About Us

James McGinniss is an expert in modern grid design and technologies, ranging from solar + storage to CHP/Cogen. While studying Engineering at the University of Texas-Austin, he researched all aspects of energy markets and next generation grid infrastructure design. In lieu of pursuing his PhD in battery storage science, he helped found David Energy.

While at UT, James also founded and led a team of 30+ engineers that competed in the Elon Musk led SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, where teams were invited to build pods to race on a one-mile test track. They won the SpaceX Innovation Award after two years spent building their prototype, one of three teams to be recognized.

James has extensive experience designing and deploying rooftop solar and residential behind the meter storage projects in the Texas market for Alba Energy, a Texas based solar installation company.

He holds an M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from UT Austin and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Physics and Math.

Ahmed brings over 15 years of experience in the building automation and energy management industry. Ahmed has previously held senior project manager and engineering roles at multiple companies internationally and around the United States including multinational companies such as Siemens Building Solutions and Schneider Electric.

Ahmed currently is a Director of Engineering at R3 Energy, along with his David Energy CTO role.  He developed the EcoGenesis SmartGrid® Energy Management System for R3 Energy, a NYSERDA approved RTEM system focusing on monitoring and optimizing building operations and the execution of Demand Response and other demand management measures.

Ahmed’s responsibilities include overseeing the energy and automation engineering department and product development.

Ahmed holds a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. He is also a certified Building Commissioning and Building Energy Assessment Professional.

Chaitu is Head of Retail at David Energy. He is a 20 year veteran in the retail energy sector. Prior to David Energy, Chaitu was the COO at Crius Energy.  During his tenure at Crius, he played a critical role in the growth strategy and improved operational efficiency which translated to a 250% increase in customers and 30% reduction in cost to serve economics which laid the foundation for the 2019 sale to Vistra Energy for over US$500M. Prior to Crius, he served as the COO and President of MXenergy Holdings Inc. from 2011-12 and served as the CFO and EVP of MXenergy from 2004.  He was instrumental in negotiating a sale to Constellation for US$225M in 2011.  Prior to MXenergy, Chaitu held senior financial roles at retail energy businesses in the US and Canada.  He began his career in Toronto with KPMG and holds a Certified Public Accountant designation. Mr. Parikh also holds a BA degree with a concentration in Economics from the University of Toronto.

Lena is an attorney and leads David Energy’s wholesale and retail market entry operations, from initial licensing to ongoing compliance.  She also collaborates with David Energy’s sustainability team and industry partners to develop policy and regulatory resources for distributed and renewable energy markets.

Prior to joining David Energy, Lena worked at Drift Marketplace, a renewable energy and SaaS start-up where she focused on market entry, regulatory compliance and advocacy, as well as Feller Law Group, a law firm specializing in deregulated energy markets.

Lena is a Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association Energy, Infrastructure, Siting & Reliability (EISR) Committee.  She is a board member of the New York Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI), where she was a Fellow in 2014, and is also a Senior Fellow of the Environment Leadership Program (ELP).  Lena has authored a number of articles on renewable energy and how the legal profession can — and must — increase environmental grassroots and community access to legal services.

Lena received her B.A. in Government from Dartmouth, graduated cum laude from Washington & Lee School of Law, and has an MSc. in Environmental Management from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.

Lena lives in NYC and tells herself 2020 will be the year she masters the Art of Good Computer Posture. 

Abhi brings over a decade of wholesale and retail power experience to the David Energy team. He’s an expert in retail portfolio supply, deal valuation, and risk management. As VP of Supply, Abhi leads the pricing, hedging, and risk management efforts for David Energy’s customer portfolio.

Abhi started his career at NextEra Energy Power Marketing and later joined MP2 Energy as Director of Risk where he modeled MP2’s rooftop solar partnership with SolarCity. His most recent role was serving as Director of Portfolio Optimization at EDF Energy North America, where he oversaw the supply management of EDF’s retail portfolio. Five years prior, Abhi was brought on as employee number 1 in the Pricing group where the valuation model he and his team built established EDF as a top C&I retailer in the U.S.

He holds a MS in Financial Mathematics from Florida State University and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. 

Ece is the Director of Sustainability at David Energy, where she is responsible for the development of its sustainability products, including green building certifications, sustainability reporting, greenhouse gas emissions, and regulatory compliance. Ece works closely with David Energy’s current commercial clients, helping them develop and implement sustainability plans, and manages their compliance and reporting requirements. Prior to its merger with David Energy, Ece worked at R3 Energy, where she led client LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications of 2.1 million square feet space, energy efficiency upgrades, and incentive applications.

Ece received her M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in 2015, as well as a B.S. in Geological Engineering from Istanbul University and an M.S. in Environmental Technology from Bosphorus University. She holds the LEED AP EB:OM, LEED AP BD&C, and Fitwel Ambassador certifications.