Meet the Experts Shaping the Future of Energy at DISTRIBUTECH 2025

Amanda Dixon
Chair, C136 Outdoor Lighting Standards Committee, NEMA

Amanda was a driving force behind the creation of the C136.50 metering accuracy standard for network lighting controls (NLCs) and has deep expertise in utility and municipal lighting standards. At DISTRIBUTECH, she will share insights on transforming streetlights into smart meters and the future of municipal energy management, helping cities leverage infrastructure for smarter, more efficient energy use.

Featured Session:
Transforming streetlights into smart Meters: The future of municipal energy management

J.J. Stutler
Sr. Manager Wireless Engineering and Operations, Evergy, Inc.

J.J. will share insights on how Evergy and Southern Company utilize private LTE data, the challenges and lessons learned from deploying a private LTE network, and how utilities can set the stage for long-term success in wireless infrastructure.

Featured sessions:
- How Southern Company and Evergy utilize all that private LTE data
- Bringing PLTE to utilities: Setting the stage today for success tomorrow
- What Evergy learned from deploying private LTE

Vivek Somasundaram
Manager, Grid Modernization Technology, Alectra Utilities Corporation

At DISTRIBUTECH, Vivek will present on how municipal utilities are developing control rooms of the future, leveraging advanced software and data-driven decision-making to enhance reliability and efficiency.

Featured Session:
A municipal utility's plan to build a control room of the future

Bridget Powers Beggs
Associate Engineer, National Grid

At DISTRIBUTECH, Bridget will present on the economic and societal value of DERMS, alongside experts from PG&E and Xcel, as well as how Dominion, National Grid, and SCE are right-sizing distribution systems to support the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Featured Session:
- Making the case: Economic and societal values of DERMS with PG&E, Xcel, and National Grid
- Dominion, National Grid, and SCE approaches to “right-sizing” distribution systems to enable deep decarbonization