Team Q&A: Ian Pemberton – Software Engineer Intern

Our new Software Engineer Intern Ian Pemberton understands that making the world a little greener and more energy efficient is a collective effort, whether that means coding for a greener tomorrow in support of the friendliest Grid-Edge DERMS provider or through the demand flexibility initiatives that our utility clients use to enhance grid resiliency and defray high peak energy costs. Join us in welcoming Ian to the Virtual Peaker team!

How did your previous life prepare you for Virtual Peaker? 

I have a Bachelor’s in the Fine Arts from the University of Louisville. Studying Art has allowed me to understand abstract concepts and demanded that I expand my understanding in my own decisions and others. To develop my practice, I have to constantly evaluate the decisions I have made before and adjust to my current state of being. When viewing other artists’ work, I have to find a common understanding, and if this is not possible, it means I need to seek out new information and/or experiences. Comprehending the experience the other artist is offering allows me to participate in the conversation and/or awareness of their experience. 

Tell us about your role at Virtual Peaker. 

I’m a Software Engineering Intern, and it is my job to provide solutions to issues that occur when a client or user is using a website. My days are spent locating code that manipulates website functions and is not operating in the requested fashion. My normal tasks are similar to those of a front-end engineering position, and I am very curious about the engineering side of integration.

How do you personally engage in sustainability efforts? 

I see sustainability as a collective effort, while the bulk responsibility of the biggest and necessary changes should be goals for industry leaders to pursue and achieve. For most people lacking means this is a non-issue, and sustainability is last for attentive concern. I do not come from a background of excessive means, and thus have nothing to change as all I do is out of necessity. 

I find the work being done to clean up the environment by organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup and the scientific research being done with solar energy to be some of the most inspiring and fascinating acts of sustainability.

What can you tell us about yourself?

I’m an artist first and an engineer second. I think about art, what I want to express, what other artists are making, and the responsibilities this entails.  Next, I think about how to make it. The “how” has led me to pursue engineering as an expansion of my art practice. I hope my art practice eventually allows me to express my experience in all categories of art and expression. 

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and pushing my boundaries. I am currently focused on evolving my sauce game and hope to get to a place where I can learn to grill. I’m experimenting with marinades, recipes, and seasoning. I spend time with my brothers playing video games, and I’m an avid Pinterest user.

About The Author

Bill is a serial entrepreneur with a PhD from UC Berkeley in Controls and Artificial Intelligence and 10 years of experience with high performance residential energy management and connected appliances. He was previously at GE as an Advanced Systems Engineer in the Connected Home Software Group, but left that role in May 2014 to pursue entrepreneurship full time.

Bill grew up in Louisville and returned with his family in 2010 after a long stint in the San Francisco Bay Area. He loves Louisville and is working to make it a better and more attractive city for high tech startups.

More About Bill