Since joining Customized Energy Solutions in 2016, Kate Schmid has become the connective tissue between complex energy technology and the clients who depend on it. As Director of Client Services, Kate ensures that every voice is heard, every challenge is addressed, and every solution truly serves the people it’s built for. 

Finding Her Path in Energy 

Kate’s journey to energy wasn’t a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes her perspective so valuable. 

After starting her career in pharmaceutical sales operations and project management, Kate took a brief but fascinating detour into PwC’s federal security division, where she conducted security clearance interviews for employees at all levels. But it was a move to Washington, D.C., and a role at a solar startup that changed everything. 

“I started working in the energy industry in 2014 and never looked back,” Kate reflects. “What drew me in was the innovation and breadth of the industry. Electricity is such a critical part of our lives, and yet many people often fail to think twice about it.” 

That startup experience—helping launch a retail energy brokerage for small businesses—gave Kate something invaluable: her “startup DNA,” as she calls it. She learned to build processes from scratch, manage databases, and forge relationships with vendors and suppliers in a fast-moving environment where adaptability wasn’t optional. 

When Kate interviewed at CES, she immediately recognized the opportunity to keep growing. “I knew there was a lot of opportunity to expand my career and challenge myself in an ever-changing industry.” 

Every Day Brings Something New 

Ask Kate what her typical day looks like, and she’ll smile: “Every day is a little different, which I enjoy—it keeps me on my toes.” 

Her daily rhythm revolves around clients: discussing new functionality they want to implement, guiding them on how to best use current tools, answering onboarding questions, and addressing pain points with CES|BLUE, the company’s retail energy platform. 

But Kate’s role goes deeper than troubleshooting. “I provide guidance to internal teams on ways to most efficiently solve issues and make sure that throughout every step of our business process,the customers’ voice is loud and clear.” 

Solving Complex Problems with Grace 

One of Kate’s proudest recent achievements involved navigating the NSTAR utility consolidation in 2024. CES seamlessly guided multiple clients through the transition, updating billing systems, EDI transactions, user interfaces, APIs, and batch processes—all while maintaining operational continuity. 

“It’s these market-driven changes that really test our capabilities,” Kate explains. “But I’ve been proud to provide feedback and engage clients to help our talented teams build new functionality—Power BI dashboards, AI chatbots, a modernized UI, and new work queue screens that improve efficiency for everyone.” 

Perhaps the most challenging problem Kate faced recently was during the PJM capacity price spikes in June 2025, when a major client needed complex product billing changes implemented on a compressed timeline with last-minute scope adjustments. 

“We approached it with understanding and urgency,” Kate recalls. “It meant gathering resources and shifting priorities on both sides to make it successful ahead of the product launch.” 

Her approach to these high-pressure situations? Empathy, active listening, and humility. 

“I try to assume positive intent and to stay humble and kind,” she says. “Essential skills for my role include the ability to face difficult conversations, explain problems realistically, and pay close attention to detail.” 

A Career Built on Client Connection 

Kate started at CES as a billing and operations analyst, working extensively with municipal aggregations in Massachusetts. When CES onboarded its first large client, Kate dove into learning EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and became a transaction management subject matter expert. 

But through all those technical roles, one thing remained constant: “I always enjoyed talking to clients and helping solve their problems.” 

That natural gravitation toward client relationships led Kate to organically transition into a client lead role and eventually to her current position as Director of Client Services. 

“What I enjoy most about working with my team is seeing really intelligent people working together to solve complex problems,” Kate says. “There’s a general openness to learn and grow and contribute to the success of both our business and our clients’ businesses.” 

 

Looking Toward the Future 

When Kate thinks about what excites her most about the energy industry’s future, two things come to mind: addressing grid challenges and the intersection of technology and energy sustainability. 

“Front-of-the-meter distributed generation, the way technology can help sustain our lives and our world—these are the innovations that matter,” she explains. 

To stay current, Kate relies on LinkedIn connections with industry experts, newsletters like SunyaScoop, CES’s own MarketIQ insights, webinars, and networking groups like Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. And perhaps most valuably, she learns something new in nearly every client meeting. 

Her advice for anyone considering a career in energy? “Get comfortable with acronyms, join working groups and networking groups, attend webinars and conferences, and always be open to learning.” 

Beyond the Office 

Outside of work, Kate is a passionate Philadelphia sports fan who recently started playing ultimate frisbee. She enjoys beach relaxation, nature walks with her young niece and nephew, and their shared mission to clean up the environment—inspired by her five-year-old niece’s wisdom: “We need to clean up the world!” 

A fun fact that might surprise her colleagues? Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies was my uncle but him and my dad had a falling out when they were younger so we dropped the T on the end of our name (just kidding).   Kate grew up on the same Northeast Philadelphia street where Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa himself) grew up, and she’s spotted him visiting to film TV specials. 

The Heart of Client Success 

Kate Schmid embodies what makes CES special: technical expertise delivered with genuine care for the people behind every project. In an industry where complexity can easily overshadow relationships, Kate ensures that every client feels heard, understood, and supported. 

“At CES,” Kate says, “we’re not just solving technical problems—we’re building partnerships that help our clients succeed in a rapidly changing industry.” 

And with Kate leading the way, those partnerships are in excellent hands