Chicago-based Project Management Advisors, Inc. announced that David Swank joined the firm as Vice President to lead its power and energy practice.
With energy access now a defining constraint in real estate development, Swank will guide PMA clients through early-stage power coordination, build-to-operate strategies, embed energy strategy into the development process, and bring clarity to capital planning conversations that increasingly begin with power availability and long-term capacity.
A nationally recognized executive in this field, Swank brings more than 35 years of experience, including CEO roles at multiple utilities and energy organizations. He served as CEO of Central Electric Cooperative, where he helped modernize utility operations, advanced distributed energy planning, and spearheaded one of the nation’s early digital twin simulation platforms to support energy strategy and resilience. Earlier in his career, he also served as CEO of Grundy Electric Cooperative.
Most recently, Swank was Vice President of Infrastructure Solutions at Exigent Energy Partners, where he advised large-scale real estate and infrastructure clients on integrated power planning and deployment strategies. He is also the founder and former CEO of enxchange, where he authored the patented ei360 digital platform, a next-generation solution that simplifies the complexities of distributed energy sources, microgrids, and virtual power plants.
Swank’s expertise spans grid operations, energy auditing, rate design, utility coordination, and digital infrastructure planning.
Swank’s work has earned national recognition, including awards from the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Public Utilities Fortnightly, and PennWell Publishing, among others. He has led initiatives like the Innovation Pointe smart micro-community campus, co-founded the National Energy Research Institute in partnership with Oklahoma State University, and has served on numerous advisory boards, such as the Oklahoma Governor’s Council on Aerospace and Autonomous Systems and Oklahoma State University’s research initiatives.
