Dr. Ali Arzani of Tennessee Technological University

Biography:

Dr. Arzani has several years of experience performing collaborative research on academia- and industry-related projects with institutions such as ABB, Trinity College Dublin, EPRI, and MIT Lincoln Lab. Currently, Dr. Arzani conducts research in the Smart Grid Lab, focusing on operational planning of real-world utility distribution networks, grid-friendly control of inverter-based resources, EMT/real-time modeling and simulations, and HILLTOP+ studies. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in this realm. Dr. Arzani has served on two funded research grants, i.e., PI on “Impact of DER Performance on Bulk Power System Inverter Behavior” from EPRI; and Co-PI on a $10M grant: “Smart Grid Deployment Consortium and HILLTOP Platform Expansion” from ARC to help develop and deploy smart grid technologies modeling capabilities, particularly with smart EV charging stations and DERs for the U.S. Appalachian region.

Stephen Johnson of Mission Critical Solutions, Eaton Corporation

Biography:

Stephen holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. With 13 years at Eaton and over 15 years of industry experience, his expertise spans multiple products and business sectors.

After an initial stint with Eaton in operations and project management, he transitioned to Hubbell Power Systems before joining Architect’s International, a newly established design-build firm. He returned to Eaton in 2018, holding various roles before joining the Mission Critical Solutions team supporting Data Center focused products such as UPSs, PDUs, track-busway, etc. In his current role Stephen oversees technical applications and sales throughout the Southeast region supporting consulting and design engineers with new and existing projects.

Dr. Razvan Panati of Bloom Energy

Biography:

Razvan Panati is a visionary energy executive with more than 30 years of experience advancing next-generation power solutions for mission-critical infrastructure. As Vice President of Product Strategy at Bloom Energy, he leads the company’s efforts to deliver reliable, sustainable, and scalable energy platforms for some of the world’s most demanding digital environments, including data centers, AI infrastructure, and hyperscale campuses.

Razvan has been a driving force behind the shift toward cleaner, more resilient energy models in the digital infrastructure space. At Bloom, he plays an integral role in helping operators decarbonize without compromising reliability or performance. His work bridges the gap between cutting-edge energy innovation and real-world deployment, championing solutions that support both uptime and environmental responsibility.

Before joining Bloom Energy, Razvan held senior leadership roles at Siemens, where he focused on power electronics, microgrids, and e-mobility technologies. His deep technical expertise and strategic approach have earned him recognition as a trusted advisor to energy operators, technology developers, and sustainability leaders worldwide.

Razvan holds a PhD in Power Electronics, Electric Drives, and Automation from Transilvania University of Brașov, and he completed post-doctoral work in Power Electronics and Control at the University of Minnesota. He also holds an MBA from the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University, a combination of technical and business acumen that has shaped his distinctive approach to infrastructure innovation.

Razvan is a frequent contributor to industry thought leadership on energy transformation and serves as a passionate advocate for building a more sustainable digital future. His work is focused on Bloom’s global mission to make clean, reliable, and affordable energy accessible to everyone globally,