if (_operatorPods.length < pod) {
  /**
   * @dev activate pod(s) up until the selected pod
   */
  for (uint256 i = _operatorPods.length; i <= pod; i++) {
    /**
     * @dev add zero address into pod to mitigate empty pod issues
     */
    _operatorPods.push([address(0)]);
  }
}
