Leadership Team: Engineers, Experts and Managers
Rashi Akki, Ph.D., Founder and CEO
Rashi Akki launched Ag-Grid Energy in 2016 with a vision to drive dairy farm sustainability by converting agricultural and organic waste to renewable energy, and enhance farm management practices to improve farm viability and financial stability. Currently, Ag-Grid Energy has six operating dairy digesters that process manure and food waste, an RNG project under construction, and a few projects under development. Ag-Grid is working with the farmers and food processors to support their sustainability journey. Ag-Grid also has a behind the meter data mining operation that is co-located with on-farm energy generation. Prior to launching Ag-Grid Energy, Dr. Akki worked for 20 years at the chemical company DuPont, where she held senior positions in central R&D, DuPont Titanium Technologies, Nonwovens, and Industrial Biosciences. The experience at Industrial Biosciences introduced her to advanced biofuels and biogas. She is a member of the American Biogas Council. Dr. Akki received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, M.S from University of Connecticut, and Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Umesh Akki, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer
Umesh has overall responsibility for the Operations team, in addition to cultivating the growth strategy for Ag-Grid Energy. He joined Ag-Grid after two decades in the energy industry, including regulated utilities. He brings expertise in energy markets and operations, energy commodities trading and risk management. Umesh came to Ag-Grid from UGI Corporation, where he was Director & Head of Risk Management. For the past six years, Umesh also has been a faculty member in Columbia University’s Enterprise Risk Management program. Umesh previously held leadership roles at Exelon, Constellation and PECO, and at investment banks including Bank of Montreal and RBS. He earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University, an M.S. from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from West Chester University and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Abu Akki, Director, Business Development
Abu joined Ag-Grid Energy after 2 years of manufacturing experience as a process improvement engineer at Eastman Chemical Company. In that position, he implemented large-scale changes, improved manufacturing processes and increased capacity. He earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
Ryan Sands, Director, Project Management & Operations
Ryan J. Sands, PE brings 15 years of combined experience in civil land development and construction project management to his position as Director, Project Management & Operations for Ag-Grid Energy. He oversees execution of existing and pipeline projects from contract through operations. In his most recent prior position, he was a project manager for Martin Construction Resource, working on a variety of biogas and renewable natural gas installations. Martin Construction Resource is one of Ag-Grid Energy’s Development Partners. Ryan earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He is a registered professional engineer in South Carolina.
Loretta Saucier, Director, Food Waste Strategy & Operations
Loretta Saucier has seven years of combined experience in logistics, operations, and finance. As Director of Food Waste Strategy & Operations, she manages relationships with food waste generators, haulers, and dairy farmers while also managing food waste logistics and disposal. In her prior role at Ag-Grid Energy, Loretta focused on accounting and day-to-day financial practices across all operating, development, and under-construction digester sites. Prior to joining Ag-Grid, she gained five years of logistics experience at Casella.
Eric Schumann, Plant Manager
Eric Schumann brings 17 years of experience in the biogas industry, with a strong background in plant operations, maintenance, and facility management. He helped guide the transition of a digester facility from producing 2 MW of electricity to producing Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). He has been actively involved in numerous facility upgrades, operational improvements, and maintenance initiatives aimed at improving reliability, efficiency, and overall plant performance.