Management Team

Joe Pardi joined Irth Solutions in October 2017. He is a proven, high-impact leader in the software industry with expertise in SaaS metrics and financial modeling. His passion for SaaS companies drives his focus on operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and long-term growth. Prior to joining Irth Solutions, Joe served as the Finance Director for Astute Solutions, where he led the Finance, Legal, and Sales Operations teams by linking high-level strategy with operational execution. Joe holds an MBA from Otterbein University and a B.S. degree in Finance from The Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Matthew has a strong background in helping software companies grow and thrive through product management practices and strategy. Previously working in the startup world, Matthew has led product at three different companies and has helped drive them through five liquidity events, one with a strategic and four backed by private equity. With a passion for education, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a mini-MBA from Miami University, a Juris Doctor degree from William Howard Taft University, and in 2013 he authored “Start Predicting in a world of data science and predictive analysis”. As the Chief Product Officer, he leads the team responsible for designing and executing Irth’s vision and strategy. Aside from working on innovation for Irth’s customers, you can find Matthew spending time with his family, working on building various AI models and reading books that help him and his team grow personally and professionally.

Brian Jones has over 35 years of experience in the energy and utilities industry. He started his career holding leadership positions for an investor-owned electric and gas utility for 11 years. Brian has helped build three software and services companies serving in a CRO role at two of those companies. Brian also served nearly a decade with global software giant SAP, helping to build the SAP Utilities practice as a leading provider of industry-focused solutions. Before joining Irth, Brian was the Energy and Utilities practice head for Cognizant Technology Services leading a team of over 7,000 professionals. Brian has a B.S. in Business from Wright State University.

Bhupinder Singh has over 35 years of experience and a track record of delivering industry-leading software solutions for the infrastructure lifecycle, from design and construction to operations. He has a broad range of expertise from organizational strategy to product execution. As a principal at InTwin Insights, he has consulted for various companies, from owner-operators to software startups.

Prior to InTwin Insights, he was the chief product officer at Bentley Systems, which had a successful IPO in September 2020. His team was responsible for product development, delivery, sales and user success. Over his 26-year tenure at Bentley, driving innovation and a growth mindset, his roles included heading sales for Bentley South Asia.

Before Bentley, Bhupinder held various software engineering positions at Montgomery Watson (now Stantec), Bell Labs and Intergraph Corporation.

Bhupinder holds a master’s degree in computer science from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in structural engineering from Vanderbilt University. He also has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, and a management certificate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeannie Diefenderfer is the chief executive officer of the Center for Higher Ambition Leadership (CHL), a non-profit community formed by and for CEOs committed to building high-performing organizations that deliver superior economic and social value. Jeannie’s experience spans corporate executive leadership, academic board service and stewardship of purpose-driven non-profits. During her 28-year career at Verizon Communications, Jeannie led both technical and operational organizations and held a range of roles, including SVP of global engineering and planning, chief procurement officer, and SVP of enterprise customer care. She managed organizations with up to 10,000 staff, operating budgets up to $1 billion and capital programs over $10 billion. Jeannie is currently an independent director on the board of Colony Capital, Inc., an advisor to Sedona Systems, lead executive advisor of Ascend Pinnacle, a member of the NACD NJ chapter board, trustee of Olin College of Engineering and vice-chair and trustee of Tufts University.

Alex Lue is Principal in Blackstone’s Private Equity Group where he is focused on investment activity in the energy sector. Since joining Blackstone in 2019, Mr. Lue has been involved with the firm’s investments in Lightstone Generation, Lonestar Generation, and Fisterra Energy.

Prior to joining Blackstone, Mr. Lue was an Investment Analyst at the Baupost Group where he evaluated public market opportunities in distressed credit and equities across a variety of sectors. Prior to Baupost, Mr. Lue was an analyst in the M&A group at Blackstone Advisory Partners.

Mr. Lue received a Masters of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a BS in Biological Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Bilal Khan is a Senior Managing Director in the Private Equity Group. Since joining Blackstone in 2009, Mr. Khan has been involved in the execution of several Blackstone investments, including various Sithe Global investments, Fisterra Energy, Transmission Developers, Aypa Power, Onyx Renewables, Therma and Array Technologies.

Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Khan was an Associate at GTCR Golder Rauner, where he was involved with the analysis and execution of private equity investments in a wide range of industries. Prior to that, Mr. Khan worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at Lazard Frères focused on Power & Utilities clients.

Mr. Khan received a BS in Applied Economics from Cornell University, where he graduated magna cum laude. He also received an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Khan serves as a Director of Fisterra Energy, Transmission Developers, Aypa Power, Therma and Array Technologies.

Kush Patel is a Managing Director in the Private Equity group. Since joining Blackstone in 2014, Mr. Patel has focused on investments in the power generation and transmission sector and has been involved in the execution of Blackstone’s investments in Fisterra, Global Offshore Wind, Lightstone, Lonestar, Sithe and Transmission Developers, Inc. Mr. Patel serves as a Director of Fisterra, Lightstone and Lonestar.

Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Patel served as a Senior Analyst at Kingsland Capital Management. Prior to that, he worked as an Analyst at Piper Jaffray Companies and as a Transactional Services Associate at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Patel received a BS in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from Boston University, where he graduated summa cum laude and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated a Palmer Scholar.