Our Team
The People Making Fire More Efficient
Russell
Founder / CEO / Lead Designer
Russell has developed the Himalayan Rocket Stove project as a result of many years traveling in the Himalayas noticing deforestation and various climate related changes. He also came up with the formula for the Smokeless Cookstove which is being rolled out in a Not-For-Profit format by the Smokeless Cookstove Foundation. Based in Australia and working in India, he juggles his life and work between the two countries.
Abhishek
General Manager
Abhishek brings his engineering expertise to the critical role of overseeing everything from production and quality control to team cohesion and product design. Being from the mountains, he also understands intimately the importance of what we are doing and communicating that to our various collaborators.
Chozang
Regional Manager/Director:
J&K and Ladakh
Chozang has been involved with rocket stoves in Ladakh since he first built one at SECMOL institute several years ago. Since then he has been a part of the HRS project from the very beginning, including through the prototyping phase in Ladakh. He is one of the company directors and is Regional Manager for Ladakh and J&K.
Neetan
Sales Manager Domestic Retail
Neetan is well versed with the nuances of Sales in the context of Rocket Stoves in the Himalayan region. Versatile in his knowledge of people, culture and geography, he brings expertise and experience in sales from varied sectors ranging from banking to hospitality. He is a keen listener, cheerful by nature and easy to strike a conversation with.
Tanzin
Product Testing and Customer Service
Tanzin has been working with Russell since the very beginning and was involved in the early stage prototyping and development of the Himalayan Rocket Stove project that lead to the Smokeless Cookstove Foundation. As a result, he has first hand experiential knowledge of all aspects of both projects and is an indispensable part of the team, now focussing on sales in the Himachal region.
Sreejith
Sales Manager B2B and Projects
Business Development Manager with 8+ years of experience in sales, business development, planning, and executing business strategies. Expert in developing new market channels and building strong relationships with customers, industry leaders, and team members.
Bhupender
Production Support
Aka ‘Mithu’ believes in ‘Never say Never’. He’s the ‘Yes-Man’ of our team, always ready to do whatever it takes for the task to be done. Professional or personal, he’s there for everyone.
Namgial
Shop Assistant Leh Ladakh
Dedicated and hard working is Namgial, doing his best to ensure that everyone who comes to the store is served efficiently and well.
Ajay
Service Executive
Ajay has joined us in service from Telecom bringing 6 years of experience in respective role. He is jolly man who loves to take & accomplish service tasks with honour. He loves to travel & socialise & yes a big cricket lover.
Pallvi
Sales Executive
Pallvi is very insightful and passionate towards customer centricity. She expertises in pre/post-sales operations. She is a compassionate & capable resource, who makes every task look easy with her approach.She is fond of music & travelling.
Komal
Accounts Executive
Komal handles accounts operation for HRS, indeed a crucial one. She brings her expertise of 5 years to the company. She also looks after general operation for HRS. Hobbies like cooking, music, gardening & plantation are real for her.
Reena
HR & Admin Head
Reena comes with a vast experience of 9 years in HR Operations especially in Statutory Compliance, General Administration, Policy Making & Talent Acquisition. She is a great team player & understands the essence of support & cooperation among the team for flawless job operations. She is fond of cooking, dancing & exploring new regions.
Vinod
Pikup Driver and Support
Vinod drives the stock and the support team to wherever they need to be. Vinod is our all-rounder guy, driver cum helping hand in everything. Plus he’s a great comedian.
Bittu
Production Support
Bittu is a silent and serious guy who gives great technical support to our production and quality team.
Shahid
Production Support
Shahid is a technically sound guy who’s good to do almost every small detailed thing. He’s the ‘Fast and Furious’ of our team, always quick and efficient.
Rakesh
Accounts Manager
Rakesh brings over 19 years of experience in Accounts Management.He is well versed with all accounts operations pertaining to an organization. He is fun loving man with keen interest in sports, music & cinema.
Abhinay
Quality Assurance
Abhinay is highly technical skilled in Vendor end Quality Management. He has a sound knowledge of quality assurance. With his expertise & skills, he is undoubtedly an assest for HRS. He is a travel enthusiast.
Lucky
Store Executive
Lucky has an experience of 6 long years in handling & maintaining store operations. He is a positive resource with efficient skills in store keeping management. He loves to travel & socialize with people.
Advisors & Mentors
Keeping us focussed on what matters
Nitisha Agrawal
Business Development Advisor
Nitisha has studied Sustainable Development and Solutions from Columbia University, Earth Institute and thirsts for working towards conservation and protecting the environment. Based in Mumbai, she heads up the Smokeless Cookstove Foundation as it’s tireless director. She loves taking pictures and writing about her experiences to spread the team’s work.
Ajay Muttreja
Strategy Advisor and Mentor
National Startup Committee, FICCI
IvyCap Ventures Capital Advisors
Global Advisory Council, TTC
Confederation of Education Excellence
Indo-US Science & Technology Forum
Advisory Board INVENT
Chetana (Karen Wilson)
Co-Founder & Advisor
Chetana has a long connection with India and the Himalayas. She’s been part of the rocket stove journey from the very beginning and has overseen the development of the project from the early days of prototyping in Australia. She brings her valuable experience of project management and funding to the core team and assists in keeping the ship stable and afloat.
Shaika Rakshi
Project Management Advisor
Shaika comes to HRS with a wealth of experience in the not for profit sector working on mitigation and adaptation programs across South Asia. She brings her deep understanding on the cultural nuances that impact project design as well as experience in large scale program implementation. With a Masters in Environmental Science from Syracuse, New York and several years of working in the field, she thrives on knowledge from experiences.
Solving Problems
Innovative Ideas
Appropriate Technology
Clear Communication
Recent Blog Posts
Stay up to date with our projects, ideas and random thoughts!
Carbon Trading for better Himalayan outcomes
The Eco Rocket Stove range of space heaters were recently approved by Gold Standard (after an extensive and rigorous assessment process) of abating between 3.3 tons of CO2 (or equivalent) tCO2e per unit per year for ten years. That means for every stove we get into...
Clean Biomass Combustion in the Himalayas
The Himalayan region is home to many of the world’s most fragile ecosystems and is facing an ever-increasing environmental challenge. Climate change, deforestation, air pollution, and other environmental impacts are all taking their toll on the region’s fragile...
Clean Biomass Combustion
The transition from traditional fire-based cooking to cleaner, more high-tech solutions is essential for improving global health and environmental conditions. Clean biomass combustion is key to making this happen. Biomass is any organic material derived from plant or...