Michael “Cole” Smith is a Grid Cybersecurity and Communications Program Manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, where he oversees research and development efforts focused on securing the control systems and communications infrastructure that underpin the nation’s electric grid. A U.S. military veteran, he brings an operational, systems-level mindset to his work at the intersection of cybersecurity, resilience, and critical infrastructure. Prior to joining DOE, Cole worked as a power generation technician, cyber-physical engineer, and consultant, supporting utilities, national laboratories, and energy stakeholders on operational technology security and resilience challenges. He brings experience across federal service, private-sector engineering, and cybersecurity leadership, spanning hands-on field operations and national-scale R&D. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from The George Washington University and is passionate about bridging policy, engineering, and real-world grid operations.