News

Gary Lee Joins VASS Solutions

November 4, 2024 - VASS Solutions is thrilled to announce that Gary Lee has joined our professional services and consulting practice.

Gary brings with him over 24 years of experience in the vendor and water utility industry. During his 7 years at Hubbell Aclara, Gary educated the industry on product offerings and managed relationships with top engineering and consulting firms. He also honed his water AMI and metering expertise while implementing solutions for municipal, cooperative, and investor-owned utilities during his 7 years at Itron and Measurement Control Systems. With 9 years of experience working at municipal utilities, Gary is well-equipped to consider the perspectives of both the utility and the vendor to identify and implement solutions for clients.

“Gary enhances our expertise in AMI solutions for water utilities,” said Scott Stein, President of VASS Solutions. “Gary is a known industry leader whose experience will help VASS clients as we continue to grow our consulting practice.”

Gary will provide expertise in the water industry, Smart Utilities, and AMI to VASS Solutions' customers as they procure, implement, and build upon their AMI solutions.

Jon Law Joins VASS Solutions

July 30, 2024 - VASS Solutions is excited to announce that Jon Law has joined our professional services and consulting practice.

Jon comes to us with over 20-years experience in the AMI industry focused in Project and Program Management. Jon has successfully led numerous large-scale AMI projects from conception to completion. While at Sensus, Jon implemented Knoxville Utilities Board’s AMI solution for over 486,000 electric, water, gas and fiber customers. Jon also led Sensus’ AMI implementation for Georgia cooperative GreyStone Electric’s 120,000 members. Early in his career, Jon helped deploy JEA’s Cellnet AMI solution. His strategic planning, execution, and leadership skills ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Jon is also known for his commitment to excellent customer satisfaction, and strong relationship-building skills.

“Jon’s ability to understand client needs and deliver customized solutions will help us strengthen client partnerships and drive successful outcomes,” said Scott Stein, President of VASS Solutions. “His proven track record and dedication to innovative solutions make him a perfect fit for our team. Join us in welcoming Jon, and stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand our capabilities and deliver exceptional value.”

Jon will offer expertise in Smart Grid, AMI, Project Management and Program Management to VASS Solutions customers as they implement and then build upon their AMI solutions.

Vinny Turano Bolsters VASS Solutions’ Project Management Expertise

September 14, 2023 – VASS Solutions is growing its project management capabilities with the addition of Vincenzo “Vinny” Turano.

Vinny developed his project management experience while working at General Dynamics Electric Boat. During his time with GD, Vinny led multiple projects contributing to the design of nuclear submarines including leading “tiger teams” to deliver high-profile components. Vinny is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) who will initially support VASS’ work with Pacific Gas & Electric.

“Delivering on projects related to the construction of nuclear submarines requires a rigorous, disciplined approach and focused project leadership ,” said Scott Stein, President of VASS Solutions. “We’re excited to offer Vinny’s methodical approach to VASS Clients.”

Dan Damato Joins VASS Solutions

August 1, 2023 - VASS Solutions continues to grow its consulting services practice with the addition of utility-veteran Dan Damato.

Dan offers expertise in utility water operations, customer service and field operations developed while working for Veolia’s (formerly Suez Water) multiple distribution utilities. Dan brings a broad range of experiences having implemented and managed technology projects including advanced metering infrastructure, customer information systems, meter data management, mobile workforce management and enterprise asset management.

“Dan’s unique combination of utility experience and proven track record implementing projects positions him as a trusted advisor to the critical utility projects of our clients,” said Scott Stein, President of VASS Solutions.

Mark Michaels Retires

On June 30, 2023, Mark Michaels retired from VASS Solutions. Mark developed his passion for the utility industry working for Pacific Gas & Electric during the first 15 years of his career. Mark honed his career focus in the early days of the AMI industry working for Cellnet and Landis + Gyr. Mark then shared his knowledge and experience by consulting with utility clients to make their smart utility journeys successful.

Mark's undeniable passion and enthusiasm for the client and his "git-er-done" attitude are key reasons that VASS Solutions has been successful. Thank you for your dedication and Client advocacy and, of course, your attention to detail!

VASS Solutions will miss Mark's guidance, focus and commitment to our success. But we're excited that Anne and Mark will be able to enjoy their retirement to the fullest. We wish you nothing but the best!

VASS Solutions Discusses Smart Meter Strategies and Business Case Development

February 16, 2023 - VASS Solutions thanks those that attended the first in our series of webinars about Smart Metering and the AMI lifecycle. During this webinar, participants learned about the benefits and drivers of AMI, discussed commodity-specific drivers, explored the latest industry trends, and expounded upon business case elements. An understanding of these concepts serves as a foundation to a strategy for proceeding with AMI solution implementation.

During VASS Solution’s next webinar on March 2, 2023 at 2pm ET, we’ll focus on requirements development, the request for proposal and service level expectations for an AMI solution. To sign up, please go to Our Webinars page or email us at webinars@VASSsolutions.com.

David Elve Joins VASS Solutions

January 5, 2023 - VASS Solutions is thrilled that Dave Elve has joined our consulting services practice.

Dave brings broad technology and implementation experience to VASS; having delivered solutions across the lifecycle of smart utility deployments for utilities such as CPS Energy, Southern California Gas, San Antonio Water System, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Pepco and NV Energy.

Dave also offers expertise in the customer experience and with customer programs having led customer acquisition for PayGo® which deploys billing and payment solutions for investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities.

Dave has been named one of The 15 Most Influential People in Energy and previously served in executive roles for Smart Grid vendors Landis+Gyr, Atos and Schlumberger. Dave has shared his expertise as an Executive Consultant to gas, water and electric utilities while at Black & Veatch and Enspiria Solutions.

“Dave has provided strategic guidance to utilities as they implement customer solutions that build upon the foundational investments,” said Jeff Evans, Executive Vice-President of VASS Solutions. “VASS customers will benefit from this broad experience as they proceed with their own Day 2 opportunities.”

Tom Williams joins VASS Solutions

December 1, 2022 - VASS Solutions is excited to announce that industry veteran Tom Williams has joined our professional services and consulting practice.

Tom brings experience implementing and managing AMI deployments for two different AMI solution providers. While at Sensus, Tom led the design and implementation of multiple AMI network solutions for multiple SUEZ Water business units. Tom also led the design of AMI End Point and Network to cover one of the largest geographical territories in North America for SASK Power and Sask Energy’s utility Smart Grid solutions and implementation. While with Trilliant Networks, Tom provided AMI, End Point, Network and MDMS Subject Matter Expertise in support of the overall Smart Grid design implementation by Brampton Hydro and Central Main Power. Tom also led AMI and End Point Subject Matter Expert for Hydro One’s Smart Grid Implementation.

Tom will offer expertise in Smart Grid, AMI, AMR, Distribution Automation, Electric Meter Engineering/Design, Water Meter Engineering, Gas Meter Engineering, Smart Lighting and Telecommunications Technologies to VASS Solutions customers as they implement and then build upon their AMI solutions.

Tom also flavors his expertise with past utility experience having worked at Northeast Utilities.

“We’re thrilled that Tom has joined VASS,” said Scott Stein, President of VASS Solutions. “His experience working for multiple AMI vendors and successfully delivering AMI solutions increases the value that VASS brings to our customers.”