Tom Kappel

Tom Kappel leads global innovation efforts for Danfoss Power Electronics, part of Danfoss A/S, a $6B leader in developing energy-efficient solutions. Tom manages a program of breakthrough concepts, venture partnering, and strategic intelligence focusing on smart grid, energy efficiency, solar applications, and emerging economies. Danfoss is one of the largest industrial companies in Denmark with a significant U.S. presence and a growing investment in the Chicago region.

Spanning ten years in the telecommunications sector, Tom has previously held corporate development and strategy positions at Andrew Corporation and Tellabs, leading transactions in wireless infrastructure, software, and services. As Director of Business Intelligence for Motorola Labs, he created the technology outlook of emerging opportunities that served to focus the research portfolio. His telecom career began in the technology office of Bell Labs doing technology forecasting and strategic planning for a range of businesses across Lucent Technologies. Earlier he had also launched a software venture in enterprise data management.

Tom received an MS and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University and a BSIE from Bradley University. He has published and consulted for a variety of industry groups and government agencies based on his academic research on innovation management.