Strong Leaders Build Strong Companies

Aakash Chandarana

GM, Smart Building Controls + IoT Solutions

As General Manager of the IoT Solutions business unit, Aakash leads product development and delivery capabilities to help customers realize the value of their existing investments and understand, navigate and implement smart building and IoT technologies.

Previously, Chandarana was Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Customer Solutions at Xcel Energy where he was responsible for developing, implementing and managing products and services, including energy efficiency initiatives for medium to large business customers. He holds degrees in business management and biology as well as a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Russ Johnson

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

With his extensive knowledge of Oracle ERP systems, IT consulting experience and software development expertise, Russ provides critical leadership for EMC’s IoT offerings and maximizes efficiencies and performance improvement within EMC’s business operations.

Previously, Russ worked as a management consulting director at KPMG where he led business intelligence and analytics implementations for large multinational corporations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from the University of Minnesota.

Robert Conley

Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Robert is an accomplished executive with 30 years of management and finance experience. As Acting CFO he guides EMC's financial success by managing the finance department and providing exceptional value to our customers. 

Prior to EMC, Robert worked at Corval Group, Inc. and Menards Lumber, Inc. where he held leadership roles in finance. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of St. Thomas.  

Matt Mazzola

VP, Sales + Marketing

With more than 25 years in the lighting, electrical and electronic manufacturing industry, Matt is an experienced sales leader adept at helping customers navigate the evolving industry. He has held leadership roles at Magnum Innovations, a manufacturer of wireless lighting and HVAC controls, and Venture Lighting International, a global manufacturer of lighting components, fixtures and controls.

Matt holds a global business management degree from the University of Phoenix.

Derek Johnson

VP, Project Excellence

In his current position at EMC, Derek serves as the head of the Project Excellence team, which bears the responsibility for managing all project installation facets within a turnkey project. His professional journey commenced as a project auditor, and subsequently, he held roles as a project manager and sales manager.

With more than 15 years of experience in the energy efficiency sector, Derek possesses a deep understanding of EMC's intricate turnkey model. He brings forth substantial expertise in customer interactions, quantifiable project outcomes and the pursuit of novel business development opportunities to enrich our projects.

Derek holds a bachelor's degree in bio-based management and marketing from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

Bobby Ridley

VP, Customer Solutions

In his current role, Bobby oversees EMC customer solutions, which includes our Audit, Design and Solutions Management teams. Bobby has been with EMC for more than 12 years, beginning his EMC career as an auditor and then later held service manager and program manager positions. In his current role, Bobby leverages his lighting industry experience to drive best-in-class solutions for customers.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of North Dakota.

Kent Shields

GM, Specialty Lighting

An executive with extensive experience in business management and product development, Kent is the General Manager of EMC’s Specialty Lighting business unit with a focus on UV-C disinfection products, grow lights and human-centric lighting.

Prior to EMC, Kent was President of L70 Technologies, a leading innovative product development engineering firm. Kent held previous roles as CEO of E3 Clean Technologies, Inc. and Global Senior VP of Operations, Marketing & Technology at Datacard Group. Kent holds a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University and a MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Lindsay Tomsche

Director, Human Resources

Lindsay has more than 13 years of Human Resources experience with progressive leadership roles. She is responsible for driving strategic HR initiatives and overseeing the administration of all HR programs to align with organization goals and strategy related to talent management, compensation, organizational development, training and culture. 

Prior to joining EMC, Lindsay was an HR Manager at Transport America. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from St. Cloud State University and earned her master's degree in organizational leadership from Bethel University.