Sameer Simms was promoted to Director of Generation Operations, Planning and Performance at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) Ltd on December 1, 2021. His journey with JPSCo began in 2016 as an intern supporting the Renewable Energy team in the Energy Solutions Department. Shortly after, he joined the same department in 2017 as a Technician Engineer conducting site assessments, wind loading analysis, solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, and supervising system installations.

Sameer later took on the role of Project Coordinator in 2018 within the Business Development Division where he supported the development of distributed generation projects. His studies in both Physics and Mathematics as well as the numerical modelling performed during his research, provided a solid foundation to take on the advanced technical modelling of the performance of cogeneration and trigeneration power plants. The energy models he developed provided for faster, more detailed, and more accurate modelling of both the electrical and thermal outputs of various plant configuration.

Sameer, realising the importance of finance to the success of energy projects, then turned his attention to financial modelling. Within a few months, he successfully completed a certification in Financial Modelling and Valuation Analysis and became one of the key members of the project team to lead the financial modelling of distributed generation projects and provide guidance to ensure projects satisfied not just technical requirements but also financial ones.

In 2019, he joined the Finance Division as a Business Strategy Analyst initially providing support for tariff design, medium term rate review application, and corporate performance management. With a desire to further his newfound financial skillsets, he successfully completed the requirements to become a certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) professional a few months later. Using the combination of technical and financial knowledge and skills, he provided key analytical and leadership support to both the Business Planning & Performance Management and Regulatory teams.

Sameer was promoted to his current role in December 2021. In this new role, he is charged with providing strategic leadership to the organisation by driving growth through digital transformation and fostering agility, efficiency, and continuous improvement within the generating plants to achieve world-class standards.

While his roles have changed, Sameer’s focus on contributing to the improvement of business performance has remained constant. His leadership in the development of various simulators, analytical models, and capacity building initiatives have served to provide intelligence to influence key business decisions, increase efficiency, and improve business reporting.

Sameer is the holder of a Master of Philosophy in Physics (Alternative Energy focus) and Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics double major) degrees from  Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Mona  (UWI). He is committed to lifelong learning and enjoys transferring knowledge through his roles as an educator at The UWI and Wigton Wind Farm. At The UWI, he has taught several courses including 1) Science, Medicine and Technology, 2) Mechanics, Wave, Optics, and Thermodynamics, 3) Solar Power, and 4) Crime Scene Reconstruction. At Wigton Wind Farm, he has instructed courses covering the advanced design of large-scale solar thermal systems as well as energy auditing.

Sameer is very passionate about innovation, growth, and holistic development. He firmly believes in continuously improving and using innovation to add value and impact positive change. He enjoys travelling to different countries, road trips, connecting with nature, and is a huge aviation and automotive enthusiast.

Published: February 21, 2022.