Title:

Exploring The State of Smart Grids in North America

Speaker:

Mr. Robert (Bob) L. Miller

Affiliation:

IBM Global Technology Services

When:

Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 4:00:00 PM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Ford ES&T Building, Room L1255

Host:

Galit Levitin
galit.levitin@chbe.gatech.edu

Abstract

As the world becomes flatter and more crowded there is a need to introduce smarter technologies. Today’s technology essentially allows almost anything to become digitally aware and interconnected. The potential of the Smart Grid is enormous: it can yield improved energy efficiency, optimization of power supply and demand, and greater transparency into power consumption. In this presentation Mr. Miller will discuss the essence of the Smart Grid, define its promises and expectations, as well as the associated challenges and implementation. “The Holy Grail” of Smart Grid will be discussed and IBM’s role will be presented.

Biography

Bob is Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services, where he is responsible for managed services for Energy & Utilities clients. His current focus is Smart Grid Managed Services. Previously, he was a Vice President for IBM Sales and Distribution for Telecommunications, Energy & Utilities, and Media & Entertainment industries.

In 2002 Bob returned to IBM after seven years of gaining outside experience. During that time he was a senior executive at BellSouth, involved in leadership roles in venture capital and a founder and CEO of two successful companies. Previously, he spent 19 years at IBM in a number of sales management and executive positions, including Trading Area General Manager and General Manager of the global Kiosk Solutions business unit. Bob brings a wealth of leadership, business, strategy and technology experience and success.

During his tenure at BellSouth, Bob served in a variety of capacities, including Executive Vice President for Customer Care and Vice President and General Manager of Sales and Service. Bob was also President & CEO of Executive Strategy Group, a strategy and management consulting firm. During this time he was heavily involved in venture capital and start up companies, business strategy, marketing strategy, and innovative technologies. Bob was also President, CEO & Founder of EZ Prints, Inc. a leader (and profitable survivor) in the digital photographic marketplace.

Bob holds a M.S. degree in Management from MIT’s Sloan School, where he was an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and a B.S. degree in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University. Bob is Vice Chairman of the Smart Grid Society of the Technology Association of Georgia, Chair of the American Cancer Society Executive Leadership Council, and Chairs the Fulton County Schools Community Council. He has served as a Director of the Atlanta Metro YMCA, as a Director of SciTrek, as a Director on the Sloan School Board of Governors at MIT, and as Chair of the Local Schools Council at Northview High School.

Notes

Refreshments will start at 4:00 p.m. and networking is strongly encouraged.