CHICAGO — 1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, announced the hire of Mike Rutkowski as the new managing director of the Chicago office. Rutkowski will lead a team of business, technology and cybersecurity consultants that turn business and technology insights into action for critical infrastructure industries.

"Mike brings 30 years of experience in the energy sector, spanning engineering, management consulting, and research and technology development," says Scott Newland, senior vice president and general manager for the Chicago office. "His tremendous leadership and vast experience will continue to accelerate the success of our team here in Chicago, which will continue to drive our clients' success."

As the former senior vice president of research and technology development at GTI Energy, Rutkowski co-founded the Low Carbon Resources Initiative, a collaborative research and development partnership with EPRI focused on advancing technologies needed to reach net zero by 2050. Previously, he was managing director for a global consultancy, leading teams providing strategy and operations consulting services to energy and utility companies.

"Together, the energy and culture at 1898 & Co. create a tremendous environment as the team grows and becomes more successful in helping clients plan and optimize their critical infrastructure assets," Rutkowski says. "The team continues to create strong results for our utility clients throughout the region as they address the challenges around energy transition and decarbonization."

1898 & Co. is a business and technology consultancy for asset-intensive industries like power generation and transmission; manufacturing and industrial; government, military and municipal; and others. As a global team of consultants, 1898 & Co. brings diverse experience and unique perspectives to solve clients' most complex problems in cybersecurity, asset planning and management, business strategy and transformation, and more.