For over 15 years, Rafael Amaral has been committed to the renewable energy industry, actively contributing to the development of utility-scale power systems across multiple continents. With a background in electrical engineering, he understood early that results define reputation. In this field, systems must function, grids must stay balanced, and teams must work safely while meeting deadlines.
Rafael currently serves as Executive Vice President at a renewable energy organization, with full P&L responsibility for approximately $220 million in revenue. His leadership spans field services, repowering, project execution, and asset management across wind, solar, and battery storage operations throughout North America.
From Engineering Foundations to Executive Accountability
Rafael's professional path began in Brazil, where he graduated as valedictorian in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Salvador. Early in his career, he worked on the design of electrical systems, substations, and power infrastructure. These experiences helped him develop a strong technical foundation and a clear understanding of how systems perform under stress and operational demands.
This expertise became critical as he progressed into roles with broader responsibilities. In large-scale renewable projects, small technical decisions can have significant financial and operational consequences. His ability to recognize these risks early proved valuable in overseeing complex systems and teams.
In 2011, Rafael joined a global energy company, where he spent nearly a decade in leadership roles. Starting in wind turbine commissioning and site management, he was responsible for delivering equipment, managing engineering interfaces, and ensuring customer satisfaction. As operations expanded across Latin America, he led regional service teams, eventually taking on full P&L ownership of a $10 million business with around 120 employees. Managing teams in remote environments taught him the importance of clear structures and practical leadership in diverse settings.
Leading at Scale Across Regions and Borders
Rafael's shift to global leadership marked a transition from regional management to international coordination. As Global Renewables Resource Director, he oversaw workforce strategy for approximately 1,600 field professionals across 25 countries. He led labor forecasting, training initiatives, and the development of country-specific operational guidelines.
He later assumed responsibility for global renewable operations, managing an annual business valued at nearly $190 million. His focus was on creating predictability and consistency in project execution across markets with varying regulatory and logistical challenges. Lean principles and continuous improvement were applied as practical tools to reduce inefficiencies, enhance safety, and stabilize margins.
Rafael then took on regional leadership for North America, and later, for the broader Americas. In these roles, he led organizations with over 1,200 employees and revenues reaching up to $160 million. His work involved growing delivery capacity, managing customer expectations, and maintaining operational discipline, especially as renewable portfolios expanded rapidly in mature markets.
Driving Integration and Performance at RNWBL
Rafael joined his current company during a period of significant expansion and complexity. In early 2024, he played a key role in integrating more than 10 acquired companies into one operating platform. This required aligning systems, leadership, and processes, while maintaining performance and financial stability across a portfolio delivering $220 million in revenue.
Later that year, he became Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he oversaw the construction and operations of wind, solar, and battery projects across the U.S. and Canada. His primary focus areas included stabilizing project execution, deploying improvement technologies, and ensuring the organization was positioned to support future growth.
He now leads operations, business development, and market strategy across Field Services, Projects, and Asset Management. His approach centers on long-term asset performance, disciplined execution, and customer reliability. For him, renewable assets must deliver consistent value over time to fulfill their promise.
Education, Perspective, and Community
Rafael Amaral of Florida holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Project Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas. He has also participated in executive education programs at leading institutions, which have helped broaden his leadership perspective and sharpen his financial insight, while keeping him grounded in practical execution.
Rafael is a licensed Electrical Engineer in Brazil and a certified Project Management Professional. Fluent in both technical and business environments, he is skilled in working with engineering teams, field operators, clients, and financial stakeholders to convert complex challenges into clear decisions.
Now based in Florida, he brings international experience to a local context. His personal and professional ties to the region shape how he approaches leadership, accountability, and long-term value creation.
A Leader Shaped by Execution
Rafael Amaral has built his career through direct experience, operational discipline, and consistent performance. He has led through growth, transformation, and integration, with a clear focus on safety, delivery, and results. His story is a reminder that in renewable energy, integrity and execution remain the foundation, and leadership is defined by what gets done.
