SYNERGY III: An Energy Driven Professional Networking Event Hosted by UToledo EECS and IEEE Toledo
Save the Date - 10/6/26: Dinner & a PDH
"I've got to be part of that!"
A joint meeting between the University of Toledo Electrical Engineering-Computer Science Department and the IEEE Toledo Section. This is an opportunity for IEEE members to meet and network with the IEEE Student Branch at the University of Toledo.
The evening will also include the following technical presentation: The Competitive Race for Artificial Intelligence Superiority and its impact on the US Electricity Grid. The speaker for the evening will be Gary R. Leidich, UT instructor and retired Executive Vice President at First Energy.
1.0 PDH will be awarded to all attendees that complete the presentation.
A buffet dinner will be provided for all attendees!
Attendees shall provide their license plate number upon registration for this event. UT and IEEE will provide parking arrangements for all attendees.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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Add Event to Calendar
- 1600 N. Westwood Ave.
- Toledo, Ohio
- United States 43606
- Building: Brady Engineering Innovation Center
- Contact Event Host
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Steven Root
Technical Programs Chair
IEEE Toledo Section
(419) 447-8332
slrootpe@ieee.org
- Co-sponsored by University of Toledo Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department
- Starts 19 August 2026 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 05 October 2026 04:00 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Gary Leidich of
Competitive Race for AI Superiority and its Effect on the US Electricity Grid
Data centers are today's 'Talk of the Town.' Gary Leidich, University of Toledo instructor and retired Executive Vice President at First Energy, will discuss the current data center environment, with an emphasis on the need for power sources for these large facilities.
The competitive race for AI superiority has resulted in major companies planning and building massive data centers throughout the country. U.S. electricity consumption from data centers is forecasted to reach 106 GW by 2035, the equivalent of over 100 nuclear power plants.
Mr. Leidich will discuss the implications of this growth from several perspectives; grid reliability, environmental and community impacts, and the potential impact on customer rates.
Biography:
Mr. Leidich is a veteran utility industry executive, with a career spanning more than 50 years in the business.
He retired in 2011 from First Energy, where he was Executive Vice President and President of First Energy Generation. His responsibilities included all generation facilities, 26,000 Mw in six states, including nuclear, fossil, hydro, and renewable units.
His varied career responsibilities included operational oversight for all transmission and distribution for First Energy, including the ten regulated distribution utility companies. He also previously served as an Executive Vice President for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) in Atlanta.
He has served on several boards, including as past Chair of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), and as past Chair of the University of Toledo Foundation Board.
Currently he is an instructor at the University of Toledo, where he teaches a senior and graduate level course "Power System Management." He has also sponsored an Endowed Professorship and the Energy Engineering Program at the university. He earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Engineering Science from the University of Toledo. He is an IEEE Senior Member.
Mr. Leidich is an instructor in executive leadership programs at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and at MIT. He also consults for the electric utility industry.
Email:
Address: , , , Ohio, United States,
Agenda
5:00 - 5:50 PM Student/Industry - Professional Networking
Student Research Posters
Lab Tours
5:50 – 6:15 PM Dinner Served
6:15 – 7:30 PM Presentation Program
6:15 - 6:20 PM Welcome Remarks by College and Department Administration
6:20 - 6:30 PM IEEE Student Reflections
6:30 – 7:30 PM Technical Program
The Competitive Race for AI Superiority & its Effect on the US Electricity Grid
Gary R. Leidich, UT Instructor & Retired Executive Vice President of First Energy
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7:30 – 8:00 PM Final Discussions, Networking, and Adjournment
About IEEE
IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Follow IEEE Toledo at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ieee-toledo-section