John McDonald
Founder & CEO
JDM Associates, LLC
John McDonald
Founder & CEO
JDM Associates, LLC
John D. McDonald, P.E., is Founder & CEO of JDM Associates, LLC. John has 50 years of experience in the electric utility transmission and distribution industry. John received his B.S.E.E. and M.S.E.E. (Power Engineering) degrees from Purdue University, and an M.B.A. (Finance) degree from the University of California-Berkeley. John is a Life Fellow of IEEE (member for 53 years), member of IEEE-HKN (inducted 53 years ago) and Tau Beta Pi (inducted 51 years ago), member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and was awarded the IEEE Millennium Medal, the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Excellence in Power Distribution Engineering Award, the IEEE PES Substations Committee Distinguished Service Award, the IEEE PES Meritorious Service Award, the 2024 CIGRE US National Committee (USNC) Philip Sporn Award, the 2016 CIGRE Distinguished Member Award, the 2016 CIGRE USNC Attwood Associate Award, the 2021 CIGRE Honorary Member Award, the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Career Achievement Award. John is Past President of the IEEE PES, the VP for Technical Activities for the USNC of CIGRE, the Past Chair of the IEEE PES Substations Committee, the IEEE Division VII Past Director, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. John was on the Board of Governors of the IEEE-SA (Standards Association), is an IEEE Foundation Director and Vice President of Development, and is a Founding Board Member of the SECC. John received the 2009 Purdue University Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award and the 2023 Purdue University Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. John teaches Smart Grid courses at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Smart Grid courses for various IEEE PES local chapters as an IEEE PES Distinguished Lecturer (since 1999). John has published one hundred fifty papers and articles, has co-authored five books and has one US patent.
Scott Tamashiro
IEEE Rising Stars Conference Chair
Raytheon (RTX)
Scott Tamashiro
IEEE Rising Stars Conference Chair
Raytheon (RTX)
Determined to make sure attendees gain leadership skills (the lion), find new beginnings with colleagues (the bird), and gain essential networking skills (the hand).
Phil Bautista
Senior Consultant
Bull Creek Data
Phil Bautista - AA5EX
Senior Consultant
Bull Creek Data
Phil Bautista is a consultant with 20+ years’ experience specializing in requirements and process analysis, process improvement and implementation having consulted with federal public sector clients, state and local government agencies, private sector clients in healthcare, education, technology, commerce, finance as well as major consulting firms worldwide.
Volaree Rendon
Director, Solution Engineering
Bentley Systems
Volaree Rendon
Director, Solution Engineering
Bentley Systems
As the Director of Solution Engineering with over 30 years of Transportation industry experience, Volaree Rendon leads a high-performing team responsible for delivering comprehensive, scalable engineering solutions tailored to the unique needs of the transportation industry. She collaborates with clients, industry leaders, and cross-functional teams to drive the adoption and implementation of Bentley Systems’ advanced infrastructure software, focusing on roads, bridges, rail, and transit projects. Volaree possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, industry knowledge, and leadership skills to guide customers through complex infrastructure challenges, ensuring they maximize the value of Bentley’s digital twin technology, design, and construction solutions.
Alberto Tam Yong
Senior Electrical Engineer
Applied Medical
Alberto Tam Yong
Senior Electrical Engineer
Applied Medical
Alberto Tam Yong is a Senior Electrical Engineer at Applied Medical in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, innovating in the Technology and Development, Electrical, team to advance medical devices for minimally invasive surgery. He has experience in the design, prototype, and development of hardware electrical systems, and specializes in analog and digital circuit design. He leads and collaborates with engineers to address complex design challenges and implement engineering solutions. He received his BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside, in 2016. As the 2015-2016 Chair of the IEEE Student Branch at the University of California, Riverside, he led a highly dynamic group of volunteers, engaged members with technical, social, and professional opportunities, and guided the organization to earn the IEEE Region 6 Outstanding Large Student Branch Award. As Co-Director of Citrus Hack 2016, he organized a 36-hour hackathon that gathered over 300 students to create, collaborate, and challenge each other. Mr. Tam Yong continues to volunteer for IEEE at the local Section, Regional, and global level. He has served as the Chair and Vice Chair of the IEEE Orange County Section, 2017-2019 Vice Chair of the IEEE Foothill Section, and has supported IEEE Region 6 conferences, such as the IEEE Rising Stars Conference and the IEEE Sustech 2021 Conference. Currently, Alberto Tam Yong is a Vice Chair of the IEEE Young Professionals Committee, Chair of the IEEE Region 6 Student Activities Committee, Past Chair of IEEE Region 6 Young Professionals Committee, Chair of the IEEE Orange County Section, an organizing committee member for the IEEE Rising Stars Conference, and a member of the IEEE in 2050 and Beyond AdHoc Committee.
Michael Andrews
Managing Partner
Andrews & Associates
Michael Andrews
Managing Partner
Andrews & Associates
Mr. Andrews is Managing Partner of Andrews & Associates (https://andrews-associates.com), a consulting firm specializing in new product creation, product and service innovation, business leadership and management development, operations and logistics, and Emergency Planning for business, schools, and government entities.
