Fourteen years ago, GridSME wasn’t much more than a wild idea—one that our founders, Eric Whitley and Lonnie Rush, decided to bet on. The idea? That the best experts in the industry deserved a great home. In the right environment, they could come together to solve the power grid’s toughest challenges.

They set out to build something different—not just another consulting firm, but a place where people love their work, clients get real, practical solutions, and collaboration thrives.

Fast forward to today, and that idea has grown into something bigger than any of us could have imagined: a thriving community of problem-solvers, innovators, and, let’s be honest, some of the best humans you’ll ever meet.

From the beginning, Eric took inspiration from Patagonia’s culture, where people are trusted to manage their own time, do great work, and still have room for the things that make life meaningful. (We don’t have an official "go surfing" policy yet, but hey, maybe for Year 15?) As Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, said:

"The sooner a company tries to be what it is not, the sooner it tries to ‘have it all,’ the sooner it will die."

That’s why, from day one, GridSME has focused on staying true to who we are—a SME-first company that prioritizes expertise, trust, and humility over chasing every shiny opportunity.

Carlyn Marsh, our Finance Manager, highlights the incredible freedom we have to grow and explore in ways that keep us adaptable and relevant:

"There is a lot of freedom based on trusting each SME to find where they do their best work. Once you come in, your initial role or team is not static. As you become curious about different technologies, systems, or projects, you’re encouraged to explore and learn from others. The world around us is changing quickly, and knowing you work somewhere that fosters creativity, continuous learning, and personal growth means you not only feel confident about your future here, but you also know that GridSME is evolving in ways that will keep both the company and our SMEs relevant for years to come."

Curiosity and continuous learning are what keep both a company and its people thriving in an ever-changing world. Like the principles in Let My People Go Surfing, we know that a culture of creativity and personal growth not only makes us better professionals but also ensures that GridSME remains an exciting, relevant, and sustainable place to work. We encourage each other to explore, learn, and carve our own paths within the work we do.

GridSME is more than just a workplace—it’s a community where meaningful, exciting work happens alongside great people. Here, leadership isn’t just a title; it’s a commitment to serving others. We believe true leadership means leading by example and supporting those around us:

"If they work for you, you work for them."

As Sara Rhodes, our Vice President of Business Development and Account Management, puts it:

"It's refreshing to work for a company that isn't afraid to say no to opportunities outside of our core strengths. By saying no, we ensure our SMEs work on projects they actually enjoy and feel confident in. GridSME truly puts SMEs first—it’s leadership that walks the walk and talks the talk. This is hands down the best job I’ve ever had, and honestly, I hope I work here forever."

At the heart of it all, GridSME has always been about the people—our SMEs, our clients, and the many partners who make this community what it is. And speaking of people, we’ve welcomed even more brilliant minds this year! But what hasn’t changed is our commitment to bringing in Humble, Hungry, and Smart individuals who want to solve real problems and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Fourteen years in, and as John Franzino often says, “We’re just getting started.” The grid isn’t getting any less complex, and we’re growing to meet that challenge—all while staying true to the principles that got us here.

Our 50+ year vision? To be the best home for the best SMEs in the industry. Because when you put great people in the right environment, they’ll take great care of our clients—and each other.

To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you. Here’s to 14 years of problem-solving, late-night brainstorming, and just the right amount of nerdy grid jokes. And here’s to the next chapter—because the best is yet to come.

With the way we’re growing, working here might just be the most renewable resource we have.⚡♻️Badum tss! 🎶🥁

Happy 14th Anniversary, GridSME! And a huge thank you to Eric and Lonnie for taking that leap 14 years ago.