The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Jess Borrevik, chief technology officer for ICF’s energy, environment, and infrastructure group, and finalist in the Cloud Executive of the Year, Public Company, category. Here, he talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
I’m leading ICF’s efforts to accelerate adoption of cloud and advanced technologies, such as AI/GenAI, to solve some of the toughest challenges faced by federal, state and local, and utility clients in the rapidly evolving energy, environment, and infrastructure sectors.
In 2024, I led our efforts to bring together our industry experts, technologists, and data scientists to upgrade several ICF technologies by integrating them into the cloud and ensuring they’re built for the AI/GenAI future. For example, we designed ClimateSight®, our AWS cloud- and AI-enabled industry solution that allows climate analysts to engage large geospatial datasets to develop custom projections of climate and extreme weather hazard impacts for specific communities. We’re now running models 5-35 times faster, sometimes 85% more efficiently, relative to legacy approaches. And are able to conduct more sophisticated and valuable analyses; perform interactive data analysis; and develop highly customized visualizations—driving more value and impact for our clients.
We’re also working to accelerate our technology capabilities in other areas such as renewable energy siting, energy efficiency, and disaster management, all supported by our expert advisory teams. These include EnergyInsite®, our comprehensive data and analytics technology that helps energy developers and utilities site renewable energy projects; PowerGuide Fleets®, our fleet electrification platform that helps utilities maximize their fleet electrification programs’ impact; and DisasTRAX®, our end-to-end grants management platform that streamlines the financial disbursement process for disaster recovery.
We’re now managing data faster and more efficiently, delivering accelerated outcomes at a critical time as energy demand grows, there’s urgency in deploying renewable energy, and extreme weather is increasing in frequency and intensity—delivering impactful, mission-critical programs and industry solutions, grounded in science and the latest data, to solve our clients’ most difficult challenges.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Clients want increasingly complex insight faster, and for data to be more accessible, trusted, understood, and ready for an AI future with enhanced data management and modernization. We need to think holistically about how to evolve our cloud capabilities at the right speed and scale, securely and responsibly. I’m solely focused on ensuring we’re doing just that—combining our deep domain expertise with cutting-edge solutions and human-centered practices to deliver high-value, high-impact solutions to government and commercial clients that maximize program outcomes and effect meaningful change.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Find new ways to learn or experience diverse skills. Identify your career objectives and share them with leaders in your company and industry. And remember that to be successful in the technology field requires strong people skills. Develop your ability to connect with others, identify gaps in your team, recruit the right people to fill those gaps, and build successful teams around you.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
I love being in the mix with my kids! I like to play backyard football, sometimes XBOX football, with my son and recite lines with my daughter who is very involved in regional acting and musical performances.