Carolyn Andrews
Founder
Inspired Leaders Now
Carolyn Andrews
Founder
Inspired Leaders Now
Carolyn is the founder of Inspired Leaders Now and is a certified business and executive coach. She is recognized as an outstanding business strategist and leader. She has extensive senior executive leadership experience in information systems and technology, risk management, marketing and finance with demonstrated ability to guide major global initiatives to successful completion for a Fortune 100 company. Her experience includes management of over 400 resources in multiple locations as well as senior leadership responsibility for multi-million-dollar international projects. She also has more than 15 years of experience in small business management including starting up new businesses and coaching existing businesses. Carolyn is a Senior Member of IEEE. She also supports many community organizations and was given the Hon Kachina Award for Outstanding Volunteerism in Arizona. She is active in her church and strongly supports expanding volunteer opportunities in the community through her work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, HandsOn Phoenix and the Salvation Army as well as supporting educational growth through the Future City Competition involving youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She holds an MBA from the Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management with undergraduate studies in business and computer system analysis. She is an Amazon best-selling author and a national and international speaker and trainer.
Peijung Tsai
System Engineer
L3Harris Technologies
Peijung Tsai
System Engineer
L3Harris Technologies
Peijung Tsai has been a dedicated IEEE volunteer for over 15 years, with her efforts deeply rooted in IEEE Member and Geographic Activities (MGA). As a system engineer, she specializes in designing and integrating communication systems for airborne, shipboard, and ground platforms. Outside of work, Peijung enjoys outdoor adventures, including skiing and hiking.
Dallas Jensen
Head of Global Learning
Energy Exemplar
Dallas Jensen
Head of Global Learning
Energy Exemplar
Dallas Jensen has over 20 years of experience in Learning and Development, with a passion for helping people and tech organizations grow through effective education. He is currently the Head of Global Learning at Energy Exemplar, where he leads customer education, product training, and documentation for a worldwide leader in energy simulation technology. Before joining Energy Exemplar, Dallas directed training programs at Entrata, overseeing product and leadership development. Early is his career he was a software trainer, building a foundation in teaching complex tools in simple, engaging ways. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking with his family and is an aspiring backyard BBQ pitmaster.
Guy Ronen
COO
Arcana Labs
Guy Ronen
COO
Arcana Labs
Guy Ronen is a highly accomplished business and technology executive with over two decades of global leadership experience across startups, private equity, and high-growth tech environments. As the Chief Operating Officer of Arcana Labs, a cutting-edge Generative AI content studio, he is at the forefront of AI innovation, driving the development and scaling of advanced AI solutions.
Throughout his career, Guy has founded and rapidly scaled multiple technology companies, specializing in frontier AI technologies, machine learning applications, cybersecurity, SaaS, and digital health. His deep expertise in AI-driven product development and data-centric strategies has consistently translated into significant market impact. A proven fundraising leader, he has successfully raised over $100 million and orchestrated complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, while leading high-performing international teams. He has a strong track record of collaborating with leading venture capital firms, notably Anzu Partners, to secure strategic investments and fuel growth.
Guy holds an MBA and is widely recognized for his visionary leadership, data-driven decision-making, and exceptional ability to transform groundbreaking innovation into scalable, real-world solutions.
Thomas Coughlin
President
Coughlin Associates, Inc.
Tom Coughlin
President
Coughlin Associates and IEEE Past President
Tom Coughlin, President, Coughlin Associates is a digital storage analyst and business/ technology consultant. He has over 40 years in the data storage industry with engineering and senior management positions. Coughlin Associates consults, publishes books and market and technology reports and puts on digital storage and memory-oriented events. He is a regular contributor for forbes.com and M&E organization websites. He is an IEEE Fellow, 2025 IEEE Past President, Past-President IEEE-USA, Past Director IEEE Region 6 and Past Chair Santa Clara Valley IEEE Section, and is also active with SNIA and SMPTE. For more information on Tom Coughlin go to www.tomcoughlin.com.
Guru Babu
CFO
Xperience Restaurant Group
Guru Babu
CFO
Xperience Restaurant Group
20+ years of core Retail Finance Experience across UK, Central Europe and USA. Began my career with Big 4 (Ernst & Young) and have led finance and controllership verticals at Tesco, Ann Inc and currently at XRG. I have bachelors in Business Management and Post Graduation in Finance & Controls.
Guru Babu
CFO
Xperience Restaurant Group
Guru Babu
CFO
Xperience Restaurant Group
20+ years of core Retail Finance Experience across UK, Central Europe and USA. Began my career with Big 4 (Ernst & Young) and have led finance and controllership verticals at Tesco, Ann Inc and currently at XRG. I have bachelors in Business Management and Post Graduation in Finance & Controls.
Kent E. Dicks
Founder & CEO
Life365 Health
Kent E. Dicks
Founder & CEO
Life365 Health
Kent E. Dicks is a leading innovator in digital health and CEO of Life365, a virtual-first care platform revolutionizing care delivery and access with its scalable remote patient monitoring (RPM) and intelligent digital therapeutics platform. Under his leadership, Life365 secured an eight-year subcontract to deliver RPM services to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dicks has testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, participated in FDA and FTC panels, and demonstrated his technologies on C-SPAN. A serial entrepreneur, Dicks previously founded MedApps, later acquired by Alere Inc., where he led Connected Health initiatives. He hosts “The New Normal” podcast, highlighting trends in AI, digital health, and healthcare innovation. Recognized with multiple Healthcare Innovator of the Year awards, Dicks remains dedicated to expanding access to proactive, patient-centered care nationwide.