Meet the Team at Volta Insite

With a passion for innovation and a vision for an electrified future, Denis Kouroussis founded Volta Energy, driven by his fascination with Tesla and electric cars. Initially focused on creating electric vehicle charging systems, Denis recognized a crucial issue in car electrification and upstream transformers' demand. This realization led Volta Energy to shift its focus to demand management, ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electrical systems.

As the company evolved, Denis spearheaded Volta's expansion into the distribution of industrial systems. However, identifying a gap in equipment capable of effectively addressing issues in the industrial sector, he founded Volta Insite. Today, Denis and his team provide electrical data, real-time intelligence on critical electrical assets, and predictive analytics for mission-critical equipment, offering lower operating costs and eliminating unexpected downtime.

In further pursuit of his commitment to advancing electrification, Denis co-founded Atom Power, where he developed the world's first UL-listed solid-state circuit breaker. The journey came full circle with Atom Power's digital EV charging solution, aligning with Denis' initial goal of electrifying cars.

Denis' passion for electronics and mechanics dates back to his early teenage years when he began repairing the family vehicles. This ignited his curiosity in power electronics and rotating machinery, leading him to study electrical engineering.

Bringing over two decades of innovation experience to the realm of electrical engineering, Denis has worked in power electronics, semiconductors, software, and equipment maintenance. His diverse background enables him to find solutions that may not be obvious initially, drawing from a vast depth of knowledge accumulated over the years.

With a Master's in power electronics and a Ph.D. in CAD tools for VLSI, Denis Kouroussis continues to lead and innovate, leveraging his technical expertise across various sectors to find holistic solutions.

Daniel, the Chief Operating Officer at Volta Insite, originally joined the company as its founding investor, inspired by Denis's vision of an electrified future.

Daniel's professional journey began in the financial securities industry in London, England, with Merrill Lynch & Co. In 1998, he earned his SFDR (Securities and Financial Derivatives Representative) while trading on the International Convertible Bond Desk, fostering a global business perspective. His career continued in New York City with Merrill Lynch & Co. and Banc of America Securities. Throughout his successful trading career, Daniel distinguished himself through dedication to quantitative analysis, innovative thinking, and personal integrity. He holds a B.S. in Physics Summa Cum Laude from St. Lawrence University.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel is dedicated to his children, and enjoys time with the family. Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains, he developed a lifelong love for skiing and adventure sports, leading him to travel the globe. Daniel's commitment to excellence, coupled with his passion for adventure, embodies his dynamic approach both in business and personal life.

Karim, a distinguished technology leader, joined Volta Insite as the Chief Technology Officer in early 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in product development strategy, execution, and management for both startups and large enterprises.

Prior to Volta Insite, as the CTO of Cato Digital (formerly Virtual Power Systems), he drove patented hardware and software innovations in software-defined power focused on increasing the data center power utilization. As the Senior Vice President of Product Development at SDL Language Technologies, he drove multiple product lines managing global teams to deliver language translation software solutions to Fortune 100 companies.

With an impressive career spanning 30 years, Karim is a seasoned product executive with a strong foundation in product management and software engineering. His expertise extends across startups and publicly traded software companies, reflecting a diverse and comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape. His passion lies not only in delving into the technical intricacies of scalable and reliable cloud software products but also in cultivating high-performance teams through transformative leadership that emphasizes people and process interactions.

In addition to his impactful corporate contributions, Karim is a co-author of the book titled "Greener Data: Actionable Insights from Industry Leaders." The book, available on Amazon, compiles insights and real-world examples from 24 industry thought leaders across the globe. It addresses the complex challenge of making data centers more environmentally sustainable, offering perspectives from experts spanning various regions and layers of critical digital infrastructure.

Beyond his corporate and literary pursuits, Karim is deeply engaged in academia. He is a part-time faculty member in Carnegie Mellon University's Software Management program. In this role, he empowers students to adopt a futures-based approach to product development, combining traditional machine learning and software architecture with design thinking and futures studies. His commitment to education underscores his dedication to nurturing the next generation of technologists with a holistic and forward-thinking mindset.

A technologist with a penchant for bold and critical thinking, Karim continues to make indelible contributions to the technology landscape, seamlessly blending his corporate leadership, literary endeavors, and educational initiatives into a cohesive and impactful professional journey.

When he’s not involved in all this, Karim likes to travel and immerse himself in nature, history and culture.

Karim with Don Quixote at the inn in Ciudad Real, Spain, that inspired Carventes to stage the knighting of Don Quixote in his novel.

