Rao Kolla

Rao Kolla has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning several industries. Rao is currently serving as the Director of Process Electrical/Controls Engineering at Stellar since January 2022. Before that, they held the same position from June 2019. Rao also worked as a Senior Process Project Engineer at Stellar starting from July 2020. Prior to joining Stellar, Rao worked at Deloitte Consulting as a Specialist Leader- Enterprise Operations from April 2019 to July 2020.

Rao's career began at Simons Conkey, Inc. where they worked as a Process Control Engineer in 1989-1990. Rao then moved on to Advance Possis / General Mills as an Electrical / Controls Project Engineer from 1990-1993. Following this, they joined Lender's Bagel Bakery as an MIS/Controls Engineer from 1993-1996.

In 1996, Rao joined General Mills as a Principal Engineer, where they provided engineering support to multiple manufacturing facilities. Rao worked on projects related to MES, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, automation strategies, and compliance issues, along with driving continuous process improvements. Rao remained with General Mills until 2007.

After General Mills, Rao joined Nestle as an Automation Manager. Rao was responsible for overseeing all aspects of facility power distribution, automation infrastructures, instrumentation systems, software, information technology, and manufacturing execution systems. Rao successfully reversed production delays and implemented cost-saving strategies. Rao left Nestle in October 2009.

From 2009 to 2012, Rao worked as a Project Manager at Malt-O-Meal, leading a team to develop safety standards, sustainability, and infrastructure strategies.

In 2012, Rao joined KraftHeinz as an Associate Director International Engineering, where they collaborated with factories worldwide on a sustainability program and developed a long-term strategy road map. Rao remained with KraftHeinz until 2018.

Lastly, Rao worked at Stellar Engineering as a Senior Controls Engineer from 2018-2019. Rao'srole involved developing strategies and visions for a green field facility and collaborating with external suppliers on design and feasibility costs.

Rao Kolla's education history includes obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical & Electronics from Andhra University between 1979 and 1983. In 1994, they attended the University at Buffalo School of Management, The State University of New York, and completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialization in Finance, which they finished in 1996. Additionally, Rao Kolla pursued professional certifications, including the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certification from APICS in 2007. Rao also received a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Institute of Project Management. The exact dates for their certification are not available.