New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer to Accelerate Innovative Grid-Edge Technology Solutions

Utilidata®, Inc, the industry leader in energy optimization technology spanning the substation to the grid-edge, today announced two key additions to its executive team: Marissa Hummon will serve as the company’s chief technology officer, overseeing product innovation and energy science; and Jess Melanson will serve as chief operations officer, focused on delivery, operations and continued company growth. As it expands its client portfolio, deepens existing utility relationships, and develops groundbreaking new energy technologies, the company will benefit from the two leaders’ deep experience in energy technology and grid evolution.

“I could not be more excited to welcome Marissa and Jess to the leadership team at Utilidata,” CEO Josh Brumberger said. “The electric grid – and the energy industry in general – is poised for dramatic evolution in the coming years, with the growing accessibility of renewable energy sources and increasing urgency of climate change. The time is ripe for innovation. Marissa and Jess, two of the most experienced and insightful innovators in the field, will help Utilidata bring new energy-saving solutions to the market, for the benefit of utilities, consumers, and communities.”

Hummon, a renowned scientist and technologist, brings with her to Utilidata more than fifteen years of experience innovating in the energy space. With expertise in energy systems and grid optimization, she has led more than a dozen research programs resulting in the development and deployment of clean energy technology solutions that have radically changed the way energy is delivered, procured, and priced. Most recently, Hummon led product development at an energy technology company, where she brought energy management algorithms to residential IoT products. Prior to that role, she led grid modernization research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, including integration of distributed energy resources, demand response and storage. Hummon holds a doctorate in Applied Physics from Harvard University.

“The Utilidata platform has demonstrated the superiority of real-time measurement and optimization, and it’s exhilarating to think of the opportunities that come from bringing the company’s concepts to the grid-edge through applications on the meter,” said Hummon. “With all the societal and technological changes in our world – from the adoption of electric vehicles to the growth of renewable energy resources – we can expect huge growth in the need to manage the distribution system. I’m thrilled I can lead the talented Utilidata team in meeting these new opportunities with exciting technology solutions.”

Melanson brings nearly twenty years of leadership experience in energy and public policy to Utilidata. Melanson has devoted his career to advancing clean energy, as a regulator, utility executive and leader in energy technology. His experience growing clean energy businesses in dynamic regulatory environments, both at a utility and technology start up, will help drive Utilidata’s next phase of growth. Melanson holds a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University.

“We are at a turning point in the energy industry where the convergence of clean energy mandates and technology advancements, like low-cost renewables, are rapidly transforming the grid. Utilidata is perfectly positioned to enable this transformation with its grid optimization platform and a long, successful track record of partnering with utilities and other critical stakeholders,” Melanson said. “I am excited to join a team that has such a strong history of success and devotion to industry transformation.”

“Utilidata’s executive expansion is a testament to its growth and innovation trajectory,” said Don Tappan, Vice President of Braemar Energy Ventures and Board Chairman of Utilidata. “This management team has the experience and expertise to bring industry-leading innovations to market, helping stakeholders throughout the energy landscape deliver better, cleaner electricity to end users.”

About Utilidata®,
Inc Utilidata®, Inc., an energy software company backed by leading venture capital firms, is the industry leader in energy grid optimization. The company’s patented technology captures real-time signals from the electric grid and provides actionable insights to save energy, integrate distributed energy resources, and better detect grid anomalies. The company is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. For more information, please visit www.utilidata.com or follow @Utilidata on Twitter.