Welcome to the professional site of Sam Ellis, a strategic
technology, cybersecurity, and energy operations leader
Welcome to the professional site of Sam Ellis, a strategic
technology, cybersecurity, and energy operations leader
Career Summary
Southwest Power Pool, Little Rock, Ark., 2020-2025 (CSO through 2024)
Led 180+ person org with $50M annual budget
Led development and implementation of 5-year strategic IT plan
Oversaw campus emergency operations
Led industry analysis of threats and opportunities for the power grid of the future
Southwest Power Pool, Little Rock, Ark., 2017-2020
Developed cybersecurity roadmaps and led improvements in cyber capabilities
Liaised with the board and external stakeholders
Southwest Power Pool, Little Rock, Ark., 2015-2017
Managed reliable operations of reliability, scheduling and tariff administration across 14 states
Oversaw reliable operation of real-time and same-day aspects of energy market consisting of 60+ GW of generation
Southwest Power Pool, Little Rock, Ark., 2003-2015
Led $115 million market implementation project recognized as one of the smoothest market implementations ever undertaken
Instrumental in SPP's first expansion of its footprint and services
Empire District Electric, Joplin Missouri, 2000-2003
Gas and electric energy trading and associated risk management
Key Accomplishments
Cybersecurity and Risk
Developed comprehensive cyber risk metrics for reporting to the board of directors
Oversaw independent cybersecurity maturity assessments and development of resulting roadmaps
AI and innovation
Formed cross-departmental AI team to identify and evaluate AI use cases
Regulatory and compliance
Led two FERC/NERC critical infrastructure audits demonstrating significant compliance maturity in the organization
Energy market expansion
Successful implementation of full real-time and day-ahead energy market
Growth of SPP's market footprint
Education and Certifications
 B.S., Business Administration & Accounting, Missouri Southern State University
Certifications
Dale Carnegie certificates in management and communications
NERC-certified Reliability Coordinator and System Operator (certifications have expired)
AI risk and governance