Industry Insights

Itron Plays Key Role in Envision America Workshop

January 09, 2016

Itron, a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, is pleased to be among the partner companies lending expertise to 10 participating communities over a three-day workshop in Charlotte next week.

Envision America is a new national initiative that leverages the success of Envision Charlotte to accelerate deployment of innovative technologies in urban centers to tackle energy, water, waste and air challenges. The three-day Envision America workshop in Charlotte brings city leaders, smart cities experts and corporate partners together to facilitate smart city project planning and implementation.

Communities participating in Envision America include: Cambridge, MA; Dallas, TX; Greenville, SC; Los Angeles, CA; Milwaukee, WI; New York City, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; and Spokane, WA.

For Itron, Envision America, means a meaningful and critical opportunity for our technology, services and solutions to take a leading role in the national vision of creating a more sustainable and resourceful America. We believe there are 10 guiding principles to achieving successful smart cities. Check out our eBook, 10 Tenets of a Connected Smart City, to learn more.

If we are already envisioning Charlotte, what would it look like to Envision America?

By Russ Vanos

Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Global Software, Services and Smart Cities

Russell E. Vanos was named vice president of sales and marketing for global software, services and smart cities in November 2015. In this role, Vanos is leading Itron's global software and services teams to enable true solution selling in collaboration with Itron's Electricity, Gas and Water business lines. He is also integral to the Internet of Things and smart cities initiatives for the company. Vanos joined Itron in 1980 and has held various positions in sales, marketing and operations. Most recently, Vanos served as Itron's senior vice president of business development. Previously, Vanos served as Itron's vice president of marketing until 2011 and vice president and general manager, sales and marketing for energy until 2010. Vanos is on the board of the Washington State University Energy Innovation Center and Envision Charlotte, is a member of Edison Electric Institute (EEI), sits on the Cisco Internet of Things Steering Committee, and is a founding member of the Smart Cities Council.