Biography of Rafael Amaral
For more than 15 years, Rafael Amaral has worked in the renewable energy industry, supporting the deployment of utility-scale power systems across several continents With a background in electrical engineering, he learned early that in this field, reputation is earned through consistent delivery and operational results Projects must be completed safely, assets must remain productive, and systems must function as designed
Rafael currently serves as Executive Vice President at a renewable energy company, holding full P&L responsibility for an operation valued at approximately $220 million His leadership covers field services, repowering, project execution, and asset management across wind, solar, and battery storage infrastructure throughout North America
From Engineering Foundations to Executive Accountability
Rafael's career began in Brazil, where he graduated as valedictorian in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Salvador In his early roles, he worked on designing electrical systems, substations, and infrastructure, which gave him practical knowledge of how energy systems respond to demand and stress.
That technical foundation became essential as he advanced into senior positions, where engineering decisions, however small, can influence large-scale performance outcomes. His direct experience helped him navigate these complexities with a strong focus on reliability and system integrity.
In 2011, Rafael Amaral of Florida joined an international energy services company, where he held several leadership roles over nearly a decade. He started with site-level responsibilities in wind commissioning and project delivery, managing engineering handoffs and working with customers to ensure on-time turbine installations As operations expanded across Latin America, he led teams in multiple countries and eventually took on regional P&L leadership, managing a $10 million business with around 120 employees Leading across dispersed, challenging environments taught him to implement structure and build scalable operational practices.
Leading at Scale Across Regions and Borders
Rafael's move into senior global roles marked a shift from regional execution to broader workforce and operations management. As Global Renewables Resource Director, he led labor planning and execution strategy for approximately 1,600 field employees in 25 countries His responsibilities included resource forecasting, training programs, and defining country-specific work standards.
Rafael later assumed operational leadership of global renewables activities, overseeing an annual project portfolio valued at approximately $190 million. The focus was on delivering consistent performance across regions with differing regulatory frameworks, cultural environments, and logistical constraints. He applied lean methodologies and practical improvement tools to reduce inefficiencies, enhance safety, and stabilize margins
Following that, he took on regional leadership for North America and later the Americas, managing organizations with over 1,200 employees and annual revenues of up to $160 million Each role involved balancing organizational growth with delivery capacity, optimizing team performance, and addressing customer expectations as renewable energy portfolios rapidly expanded
Driving Integration and Performance at RNWBL
He joined his current company at a time of rapid growth and complexity. In early 2024, he oversaw the integration of more than 10 acquired companies into a unified operating model This effort included aligning systems, processes, and leadership while maintaining service quality and meeting financial goals across a $220 million portfolio.
Later that year, Rafael was appointed Chief Operating Officer In that capacity, he became responsible for all construction and operational activities in wind, solar, and battery storage
across the U S and Canada His priorities included stabilizing execution, driving performance improvements through technology and process, and preparing the business for future scale.
Rafael currently leads not only operations, but also business development and go-to-market strategy across Field Services, Projects, and Asset Management. His work focuses on disciplined execution, reliable performance, and long-term asset value For him, a project is only successful when it meets its performance goals sustainably and over time.
Education, Perspective, and Community
Alongside his technical background, he holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Project Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas He has also completed executive education programs at institutions such as Yale University, the University of Michigan, GE Crotonville, Eckerd College, and the University of Florida These programs strengthened his leadership perspective and financial understanding, complementing his field experience.
Rafael is a licensed Electrical Engineer in Brazil and holds a Project Management Professional certification. His ability to work across both technical and business contexts allows him to engage with engineers, operators, financiers, and customers, translating complex challenges into actionable plans
Now based in Florida, he brings a global outlook to a local setting His personal and professional ties to the region influence how he approaches leadership, responsibility, and long-term value creation.
A Leader Shaped by Execution
Rafael Amaral has built his career by leading through results, adapting in demanding environments, and consistently focusing on execution. He has supported teams through growth and transformation, remained grounded in technical integrity, and delivered performance across complex operations His journey reflects the principle that in renewable energy, success is measured by what gets delivered, and leadership is proven in action.