Speaker Biographies
Kevin Berent - EPRI Kevin Berent is a Technical Executive at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). His current work is focused on transmission and substations, and includes topics such as safety, training, and resilience (physical security, countering the drone threat, etc.). Some of his earlier EPRI projects centered around sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and alternatives to SF6. Prior to EPRI, Kevin was a Director at the North American Transmission Forum (NATF), and a Manager at the SERC Reliability Corporation. For eight years he focused on improving the reliability and resiliency of the bulk electric system in the United States and Canada. He brings a diverse leadership background including manufacturing and industrial engineering (Michelin), service and sales (Cintas), and military service (a navigator in the United States Air Force). Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Air Force Academy. Additionally, he has a Master of Science degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Carolina. Rick Dodd - SERC Rick Dodd has over 41 years management and technical experience in all aspects of IT and Information Security along with more than 14 years specializing in Critical Infrastructure Protection within the electric utility industry. Rick joined SERC as a Senior CIP Compliance Specialist within the Risk Assessment and Mitigation (RAM) team on July 1, 2019, and prior to that was with the former FRCC Regional Entity since January 1, 2013. His current responsibilities include assessing overall Registered Entity risk and working with Entities to review, accept, track, and verify their noncompliance activity and associated Mitigation Plans pertaining to issues or violations of NERC Reliability Standards. Prior to joining FRCC, he was a senior member of the DYONYX Energy Practice Team for 5 years, participating on NERC working groups and numerous client engagements relevant to the CIP Reliability Standard and NEI 08-09 including many engagements at Registered Entities throughout the continental US and Canada. During his 26 year tenure with Verizon Data Services, he also managed an Information Security team of more than 30 employees. He brings demonstrated expertise in gathering business requirements, business process analysis, setting policies and standards, trouble shooting, tuning, and system evaluation. His wide versatility in multiple computing environments, with a strong understanding of object-oriented technologies, web services and workflow technologies, complements the needs of the team. He has directed and participated in the selection of hardware and software, building proof-of-concept/pilot projects aiding in deployment of enterprise-wide systems. Rick is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and holds a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Management from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker