Power Connect Waco – October 8, 2026
Power Connect Waco by Forgent Power is the essential learning and collaboration day that brings decision makers together across the heavy industrial, renewable energy and utility markets to learn how to advance the energy industry.
Join us for this one-day workshop, on October 8, 2026. This comprehensive workshop provides a practical, end-to-end view of distribution transformer specification, testing and manufacturing.
Over the course of the day, participants will review key design options, material selections, performance requirements and applicable industry standards used to develop effective transformer specifications. The workshop also examines final manufacturing-stage testing, comparing major standards and approaches, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and field testing, to understand how compliance, reliability and performance are verified.
The day concludes with an in-depth, hands-on walkthrough of the transformer manufacturing process, highlighting our commitment to safety, quality and craftsmanship at every stage of production.
Registration
Who Should Attend
This workshop is designed for decision makers involved in the specification, evaluation, and procurement of distribution transformers. Whether you work in engineering, procurement, operations, or project delivery, this event provides valuable technical insights and a firsthand look at transformer manufacturing.
Typical attendees include:
- Engineers and operations personnel responsible for specifying, selecting, applying, or managing the reliability and performance of distribution transformers.
- Engineering consultants, EPC professionals and design firms involved in power system planning, design, and project execution.
- Electrical contractors and distributors supporting utility, industrial, commercial, and renewable energy projects.
- Specifiers and standards professionals responsible for developing, interpreting, or applying technical specifications and industry standards.
- Supply chain, sourcing and procurement professionals responsible for vendor qualification, equipment evaluation, supplier selection, and purchasing decisions
By bringing together engineering, manufacturing and procurement perspectives, this workshop helps attendees make more informed equipment decisions, better understand transformer design and production, strengthen supplier relationships and gain practical knowledge they can apply to future projects.
Included with Registration
- Learning program. Please see Agenda.
- Hotel accommodations.
- Transportation to and from the hotel and factory.
- Meals: Dinner on October 7, breakfast, lunch and dinner on October 8 and breakfast on October 9.
- Industry Networking: Connect and share during the workshop on October 8 and during the optional golf outing on October 9.
Cost: $100
Meet the Speakers
Massimo Nardi
As VanTran Transformers’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Massimo has a deep technical background on power systems, proven track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performance teams and a customer-first mindset. His background spans diverse global roles at industry leaders such as GE, Hitachi Energy, and ABB, where he led multimillion-dollar portfolios and P&Ls across North America.
He holds an MBA in International Business from the University of New Hampshire and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University.
Jaber Shalabi
Jaber Shalabi has over 10 years of hands-on transformer design and manufacturing experience, overseeing Engineering and Supply chain Management activities from design concept to finished product, specifically in Distribution Transformers up to 10MVA and 46kV. Jaber’s innovative approach to Engineering has helped secure VanTran’s reputation as an industry leader providing customized solutions and best-in-class technical support. Before joining the VanTran team, Jaber worked in a power plant as a performance engineer, performing several roles in quality control and facility management assurance.
Christine Crites
Christine Crites, P.E., P.Eng. is VanTran Transformers’ Senior Applications Engineer. She joined VanTran in November 2025, bringing over 13 years of experience from GE Grid Solutions, where she held roles spanning technical support and field applications engineering for GE’s protection and control business across Ontario and the Midwest and South-Central United States. Christine received her Bachelor of Engineering Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario in 2012. She is currently based in the Houston, Texas area and holds Professional Engineer licenses in Texas and Ontario.
Itinerary & Agenda
Event Itinerary
- October 7: Arrival in Waco, TX
- October 8: Full day technical workshop (see below agenda)
- October 9: Networking golf outing at the Ridgewood Country Club, optional, and departure from Waco, TX
Technical Workshop Agenda
From Core to Test: Manufacturing Performance & Reliability in Distribution Transformers
Workshop Objectives:
- Develop distribution transformer specifications: a review of design options, material selection, performance criteria and applicable standards for effective procurement.
- Explore the comprehensive testing: Conducted at the final manufacturing stage to verify adherence to specifications, compare key standards and approaches, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) versus field testing, highlighting how each ensures reliability and performance.
- Manufacturing excellence in action: a hands-on, in-depth exploration of each step in VanTran Transformers’ production process, showcasing our dedication to safety, quality and craftsmanship.
Detailed Agenda:
- 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductions
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Distribution Transformer Specification Essentials
- Enclosure & compartment fabrication
- Cooling methods & thermal design considerations
- Core & coil material selection & construction
- Accessories, controls, & monitoring equipment options
- 10:00 – 10:15 AM | Break
- 10:15 – 11:00 AM | Core Requirements: Standards, Documentation, Labeling & Logistics
- Standards, Performance Ratings & Special Considerations
- Signage, labeling, & nameplate requirements
- Project management, data requirements, & drawing documentation
- Shipping & handling
- 11:00 – 12:00 PM | Transformer Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Fundamentals
- Routine factory testing requirements
- Optional & special testing
- Distribution vs. power-class testing
- FAT vs. NETA field testing comparison
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Travel to Plant II
- Registration & safety briefing
- 2:00 – 4:30 PM | Factory Showcase & Production Walkthrough
- Tank & compartment fabrication
- Winding
- Lacing
- Core & coil assembly
- Testing
- Final finish
- 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Break
- 5:30 – 9:30 PM | Cocktails and Dinner
Travel & Logistics
Recommended Airports
Flights and airport transfers are arranged and paid for by each attendee. We recommend the following local airports and to use Uber or arrange for your own rental car.
- Austin Airport (~110 miles)
- Dallas Airports (~102 miles)
- Waco Airport (~8 miles)
Hotels
Lodging is arranged and paid for by each attendee. We recommend the following downtown Waco hotels.
AC Hotel Downtown Waco (600 Mary St.)
- We have secured a room block available to the first 15 people to register. You will receive an unique link to book after your RSVP is received.
Hotel Herringbone (319 S 4th St.)
Hotel 1928 (701 Washington Ave.)
Residence Inn by Marriott (501 S University Parks Dr.)
Event Location
Power Connect Waco will take place between at the AC Hotel and VanTran’s Transformers factory, located at 2700 Texas Central Parkway, Waco, TX 76712. Transportation between the two locations will be provided.
Contact Us
Maddie Martinez
Marketing Specialist
Maddie.Martinez@ForgentPower.com
In 2025, VanTran Transformers formally combined with three other companies under a unified enterprise, Forgent Power.
Forgent Power is now among the top-3 leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of electrical distribution equipment used in data centers, the power grid and industrial facilities capable of delivering some of the highest levels of customization and shortest lead times available in the industry.