Don’t miss out on Energy Workforce & Technology Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting, where the leading industry executives will discuss the role of technology in shaping the future of the industry, emerging trends such as AI, and more.
Meet Our Expert Panelists:
Joining the panels are energy leaders, innovators, and seasoned executives from Microsoft, Palantir Technologies and WestRiver Group.
Moderator: Craig Lange, Managing Partner, WestRiver Group
Craig Lange joined WestRiver Group (WRG) in October 2025 as Managing Director leading the firm’s launch of the Disruptive Growth Fund focused on hard disruptive technology innovations in energy and power systems, applied life sciences and healthcare and advanced manufacturing and production.
Prior to WRG, Craig was Vice President – Strategy and Corporate Development,
Energy & Transportation at Caterpillar Inc, the $28 B (2024) segment of the company providing the world’s power, solutions, and services across construction, general industrial, marine, mining, oil and gas, power generation and rail markets. He also led the long-range planning, strategic collaborations, venture capital investing, and mergers & acquisitions in the segment and across the enterprise.
Craig spent 37 years with the company, moving through technical services, product development, sales & marketing, operations, and distribution roles of increasing responsibility into general management. Before becoming a Vice President in the company, Craig held senior leadership roles in Caterpillar’s Oil and Gas business, including leading the Digital and Technology business; and, serving as Managing Director for the business in Eurasia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Before his 12 years in Oil and Gas, Craig held leadership roles in the Electric Power, Industrial, On-highway, and Marine businesses. He is a global professional who has resided in the United States, Egypt, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Craig previously served on numerous boards of Caterpillar invested firms and is currently on the Board of Energy & Workforce Technology Council and a member of the Oil Club of London.
Craig holds two degrees from Eastern Illinois University; a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Business, majoring in Finance and Marketing. He also holds a degree at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in the Advanced Management Program. Craig and his wife, Amy, live on Treasure Island, Florida, and have three grown children.
Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy & Resources Industry, Microsoft
As Corporate Vice President for Microsoft’s Energy & Resources Industry, Darryl Willis leads digital transformation strategy across the energy value chain. He drives the development of innovative solutions and builds strategic relationships with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders—helping meet today’s energy needs while shaping the systems of tomorrow.
Before joining Microsoft, Willis served as Vice President of Oil, Gas, and Energy at Google Cloud; President and CEO of BP Angola; Head of Deepwater Horizon claims for BP; and Senior Vice President of Subsurface at BP.
Committed to advancing a sustainable energy future with equitable access for all, Willis holds an MS in Business from Stanford Graduate School of Business, an MS in Geology and Geophysics from the University of New Orleans, and BS in Chemistry and Literature from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Tristan Gruska, Head of Energy & Infrastructure, Palantir Technologies
Be a part of the conversation and register now for the 2026 EWTC Annual Meeting.
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