Our Pioneers

Jerry Randall

Jerry Randall

Founder

Here’s Jerry, the Founder of Wind Pioneers. He started Wind Pioneers with a drive to improve the way wind farms are created. He’s a little embarrassed about how much time he spends thinking about wind farming, and it’s certainly a dangerous topic of conversation to get him started on unless you have a lot of time on your hands. When he gets some time off, he enjoys travelling to new corners of the planet (though is often guilty of being on the lookout for windy sites in exotic places when he’s meant to be on holiday…)

Pranoy Ray Chowdhury

Pranoy Ray Chowdhury

Wind Engineer

Here’s Pranoy, he is a member of our team who plays the role of a Wind Engineer. He is very optimistic and likes solving challenging technical problems. He is infused with a spirit of inquiry for learning new things about the workings of the universe, challenging traditional and existing practices, and seeking creative approaches to problem-solving. In his free time, he enjoys great outdoors, music, books, exercising and thriller movies.

Laxmy V Nair

Laxmy V Nair

Head Of Operations

Here’s Laxmy, who heads our Operations and manages all the Non-Technical aspects of the company. From navigating your way within the company to help you shine and achieve your goals, she is your go-to person. Setting a positive culture and making sure work is fun and that people are in a happy yet competitive environment is her main focus. When she is not working, she is running around her little son. Currently, she is focused on making sure the company's employee handbook truly depicts the company's culture.

VISHAL MURALI

VISHAL MURALI

Wind Engineer

Here is Vishal, he plays the role of a Wind Engineer. He believes that adaptability and curiosity are two important traits to have for an individual and loves to learn new concepts in the field of renewable energy. He likes to socialise and understand different cultures across the globe. In his free time, he plays club cricket in Bangalore and doodles on the internet on economics and history. You can have a discussion with him on sports, politics, wind energy, economics, history etc…. Well anything!

KARTHIK SHAPUR

KARTHIK SHAPUR

Wind Engineer

Here’s Karthik, He is a member of our Wind Engineering Team. He is a passionate engineer who believes in the energy disruption of the 21st Century and at the same time loves to watch Wind farms in the countryside. He likes to go on Adventure hiking, plays football. He is always proud to be one of the founding members of Wind Pioneers Football Club.

Somesh Dhandapani

Somesh Dhandapani

Site Prospecting Specialist

Here’s Somesh, he fills in as the Prospecting Specialist. He is responsible for using collated data from the GIS team and generating maps that will be used by the Engineering team. He is the perfect fit because he is fun, outgoing and an awesome company to hangout with. He is that guy in every party with whom you could have a good banter with even if you meet him for the first time.

Naveen Anil

Naveen Anil

Wind Prospecting Engineer

Here’s Naveen, who plays the role of a Wind Prospecting Engineer albeit with a Software Development twist. He is more aligned with the software and coding side of the spectrum. You want to do something once? Do it yourself. You want to do something 50 times? He’ll make a tool that does it for you.

Ajay Prabhatkar

Ajay Prabhatkar

Wind Engineer

Here’s Ajay, he is a part of our Wind Engineering Team, who works as a wind engineer. He always keeps himself updated with the latest research updates in the field of renewable energy and renewable energy markets in different countries. In his free time, you can find him scrolling through finance, business and stock market news. He prefers spending his holidays either going on a long bike ride or binge-watching a series on Netflix!

Pradyumna Sripada

Pradyumna Sripada

Wind Engineer

Here’s Pradyumna, the newest addition to the Wind Engineering Team, who works as a Wind Engineer. He likes to keep himself updated on the latest technological advancements in the wind industry/gadgets. In his free time, he catches up with the latest developments in politics, cricket/football or listens to music.

Mallika Bedia

Mallika Bedia

Wind Engineer

Here’s Mallika, who’s a part of our Wind Engineering team. She specialises in energy production assessments for greenfield and brownfield onshore wind projects. Her passion for working in the renewable energy industry is fuelled by her desire to provide technological solutions to environmental issues like global warming and climate change. When she’s not on the job, she loves reading, conversations over chai and indulging her love for seeing new places.

Lalitha Mahalingam

Lalitha Mahalingam

Technical Head

Here’s Lalitha, the Technical Head. She liaises with clients and keeping clients happy is her main focus. She is a big travel fanatic. She loves exploring different cultures and has been to 20 countries. She is also a big foodie and a runner. When she’s not typing away at her laptop, you can find her blogging at her website Exploring life or running.

Bharath Kuna

Bharath Kuna

Wind Engineer

Here’s Bharath, a new entrant to the Wind Pioneers family. He is a Wind Engineer and might blow your mind (pun intended). He loves to enhance his knowledge and strongly believes in the process. You can find him hiking the hills on the weekends. He is always up for unplanned trips, and you could always enjoy a game of cricket or tennis with him.

Seema Surana

Seema Surana

Graphic Designer

Here’s Seema, our coolest (and tiniest) pioneer. She develops the visual outlook of the company and makes sure all collateral are aesthetic and functional. When she isn’t working, she’s cooped up in her study exploring new mediums of art, custom lettering and creating charming illustrations.

