On Februrary 10, 2015 at 10am PDT, Meeting of the Minds will host a live webinar on the topic of technology and collaboration. Details below

Archive Video

Program

Join Itron’s Russ Vanos, SVP Strategy and Corporate Development, and Amy Aussieker, Executive Director of Envision Charlotte, to learn more about the role technology and collaboration play in driving urban modernization and results. Envision Charlotte’s story is an example of a private public partnership at its best. Over the last few years, Envision Charlotte has brought together Charlotte’s utilities, the City, County, large companies and universities to build a network of projects that tie all of these groups together to use technology to find efficiencies bringing the cost to do business in Charlotte down and creating a more sustainable urban core. Envision Charlotte has brought in leading companies in the Smart Cities space to use Charlotte as a living lab to test new technologies and programs for their success before launching them into the commercial space. This has allowed Charlotte to become one of the smartest cities in the country.

This presentation will give an overview of how this program was built and the long term goals for Envision Charlotte and the City of Charlotte.

Speakers

Russ Vanos

Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development
Itron

Russ Vanos, senior vice president, strategy and business development for Itron, is a utility industry visionary who played a major role in driving early smart grid technology adoption in North America. He is now guiding Itron’s corporate growth initiatives, specifically those focused on smart grid and smart cities.

Vanos manages all business development efforts, including acquisitions, divestitures and licensing/distribution, as well as leads Itron’s business strategy and portfolio management initiatives. Vanos has been integral to virtually every acquisition made during his tenure, including SmartSynch and Schlumberger Electricity.

Vanos joined Itron in 1980 and has held various positions in sales, marketing and operations. Most recently, Vanos served as Itron’s vice president, global smart grid and business development. Previously, Vanos served as Itron’s vice president of marketing until 2011 and vice president and general manager, sales and marketing for energy until 2010.

Vanos sits on the board of the Washington State University Energy Innovation Center; is a member of Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Cisco Internet of Things Steering Committee; is a founding member of the Smart Cities Council; and is involved in the World Economic Forum.

Amy Aussieker

Executive Director
Envision Charlotte

As Executive Director for Envision Charlotte, Amy Aussieker is responsible for developing strategic plans for community outreach, fundraising, vendor and partner relationships. Since she joined the team in July 2013, Amy has used her two decades of expertise in strategic planning, relationship management, marketing and creative problem solving to help Envision Charlotte become a global model of urban sustainability.

Amy’s background is a blend of corporate, non-profit and entrepreneur expertise, she has also served on many boards both non-profits and government appointments.

Amy has previously served as a board member for the Arts and Science Council, co-chair for the School Bonds, chair for the Hot Jobs/Cool Communities initiative for the City committee and co-chair of Charlotte’s Citizen Transit Advisory Group. She has been recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal as a 40 under 40 award winner and a Top 25 Women in Business Award recipient.

Amy holds an undergraduate degree from Purdue University in Communications.