Powering What's Next

Since joining Gresham Smith in 2019, Data Center Services Leader Jeff Prentiss has helped establish and grow the firm’s substation design capabilities within the Energy & Utility Infrastructure practice. With more than 15 years of experience in the power utility industry, Jeff brings a strong technical background in substation engineering, project management, and construction support to the rapidly evolving data center market.

Originally from Memphis, Jeff began his career designing automobile speakers before transitioning into the substation and energy field. He later became an engineering supervisor at Mesa Associates in Knoxville, where he focused exclusively on air-insulated substation engineering. Over the course of his career there, Jeff managed and delivered more than 250 projects, ranging from breaker replacements to complete greenfield substation designs. He also led a team of engineers, reviewed detailed engineering drawings, and coordinated with multiple disciplines to support successful project outcomes.

That experience gave Jeff a foundation in physical substation and grounding design, standards and specification development, and construction support—skills that would later help him build a new service line at Gresham Smith.

Jeff first learned about the firm through a colleague who referred him in 2019. He was looking for a new challenge and was drawn to Gresham Smith’s culture of empowerment and investment in its employees. He was particularly impressed by the firm’s efforts to foster personal connections between employees and leadership, including quarterly events for new hires.

Just as important, Jeff saw an opportunity to pursue his passion for substation engineering in a new environment. At the time, Gresham Smith had not previously offered substation design as a service. With the firm’s support, Jeff built the capability from the ground up, developing a team that now represents roughly 20% of the Energy and Utility Infrastructure practice’s staff. Under his leadership, the group’s net revenue grew over 140% from 2023 to 2025 and now represents a significant part of the practice’s portfolio of business that continues to grow at an accelerated pace.

As the substation service developed, it became an important part of the firm’s expanding Energy & Utility Infrastructure practice. Jeff also came to appreciate the collaborative culture that connects Gresham Smith’s offices across the country. “You feel that sense of belonging wherever you go,” he said.

Today, Jeff leads a growing team of subject matter experts in power delivery. Together, they partner with clients, utilities, and contractors to develop the infrastructure needed to support society’s increasing demand for artificial intelligence and other data-intensive technologies.

The work is complex. Hyperscale data centers require significant amounts of reliable power, often delivered through high-voltage transmission systems, and transformed through on-site substations. Jeff helps guide projects through the engineering, procurement and construction process, coordinating among clients, utility providers and contractors from initial design through final construction.

His work also gives Gresham Smith a unique perspective on the broader impacts of data center development. As communities and utilities adapt to this rapidly emerging market, Jeff’s team helps clients understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with growth. Their involvement allows them to support responsible infrastructure development while gaining a deeper understanding of how the data center boom is affecting communities and local culture.

Because the data center market is changing so quickly, Jeff is cautious about predicting exactly what the next five to 10 years will bring. Still, he sees significant opportunity for Gresham Smith to help shape the industry’s direction. 

By combining technical expertise with strong relationships across the data center, utility and construction sectors, the firm can help clients develop reliable infrastructure while considering the needs of the communities where these projects are located. For Jeff, that balance is central to the team’s continued growth. 

Over the past seven years, Jeff has witnessed and contributed to significant growth at Gresham Smith. Growth made possible by leadership’s willingness to support new ideas and invest in employee passion. “I am fortunate to be part of an organization that encourages ownership and innovation, empowering employees to create new services and lead initiatives that advance the firm’s success,” Jeff said. 

From building a new substation design service to leading a growing data center program, Jeff’s career at Gresham Smith reflects the impact of technical expertise paired with opportunity. His work is helping prepare the infrastructure needed for the future of AI and data center technology while supporting more informed, collaborative, and responsible development.