Rusty Williams

Rusty Williams has hosted 8 episodes.

Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams is President and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC.) UTC is a DC-based global trade association that represents electric, gas, and water utilities on their mission-critical information and communications technologies.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, has more than three decades of extensive utilities industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions.
As President and CEO, Williams will lead UTC’s staff as the association continues to be a trusted advocate and thought leader on regulatory issues and emerging technology, as well as a valued training source in the utility telecommunications and networking space.
Williams earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
When not working for UTC, Rusty enjoys his family which includes his wife Ivette, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He also enjoys playing golf and hunting. Rusty also serves his church as a leader and teacher.

Sheryl Osiene-Riggs

Sheryl Osiene-Riggs has hosted 11 episodes.

In June 2020, Sheryl Osiene-Riggs was named President and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC). UTC is a Washington, D.C.-based global trade association that represents electric, gas, and water utilities on their mission-critical information and communications technologies. Sheryl joined UTC in 2017 and rose through its senior management ranks, serving previously as interim president and CEO, senior vice president of finance and operations, and director of accounting and administration.

Sheryl’s professional journey spans more than 20 years and began with an interest in financial sciences that expanded into a passion for the broad spectrum of operations. Prior to joining UTC, Sheryl held roles of progressive responsibility in the areas of finance, accounting, human resources, compliance, and overall operations. She served in organizations in the banking/finance, education, and health and social services industries, as well as federal and state government entities and nonprofits. Among her previous positions is an auditor for the University of Texas System; senior accountant for a public accounting firm; controller for the Salvation Army and CFO for the largest mental health provider in Maryland.

Demonstrating not only acumen with numbers but more importantly, connecting with people, Sheryl prioritizes service to others. She is certified as a registered IRS tax professional and partners with colleagues to provide volunteer tax preparation services and financial literacy education. Sheryl developed her community commitment at Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business with a Minor in Accounting. In addition, she obtained two post-graduate degrees -- a Master of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management.

The Brooklyn, New York native has cultural roots that spread to Alabama and Nigeria. She is married and enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, three daughters and her bonus children, and precocious canine members of the family, Hershey and Honey.

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Ron Beck

Ron Beck has hosted 5 episodes.

Mr. Beck is a Network Engineer for the Central Lincoln People’s Utility District in Newport, Oregon. In this role, he is responsible for the design, engineering, and construction of the utility’s telecommunications systems, local and wide area networks and cyber-security systems. He was the primary architect of the communications infrastructure for CLPUD’s Smart Grid Investment Grant projects.

He recently served as Chairman of the Board of The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) and has supported the council in various technical and leadership roles over the past 26 years. He is presently a member of the UTC Leadership Advisory Council, serves on the Smart Networks Council, is a member of the InfraGuard Oregon Alliance Chapter, is engaged with the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at NIST, and is an active member in several other industry advisory efforts.

Mr. Beck is an advocate of the connected grid, a frequent speaker on subjects related to utility telecommunications modernization, and an active supporter of all things networked.