Our Team

Experienced, highly-skilled and dedicated to growth.

Our Leadership

  • Steve is a highly accomplished executive with over 15 years of CEO experience known for rapidly growing PE-backed, blue- and white-collar service-based companies and nurturing strong corporate cultures. He led EN Engineering as CEO, doubling their revenue from $128 to $260M during his tenure and prior to that, served as CEO of Wood Group Mustang, achieving remarkable growth from $250M to $1.8B. Steve holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and Advanced Management from Harvard and currently serves as an Independent Board Member of Integra Testing Services, a Commercial HVAC Testing and Balancing business (not affiliated with NexCore).

Steve Knowles

  • As President, Brandt brings unique leadership experience in scaling multi-company organizations in commercial service industries. Prior to joining NexCore, he served as Chief Growth Officer for a national commercial landscaping platform where he also led its largest operating company as President. His earlier experience includes working as a management consultant in Bain & Company's private equity practice, where he performed M&A due diligence and portfolio company value creation initiatives for private equity clients. A former pitcher at Stanford, Brandt began his career as a professional baseball player after being drafted by the Houston Astros. He holds a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

Brandt Walker

  • As CDO, Brian leads the sourcing, underwriting, and closing of NexCore’s acquisition activities.  He possesses over fifteen years of capital markets experience, including leadership roles as an investment banker, sponsor finance lender and corporate development professional.  Prior to joining NexCore, Brian was the Vice President of Corporate Development at Sweeping Corporation of America, Inc., a private equity backed environmental services company, where he led a team that closed and integrated thirty-three acquisitions.  Brian earned his B.A. in Economics from Villanova University and an MBA from DePaul University.

Brian Nienstedt

  • As CHRO, Al leads NexCore’s strategic employee initiatives including employee engagement, talent acquisition, total compensation, health and safety and oversees the NexCore Academy which focuses on career development and leadership training. Al possesses more than twenty-five years of executive HR leadership experience with a focus on scalable programs in support of acquisition diligence and integration. Prior to joining NexCore, Al was CHRO for an agriculture chemicals company and SVP, Human Resources at a leading commercial printing and packaging company where he participated in more than twenty acquisition integrations. Al earned his B.S in Industrial Management and an MBA from the University of Akron.

Albert Rollins

  • As CFO, Troy provides financial oversight for NexCore and has developed the finance and accounting function to support the high growth platform. Troy has over 25 years of executive leadership experience and excels in value creation, scaling high growth businesses and building dynamic teams. Most recently he was VP of Finance for Shermco industries and was critical in their successful private equity liquidity event by stabilizing POC accounting, executing pricing initiatives to improve gross margin and transforming KPI’s to drive critical insights.  Prior to Shermco, he was the financial lead for a complex operating segment of RXO/XPO logistics with over 7 business lines all derived from acquisitions.  He built the team from scratch, integrated over a dozen operating systems with 2 ERP’s and partnered with sales to transform pricing strategies and improve the risk profile across the businesses.  Troy graduated from the University of Idaho with an accounting degree, where he was also their field goal kicker in football.  He is a former Certified Public Accountant in California.

Troy Scott

  • As Chief Commercial Officer, Lara leads NexCore’s commercial growth strategy across the platform’s operating companies, with responsibility for sales effectiveness, pricing strategy, recurring revenue expansion, marketing enablement, and commercial integration. She partners closely with operating company leadership to build scalable go-to-market capabilities that accelerate growth while preserving the entrepreneurial cultures that drive customer success.

    Prior to joining NexCore, Lara spent nearly 24 years with BrightView Landscaping, where she held multiple senior leadership roles focused on driving growth, customer expansion, operational scale, and commercial transformation initiatives across complex multi-location environments. She is recognized for translating strategy into practical execution and building alignment across cross-functional teams and decentralized operating companies.

    Lara earned her degree with honors from Capital University where she was also a member of the women’s volleyball team. Lara also coached volleyball at the collegiate level for over 10 years.

Lara Moon

  • As Vice President of Business Development, Robert is responsible for evaluating new acquisitions, conducting due diligence, underwriting, and working in partnership with NexCore’s existing partner companies. He possesses over eight years of middle market sell-side and investment experience, including roles as an investment banker and private equity investor.

    Before joining NexCore, Robert was a Senior Associate at Concentric Equity Partners, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on the middle market. At Concentric, Robert was responsible for originating new investment opportunities, executing investments, and supporting portfolio companies. Additionally, Robert served as a Board Member of several portfolio companies, including a residential buy-and-build HVAC and plumbing platform.

