Charles Kiplin Smith, MBA, PE

CEO and Principal Modernization Advisor

Charles (Kip) Smith is the Founder, CEO, and Principal Modernization Advisor for qi Automation LLC. He brings more than 35 years of experience helping utilities and other critical infrastructure organizations navigate digital modernization, operational technology transformation, cybersecurity integration, and long-term technology lifecycle challenges.

Kip's career has spanned executive leadership, engineering management, digital transformation strategy, modernization governance, and implementation of large-scale modernization initiatives across North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia. His experience includes modernization of digital instrumentation and control systems, plant computer platforms, virtualized environments, operational technology architectures, human-system integration, and cyber-resilient digital infrastructure.

As a trusted advisor, Kip works with organizations seeking to balance operational performance, cybersecurity, reliability, regulatory considerations, workforce impacts, and long-term business objectives while navigating increasingly complex modernization decisions. His approach combines practical implementation experience with strategic planning, helping organizations develop modernization roadmaps, evaluate technology investments, strengthen governance frameworks, and improve decision-making processes.

In addition to his advisory work, Kip is actively engaged in applied industry research focused on digital modernization governance, benchmarking methodologies, lifecycle value analytics, modernization sequencing, cybersecurity integration, and human-system performance. His research interests center on understanding how organizations make modernization decisions within highly regulated, safety-critical, and asset-intensive environments.

Kip holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business, and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration focused on applied research in digital modernization and modernization governance. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Throughout his career, Kip has contributed to industry publications, technical conferences, modernization working groups, and collaborative research initiatives focused on advancing the future of digital modernization across critical infrastructure industries.

Mitchel D. Costa Jr., MSIT

Strategic Partner – Cybersecurity & Digital Infrastructure

Mitchel Costa is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Zulu Trust Labs LLC and serves as a strategic technology and cybersecurity partner to qi Automation LLC. Through this collaborative relationship, Mitchel provides specialized expertise supporting digital modernization initiatives involving operational technology (OT), cybersecurity, network architecture, virtualization technologies, and secure infrastructure solutions.

Drawing upon extensive experience in cybersecurity engineering, operational technology environments, and digital modernization programs, Mitchel helps organizations strengthen cyber resilience, integrate secure digital platforms, and address the technical challenges associated with modernizing complex operational environments. His expertise includes network segmentation strategies, virtualization platforms, OT integration, defense-in-depth architectures, and modernization readiness activities supporting critical infrastructure systems.

Following a distinguished military career that culminated in service as a U.S. Army First Sergeant, Mitchel transitioned into cybersecurity engineering and digital modernization support. His experience includes classified network operations, information assurance, cybersecurity program development, operational technology security, secure communications systems, infrastructure resilience, and leadership of highly technical teams operating in demanding environments.

As Founder of Zulu Trust Labs LLC, Mitchel supports organizations seeking to strengthen cybersecurity posture, secure operational technology environments, and integrate modern digital infrastructure within existing operations. His experience includes development of secure network architectures, virtualization environments, defense-in-depth strategies, cybersecurity integration, and deployment of digital platforms supporting critical infrastructure modernization.

Mitchel also brings experience as an educator and technology instructor, helping develop future professionals in networking, cybersecurity, information technology, and digital systems. His combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and cybersecurity experience complements qi Automation’s capabilities in modernization governance, executive advisory services, benchmarking initiatives, and applied industry research.

Mitchel holds a Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Operational Technology Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Technical Management with a concentration in Network Management, and multiple industry certifications supporting cybersecurity, networking, cloud technologies, and digital infrastructure modernization.