Range EES Leadership
The Range ESS leadership team is composed of individuals from Sammons Enterprises, Inc. companies, a well respected global holding company; Duke Energy, a market leader in energy services; and Azimuth Infrastructure Capital, a leader in infrastructure investment management.
Heather Kreager
Chief Executive Officer, Sammons Enterprises, Inc.
Heather Kreager joined the company in 1985. She served as General Counsel for Sammons Enterprises, Inc. and Sammons Communications, Inc., and as President of Sammons Enterprises prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sammons Enterprises in 2014. She has served on the Executive Committee and Board since 2008. In addition to her role as CEO of Sammons Enterprises, Inc., Heather is CEO for Sammons Equity Alliance, Inc., the holding company for Sammons' real estate and investment businesses.
Darron Ash
Senior Vice President, Sammons Enterprises, Inc.
Senior Vice President and Executive Committee member for Sammons Enterprises, Inc., Darron Ash has been with Sammons since 2006. Darron joined the company with 17 years of experience in the public accounting, private equity, consumer products manufacturing, and professional services industries. He served as Chief Financial Officer for Sammons Enterprises, Inc. for nine years prior to accepting the role of President and Chief Executive Officer for Briggs International, Inc., the company's equipment business. Darron has been a member of the Executive Committee and the Board since 2015.
Jeff Meyer
Vice President, Sammons Infrastructure
Jeff Meyer is president of Pathfinder Ranches, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises, Inc. Jeff leads the Pathfinder team responsible for managing mitigation and other assets related to Pathfinder Ranches. He is also a member of the team working on the Range Energy Storage Systems project in collaboration with Duke Energy. His career has been dedicated to helping communities to improve surrounding natural and cultural resources. He's a leader in developing large-scale, master planned projects that are mutually beneficial to business communities and natural resources.
George Dawe
Executive Vice President, DATC -- Commercial Transmission
George Dawe is executive vice president of DATC, a member of DATC’s Board of Managers, and vice president of Pioneer Transmission, LLC. George Dawe also leads business activities in Duke Energy’s Commercial Transmission group, a position he has held since October 2009. Previously, Mr. Dawe served as a director in Duke Energy’s Federal Energy & Regulatory Policy group, a position he held from 2000. Before that, he was the manager of transmission services in the Grid Operations group. Mr. Dawe began his Duke Energy career with Algonquin Gas Transmission Co. (PanEnergy) in 1982 and held various positions in operations, marketing and business development.
Chris Jones
Vice President, DATC -- Commercial Transmission
Chris Jones serves as a vice president for DATC and is managing director in Duke Energy’s Commercial Transmission group where he has led business development activities since 2010. Mr. Jones has been with Duke Energy over thirty years and has held various roles in engineering, construction management, project management, acquisitions and divestitures, and business development in the power and natural gas sectors of Duke’s domestic and international businesses.
Chris Elrod
Managing Director, Azimuth Infrastructure Capital, LLC
Chris Elrod supports all aspects of CAES project development and financing efforts. Prior experience includes principal investment activities while at GE Energy Financial Services, including equity, tax equity and debt investment underwriting for both conventional and renewable power generation projects located in North America. Chris also spent several years at boutique investment bank Whitehall and Company in New York and advised clients on M&A and capital raising activities in both the conventional and renewable power sector. Chris is a graduate of Yale University with a degree in History.
AJ Akaydin
Senior Director Finance, Sammons Infrastructure
An established business leader, AJ Akaydin is Senior Director of Finance for Sammons Infrastructure. AJ has more than 17 years of experience working with leading corporations in finance, treasury, and analyst roles. She has focused much of her career on energy-related businesses. AJ’s experience includes finance and operations-related roles with Citigroup, Murchison Oil & Gas, and most recently Vistra Energy Corporation. In her role as Senior Director of Finance, AJ supports due diligence, acquisition, and management of investments in the infrastructure sector. She is a CFA charterholder.