    Robert earned his B.S. in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Robert Vechiola

  • As Vice President of Human Resources, Kaye brings over 30 years of experience leading strategic HR initiatives, fostering a positive workplace culture, and driving talent acquisition and development. With a focus on employee engagement and deep understanding of workforce dynamics, Kaye has a proven track record of aligning HR strategies with business objectives, consistently delivering results that support organizational growth and employee well-being.  Before joining NexCore, Kaye led HR Operations for large-scale distribution and manufacturing organizations.  Kaye holds two professional HR certifications; SHRM-CP and PHR. 

Kaye Nichols

  • Dan is a strategic finance executive with a track record of driving EBITDA growth, optimizing financial operations, and delivering data-driven insights to executive leadership and private equity sponsors. Prior to NexCore, Dan served as Senior Vice President of Operations at American Medical Staffing.

Dan Randow

  • As Vice President of Sales Operations, Jason leads NexCore’s commercial operations, including pricing, sales analytics, CRM, and go-to-market enablement across its operating companies. He is focused on building scalable processes, translating data into actionable insights, and partnering closely with operating teams to accelerate organic growth and margin expansion. Jason brings over a decade of experience in commercial operations within service-based industries. Prior to joining NexCore, he served as Senior Director of Revenue Operations at BrightView Landscapes, where he led enterprise-wide initiatives across pricing strategy, estimating transformation, and commercial systems and analytics at an industry-leading public company. Jason earned his degree in Business Administration from Penn State University. 

Jason Kozak

  • As Vice President of Operations, Sean is responsible for tackling projects across the organization that impact various stakeholders within NexCore and our partner companies.

    Prior to joining NexCore, he was a Manager at Deloitte, focused on Strategy & Workforce Transformation. He also spent a decade in the United States Marine Corps, deploying multiple times to Afghanistan, as an Infantry Assaultmen and as a part of a Personal Security Detail for the Commanding General of Task Force Southwest. Sean earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and Suffolk University in Boston. He also holds an MBA from American University’s Kogod School of Business.  

Sean Filip

  • As Director of Information Systems and Integrations, Andy is responsible for overseeing the implementation of payroll, accounting, and operations software systems across NexCore’s partner companies. He brings over a decade of experience in ERP implementations, system integrations, and optimizing business processes within a variety sectors. Andy has extensive experience in building ERP software applications, having led the development and integration of accounting and operational systems at companies like BuildOps and W Energy Software. Before joining NexCore, he managed large-scale ERP projects, spearheaded successful product launches, and drove client acquisition. Andy earned his B.S. in Finance and a Master’s in Accounting from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business.

Andy Nguyen

  • As Director of Corporate Accounting, Pete oversees the organization’s core financial operations, process improvement and standardization initiatives, audit and reporting compliance, and cash management.

    Prior to joining NexCore, Pete spent 15 years in industries including nuclear pharmacy, medical products manufacturing, pharmaceutical distribution, consumer retail, and most recently business services with the private equity backed companies Sweeping Corporation of America and American Landscaping Partners. Pete earned his B.A. in Accounting from Eastern Michigan University and his MBA from Capital University.

Pete Nyikes

Our Partner Leaders

  • With over 25 years in the commercial HVAC business, Jason knows what it takes to thrive in the industry. That’s exactly how he’s taken Alliance Group to its industry-leading status, serving as President for over 13 years.

Jason Patnaude

  • After co-founding Alliance Group in 2010, Shaun has helped to build the company and led its efforts to expand across multiple states and to serve hundreds of customers annually.

Shaun Patnaude

  • Tyler Johnson joined Alliance Group in 2013 when he started the Building Automation division and worked in the field as both a controls technician and service technician.  Tyler later help to start the Electrical department within Alliance to help grow Alliance’s services offered to its customer base. Tyler has 20+ years in the HVAC / Building Automation and electrical industry.  He holds a master Electrical license, EPA certification, and certified in multiple controls programming codes. In 2023 Tyler took on the role of Vice President of Operations in the Essex Branch and in September of 2025 was named the President of Alliance Group. Outside of work Tyler enjoys spending time with his family and is active in the community where he coaches youth sports in his town.

Tyler Johnson

  • Stephen has over 30 years of commercial HVAC experience. Serving 15+ years as President, Kennedy has grown into a multi-faceted mechanical contractor specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection installation and service for commercial and residential customers under Stephen’s leadership. Stephen received his bachelor’s degree in business from Niagara University.

