David Alan Koehler
Nominated by the IEEE Board of Directors
Executive Advisor
Danovo Energy Solutions
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
David served in every Geographic Unit level within IEEE. Starting out as a Section Treasurer and ultimately being the Vice President for Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) in 2022.
He served on IEEE’s MGA, IEEE-USA, and EAB Major Boards and Representative to TAB, PSPB, and currently Standards Association, along with the IEEE Board of Directors three different years.
This year David serves as the Chair of the Initiatives Subcommittee for IEEE’s Technology for a Sustainable Climate Matrix Organization (TSCMO). He is also serving as Region 4’s Advisor and Volunteer Chief of Staff.
David has Chaired, Co-Chaired, or been a member of numerous IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committees.
He is an Executive Advisor at Danovo Energy Solutions, has provided numerous technical presentations, and published technical articles within the power industry.
David is a proud member of Women in Engineering (WIE) affinity group and our honor society: IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN).
If selected as President, I plan to focus on the following items:
- Expand our pre-university STEM outreach globally. Growing our future membership starts well before university enrollment. With many students deciding on their academic focus early, IEEE must amplify its efforts to promote the value and opportunity of STEM education to pre-university students worldwide.
- Improve Student to Young Professionals retention rates through engagement. IEEE currently has a 43% retention rate for graduate students and 23% retention rate for undergraduate students. We need to actively engage our student members so they transition to Young Professionals. We need to make sure that our products, services, and messaging are tailored to each of these different member segments. I will also invest in our student branches globally to make sure they have the products and services necessary to properly engage our student members.
- Enhance our brand messaging. Most people still think that IEEE is focused on academia and geared towards electrical engineering. We need to further collaborate with industry and make sure that all technologists globally know that IEEE can be their professional home.
- Global member discounts. We need to expand our volunteer benefit and discount programs worldwide. Discounts offered to our members need to be globally focused, not US focused.
- One IEEE. Everyone has a role to play in our mission of advancing technology for humanity. We need to improve volunteer and staff collaboration across our various OUs and committees, while providing the necessary training and resources for our volunteers to be successful.
- As 2022 VP MGA, we were able to reach an agreement on the first IEEE Regional Realignment since 1981. In detail, the Region Realignment resulted in:
- The split of Region 10 into two regions: Region 10 – North Asia and Region 11 South Asia and Pacific
- The approval of the concept of Zones and Zone Representatives
- The merger of Regions 1 and 2
- Three IEEE Bylaw changes and significant changes to the MGA Operations Manual
The Region Realignment received approval from the MGA Board and the IEEE Board of Directors and put an end to a 6-year-long discussion among Region Directors.
- As 2022 VP MGA, David championed the implementation of the new vTools Engage platform. This platform enables volunteers to engage, track, retain members, convert non-members to members, and provides volunteers with the information they need to offer the best engagement.
- As Past VP MGA, David reinstated MGA Board member training in December 2023.
- In 2024 David Chaired the IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership Continuity and Efficiency that resulted in reestablishing an IEEE Board Level Executive Committee.
- In 2022 David Co-Chaired the IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Engagement with significant impact that included four motions that were approved by the IEEE Board of Directors: focused on improved tracking of conference attendees, streamlining practices of customer and member interactions with IEEE and its volunteers, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- 2024 MGA Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award recipient.
- 2025 Region 4 Jack Sherman Outstanding Member Award recipient.
- As Region 4 Director, David established the Region 4 Industry Engagement Committee, initiated twelve new Region awards, introduced extensive annual volunteer training to onboard new volunteers, and added new assistant volunteer roles.
David Koehler is an Executive Advisor at Danovo Energy Solutions: an independent technology, consulting, and testing company dedicated to serving the electric power and energy industry. In this role, David draws on deep industry knowledge and practical experience to support organizations as they navigate technical complexity, innovation, and an evolving energy landscape.
Throughout his professional career, David has been actively engaged in advancing understanding and best practices within the power industry. He has delivered numerous technical presentations at industry conferences: translating complex engineering and operational concepts into clear, actionable insights. His ability to communicate effectively across technical and leadership audiences has made him a trusted resource among peers and industry stakeholders globally.
David has also contributed to the industry through published technical articles, sharing expertise and thought leadership on topics critical to the performance, safety, and reliability of electric power systems. His work reflects a strong commitment to knowledge sharing, professional development, and continuous improvement.
His professional career reflects a sustained dedication to strengthening the energy industry and supporting the professionals who power it. David is a member of the Power and Energy and Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation societies.
Recognitions:
- 2024 MGA Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award “For outstanding leadership and contributions to IEEE members, volunteers, staff and community members through championing community interactions, operational effectiveness and progressing Regional restructuring.”
- 2025 Region 4 Jack Sherman Outstanding Member Award “For visionary leadership and transformative contributions to IEEE governance, member engagement, and regional develop through impactful global initiatives.”
- 2021 NETA Alliance Recognition Award
Publications:
- D. Koehler and L.R. Lewand, “The Science of Sampling Insulating Liquids,” NETA PowerTest Conference, 2013.
- D. Koehler and L.R. Lewand, “Water Distribution and Migration in Transformer Insulation Systems and Assessment of Paper Water Content,” NETA PowerTest Conference, 2014.
- D. Koehler and L.R. Lewand, “What Type of Insulating Liquid is Within Electrical Equipment,” NETA PowerTest Conference, 2015.
- D. Koehler, P. Griffin, L. Lewand, R. Youngblood, R. Heywood, M. Patridge, A. Bajwa, M. Muaili, and B. Al Faraj, “Asset Management of National Grid Saudi Arabia Transformer Fleet,” Proceedings of the 84th Annual International Conference of Doble Clients, Boston, MA, 2017.
- D. Koehler, “Understanding Results from Testing Insulating Oils: The Most Effective Diagnostic Tests in the Industry,” NETA World – Training Talk, vol. Spring, pp. 7-8, 2018.
- D. Koehler and B. Snyder, “Training Needs for Power Transformers,” NETA World – Training Talk, pp. 7-9, 2019.
- D. Koehler, D. Durocher, M. Elliott, and E. Held, “Recommendations for Selection, Installation, and Maintenance of Substation Transformers,” Proc. IEEE IAS Pulp & Paper Industry Technical Conf., 2021.
- D. Koehler, “Alliance Recognition Award Honoree Is Driven Professional and Educator,” NETA World, vol. Summer, pp. 128-130, 2021.
- D. Koehler and L.R. Lewand, “Determining Cellulose Degradation in Transformers Using Indirect Tests,” NETA World, vol. Fall, pp. 2-11, 2021.
- D. Koehler, “DOBLE: Mission-Driven to Provide Reliable Energy in a Sustainable World,” NETA World, vol. Fall, pp. 2-5, 2024.