I’ve always believed that where you come from shapes where you’re going. For me, that journey started in the sun-drenched waters and tight-knit communities of the Florida Keys. Growing up there, I learned early on about the power of connection—between people, between nature and infrastructure, and between problems and solutions. It’s a place where you can’t afford to take power for granted, quite literally. That background has stayed with me, and today, as the COO of CDI Utilities, it still guides how I lead, problem-solve, and innovate.
Early Lessons from the Keys
Life in the Florida Keys teaches you resilience. When a storm hits, you don’t wait for someone else to fix things—you jump in and help. The people around you are family, whether you’re related or not. And when the power goes out, the whole community feels it. That kind of firsthand exposure to the fragility—and importance—of utility systems planted the seeds of my passion for infrastructure early on.
Back then, I didn’t know I’d end up in utilities. But I knew I wanted to build things that mattered. I was always drawn to systems—how they work, how they fail, and how they can be improved. I started in business, but the more I learned, the more I realized that utilities are the backbone of everything we do. They’re invisible when they’re working—but essential when they’re not.
The Path to CDI Utilities
My path to becoming Chief Operating Officer at CDI Utilities wasn’t a straight line, but it was a purposeful one. Along the way, I worked in business development, led teams in energy and sustainability, and stayed curious about emerging technologies that could shake up traditional systems. I asked a lot of questions and listened even more. Every role I took taught me something new about leadership, communication, and how to move complex projects forward.
When the opportunity at CDI Utilities came along, it felt like the right fit—both in terms of mission and mindset. CDI isn’t just a utility contractor. We’re a solutions company. We look at the aging infrastructure across this country and ask, “How can we make it better, smarter, and more sustainable?” As COO, I get to bring people together, drive change, and help build a more resilient future from the ground up.
Leading with Innovation
At CDI Utilities, innovation isn’t a buzzword—it’s a way of working. The utility industry is undergoing a major transformation. Aging power grids, climate pressures, and changing customer expectations mean we can’t rely on yesterday’s solutions to solve today’s problems. That’s why we’re constantly investing in new technology, training, and approaches that push the envelope.
One of our biggest priorities is modernizing infrastructure in a way that’s scalable and sustainable. That means integrating smart grid technology, expanding renewable energy capabilities, and digitizing operations so we can respond faster and smarter. We’re also rethinking how projects are managed—from permitting and planning to execution and follow-up—so we deliver not just on time and on budget, but with lasting impact.
Another key area is workforce development. We can’t build the future with yesterday’s skills. That’s why I’m passionate about training the next generation of utility professionals—people who are tech-savvy, mission-driven, and ready to tackle big challenges. I see part of my job as not just running operations, but mentoring talent and building a culture of curiosity and care.
The People Side of Progress
While I love the technology and engineering side of utilities, I never forget that at the heart of it all is people. Our work affects communities—families, businesses, neighborhoods. When we install a new water main or upgrade a power line, we’re not just improving infrastructure—we’re improving lives. That sense of purpose is what drives me, and I try to pass it along to my team every day.
At CDI, we pride ourselves on being partners to the communities we serve. That means being transparent, responsive, and respectful of the environments we work in. It also means listening—really listening—to what people need and how we can deliver it in a way that supports their long-term well-being.
Vision for the Future
As I look ahead, I see a utility industry that’s smarter, greener, and more resilient—but only if we continue to think big and act boldly. The challenges are real: climate change, aging infrastructure, cybersecurity threats. But so are the opportunities: advanced data analytics, renewable energy integration, microgrids, and more.
My vision for CDI Utilities is to be a leader in that transformation. I want us to be known not just for the quality of our work, but for the creativity of our thinking and the strength of our partnerships. I want us to build infrastructure that doesn’t just meet today’s needs, but anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.
More than anything, I want us to keep growing—as a company, as a team, and as a force for good in the communities we serve. That’s the legacy I’m working to build every day, and it’s one rooted in the values I learned back in the Florida Keys: resilience, responsibility, and the power of connection.