leadership

Joining AscendTek in 2019, Rick brought with him 20 years of experience in the construction and brownfield operations industries as a partner and global executive. As President, Rick applies a strategic perspective to challenge the status quo, drive change, and deliver business growth. Rick’s core competencies include talent management and coaching, mergers and acquisitions, activation and customer relationships, sales and operations management, and strategy development and execution. Prior to AscendTek, Rick built world class teams to execute and deliver projects. Rick created industry leading partnerships in the oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, food and beverage, and commercial construction industries. Rick has also launched, managed, and grown international business operations in Canada, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore. Rick holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Having joined AscendTek in 2021, Rich is a growth-minded financial executive and driven leader with nearly 30 years of experience and a desire to exceed the fiscal goals of an organization. His expertise includes EBITDA management, operational engagement, cost containment, technology utilization, financial system integration and staff development while maintaining stewardship and integrity. Rich’s past leadership experiences with large, mid-size and start-up organizations and varied capital structures includes 12 years at Franklin Energy Services and over 4 years at AM Conservation Group, Inc during which time he helped lead the company through multiple acquisitions and organic growth allowing for the company to grow 10X in revenue. Rich holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

With more than a decade of experience in cell tower construction, Joe joined AscendTek in 2021. As part of the AscendTek leadership team, Joe provides expert guidance on people management and safety/risk management processes. He drives successful implementation and execution of programs and practices including technical training programs, compliance, accident and injury/illness investigations, policy development, recruitment, employee benefits, employee relations, succession planning and compensation. This includes managing the AscendTek Internal Training and Employee Development Program. Prior to AscendTek, Joe worked for SRU Electric where he drove successful implementation of programs and practices including technical training programs, compliance, accident and injury/illness investigations, policy development, recruitment, employee benefits, employee relations, and succession planning and compensation. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and Philosophy from Northern Illinois University.

Prior to his promotion to Vice President Finance in 2021, Jeff joined AscendTek in 2019 as the Controller. With a focus on being a process improvement leader, Jeff has a keen ability to drive financial operation integration and profitability through both organic and inorganic growth. Jeff focuses on creating distraction-free financial operations by delivering timely, accurate financial reporting, actionable forecasts and analysis. Jeff provides the business guidance required for profitable growth. Prior to AscendTek, Jeff has spent his career in Finance and Corporate Accounting roles in industrial water treatment and industrial companies. He has worked through ERP system implementations, new business unit development, and process improvements to drive strategic business growth. Jeff received his MBA, Administration and his Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a major in Accounting from Lehigh University. 

Robert is an industry veteran in all aspects of wireless infrastructure deployment with nearly 15 years of experience. A veteran of the armed forces, he proudly served his country as a US Marine prior to initiating his career in wireless communications. A partner in Sky Telecom prior to joining AscendTek, as Vice President of Operations Robert brings his strengths in operational excellence and leadership to margin improvement, customer relationship, and business structure/integration. 

As the General Manager in Hawaii, Kevin oversees the territory’s operations to drive financial and operational success with a focus on employee safety. With over 20 years of experience in the construction and telecommunications industries, Kevin maintains strong customer and supplier relationships, and leads the crews to deliver projects accurately and timely. During his time with AscendTek, Kevin has expanded the operation from Oahu and the Big Island to Maui to better support customer wireless infrastructure plans across Hawaii. Prior to AscendTek, Kevin has held Project Manager and Superintendent roles for companies including SatTel Broadband, Centerline Solutions, IDC Joint Venture and San Juan Construction, Inc. Kevin holds a Diesel Mechanics Certificate from New Mexico Tech and Vocational Institute. 

With more than 30 years in the wireless tower construction industry, as the General Manager of the Northeast Operations of AscendTek LLC, Rich now leads five field crews to deliver high quality, on-time work including antennae modifications, new site builds, sub six C-Band Antenna Modifications, and site service and troubleshooting. Most recently, Rich has led the team to diversify the region’s services to include Electric Vehicle charging station construction. With a client and employee centric approach, Rich values employee safety while providing a high-quality service and believes a successful company cares about its people and its clients. Prior to joining the AscendTek team, Rich co-owned and operated Skinner and Cook, a wireless infrastructure general contractor in New Jersey. Under his ownership, the company expanded to 12 employees including three field crews, who together delivered project construction services including project management, scheduling, estimating, equipment management, subcontractor oversight, consulting, safety training, and regulatory compliance. 

With his many years of experience and deep industry awareness, Matt is responsible for new business development, negotiation of MSA and deployment/implementation of capital and resources. Prior to joining the AscendTek team, Matt was the founder and President of Sky Telecom where he was responsible for new business development, management of seven in-house tower crews and one in-house civil crew. With his field experience and focus on safety, Matt brings a unique and valuable leadership which allowed him to build a network of dedicated contracted Line and Antennae crews that empower him to represent 25 crews in the market, granting significant leverage in client negotiations and access to large work releases.

As Operations Director for the Midwest Region, Paul leverages his 15 years of experience in delivering project excellence to a broad spectrum of telecom infrastructure partners through his direct leadership and deep knowledge of project execution. Having started as a green electrician with SRU Electric in 2007, Paul rapidly earned the status of Crew Lead and Master Electrician prior to transitioning his focus to the tower side of the business in late 2009. Since that time, Paul has mastered tower operations and built a strong team of in-house crews to support our clients throughout the central region.

With fifteen years of industry experience, Jake brings a depth of construction knowledge from all aspects of infrastructure deployment. He rapidly learned the value of adapting to the continually shifting priorities and expectations of the telecommunications industry. Always goal-driven and to be the best leader to his team, Jake mastered all field positions to ensure that he could truly understand customer requirements and how to best set his team up for success. His hands on leadership style are immediately apparent as is his thirst for continued learning and development.