Leadership Team

Founder, President, and CEO

Rakhi Kapoor Sharma

Rakhi is a forward-thinking leader in technology innovation. As Rigil’s President and CEO, she’s committed to making life better for every individual and community the company supports.

Rakhi founded Rigil in 2005 on the premise of always finding a better way – a better way to deliver solutions for customers and foster work-life harmony for employees. She has overseen Rigil through consistent annual growth from a small disadvantaged 8(a) business to a competitive force in the federal and commercial space. Under her leadership, the company grew to a workforce of more than 150, was appraised at CMMI Level 5 for development and CMMI Level 3 for Services, and has expanded its award-winning products, including StrataGem and iViews, into federal and commercial sectors.

In addition to managing multi-million dollar federal contracts, driving growth, reducing costs, and improving operations for customers, she directs the company’s business strategy to position Rigil as a leading-edge partner, contractor, and employer of choice.

Rakhi is a graduate of the National Institute of Technology – Kurukshetra and Stanford University’s Executive Program for Growing Companies. She is also a graduate of the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) Partners Program. She is based in the Washington, D.C., area.

Co-Founder and COO

Pankaj Sharma

Pankaj is an entrepreneur and pioneer who loves all things leading-edge technology – and golf. With multiple patents to his name, he’s delivered artificial intelligence, machine learning, and gamification solutions to the private and public sectors including Rigil’s

award-winning StrataGem and iViews platforms. He also spearheaded Rigil’s Innovation Hub, the company’s discovery lab for tackling real-world challenges and developing technology solutions with heart. As Rigil’s Chief Operating Officer, Pankaj oversees the corporate strategy as well as day-to-day operations including customer programs and product deployments. Under his leadership, Rigil has seen consistent annual growth, been appraised at CMMI Level 5 for development and CMMI Level 3 for Services, and expanded its award-winning products into federal and commercial sectors.

Pankaj holds an MBA from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from the National Institute of Technology – Kurukshetra.

He is based in the Washington, D.C., area.

Chief People Officer

Alycia Rawls

Alycia is a dynamic Human Resources powerhouse with more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning, training, development, compliance, benefit administration, employee engagement, recruiting, and talent planning.

As Rigil’s Chief People Officer, she develops and executes HR strategy to support our corporate goals and drive the company forward as an employer of choice. She oversees talent, change, and performance management, as well as benefits and compensation.

Alycia holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland College Park, is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), and is an SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

She is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Senior Vice President, Information Technology Services

Robert M. Tobin

Bob’s focus is on integrating people, process, and technology to drive solutions and make life better. As Senior Vice President, IT Services, Bob helps guide the company’s strategic direction and leads many enterprise initiatives including our

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) appraisals. He oversees the day-to-day operations of critical customer-focused programs. His work drives teams and solutions forward to meet customers goals and generate operational success. Bob joined Rigil in 2016 after a successful 34-year career as a public servant with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where he served as an Air Traffic Controller, Manager in the Air Traffic Organization, Chief Information Officer, and Senior Executive Director for the administration’s IT shared services organization.

He is an active member of the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) Fellows Program (Partner’s Class of 2008), the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), and the Professional Services Council (PSC).

He attended Brooklyn College in New York and is an International Coaching Federation (ICF)-trained executive coach. He is based in the Washington, D.C., area.

Executive Director, Business Development

Randy Sakowitz

Randy is an innovative strategic planner with a passion for all things tech. He’s successfully launched products in the defense, aerospace, and commercial spaces to compete in, and disrupt, markets.

As Rigil’s Executive Director, Business Development, Randy oversees our DoD and Federal contract work, growth strategy, product roadmaps, vendor partnerships, and product branding and marketing. He is skilled in go-to-market planning, vendor sourcing and management, and user experience.

Prior to joining Rigil, Randy held leadership roles at a variety of startups and consulting firms, including his own. His collaborative approach to solving challenges, rooted in the power of data, has led to profitable, sustainable sales pipelines.

Randy holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the George Washington University and is a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership Institute.

Randy resides in the Washington, D.C., area.

Director, Technology and Architecture

Somu Chandra

Somu is a technical leader experienced in IT solutions, architecture, and program management in both public and private sectors with a focus on IT Modernization, Training, and Products. He has served in a variety of technology and program management roles since joining Rigil in 2010 in his role.

Currently, Somu is the Program Manager for our Federal Aviation Administration contracts overseeing significant programs and serving as a technical advisor to customers on several of Rigil’s contracts.

Somu holds a Master of Science degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Temple University and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Somu resides in the Washington, D.C., area.

Deputy Director, Programs Delivery

Sunil Datt

Sunil has a passion for people and program management, which he gets to combine as Deputy Director, Programs Delivery, to make life better for Rigil’s customers and employees.

Sunil is responsible for Rigil’s customer relationships and supporting our largest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract. He also oversees Rigil’s work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

Sunil joined Rigil in 2020 as a program manager before being promoted to Deputy Director in 2022. During his tenure, he has helped grow and mentor the company’s next generation of leaders and managed the corporate center of excellence. Prior to joining Rigil, he held roles at The World Bank, IBM, and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

Sunil is certified in Project Management Professional (PMP), Scaled Agile (SAFE), IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and government financial management (CGFM). He also holds master’s degrees in economics, business, and political science.
Sunil resides in the Washington, D.C., area.