Richard Dennis, PE, serves as the Technical Director of the Data Center Services practice at Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. In this role, he leads a growing team of experts focused on advancing technical standards and expanding service offerings to help clients capitalize on the rapidly evolving and highly lucrative data center market.
With more than 25 years of experience in power engineering and IT infrastructure, Richard brings deep expertise in the planning, design, and development of power systems and mission-critical data center infrastructure. His career includes a strong record of success in building and managing international, multidisciplinary engineering teams for global leaders across the electric power, automation, and renewable energy sectors.
Richard is known for his strategic leadership in developing and executing effective project delivery strategies, identifying emerging markets, and driving client-focused initiatives that enhance satisfaction and foster long-term partnerships. He excels at integrating technology and talent to achieve alignment with organizational objectives and measurable business results.
As a proven change leader, Richard has consistently demonstrated his ability to analyze complex operational challenges, implement high-impact improvements, and drive performance optimization. His skill set includes risk assessment and mitigation, market and competitive analysis, and strategic decision-making to elevate organizational outcomes.
Richard’s areas of technical expertise span electrical power systems, automation controls, renewable energy, battery energy storage, and large-scale data center infrastructure. He is deeply passionate about cultivating high-performance teams, solving complex engineering problems, and exceeding ambitious performance goals in competitive, technology-driven environments.
Highlights
Problem Solving & Crisis Management:
- Successfully led critical recovery efforts under extreme conditions
- Restored Chevron’s Pascagoula, MS refinery to full operation after Hurricane George, generating $150M in high-margin sales.
- Directed multi-disciplinary teams to restore Manhattan’s East River Power Station after 9/11, ensuring operational stability.
- Rebuilt the entire electrical infrastructure at Keesler AFB Medical Center following Hurricane Katrina.
- Each project required 24/7 operations over several months, showcasing resilience and leadership in crisis environments.
Technical Solutions & Innovation:
- Delivered technical expertise across high-impact, complex engineering challenges
- Conducted forensic analysis and root cause resolution for the US Air Forces’ F-117A Stealth Fighter gyroscopic GPS system and the US Navy Aegis Cruiser Battleship’s Antisubmarine Warfare System.
- Developed a “First-of-its-Kind” adaptive harmonic filter for a US Navy Test Facility power grid.
- Engineered a hybrid grounding system that enhanced the reliability of deep submersible pumps for a South American oil company.
- Led the technical certification effort for a Generator Excitation Control system for use in North America, South America, Russian Federation, European Union, and China.
- Designed and implemented a 500MW medium voltage static starting control system for one of the world’s largest hydro pump storage facilities in Korea, collaborating with regional transmission grid stability experts.
- Spearheaded the development of a 100MW/150MWh battery energy storage system in Australia.
- Contributed to NERC technical committees, including the System Analysis and Modeling Subcommittee and Power Plant Modeling and Verification Task Force, contributing to the creation of MOD-025, 026, 027, 032, and 033 standards.
New Business Development:
- Captured $86M+ in new sales within 18 months by leading a power generation services initiative aligned with the American Recovery and Investment Act.
Quality Assurance Leadership:
- Served as Senior Quality Examiner for a multinational corporation, assessing performance metrics across leadership, strategy, customer relationships, process improvement, employee engagement, and corporate governance based upon the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Framework.
Mergers & Integrations:
- Directed the integration of acquired generator controls technology into a Fortune 500 company, aligning operations, sales, and HR to deliver a fully functioning new business unit.
Product Development:
- Led post-merger technology integration, combining hardware and software platforms to create a new product line meeting global
industry standards.
- Utilized PROLaunch and Agile methodologies for development tracking and phase gate reviews.
Global Team Building:
- Built and trained global engineering, management, and sales/marketing teams, enabling market expansion and increased competitiveness against established OEMs.
Global Expansion and Sales Growth:
- Established and executed global sales initiatives across Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East/Africa, and Latin America.
- Drove global business growth, achieving annual sales that doubled year-over-year and exceeding targets by up to 273%.