John is the Chief Financial Officer at Volta Insite and Volta Energy, a strategic addition to our leadership team who joined us at the beginning of 2023. A graduate of the University of Toronto and a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), John brings over 25 years of robust experience in Finance, commanding our Finance and Accounting functions.

As a hands-on leader, John's comprehensive background spans the entirety of Finance, encompassing Accounting, Audit, Tax, Treasury, Forecasting/Budgeting, Mergers and Acquisition, and Risk Management. His professional journey includes tenures in large, well-established financial institutions and smaller, private, owner-managed companies. Leveraging this extensive expertise, John spearheads the growth initiatives of our technology and revenue streams while ensuring the judicious use of the company's capital.

Beyond his core financial responsibilities, John collaborates across departments, engaging with Business Development, HR, and Legal as a cross-functional leader. This ensures a cohesive alignment of financial strategies with broader organizational objectives.

In the realm of finance, our CFO isn't merely a steward of numbers; John is an architect of our fiscal success, steering both Volta Insite and Volta Energy toward a future of sustained financial excellence.

Karl attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). Amidst the academic challenges, he embraced the vibrant city life, captaining intramural sports and fostering a well-rounded experience.

Transitioning into the professional realm, he navigated the dynamic landscape of Silicon Valley, contributing his skills to a spectrum of companies, from innovative startups to Fortune 500 giants. The most recent professional chapter unfolded at Amazon Lab126. This culminated in over 40 years of invaluable software project experience.

Specializing in embedded firmware, he showcased versatility across the software stack – from crafting user interfaces and backend servers to developing iPhone applications, while also delving into assembler programming and hardware schematics. Whether on-site or working remotely, he brings a wealth of expertise to every project.

Diversifying life experiences, he embarked on a unique chapter in Hawaii, immersing himself in the study of Hawaiian healing arts. For over 12 years, he helped run a yoga retreat center, simultaneously software consulting, and nurturing a hobby soap-making business.

Away from the tech-centric world, he finds happiness in the simple joys of life – picking farm fresh strawberries after a summer rainstorm, strolling through birch forests, harvesting blueberries and chanterelle mushrooms, or biking through the breathtaking hues of fall color sunsets.

Above all, his greatest joy stems from quality time spent with friends and family.

Howie is our VP of Operations at Volta Insite where he launched the Charlotte based facility and brought in an amazing array of talent to staff the new location.

From Long Island, NY to Charlotte, North Carolina [via the US Navy and several deployments on board 2nd Fleet FlagShip, USS Mt. Whitney and building the first Type 2 calibration lab at Naval Guided Missiles School, Dam Neck], he has specialized in metrology and electronic repairs.

Howie was employee #1 at tech startup Atom Power, directing day-to-day operations including purchasing, distribution of goods and inventory levels. He also oversaw HR functions including, administering benefits programs, and running performance review and bonus programs.

In his spare time, Howie spent the better part of 30 years as a youth sports coach leading teams to championships in baseball, football and wrestling. At one point his 12 year old baseball squad was #1 in the Nation for 3 weeks.

George Galea, our Vice President Of Technical Services, is a highly experienced Electronics Engineering Technician with a diverse and accomplished career. He graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology and holds a Certified Sales Professional (CSP) designation. George's career spans various technical and sales roles, reflecting his adaptability and expertise in multiple industries.

George served in the Canadian Army Reserve for 11 years, specializing as an Infantry Radio Operator and Paratrooper. His military experience honed his technical skills and discipline, which he later applied to his civilian career.

During his early career, George worked as a components technician with ITT Canada, contributing to significant projects such as the Anik C satellite program and the Canada Space Arm program at Litton Systems. Transitioning to industrial automation, he excelled as a sales technician in the automotive, oil & gas, mining, and food production sectors. George also developed proficiency in programming PLCs, VFDs, and Vision Systems.

In the field of instrumentation, George worked as a sales technician for pilot-operated relief valves, pressure-operated relief valves, and local and remote gauges. His work in this area included roles as a Nuclear Energy Worker, where he applied his skills in PLC and VFD programming to ensure safety and efficiency in nuclear projects.

George established himself as an electric motor specialist while working with major companies like General Electric, Reliance Electric, and Regal Beloit USA. His expertise in electric motors further diversified his technical portfolio.

His career includes significant offshore startup projects across Asia and North America, showcasing his ability to adapt to different environments and manage complex technical challenges on a global scale.

Lauren hails from Spartanburg, South Carolina and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina. During her college years, Lauren was a member and 2-year Captain of the USC Dance Team.