Stephen Cassidy

  • Louis has 38+ years of experience in the commercial HVAC space. Prior to Sylvester & Cockrum, Louis worked for York International for 14 years as a Senior Application Engineer. Louis joined Sylvester & Cockrum in 2008 as a General Manager. In 2020, Louis and his partner, Matt Berg, acquired Sylvester & Cockrum from the company’s founders and Louis serves as President of the organization. Under Louis’ leadership, Sylvester & Cockrum has grown from a single branch office to a five-branch business that spans multiple states in the Southeast.  

Louis Broyles

  • Matt has 25+ years of experience in the HVAC and industrial industry. Matt started his career as a field technician and worked his way up through the ranks over time. Matt learned the trade while serving in the U.S. Air Force and he has a deep sales background that has been a contributing factor to Sylvester & Cockrum’s success. Matt joined Sylvester & Cockrum in 2008 as a Vice President and Sales Manager. In 2020, Matt and his partner, Louis Broyles, acquired the business from the company’s founders. 

Matt Berg

  • After working in the commercial HVAC industry for 8 years, Dave decided to focus his efforts on a new venture, founding DWC Mechanical in 1995.  DWC Mechanical is a commercial HVAC contractor, and in 2025, will celebrate 30 years of growth under Dave’s leadership and guidance.  Dave continues to be an integral part of the DWC team by encouraging his beliefs of hard work, problem solving and an unwavering dedication to customer service.  DWC Mechanical is in an industry leader in the HVAC market with a well-known and respected in presence in Western NY and Tampa Florida.

Dave Cloy

  • Joining DWC in 1999, Rich Wagner is a Vice President at DWC Mechanical. Rich has over 27 years of experience in the HVAC industry, with prior experience in the installation department and serving as both a project coordinator and project manager before stepping into his current role. Rich also serves as a Safety Director at the company.

Rich Wagner

  • Vinny has over 40 years of experience in the HVAC commercial and industrial market. Vinny began his career as a mechanical engineer, while also working towards getting his contractor license.  He worked at an engineering firm from 1981-1983 before transitioning into full-time contracting. In 1990, Vinny partnered with a sheet metal contractor and ultimately transformed it into one of the largest mechanical contracting companies in the state of Connecticut. Under Vinny’s leadership, Action Air Systems has become one of the most respected companies around the state. Today, Action Air proudly services customers in the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts markets.

Vincent (“Vinny”) Savino

  • Bob Webster co-founded Accutemp Engineering in 1978 with a vision to deliver HVAC solutions rooted in integrity, hard work, and quality. From a small 20’ x 20’ garage, he grew the company into one of Massachusetts’ most trusted providers by investing in people and fostering a culture of excellence. More than 45 years later, Accutemp continues to thrive under the mission he helped shape: “There’s no challenge our team can’t handle.”

Bob Webster

  • Matt began his Accutemp journey in 2008 as a Service Technician and has worked his way through the roles of Service Manager and Service Director to his current leadership position. With 29 years of one-of-a-kind experience in the HVAC industry, his career started in refrigeration school at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, while serving in the Marines. During his service, Matt was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and a Certificate of Commendation. At Accutemp, he successfully managed two divisions for more than a decade, contributing significantly to their continued growth and success. Outside of work, Matt is a proud father of three sons, two of whom also work at Accutemp, and he remains actively involved with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts Veterans Committee.

Matt Richards

  • Jon joined Accutemp Engineering in 2020 and brings more than 13 years of HVAC industry experience to his leadership role. He began his career as an apprentice plumber while attending vocational school, where his strong work ethic and attention to detail led him into estimating. Over the years, he built a deep understanding of both plumbing and HVAC estimating and eventually led an HVAC department before joining Accutemp.

    As Vice President of Pre-Construction, Jon oversees Plan and Spec sales and operations, guiding projects from initial estimating through handoff to the operations team. In just five years, he has made a tremendous impact on the construction department and the company as a whole. His leadership and commitment earned him a place on the executive team in 2023, where he continues to advance Accutemp’s pre-construction capabilities and support the team’s ongoing growth.

    A licensed Master Plumber and soon-to-be Master Pipefitter, Jon values family above all else. He is proud to work alongside his cousin and brother-in-law at Accutemp. When he is not working, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children, whether they are cheering on Boston sports teams or playing a round of golf.

Jon Koytila