Donnie Bielak is responsible for the entire interconnection process, including project management, engineering and analytical studies, and construction implementation. 

Donnie Bielak is responsible for the entire interconnection process, including project management, engineering and analytical studies, and construction implementation. This process ensures the reliable and coordinated addition of new generation and merchant transmission projects to the PJM grid in accordance with PJM Planning principles and standards and all applicable NERC and Regional Reliability Standards. Responsibility for the process requires careful coordination with several other divisions in PJM and knowledge of external policies that shape new generation development.

Bielak originally joined PJM in 2004 as a college co-op in the Engineering Support Department. He was later hired as an engineer in the same department, focusing on EMS network modeling and advanced application support. He then moved to the Markets Coordination Department where he achieved the position of Senior Engineer while working on multiple marketsbased applications including market-to-market (M2M) and security constrained economic dispatch (SCED).

Bielak then worked as an on-shift Reliability Engineer performing day-ahead and real-time analysis of the transmission system while operating in the Control Room, including coordination with neighboring entities. He then served as Manager, Reliability Engineering and as Sr. Manager/Director, Dispatch where he was responsible for the oversight and operation of the Valley Forge and Milford Control Centers.

Bielak has earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and a Master of Science in both electrical engineering and engineering management, all from Drexel University.