations and Planning R&D Group
Dr. Aidan Tuohy is the Director of EPRI’s Transmission Operations and Planning area. He leads a team of subject matter experts spanning long term planning, operations planning, real time operations, system protection and market design. He joined EPRI in 2010 and has worked on a range of renewable integration, resource adequacy and operational reliability projects. Prior to joining EPRI, Dr. Tuohy worked with the International Energy Agency. He is on the board of ESIG.
Kristine Lombardi
Senior Engineering Manager
Lombardi is a Senior Engineering Manager at Grid United, an independent transmission developer focused on developing interregional lines to strengthen grid reliability. Prior to joining Grid United, Kristine spent 14 years designing transmission lines for utilities. Kristine lives in Colorado with her husband and two young kids, and enjoys hiking, coffee, and time with her family.
Bhaskar Ray
VP, Transmission, Interconnection and Performance Engineering
Bhaskar Ray is currently the Vice President and Head of Transmission, Interconnection and Performance Engineering at Hanwha Renewables Development team. Bhaskar has 34 years of experience in electric power industry including 20 years in three major electric utilities in the US, over 16 years of Renewable Development experience, and 4 years of Energy Consulting experience. Bhaskar is a Senior Member of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has numerous technical publications including IEEE and EPRI. He has a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University.
Kyle Smith
VP, Energy Storage
Kyle Smith is Vice President, Energy Storage at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. where he leads the Energy Storage Business Unit. Kyle focuses on expanding McCarthy’s Battery Energy Storage market presence and brand across McCarthy’s Renewable Energy, Gas, Mission Critical, and Infrastructure markets. Over his 12+ years of renewable energy experience, Kyle has served in various EPC, IPP, hardware and software product, and engineering consulting roles.
Matt Freudenrich
Director, Construction for Transmission
Matt Freudenrich is a licensed Professional Engineer in Minnesota and North Dakota with a BS in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University. His career began with large ethanol and wind projects across the US, evolving into a focus on utility-scale transmission. Over the past decade, Matt has led the execution of major transmission projects, including the Great Northern Transmission Line and the SunZia Transmission Line, bringing deep expertise in delivering complex energy infrastructure.
Yok Potts
Director, Policy, Research and Industry
Yok Potts is SEPA’s Director of Policy, Research & Industry Strategy, leading efforts at the nexus of technology, policy, and programs to advance clean, affordable, and resilient energy. She has co-authored research on state policy and utility strategies for carbon reduction. Her industry experience includes 18 years at MISO in engineering and leadership roles spanning reliability operations, wholesale markets, forecasting, and business and digital transformation.
Kerby Nester
Senior Director, Substation and Transmission Engineering and Design
Kerby Nester is Senior Director of Substation and Transmission Line Engineering and Design at Xcel Energy, with over 18 years in the electric utility industry. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. A licensed professional engineer in MN, ND, and WI, and a certified PMP, she began her career at Ulteig as a transmission line engineer and led Transmission Technical Services at Great River Energy.
RSVP to claim your spot at Wire the Future Forum 2025
Seats are limited for this event – please plan to attend if you submit an RSVP. If your RSVP status changes, please notify [email protected]. If your RSVP is received after seats have been filled, you will be notified and added to a waiting list.
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