GridSME Welcomes Jacob Wellman to the Team!
Sara Rhodes • July 18, 2023

Jacob joins us as a full-time Project Manager on our Grid Integration team and will report to Kelsey Gormley. Jacob comes to us with extensive experience executing projects within the utility space and a passion for learning.


Jacob will assist the team with new and existing client work related to all aspects of the Resource Implementation and Integration process in multiple ISOs; including CAISO, ERCOT, MISO, PJM, SPP, etc. The team is excited to bring Jacob up to speed on managing our grid integration projects from start to finish (e.g., the CAISO New Resource Implementation (NRI) process). He will be performing various portfolio management services for our clients, ensuring project deadlines and milestones are met and the projects comply with ISO and regulatory requirements, in addition to supporting the Grid Integration Practice Area processes - internal administrative, business development, and proposal drafting/processing, and client-serving processes.


Previously, Jacob was a Project Management Supervisor at Nor-Cal Controls, where he was responsible for a portfolio of over $13m of SCADA integration projects for utility-scale solar sites, totaling 2.3 GW of solar generation. Prior to Nor-Cal, Jacob was a Project Manager at Ampirical, managing a multi-million dollar portfolio of Transmission-Line and Substation System Protection engineering projects for California’s largest IOU.


Jacob has obtained a Master of Music, Bassoon Performance from Juilliard. You may be wondering how a Bassoonist turned into a Project Manager. Jacob found his passion for project management and problem-solving while working at a business advisory/consulting firm early in his career. From there, he sought knowledge and exposure to process, planning, scheduling, cost control, account management, and cross-functional team leadership. Jacob obtained his PMP and landed his first role in the Energy Industry in early 2019. He is fascinated by how the bigger picture comes together and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of skill-building to solve complex problems. He has set out on a personal mission to learn as much about the industry overall so he can better understand how everything comes together

GridSME Welcomes Barry Kuehnle to the team!

By Torri Pugh • May 2, 2025
Welcome Barry Kuehnle to GridSME! Please join us in welcoming Barry Kuehnle to the GridSME team as an Independent Consultant! Barry brings nearly 30 years of expertise in energy infrastructure, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. A seasoned engineer and leader, he is highly experienced in NERC CIP Reliability Standards, industrial control systems security, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. He joins us following a distinguished 15-year career at FERC, where he played a pivotal role in national cybersecurity strategy and regulatory oversight. With a background spanning the military, government, and private sectors, Barry’s insight will be a tremendous asset to our clients and team. Welcome to GridSME, Barry — we’re excited to have you on board!

GridSME Welcomes Nathan Droivold to the team!

By Torri Pugh • April 22, 2025
Welcome Nathan Droivold to GridSME! We’re thrilled to welcome Nathan Droivold to GridSME as a Project Manager on our Compliance team! Nathan brings over eight years of experience managing hydroelectric and civil infrastructure projects. With expertise in scope development, project analysis, contract negotiation, and team leadership, he has a strong track record of delivering successful projects from start to finish. Known for his collaborative mindset and attention to detail, Nathan excels at guiding teams, engaging stakeholders, and navigating complex project landscapes. His skills and dedication make him a fantastic addition to the GridSME team.  Welcome aboard, Nathan — we’re excited to have you with us!