Our People: Solving Today’s Energy Challenges
e2 Companies is led by a strategic visionary disciplined in planning, organization, budgeting, branding, culture, finances, economics, and corporate value. Our leadership team's vision and ability to deliver innovative products and services has been a key factor in our success. Learn more about our team's expertise.
Our Leadership Team
James Richmond
Founder and President
James Richmond, Founder and President
Mr. Richmond is a uniquely qualified professional with a multitude of leadership experiences across many diverse industries. He has been the driving force for several high-growth organizations, exceeding $100 million with EBITDA exceeding 20%.
Mr. Richmond is a visionary leader with excellent technical capabilities and a focused sales mentality. For over 30 years, he has spent significant time with industry analysts, learning and defining the industry now known as Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO). He has been at the forefront of emerging trends during this time, developing innovative products and outsourced engineering solutions for his clients. He is the CEO and president of e2 Companies (formerly e2 Companies LLC), and the mastermind behind the development of two subsidiaries, e2 Mission Critical Ltd. and Palm Energy LLC. The unified strength of these brands delivers the industry’s first Virtual Utility® for power generation, distribution, and energy economics in the marketplace. Based on his vision, e2Companies continues to develop patented products and services for an increasing range of clients across vertical industries. He is committed to driving resilience and reliability for his clients so they can take control of their energy outcomes in the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
Jeanne Richmond
Co-Owner and Principal
Jeanne Richmond, Co-Owner and Principal
Mrs. Richmond is one of e2 Companies’ principal owners who invested in the company in November 2017. Her role in the company consists of executive oversight of daily operations, company growth strategy, and asset and growth management. Her involvement in e2 Companies provides stability, efficiency, consistency, and optimized organizational structure. Mrs. Richmond brings 18 years of entrepreneurial experience to e2Companies. She previously operated and sold four restaurant enterprises and worked as co-owner of a restaurant interior design, building and consulting company.
Rino Sbriglia
COO
Rino Sbriglia, COO
Mr. Sbriglia is an Electrical Engineer leading the manufacturing division of the business. Mr. Sbriglia oversees the manufacturing business unit covering all areas of manufacturing, R&D, and Technical Support activities. Mr. Sbriglia manages the develop, production, planning, and preparation of goods for timely delivery and within approved quality standards. Prior to joining e2Companies, Mr. Sbriglia was VP of Sales and Client Experience at Hipower Systems Inc, a Diesel and Natural Gas generator manufacturer. With his 20+ years’ experience in the generator business, Mr. Sbriglia has been involved and manages various aspects of Engineering, Operations, and Sales. Before living and working in North America for the last 10 years, Mr. Sbriglia lived and worked in countries like Spain, Italy, and China.
Todd Snarr
Vice President, Professional Services
Todd Snarr, Vice President, Professional Services
Mr. Snarr joined e2Companies in 2013, and he is responsible for e2Companies’s ongoing compliance testing, monitoring, and reporting services provided to customers. He has over 30 years of experience in the engineering consulting business and over 20 years of experience in supporting customers in the electrical power generation industry. Mr. Snarr is a licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Illinois, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Maine. He has also served e2Companies as a Vice President of Operations and as a Senior Consultant. Mr. Snarr received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming. He began his professional career as a staff engineer for a national engineering services firm, where he gained experience in the areas of environmental compliance involving air, water, and waste at multiple industrial customer facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Snarr has also served as an adjunct instructor within the College of Engineering and Construction at Bradley University for over 10 years, where he instructed senior level engineering students completing their capstone engineering design projects.
Scott Gall
Vice President, Product Development
Scott Gall, Vice President, Product Development
Mr. Gall joined e2Companies in 2013, and he is responsible for overseeing the e2Companies’s product launches and the success of current projects. He has over 20 years of experience in the product development industry. Early in his career, Mr. Gall obtained experience in managing product development projects and teams of engineers. He succeeded in growing a team of three designers/detailers into a multi-faceted team of more than eighty engineers. In 2009, he co-founded GenAcc Products, where he used his background in mechanical engineering and new product introductions to develop emissions aftertreatment systems for the power generation industry. Mr. Gall began his professional career with an outsourced engineering company designing products for a variety of Fortune 500 companies, including John Deere, Caterpillar, Harley Davidson, Whirlpool, and Maytag. Mr. Gall has served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at Arrowhead Country Club in Peoria, Illinois.
