Kyle DeSomber

Role: Moderator

Kyle has dedicated his entire career to the Waterpower Industry. Inspired through competing in a collegiate hydropower competition, Kyle focused his remaining undergraduate and graduate education on Hydropower. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. Kyle proudly started his career in Operations and Maintenance at Little Goose Lock and Dam on the Snake River in Southeast Washington. He worked with the Army Corps Walla Walla District for fifteen years serving as a maintenance engineer, design engineer, and as the Chief of Mechanical Design. Kyle then spent the next four years with McMillen designing and building waterpower projects. Notably, Kyle led the startup and commissioning of a greenfield hydropower facility during the COVID pandemic. These experiences have inspired Kyle to seek solutions industry wide. Kyle has reported to the Department of Energy, Waterpower Technologies Office for the past three years where he leads the Fleet Modernization, Maintenance, and Cybersecurity Portfolio. He has also led the Hydropower Supply Chain Deep Dive assessments for the Office of the Secretary. Kyle is an employee of Pacific Northwest National Lab and will be transiting over the next few months to his role as a Hydropower Advisor and Sustainable Systems Team Lead.