Bharan Lekkad

Bharan Lekkad

Wind Engineer

Here’s Bharan Lekkad, a Wind Engineer and a geo enthusiast. He is a believer of ‘curiosity’ and  ‘hard work’, two things that has brought us humans here. He says, “renewable energy engineers are super heroes of the 21st century” (he’s Ture) and he is proud of being one. In his off time, you’ll find him exploring new lands on his KTM or capturing nature through his lens. If you are planning a trip, count him in always like a Swiss Army Knife.

Lakshmi Vaidyanathan

Lakshmi Vaidyanathan

Principal Engineer - Wind & Site

Here’s Lakshmi, an experienced engineer in our wind and site team, responsible for activities from delivering projects to mentoring junior engineers and helping develop our software and approaches to be the best in the industry. She is fond of socializing with people and strongly believes in optimism. A creative enthusiast, with interests ranging from Carnatic music (also singing) to cooking, reading, and drawing rangolis. You can also find a buddy if you are interested in playing shuttle badminton.

Prasad Lokhande

Prasad Lokhande

Strategy and Operations Analyst

Prasad has a bachelor’s degree from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, specialized in marine engineering. He has been at sea in the past and had stints of sales, business development, operations within the corporate world. Prasad is responsible for the office being run smoothly, along with a bunch of tasks which varies from admin and business operations to hiring, website and social media content strategies. Also, as an add are some occasional, unpredictable tasks, which makes his profile an interesting one! In his leisure time you can find him reading, taking random scenic pictures, and exploring anything ancient!

Anuraag Mazumdar

Anuraag Mazumdar

Frontend Engineer

Anuraag has pursued a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from VIT, Vellore and thereafter worked as a Software Developer for more than 3 years. At Wind Pioneers, Anuraag is responsible for frontend development of all flagship software offered to our clients. He is a big motorhead, you could talk with him for hours about cars and bikes. He is also fond of cooking and experimenting with new dishes.

Annapoorna S

Annapoorna S

Wind Engineer

Here’s Annapoorna, one of our Wind & Site engineers. She is responsible for optimizing and designing wind farms layouts, to assist our clients in creating high value projects. She undertakes end-to-end energy assessments for pre-construction wind farms. Also, she is involved in Wind Data Management. She is very passionate about Wind, dance & music. She loves to explore new places. Also, she is a food nerd. She loves pets & plants too.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

I love how international the wind industry is. It’s great that we can have a little team based in one part of the world and help clients from a huge range of countries and continents in their work. The wind industry is global, collaborative effort to make a positive difference.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

I genuinely believe in wind’s vital role in saving this planet, so it’s great working in a field where the fruits of your work are so beneficial to the world as a whole. But I won’t pretend I’m not also strongly motivated by the exotic site visits and colourful maps.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

The chance to work on different sites and locations and solve technical challenges which also helps in developing the world and supplying energy to the world.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

To research, design and construct ways to improve the way we use energy and resources. Wind industry gives me the chance to contribute to the production of clean energy source that are ultimately helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

Wind Industry has been prevalent in India for years, however, the world has now realized its potential.The growth of the Wind industry is inevitable and so will be the benefits we reap from it.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

A career shift from Investment Banking was a conscious decision, though Wind Industry just happened. However, being surrounded by passionate Wind energy enthusiasts, my outlook towards Renewable energy in itself has changed. I am thrilled to be part of a change which can and will create a huge impact globally in the years to come.

  1. What’s your favourite thing about the wind industry? 

The dynamic nature of the industry. The wind industry helps me to understand not only the technical aspects, but the financial and management aspects as well. Moreover, the wind industry is very market/ regulation driven and the design of the wind farm varies from one country to another. This helps me to understand the nuances involved in the design of wind farms in every market across the globe.

  1. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

The need for change. Climate change and depletion of fossil fuels means there is a need for the use of renewable technologies. By the end of the next decade, I dream of every developing country in the world being driven by renewable energy which includes wind power. Wind energy has the potential to replace the use of fossil fuels and combat climate change.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

Wind is blowing everywhere, every time and it’s been powering our lives across different ages of time through the history of mankind.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

Idea of working with people having similar passion and interest towards Wind energy & the Quest for exploring more on Wind day to day.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

The industry on the whole has proven itself to be disruptive to the traditional methods of energy generation and now it is booming in the billions. Personally, this is a step forward in industrial development and to a greener earth simultaneously.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

The industry is robust, forward thinking and grabs the spotlight. Personally, it is satisfying for me to work in an industry that has such unique characteristics to it. I feel that this will get the best out of me.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

The possibility of representing wind as a number, I think what I as a Machine Learning enthusiast can do with this is stupendous.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

I think it is high time for everyone to start thinking about the inevitable end if we keep going the way we are. You could burn anything to make energy, but it’ll eventually run out, I think moving to wind or solar is the way forward. Being able to work in a domain which contributes to the perpetual existence of the world, that’s huge for me.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

My favourite thing about the wind industry is the technological and business advancements that has occured in this industry around the world over the last two decades. With the increasing need of more efficient sustainable power and restructuring of electricity markets around the world to give more push to renewable energy, wind industry has shown a very robust and significant growth over the period.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

The nature of the industry in finding more and more technologically advanced solutions to generate more power,revenue and cleaner energy solutions motivates me to be in this industry.

