Meet Our Team

Raul Pereda has been with PW Power Systems since 2007 and was named President and CEO in April 2017. Prior to his current role, Raul had responsibility for worldwide sales and marketing of all PWPS products and services as well as directing product and market expansion and business development activities. Raul also has overall responsibility for Energy Services, Inc., an engineering, procurement, and construction company affiliated with PWPS. Before joining PWPS to sell FT8 units in Latin America, Raul held management positions within Pratt & Whitney’s military engine business including engineering and international business development. Raul holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Miami, a Master of Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology, and is a graduate of the DoD’s Defense Systems Management College.

Yasuo Nagashima has been the Vice President for MHI Synergies since the acquisition of PW Power Systems in 2013. On behalf of PWPS, Yasuo engages the broader MHI network to explore opportunities to leverage customer relationships, identify supplier cost synergies, and take advantage of MHI’s presence in specific markets. Prior to transitioning to the United States, Yasuo held top managerial positions at MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works (Manager, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager of the Machinery Business Department), Takasago Machinery Works (Deputy General Manager), and Power Systems (General Manager). He graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and is fluent in Japanese and English. After joining MHI, Yasuo also studied Egyptian policy at The American University in Cairo. Yasuo is an avid golfer and enjoys watching baseball and hockey games.

Todd Emery directs the FT8® and FT4000® aero-derivative gas turbine programs and is responsible for Overhaul, Repair, and Spare Parts Operations at PW Power Systems. Prior to his current role, Todd was responsible for the FT8® aero-derivative gas turbine business, including all aspects of production, delivery, installation, and aftersales service. Todd has 31 years of aero-derivative gas turbine power industry experience including field service, customer service, operations and maintenance, overhaul and repair, program management, and various general management positions. Prior to joining PWPS in 2004, Todd worked for the marine and industrial division of General Electric and for Energy Services, Inc., in roles of increasing responsibility. He serves on the Board of Directors for Wood Group Pratt & Whitney Turbine Engine Services, LLC. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering Systems from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York and a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Todd served as an Engineering Duty officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve since 1987 primarily supporting shipyard overhaul and repair commands before retiring at the rank of Commander in 2009. He earned his U.S. Coast Guard engineer license and is also a registered Professional Engineer.

David Maher has been with PW Power Systems since 2000. In his current capacity, David has overall engineering responsibility for all PWPS aero-derivative business. Previously, David had program responsibility for the design, development, and validation of PWPS’ new aero-derivative gas turbine, the FT4000®, which was successfully introduced in 2015. Prior to 2010, David had responsibility for the FT8® aero-derivative business where he oversaw the successful development and introduction of the FT8-3 in 2005 as well as the operations ramp-up and overall project execution during the period that followed. Prior to joining PWPS, David held management positions within Pratt & Whitney’s commercial aerospace businesses including field assignments with both customer and air framer. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University.

Harsh joined PW Power Systems in 2010 and was based in New Delhi managing the PWPS business in India and the Asia Pacific. He returned to the United States in 2015 to focus on the development of strategic sales, business development, and market research efforts for PWPS. In 2017, Harsh resumed his direct sales efforts, and he currently leads the global gas turbine sales team. Prior to working for PW Power Systems, Harsh held leadership roles at several United Technologies business units in the areas of general management, strategic sourcing, operations, and business development. He led teams across multiple functional disciplines and geographies during his 15 years at UTC. Harsh is an alumnus of Syracuse University where he earned dual graduate degrees, Master of Science in Manufacturing and Master of Science in Management. Harsh was born and raised in India, and he received his Bachelor of Engineering from Gujarat University, India.

