KEMA executive named a Top 25 Consultant for 2009

BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS - KEMA senior vice president Robert Wilhite has been named one of Consulting MagazineÂ’s top 25 consultants for 2009.

Recognized for excellence in energy consulting, Wilhite leads the firmÂ’s global Intelligent Networks and Communications practice. Demonstrating the strength of KEMAÂ’s continued growth, this is the second year in a row a KEMA consultant has been awarded this distinction.

Consulting Magazine is a widely respected publication covering key decision-makers at the world's most influential consulting firms. The annual Top 25 consultants are nominated by colleagues and clients for their excellence in one of several critical areas, including: leadership, client service, healthcare, energy, public sector, technology, retail and financial services.

The publication highlights that under WilhiteÂ’s leadership, KEMA has grown to become a significant player in the marketplace, helping clients by developing and delivering comprehensive solutions to achieve smart grids and AMI deployments worldwide.

Essentially starting the KEMA ‘smart grid’ practice from scratch four years ago “in only a short time, Wilhite has positioned KEMA to be competitive with much larger and more established consulting practices in the area.” Wilhite also is one of the primary authors of KEMA’s Utility of the Future book.

“The smart grid and advanced metering are emerging as enablers — and primary drivers — of significant change for our energy and utility clients,” says Hugo van Nispen, president and managing director of KEMA operations in the Americas. “Rob exemplifies KEMA’s dedication to clients as a technical advisor and solutions partner. Through his experience, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, Rob is helping advance KEMA’s position in the smart grid market and enabling clients to forge strategic technical and management roadmaps towards a more efficient, effective and sustainable energy future.”

Based in North Carolina, Wilhite joined KEMA in 2004 as an executive consultant in the management consulting practice. He established the North American AMI practice in 2005 and by 2008 was promoted to senior vice president and global lead for the Intelligent Networks and Communications practice. He holds an MBA in business administration and finance from Florida International University and a B.S. in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Consulting magazine will honor The Top 25 recipients on June 17 at a gala awards dinner in New York City.

Wilhite is chairing a panel discussion on operating a smart grid at KEMAÂ’s second annual Utility of the Future executive conference in Washington DC June 17-19.