She began her career as an Event Planning Coordinator for NASCAR in Charlotte, NC, traveling the country producing live events for clients within the sports industry including NASCAR, Budweiser, Bank of America and Sports Business Journal.

When Charlotte was chosen to be the home of the new NASCAR Hall of Fame, her job focus switched to serving the Building Services and Engineering teams. In this new role, Lauren was a key team member in the construction, engineering and integration of the NASCAR Tower and Studios in Uptown Charlotte.

Lauren spent the next 13+ years working for several commercial contractors in the mechanical and electrical sales industries, specializing in mission critical solutions in the Carolinas.

Lauren joined the Volta Insite team in 2023 as the Director of Business Development. She has a true passion for building long-term relationships with her customers and working with them to help their operations run efficiently.

Beyond the hustle and bustle of business, Lauren is a travel enthusiast – especially if it involves a fishing trip. Her loyal sidekick is an American Bully named Dolly and every Saturday during football season you’ll find her cheering for her beloved South Carolina Gamecocks.

Amber brings a fresh perspective and energetic approach to her role as an Account Executive at Volta Insite. She earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has since built a robust foundation in the insurance sector. With over seven years as an insurance broker and risk mitigation manager, Amber has developed extensive technical industry expertise, making her a valuable addition to the Volta Insite team.

Amber is an avid adventurer both in and out of the office. She enjoys scuba diving, playing volleyball, and swimming. Her passion for exploration extends to traveling to new destinations, where she embraces different cultures and experiences. At home, Amber cares for her pet snake, Scyther, and maintains a diverse collection of plants, showcasing her nurturing side. Committed to making a difference, Amber actively volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Charlotte, dedicating her time to supporting children and local nonprofits in the community.

An accomplished Applications Engineer who joined Volta Insite in 2023, Taylor spearheads mechanical design, testing, and customer applications. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Taylor embarked on his mechanical engineering career journey in 2015, swiftly ascending from a mechanical developer to a leadership position. Today, he leverages his honed skills to drive development and leadership initiatives at Volta Insite.

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. While pursuing his degree, he also served as an Advanced Repair Agent (ARA) at Best Buy's Geek Squad, showcasing his commitment to practical application and real-world problem-solving.

Passionate about mechanical design and reliability, Taylor will continue to be a driving force behind the evolution and success of the Node and the broader offerings of Volta Insite. His expertise extends to integrating electronics into the mechanical realm, converting faults and failures into electrical analyses to ensure system uptime and excellent outcomes for customers.

Outside the world of engineering, Taylor enjoys fishing, woodworking, and cherishing moments with his wife and their many pets. His commitment to excellence in mechanical engineering and reliability is a cornerstone of Volta Insite's commitment to delivering top-notch solutions.

Larry Brooks is a seasoned Quality Engineer at Volta Insite, bringing over 20 years of experience in Quality, Manufacturing, and R&D. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Youngstown State University.

Throughout his career, Larry has excelled in implementing, managing, and maintaining industry-leading quality management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 17025, and AS 9100. He holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification and has received extensive training in quality systems auditing and root cause analysis problem-solving.

Outside of his professional life, Larry maintains a balanced lifestyle filled with a variety of activities. He enjoys running, biking, hiking, cooking, tackling home improvement projects, gaming, and spending time with friends and family. Originally from Northeast Ohio, he is an avid fan of Cleveland baseball. Larry also has a passion for travel, intending to experience all the natural and modern wonders of the world—except for Mount Everest.

Larry's dedication to quality and continuous improvement, combined with a unique perspective informed by his diverse personal interests, makes him an invaluable member of the Volta Insite team.

Alex brings a blend of technical expertise and hands-on experience as a mechanical engineer to the Volta Insite team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2018.

During his time at UNC Charlotte, Alex was integral to the BAJA SAE Motorsports Team from 2017 to 2018. He played a crucial role in designing and building an off-road vehicle using advanced CAD and simulation software, which successfully competed in the 2018 competition.

Alex's professional journey includes being a key member of a Charlotte-based tech startup, where he contributed to the design and development of the first UL-listed solid-state circuit breaker and its associated distribution panel. His expertise in mechanical design spans testing, stress analysis simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and product development.

Outside of his professional commitments, Alex enjoys spending quality time with his family. He is also passionate about drag racing, dedicating his free time to engineering, building, and competing with drag race vehicles at local and national events. Always eager to expand his knowledge, Alex is currently exploring coding microprocessors and developing graphic user interfaces to enhance their functionality.