Christopher Jones was appointed Chief Financial Officer in April 2018 after serving as Deputy CFO since September 2017. Chris joined PW Power Systems in 2004 and has held several positions of increasing responsibility. Prior to his current role, Chris was the Director of Program Finance with responsibility for oversight of all program financial activities for the FT8^® and FT4000^® products including Aftermarket (aero-derivative products), IGT Aftermarket, and Energy Services, Inc. Prior to joining PWPS, Chris worked for Pratt & Whitney supporting commercial and military engine development. During his career as an engineer, Chris was awarded the prestigious UTC George Mead Award for Outstanding Engineering Achievement. He also holds five United States patents. Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Tennessee, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

As Director of Aftermarket Services and Sales, Raul Romero is responsible for all aspects of the FT8® and FT4000® Aftermarket business, including Customer Service, Spare Parts, Overhaul and Repair, Field Service, and Service Agreements. He has been with PWPS since January 2014. Prior to joining PWPS, Raul held positions of increasing responsibility at Wood Group Gas Turbine Services and ProEnergy Services selling, structuring, and executing various types of transactional, bundled, long-term service, and operations and maintenance agreements. Before his association with the power generation industry, Raul served in the U.S. Army stationed with the 25^th Infantry Division Light at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and at Fort Benning, Georgia. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Air Assault, Parachutist, Pathfinder, and Ranger schools and is a recipient of the Expert Infantryman Badge. Raul earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management with a Civil Engineering track from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and earned his Master of Business Administration from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana.

Mike was appointed Director of Operations at PW Power Systems in November 2014 and has responsibility for the Procurement, EH&S, and Quality Departments. He brings over 35 years of well-rounded experience to this position. His most recent positions at UTC included Senior Fellow-Quality, Quality Director, and Operations Manager. Mike began his career at Pratt & Whitney in 1979 as an inspector. He transferred to Hamilton Sundstrand in 1986 and held positions of increasing responsibility in Quality and Operations including a position as the Quality and EH&S manager for Power Systems. Mike earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from Lesley College and a Master of Science in Management and Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is also an alumnus of the Hamilton Sundstrand Operations Leadership Program. A technical expert in Quality Management Systems and Quality Assurance, Mike demonstrates his passion for mentoring by sharing his expertise with early career engineers and operations associates.

Stefan Zavatone began his career at PW Power Systems (Turbo Power & Marine) in 1989 working in various capacities within Engineering, Construction/Commissioning, and Project Management. After pursuing other opportunities with Siemens Power Corporation and American Air Filter, he returned to PWPS in 2001. Stefan led the PWPS Projects organization and was responsible for contract execution on all new FT8® and FT4000® projects as well as proposal development and execution of upgrade projects for the existing FT8 fleet. In his current position, he is responsible for the continued rollout and market expansion of PWPS’ new, FT4000® aero-derivative gas turbine unit, including product development, cost reduction, fleet management and operational support, and sales and marketing support. Stefan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Information Technologies from New York University.

James Amarel has been with Energy Services LLC since 1995. In his current capacity, he has overall responsibility for Energy Services LLC, an engineering, procurement, and construction company affiliated with PWPS. Since joining Energy Services' west coast Operations and Maintenance business in 1995, Jim has held several positions of increasing responsibility including Operations Manager, Director of Projects, and General Manager. Prior to joining Energy Services, Jim was a technical manager for the United States Navy at the China Lake weapon’s center. In addition to his civilian career, James has held several positions in the United States Naval Reserves (USNR) and retired as an Engineering Duty Officer in 2006. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from California State University Northridge, and is a registered professional engineer.

Bob has been the Director of Human Resources for PW Power Systems since May 2006. He began his Human Resources career at Pratt & Whitney in 1989 in San Jose, California. Prior to transferring to Connecticut, he supported P&W operations at Cape Canaveral and West Palm Beach, Florida. In addition to labor relations and restructuring experience, Bob is also a certified trainer and certified arbitrator. Bob worked for the Italian Baseball Federation in Rome, Italy, for seven years serving as a manager responsible for recruitment, selection, and development of personnel associated with the Federation. He also served as a special consultant/advisor to the Swiss and Spanish Baseball Federations during that time. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of New Haven and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Webster University.

Matthew Spaeder manages the negotiation of contracts, implementation of compliance programs, corporate governance activities, risk management and litigation, and development and protection of intellectual property. Prior to joining PWPS in 2013, he was a corporate attorney at Robinson+Cole in Hartford. Matthew received his J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Case Western Reserve University and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina.