I started my power system studies in the late 1980s and since then have found myself always staring at power lines while traveling down the interstate. Regardless of where my profession has taken me, I have always had an affection for power systems and the computer applications used to manage them. In the beginning of my career I worked in distribution and transmission planning for a large Utility and learned a respect for the activities that "kept the lights on". The bulk of my career has been with vendors working on integrating and developing SCADA, EMS and DMS systems for mid to large investor owned utilities. Along the way I have had the good fortune to address cyber-security issues in real systems and work side by side with some of the best in the industry. I have had the fortune of over a decade of in-depth exposure to the evolution of renewables, distributed generation, microgrids and developing real time systems to manage them. Today, I am continuing the mission to support the industry moving forward with complex OT/IT systems integrations in challenging times of uncertainty and technological advancement. Cheers to all those who continue to “keep the lights on” and work to advance this pillar of civilization.