1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry?

The ever increasing demand for electricity and the need to keep the production clean has resulted in the power sector shifting towards renewables with the wind industry at the forefront of the “clean revolution.” One of the best things about the wind industry is that, once the turbines are installed the electricity production is set for a period of 15-20 years with minimal damage to the environment.

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

The wind industry gives me an opportunity to be a part of the team which is responsible for solving power problems across the world. Each site is unique, has its own challenges and would require a different problem solving approach. These are the two factors which motivate me to be in this industry.

  1. What’s your favourite thing about wind industry? 

The fact that it’s an ever-evolving industry where the associated technology is seeing rapid innovation to meet its burgeoning demand in the market.

  1. What motivates you to be in the wind industry? 

Wind energy is an important piece of the puzzle if we are to do something about the climate crisis and I’m thrilled to be doing my bit at Wind Pioneers where we are working in emerging markets and literally pioneering wind energy in some places!

  1. What’s your favourite thing about the wind industry?

Wind is an unlimited, free, renewable resource and is a great pillar to the Green revolution. With minimal damage to the environment we can produce power for an extended period of time. This also comes with unlimited fuel free of cost. Wind energy is a great solution to cope with the increasing energy demand.

  1. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

There is a lot of potential for the wind industry. As pollution levels are alarmingly rising across the world investment in Wind is a step forward in creating a cleaner world. I did my masters in Energy Technologies focusing mainly on renewables to explore this sector further. I find it satisfying to be a part of it. 

1. What’s your favorite thing about the wind/wind industry?

The wind industry is a fine fusion of quality aerodynamics, design, structure, and climate research. This keeps the industry on its toes and results can be seen in its insane developmental curve. Also, it’s always fun to look at eye-catching maps and numbers!

2. What motivates you to be in the wind industry?

It’s almost now or never for our planet, isn’t it? And when your work helps in healing it, you couldn’t ask for more.

1. What’s your favourite thing about the Wind Industry?

The potential this industry holds is immense, and I’m amazed to see the magnitude of work that goes behind it.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind Industry?

To be working towards the greater cause of sustainability alongside a bunch of passionate wind energy enthusiasts motivates me.

1. What’s your favourite thing about the Wind Industry?

"Fuel is free night and day" is the first thing that drives me crazy in the Wind Industry. Sky is the limit when it comes to the development margin. It has challenges; hence we are here to solve them.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind industry?

Sustainability, Climate change and my interest in Wind energy and solving the problems that persists motivates me to work in Wind Industry.

1. What’s your favourite thing about the Wind Industry?

Though eventually most of the non-conventional energy sources are fuelled by the Sun, the wind industry is unique. It is not only the energy transition problem that needs to be solved but also many interesting engineering problems that need to be solved with safe and sustainable innovation at its core. Some noteworthy examples are the advancements with floating offshore wind farms, drone-based inspection, and recycling the old turbines responsibly.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind industry?

The whooshing sound of winds, if I close my eyes and think back to the times when I visited the wind farms and saw the vultures in the deserts of Rajasthan, peanut fields in Karnataka, trekked through hillocks in Maharashtra, or marvelled at the green paddy fields in Tamil Nadu. It gives the sense of purpose that our work has actually a visible and tangible value for our posterity.

1. What’s your favorite thing about the Wind Industry?

That its energy source is clean, natural, and unlimited.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind industry?

This industry has a purpose. The goal is to benefit the planet in the most sustainable way. And a desire to make a tiny contribution to the achievement of this goal, motivates me!

1. What’s your favorite thing about the Wind Industry?

With more awareness prevailing about the adverse effects of our careless habits towards nature every day, wind energy farming is one industry which is doing something about it and making a change. It does not contaminate; it is inexhaustible and reduces the use of fossil fuels which are the origin of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. It gives us hope that we can change our selfish dependencies for good and create a sustainable and promising living for the future generations to come.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind Industry?

It feels amazing when I realize that I'm part of such a great cause. Contributing to this, even though not directly, motivates me to come to work every day and always learn something new.

1. What’s your favorite thing about the Wind Industry?

My favorite thing about the industry is the rate at which its growth & development is happening. Human civilizations have harnessed wind power for thousands of years. These days the turbines are well equipped with most modern technologies to produce green, clean energy. Also, with this we are further reducing our biodiversity impact.

2. What motivates you to be in the Wind industry?

Global biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate, driven by the climate crisis, habitat loss, and other interrelated factors. Scaling up renewable energy generation is a key solution to mitigating the biodiversity crisis by reducing the impact of climate change, as we transition to a world powered by renewable energy. Being a part of the wind industry, we make sure that we have sustainability in everything we perform. Together we are trying to power a brighter future with our energy solutions thus fighting towards climate change.