As we bid farewell to 2023, we reflect on a year that was not only pivotal but also transformative. This year, we celebrated the formal establishment of our Energy Technology Practice, expanded our leadership with a new C-suite, immersed ourselves in key industry conferences, and continued our commitment to sustainability and innovation. Each step we took this year, from welcoming new team members to hosting our first webinar, has been a stride toward shaping a brighter future in technology and energy. Join us as we recap these milestones and their impact on our journey.

Formalizing Our Energy Technology Practice

This year’s most exciting news was the formalization of our Energy Technology Practice, under the expert leadership of Dr. Hadi Athari as Director. This new venture merges our established prowess in custom software and user experience with Dr. Athari’s deep understanding of energy systems, aiming to transform the intersection of technology and the energy sector. The practice’s mission is to collaborate closely with energy and utility companies, leveraging our combined expertise to spearhead digital transformation within the industry.

Expanding Horizons: Simple Thread at Leading Energy Conferences

This year we actively participated in a series of influential energy conferences, including the IEEE PES Grid Edge Technologies Conference & Expo and DISTRIBUTECH International, which provided us with valuable insights into grid modernization and utility challenges. Our involvement extended to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Finance Forum in New York, where discussions on renewable energy financing amidst environmental challenges highlighted the urgency of sustainable solutions. Additionally, our presence at events like the IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting and the “Grid of the Future” conference further deepened our understanding of technological advancements in the energy sector. These gatherings were not just learning opportunities but also platforms for us to contribute to and shape the conversation around the future of energy technology.

Commitment to Sustainability and Transformation

In line with our values, we’ve made monthly donations to nonprofits working toward sustainable energy and digital transformation. This ongoing commitment reflects our belief in making a positive impact beyond our client projects.

Accolades and Awards

We’re proud to announce that we’ve been recognized with several prestigious awards this year:

• The Fast 5000 Award for the third consecutive year, a testament to our consistent growth and innovation
• The Clutch Global Award – Fall 2023
• UpCity – Best of Virginia Award
• RVA 25 Awards, where we ranked 15th with an impressive 91% growth.

Revitalizing Our Leadership: The Formation of Our New C-Suite

This year, we took a significant step forward by restructuring our executive leadership team, a move aimed at amplifying our design and technology practices and deepening our understanding of the energy and utility sectors. Justin Etheredge assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing his vision for building deep, trusting client relationships to the forefront. Al Tenhundfeld, now the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Energy Practice Lead, is excited to combine great design with engineering to create transformative software solutions, and Spencer Hansen stepped into the role of Chief Design Officer (CDO).

Welcoming New Friends

We expanded our #Threadhead family from 25 to 41 team members in 2023, each new face bringing fresh perspectives and skills to our team.

Another exciting addition this year was Michael Prichard joining as an Advisor. His expertise and vision are invaluable assets as we continue to innovate and grow.

Leading the Charge in Energy Innovation: Energy Tech Virginia

We’re proud of the continued success of the Energy Tech Virginia group, an initiative we started with its inaugural meeting in 2022. This group has rapidly become a cornerstone for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the Greater Richmond area. This year, we hosted six engaging events, delving into topics like grid modernization, the energy industry 101, the IoT Community, and the critical role of analysis and prediction in grid operations.

These gatherings have not only established Greater Richmond as an emerging hub for energy innovation but have also created a vibrant community for sharing insights, meeting industry leaders, and fostering new ideas. We’re excited to keep building on this foundation and invite others to join us in shaping the future of energy technology. You can become a part of this dynamic group here and contribute to the dialogue on energy innovation.

Consistent Thought Leadership: Our Weekly Blogging Journey

Back in 2019, we set ourselves an ambitious goal: to publish insightful blog posts on a weekly basis. Not only have we consistently met this goal, but we’ve surpassed it, resulting in a total of 56 compelling posts with over 60,000 views this year! Thanks for subscribing!

Our First Webinar

This year marked another significant milestone for us – hosting our first webinar focused on the cutting-edge topic: “Leveraging ChatGPT for Business: What Does it Mean for Your Data”. This event was a deep dive into the world of AI and its implications for business data, drawing a keen audience interested in the intersection of technology and business strategy.

For those who missed the live event, the recording is still available for viewing here.

Conclusion

This year has been a remarkable journey for Simple Thread. Each milestone represents our commitment to excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact. As we look ahead, we are filled with anticipation for what the future holds, confident that the best is yet to come.

Thank you to our team, our clients, and our community for being a part of our story. Here’s to continued success in the coming year!