Staff Bios

Brad Richards - President

Brad Richards has been president of HiSpec Wheel since founding the company in 1995 and has 25 years of related experience. He is a graduate of the Scots College of Sydney, Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Brad did his post-graduate work at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. While practicing as a Public Accountant, he was an A.C.A. with the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a C.P.A. with the Australian Society of Accountants. Brad was a key member of the 2003 Trailer Safety Industry Coalition (TSIC) committee addressing wheel offs.

Ron Williams - General Manager

Ron Williams has more than 25 years of engineering experience with large automotive manufacturing and equipment firms such as Chrysler, General Motors, SACHS, Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, Silver Eagle Manufacturing, ZF Lemforder, and AL-KO Kober Corporation. Before joining HiSpec Wheel in 2006, Ron amassed a wealth of experience in wheel engineering design, engineering, analysis, performance, production support, infrastructure development, and product development. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and has published and presented papers at the SAE International Congress and Exposition and IEEE Conference on multiple occasions. Ron was also a key member of the 2003 Trailer Safety Industry Coalition (TSIC) committee addressing wheel offs. He is currently serving on the NATM's technical and Engineering Committees.

Jim Guibert - Director of Sales and Marketing

Jim Guibert is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with more than 23 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Marketing and Advertising from Indiana University in South Bend. He provides leadership and coordination of company sales and marketing functions for HiSpec Wheel, and is responsible for developing and implementing sales, public relations, and marketing strategy for the company. In addition to identifying and developing new clients and managing marketing campaigns, Jim represents the company at various community and business meetings and promotes positive relationships with partners, vendors, and distributors. He currently serves as a member of the Marketing Committee of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM).

John Jasper - Sales Account Executive

John Jasper has 27 years of wheel and tire experience in the RV and trailer Industry. John has been with HiSpec Wheel since the company was founded in 1995. He is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, managing customer relationships, and monitoring market trends to guide current and future sales for the company. His duties include negotiation with buyers and managers, managing customer warranty claims, and researching the market and related products. In addition to developing and building customer relationships, John represents the company and promotes their products and services at trade exhibitions, events, and technical seminars. John has established a strong reputation as an industry wheel expert and the go-to resource for wheel application issues.

Scott Holt - Principal Engineer

Scott Holt has 18 years of experience in the automotive industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, he is responsible for managing all engineering functions related to the development of automotive aluminum wheels. These duties include design, development, testing, and quality. In his role at HiSpec Wheel, he works hands on with the products and tools to correlate test lab results to real world product performance and back to the virtual world through computer simulation and product modeling. Scott is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineering, carries a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and leads the ISO certification process for the company.

Dave Pawlak - Financial Controller

Financial Controller Dave Pawlak is responsible for all of the financial and fiscal management aspects of company operations for HiSpec Wheel. This includes the day-to-day financial management of accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. Dave is also tasked with ensuring systems and procedures are in place to ensure compliance with local state and federal budgetary reporting requirements. In addition to managing all financial aspects of the business, he coordinates all audit activity, analyzes company finances, establishes internal control safeguards, and provides recommendations to enhance financial and business performance.

Debra Trovatore - Purchasing/Warehouse Supervisor/Logistics Manager

Debra Trovatore has 26 years of professional experience, with four of them at HiSpec Wheel. She is responsible for the purchasing and transportation of products and services involved in the distribution of wheels, tires, and accessories, along with managing all of the material that moves in or out of the warehouse. Debra also provides inventory control and supervises warehouse activities, in addition to identifying and selecting new suppliers, reviewing and analyzing supplier quotes to negotiate pricing, and keeping abreast of changes in the industry that affect product supply.

Kelly Vargo - Inside Sales/Customer Service

Kelly Vargo has worked for HiSpec Wheel since 2009 and brings 30 years of customer service experience to her job in the sales department. She is responsible for supporting the sales team as the initial point of contact for customers, working with them on the telephone to provide marketing information, warranty support, and follow up for any and all of their needs. Kelly is an essential member of the sales team, tasked with entering orders, developing quote documentation, and supporting the implementation of the marketing plan.