Our Management
Deep Chakraborty
President and Chief Executive Officer
Deep has been with Centrosolar since 2008 as a founding member of Centrosolar’s North American operations. Deep has a strong background in strategy and operations, with a decade-long experience in the automotive industry. Prior to Centrosolar, Deep was at Daimler Chrysler where he led product development, program management and product strategy development for Chrysler’s Group’s vehicle platforms. Deep also worked for Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in USA and Europe, where he advised various global international clients in the energy and automotive industries on growth strategy formulation and pre-acquisition due diligence. Deep grew up in India and has a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. Deep also has a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, USA and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Ram Akella
Joint President and CFO
Ram joined Centrosolar in 2011. Prior to joining Centrosolar, he served as Chairman and CEO of Oriundus Asset Management Co., a renewable energy private equity fund and Managing Partner of Phoenix Capital Partners, an investment banking boutique for companies in the entertainment, media and communications, healthcare and IT industries, which he founded in 1998. Prior thereto, Ram was Managing Director of Dover Finance Group, Ltd., a corporate finance boutique specializing in structured finance for media, entertainment and communications companies. He is an advisor to Cornell University’s BR Ventures and a member of New York Weill Cornell Council that serves as an important link between Weill Cornell Medical College and the Weill Cornell campus of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Ram is also a member of Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management’s Advisory Council. Ram holds an M.B.A. with Distinction from Cornell University.
Kristine Weaver
Director of Product Management
Kristine joined Centrosolar in 2011. Prior to joining Centrosolar, Kristine worked as a Program Director for the Solar company Stirling Energy Systems. Additionally, she has had significant international experience as Senior Director/Manufacturing Practice Area Lead at JD Power and Associates; where she was responsible for improving global client’s product quality level through various design, manufacturing and market awareness initiatives. Kristine has over 30 years experience in the Solar, Electrical Utilities, Consulting, Manufacturing and Automotive industries throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. She has experience in Program and Product Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Marketing. Kristine holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from General Motors Institute, and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Joseph Cunningham
Director of Operations
Joe has been with Centrosolar since 2010. Prior to Centrosolar, Joe spent three years in the PV integration business. He managed Operations, Business Development, Sales and Marketing. Joe has implemented many innovative concepts in the systems approach to PV systems, many of which are being adopted by installers throughout the US. Joe is also active in SolarTech as a member of the PV Performance Committee, working with San Jose State University to improve the uniformity of PV performance modelling, measurement, troubleshooting and maintenance standards. Joe has a long prior career in the wireless and telecommunications industry, where he has held the positions of President, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, Business Development and more with companies such as Virginia Communications and CommSpeed. Joe holds a Bachelors of Science in Engineering from Cornell University.
Chris Wood
Director of Sales
Chris has been with Centrosolar since early 2009, he is one of the Centrosolar’s early employees in the US market. Prior to Centrosolar, Chris worked for a leading solar PV integrator in Phoenix where he held finance and sales management roles selling residential and commercial PV systems. Prior to entering the renewable space, Chris was involved in real estate development where he led a successful team with over 20 sales people. Before moving to Arizona, Chris traded futures live on the floor and was an options market maker on the Montreal Stock Exchange. Chris holds a Bachelors in Finance from McGill University.
Gery Kloiber
Director of Finance and Administration
Gery has been with Centrosolar since 2010. Prior to Centrosolar, Gery spent seven years in the Construction industry as a primary contractor in residential home building. Gery has over 25 years experience in Finance, Accounting and Treasury management. He has held the position of CFO for small international multi-language Companies to large multi-national Corporations. Gery spent nine years as Regional CFO for ADT Corporation with the financial responsibility of over $150 million in Sales. He has led merger and acquisition analysis teams and has been responsible for the successful merger and start-up of three current Corporations. Gery holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Missouri and is a graduate of the Bloch School of Business MBA program.