“Coder by blood, architect by trade, and leader by choice.“

Phillip Smith is a transformational technology executive whose distinguished career spans over two decades of engineering breakthrough technologies, aligning enterprise architecture with business strategy, and leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives. Renowned for his technical acumen and executive leadership, Smith has directed global teams of up to 150 professionals and overseen budgets exceeding $175 million, always with a sharp eye on innovation, scalability, and operational efficiency.

In his most recent role as Global Vice President of Network and Critical Infrastructure Solutions at National Grid, Smith was the architect behind the modernization of telecommunications networks across the U.S. and U.K. utility landscapes. He managed a broad portfolio including operational technology, voice systems, and critical national infrastructure, playing a central role in converging IT and OT systems. His leadership produced a 15-year strategy and five-year execution roadmap that secured regulatory funding and yielded $10 million in annual savings through insourced architecture and engineering.

Before joining National Grid, Smith spent over two decades at DTE Energy, where he held a series of progressively senior leadership positions. As Operational Technology Director, he directed a 45-member team with a $100 million annual capital budget to modernize distribution operations and grid connectivity, including a pivotal turnaround of a five-year, $100 million ADMS implementation. He also led the strategic modernization of DTE’s advanced metering infrastructure serving 2.6 million electric meters, while integrating data analytics and geospatial intelligence to enhance grid visibility.

Earlier, as IT Director of Technology and Architecture, Smith served in a de facto Chief Technology Officer role. He revitalized DTE’s enterprise architecture practice and aligned $100 million in annual capital investments with long-term technology roadmaps, including leading the technical transition of a $250 million customer information system from Oracle to SAP. His tenure also included significant innovation efforts, from deploying robotics and digital twins to launching industry-first customer-facing mobile apps that received national acclaim and formed the basis for joint ventures.

Smith began his career as a software developer and architect, where his fluency in platforms such as JAVA and CORBA laid the groundwork for his agile, systems-thinking approach to technology leadership. He rose through the ranks by building CMMI-accredited engineering teams and pioneering DTE’s enterprise architecture function—breaking down organizational silos under the guiding philosophy that “architecture lives in the data center.”

His academic foundation is equally robust, with a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in the same field from American Intercontinental University. He has further honed his leadership at prestigious institutions including Harvard Business School’s Strategic Leadership of Technology & Innovation program and the Executive Development Program at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He holds certifications in SAFe Agile and TOGAF 9.

Throughout his career, Smith has embodied the rare combination of coder, architect, and visionary executive—always grounded in technical excellence and driven by a commitment to deliver business value through innovation. Though his resume is rich with accolades and results, what sets Phillip Smith apart is his ability to bridge the gap between high-level strategic thinking and hands-on technical execution, making him a trusted leader in technology transformation.

Character
Phillip Smith exemplifies integrity, resilience, and a deep sense of accountability, consistently taking ownership of complex initiatives and leading with a people-first mindset that earns trust across technical and executive teams. His career reflects a commitment to ethical leadership, continuous improvement, and an unwavering drive to deliver results that benefit both the organization and its broader stakeholders.

Knowledge
With a foundation in enterprise architecture, advanced telecommunications, and operational technology, Phillip possesses a rare blend of hands-on technical expertise and deep domain knowledge in utilities, IT/OT convergence, and digital transformation. His academic credentials from Carnegie Mellon and certifications in SAFe Agile and TOGAF further reinforce his ability to guide organizations through evolving technology landscapes.

Strategic
Phillip is a visionary leader who crafts long-term technology strategies aligned with business goals, securing regulatory funding, driving cost savings, and ensuring sustainable infrastructure modernization. His approach combines innovation with disciplined execution, enabling him to deliver high-impact outcomes across $100M–$250M initiatives and foster enterprise-wide alignment around future-ready capabilities.

Communication
Whether aligning with C-suite stakeholders or leading teams of 150 across global operations, Phillip communicates with clarity, influence, and empathy. He effectively translates complex technical concepts into business value, ensuring strategic buy-in, operational cohesion, and cross-functional collaboration at every level of the organization.