Chiranjeevi Bala Kotharu is the Substation Department Manager at Burns & McDonnell, where he leads a dynamic team of more than 35 engineers across the Mid-Atlantic region. Since joining the firm in 2021 as a Senior Engineer, Chiranjeevi has built a career at the intersection of technical design and project management, guiding large-scale, cross-functional teams through the complex puzzles that define utility-scale infrastructure. A dedicated leader within the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), Chiranjeevi currently serves as a member of the Long-Range Planning (LRP) Committee and is the Chair of the Distinguished Lecturer Program (DLP). His previous work with the Energy Policy Committee highlights his commitment to the systemic shift toward a modern, resilient electric grid. He is a vocal advocate for the future of the energy workforce, believing that a truly resilient grid requires more than technical precision—it requires collaboration, curiosity, and a “one-team” mindset.