April Insights Series | Powering What’s Next: Energy Innovations for a High-Demand Digital Future

Description

Powering What’s Next: Energy Innovations for a High-Demand Digital Future

As emerging technologies accelerate, energy has become the defining challenge (and opportunity) shaping our digital future. From FinTech and data centers to quantum computing and advanced digital infrastructure, organizations are confronting unprecedented energy demands and shifting regulatory landscapes. Featuring a keynote presentation and insights from industry experts during a panel discussion, our April Insights Series will explore how the evolving energy ecosystem is influencing innovation, investment, and long-term planning across multiple sectors.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the energy trends reshaping the innovation landscape and practical insights for planning, powering, and sustaining the next generation of technology.

Key Takeaways:

• Insight into the energy trends reshaping high-growth industries
• Understanding of policy developments and their impact on energy-intensive technologies
• Strategies for planning and powering next-generation computing, data operations, and digital services

Keynote Speaker: 

Dan Diorio, Vice President of State Policy for the Data Center Coalition
Dan Diorio is vice president of state policy for the Data Center Coalition. In this role, Dan leads all state level advocacy and engagement for the data center industry. He brings over 16 years of experience in state and federal government affairs and public policy.
He began his career in the Massachusetts State Legislature where he served as legislative director to State Senator Scott P. Brown. Dan followed Brown to Washington, DC, and the United States Senate where he worked as a Legislative Assistant handling a large portfolio of issues including energy and the environment, education, labor, immigration, and transportation. 
Dan next handled state and federal government affairs for a Boston-based demand response provider. While there he helped form the Advanced Energy Management Alliance, a national trade association for demand response companies and end-users. Upon moving out west for sunshine and dry weather, Dan covered election administration policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Dan was also the vice president of legislative affairs for Colorado for the GoWest Credit Union Association. He advocated for credit unions and managed legislative campaigns in both Colorado and Wyoming. Most recently he was chief of staff of Strategic Affairs for C6-Zero, a start-up advanced manufacturing company, where he led public affairs, government affairs and organizational development.
Dan received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Boston College and has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver. He lives in Denver with his wife and two children.

Panelists: 

Justin Ging, Chief Product Officer, Atom Computing

Justin Ging is Chief Product Officer at Atom Computing, leading product management, commercialization, and customer experience for Atom Computing. He has more than 20 years of product management, product marketing, and sales experience. Before joining Atom Computing, Justin worked as Chief Commercial Officer at Honeywell Quantum Solutions, and previously led marketing teams at Samsung, Aptina Imaging, and Analog Devices, and held engineering roles at Bell Labs and Lockheed Martin. He holds multiple degrees from MIT including an MBA, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, and a master’s degree in materials science.

Jack Ihle, AVP of Data Centers and Large Loads, Xcel Energy

Jack Ihle is AVP of Data Centers and Large Loads. He leads a team responsible for all business aspects of Xcel Energy’s data center and large load service across Xcel Energy’s service territory in eight states.  These responsibilities encompass strategy, policy, partnerships, commercial contracting, and energization of large end users.  He previously was RVP of Regulatory Policy for Xcel Energy – Colorado, where he was responsible for regulatory aspects of resource planning, renewable energy planning, electric vehicles and other policy and planning issues.  Mr. Ihle has also previously led Environmental Policy, Environmental Services, Pricing, and Emerging Technology teams at Xcel Energy. 
Mr. Ihle has also served in energy consulting roles with Cambridge Energy Research Associates and Platts (now S&P Global), focusing on renewable energy, climate policy and forecasting engagements.  Mr. Ihle has a Master of Science degree in Energy & Resources from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University.  He has served on the boards of directors for the Regional Air Quality Council, and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, XPAC, the Solar Technology Acceleration Center and WEST Associates. 

John Stephenson, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Vantage Data Centers

John leads global public policy, government affairs, and community engagement at Vantage Data Centers, building a large international team that drives regulatory success, reduces costs, and enhances the company’s reputation. He previously held senior policy roles at Amazon, Rivian, and advocacy organizations, and worked as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. His achievements include crisis leadership during COVID-19, major policy campaign wins, and creating a geopolitical risk team. He is an award-winning leader, recognized policy expert, frequent speaker, and board member of several technology and policy organizations.

Moderator: 

Jackie Benson, Partner, Taft

Jackie is a Partner in the Business Group at Taft and leads the Quantum Computing section of the firm’s Technology and Artificial Intelligence industry group.  She has more than two decades of experience counseling entrepreneurs, companies, and investors in the tech industry about corporate transactions and contracts, including organization, mergers and acquisitions, state and federal securities law, private equity, venture capital and early-stage companies, financing, restructurings, and other corporate transactions, compliance issues and commercial agreements.  Jackie is a frequent speaker on A.I., quantum and other regulatory issues impacting deep tech companies.
She has drafted and negotiated complex agreements, advised boards of directors of both public and private companies and prepared private placement documentation for growing companies. Jackie has represented companies before the SEC and PCAOB and has experience with federal securities litigation.
She has two business degrees and has run several businesses, so she is able to bring this practical business experience to the table when advising clients.

CTA is committed to accessible, inclusive events. If you need accommodations (such as ASL, captioning, assistive listening, or alternative materials), please contact us at accessibility@coloradotechnology.org or 303-592-4070. Requests fourteen (14) days in advance are encouraged; we will make every reasonable effort to meet late requests.