Neil Cowan
Director of Marketing
Neil Cowan, Director of Marketing
Mr. Cowan is a proven marketing leader with ascendant levels of responsibility with Fortune 500 companies such as IBM, General Mills, and the Kellogg Company. A transformative and highly agile leader, he leverages strategic vision and design thinking to deliver sustainable results for his brands. Over his 20-year career, Mr. Cowan has led the on-going optimization of marketing teams, process, and capabilities. He has built long-term partnerships across matrixed organizations and complex industries, with a successful track record of scaling businesses across global markets. In 2020, he led the Pringles global brand re-stage for the Kellogg company. This contributed to multiple years of unprecedented share growth for Pringles in the Global snacks category. At the same time, Mr. Cowan developed best practices for marketing and innovation, delivering margin growth and increasing brand equity for Kellogg across Global regions.
Chad Risinger
Vice President of Information Systems
Chad Risinger, Vice President of Information Systems
Mr. Risinger manages the integration of corporate software for equipment and administration systems at e2Companies. He is also the Peoria, Ill. facilities operations manager. Mr. Risinger is responsible for all remote monitoring, dispatch, and data management services for e2Companies’ owned assets and customer owned assets. He is tasked with providing corporate strategy for growth and profitability related to all software systems and products. Mr. Risinger has been employed in the engineering consulting industry and supporting customers in the electrical power generation industry for over 20 years. He began his professional career as a staff engineer for a national engineering services firm, where he gained experience in the areas of environmental compliance involving air, water, and waste at multiple industrial customer facilities across the US and Canada. Mr. Risinger’s areas of expertise include remote monitoring and control, stationary engine emissions compliance, demand response programs, utility planning and relocation, regulatory compliance (air, water, and waste), and strategic planning.
Ian Howard
EMEA Managing Director
Ian Howard, EMEA Managing Director
e2 Mission Critical Ltd is bringing the technology to mission-critical businesses across EMEA. Mr. Howard is an Honors graduate in Mechanical Engineering and a member of ImechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers). Prior to working with e2Companies, in addition to running his own successful specialist engineering consultancy business, Ian worked for 18 years for Kerry Group Plc holding various senior positions across business operations and engineering. Mr. Howard is highly experienced in industry including chemical, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Mr. Howard’s previous roles included global execution of large capital projects as well as significant business change and functional excellence programs. Other areas of experience include M&A, R&D, and large-scale critical utilities.
Andrea Schanck
General Counsel
Andrea Schanck, General Counsel
With over ten years of legal experience, including more than five years as an in-house corporate attorney, Andrea Schanck serves as General Counsel in the energy industry, providing strategic legal counsel and guidance to executives and management. Prior to e2Companies, she gained valuable experience navigating complex legal and regulatory environments across the global energy sector.
Andrea specializes in a broad range of legal matters, including regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and contracts. She ensures that the organization remains compliant with federal, state, and local regulations while aligning legal strategies with business objectives.
A trusted advisor to senior leadership, Andrea works closely with cross-functional teams to mitigate legal risks and provide proactive legal solutions, supporting the company’s long-term growth and operational success within the energy industry.
Dr. Clayborne Taylor
R&D Director
Dr. Clayborne Taylor, R&D Director
Dr. Clayborne D. Taylor, Jr., Director of Research and Development, completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2009. With a passion for innovation and a background in power systems, battery storage, power conversion, electromagnetic compatibility, simulation, and programming, he has been at the forefront of technological advancement.
Throughout his career, Dr. Clayborne D. Taylor, Jr. has led cross-functional teams in developing groundbreaking solutions. From designing next-gen battery technologies to optimizing power conversion efficiency, his approach blends scientific rigor with creative thinking. He thrives on turning theoretical concepts into practical applications, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.
As a leader, Dr. Clayborne D. Taylor, Jr. fosters an environment where curiosity is celebrated, failures are learning opportunities, and collaboration drives breakthroughs. Beyond the lab, he explores the latest advancements in AI, attends industry conferences, and mentors the next generation of engineers.