Aspen Technology, Inc., a global leader in industrial software, announced that Mark Browning, a longtime power and utilities industry executive, has joined the company as a strategic advisor. Browning has spent the last two decades in executive positions at Exelon, the largest US utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Most recently, Browning was Chief Information Officer with overall responsibility for IT across Exelon’s family of transmission and distribution utility companies.
Decarbonization, electrification and increasing climate and cyber threats are introducing new levels of grid complexity and unpredictability, bringing the power and utilities industry to a critical juncture. Customers around the world are working to improve resiliency of their grids, accelerate their transition to renewables and enhance operational excellence and safety.
“Utilities around the world are turning to AspenTech today for advanced digital solutions to support the rapid expansion of renewables, modernize their grids and ensure the resiliency of their operations,” said Antonio Pietri, president and CEO of AspenTech. “With a distinguished career in power and utilities, Mark brings deep strategy and operations experience to enhance the value-based outcomes that AspenTech delivers to customers in this industry. As a thought leader, we look forward to his guidance as we support the industry in achieving the Utility of the Future.”
“I’m delighted to join the AspenTech team at this important inflection point for the power and utilities industry,” said Browning. “The energy transition and electrification create significant operational challenges impacting all stakeholders across electricity generation, transmission and distribution. AspenTech has established itself as a strategic partner to power and utilities and I’m eager to play a role in supporting the Company’s continued innovation, value creation and talent strategy.”
Later this month in Houston, more than 1,200 individuals from asset-intensive companies will attend OPTIMIZE 24, AspenTech’s global customer event. Browning will join Pietri and other industry leaders in a plenary session exploring how organizations are making strategic choices to succeed in the new energy system. With approximately 500 power & utilities customers anticipated to attend the event, OPTIMIZE 24 will include dedicated industry sessions and a Digital Grid Management track for this specific audience.
