Team

Robert Preville
Founder & CEO

Robin Salter
Chief Marketing Officer

Wellington Souza
CTO

Charlie Dickinson
VP of APPROVE

James Tritten
VP of KWIPPED Marketplace

Jim Howard, CLFP
VP of Finance Operations

Mackenzie O'Connell
Finance Coordinator

Joe Hamann
Finance Coordinator

Gray Salter
Finance Coordinator

Chris Geatz
Senior Account Executive

Steve Slaska
Account Executive

Alex Benson
Account Executive

Trevor Richards
Account Executive

Henry Boyle
Account Executive

Dave Sinkonis
Account Executive

Heath Coty
Account Executive

Trevor Hughes
Account Executive

Tim Heistand
Senior Application Developer

Kate Scarborough
Controller

Megan Stermon
Intern

Dori
Office Dog

Robert is a serial entrepreneur and investor, having founded and led several high growth companies in the B2B arena. Prior to KWIPPED, Robert founded and sold GlobalTestSupply.com, a world-class provider of test and measurement equipment that ranked #800 on the INC 5000 fastest growing companies list. Prior to that, he was the founding employee and Vice President of Sales for MFG.com, the leading online manufacturing marketplace and a portfolio company of Jeff Bezos's Bezos Expeditions. Robert started his career at EDS (now Siemens), is co-owner of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, is an active angel investor via IMAF Cape Fear in Wilmington, NC and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Travis is an accomplished veteran with 20+ years experience and a proven track record in developing and operating digital products for the B2B market. His diverse background includes leadership roles in sales, marketing, product development, and operations in both startups as well as mature organizations. Prior to KWIPPED, Travis spent over 15 years in leadership positions at ThomasNet, an industry-leading platform providing information, data, analysis, and tools for supply chain professionals in the industrial/B2B market. Prior to that, he was one of the early members and of the MFG.com management team, a leading online manufacturing marketplace and a portfolio company of Jeff Bezos's Bezos Expeditions. Travis started in manufacturing and though his career evolved from design engineering to sales and marketing to product development, for nearly 25 years one constant has been his continued focus on helping SMBs grow their business.
Robin is an expert communications strategist and a free-flowing source of creative ideas. He has worked for some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including: Berkshire Hathaway, Wells Fargo, GEICO, Duke Energy, Disneyland, Lexus and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Prior to KWIPPED, he managed multi-million dollar marketing budgets for Discover Card, including co-op campaigns with high-profile merchants like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Target and JC Penney. Robin maintained responsibility of the Sprint account in his role as Senior Account Executive for the Martin Agency of Richmond, VA and spent nine years as the Senior Copy Writer for Banner Direct, a Manhattan based marketing firm. Robin has a B.A. in Organizational and Corporate Communications from Northern Illinois University.
Wellington is a highly experienced, delightfully creative Information Technology virtuoso with proven success developing and leveraging innovative technology to advance and grow businesses across a wide range of tech environments. He has a BS degree in mathematics and computer science from High Point University and a Master’s from Wake Forest University. His career includes the founding of a tech infrastructure company in the early 2000’s, two Vice Presidential positions at High Point University, and Vice President for Information Technology Services for Cape Fear Community College. In 2010 he was a recipient of the Triad Business Journal’s 40 Leaders under 40 award and in 2015 Wellington was the recipient of the Wilmington Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Wilmington Outstanding Class Member award.
Charlie brings 7 years of sales and business development from varied industries including construction & industrial equipment. Most recently, Charlie was responsible for building the US distribution channel for Dustcontrol, a global manufacturer of portable dust extractors. He has deep domain expertise of industrial procurement and the equipment rental industry. Charlie earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Ryan graduated from the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a minor in Computer Science. After interning at KWIPPED during his academic career, he transitioned into the role of full-time Web Application Developer in August of 2019. Ryan has a strong aptitude for numbers, is proficient with computers, enjoys using and learning about sports analytics, and plays sand volleyball in his free time.
Steve joined KWIPPED in Q1 2019, bringing a wealth of Sales and Business Development experience working with Fortune 500 companies such as Wyndham and Lenovo. Steve credits his successful track record in hospitality, manufacturing, and logistics to his personal commitment to excellence and his dedication to providing extraordinary service and support to his clients. After growing up in Huntington, NY, Steve moved to Wilmington, NC and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Management. After graduating, Steve lived in Ocean Isle Beach, Raleigh, and Emerald Isle, NC for several years before returning "home" to live, work and play in Wilmington.
James is a multi-talented business professional with decades of experience as a sales and operations leader. Having worked in the hospitality industry for twenty-seven years with Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, James demonstrates expert knowledge in audio/visual, food & beverage, high-tech production and event management operations. He also has expertise in the music industry having been a professional musician, booking agent, and record label owner. James grew up in Jacksonville FL, and has lived in Boston, Tucson, and Raleigh.
Mike graduated from the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a double major in Business Analytics and Marketing Strategy. After spending his academic career interning at KWIPPED, he accepted a full-time position as KWIPPED’s Sales Operations Analyst. Mike possesses strong attention to detail along with business acumen fueled by his sharp analytical skills. In his free time, Mike enjoys predictive modeling of sports statistics and playing competitive beach volleyball.
Mackenzie is the only KWIPPED team member that was born and raised in Wilmington. After graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she was professionally immersed in the food service industry and exhibits strong customer relationship skills from her past experiences. Initially KWIPPED's customer success leader, Mackenzie displayed such strong leadership that she was promoted to Recruiter to prospect for new potential team members. Mackenzie is actively involved in the local sand volleyball scene, continually dominating other KWIPPED team members who lack the talents to win matches versus "The Mack Attack" O'Connell.
Kate brings more than eight years of experience in the interior design industry, where client and supplier relations, effective communication, technical knowledge, and implementation of plans are vital to success. Having worked with a very wide variety of professionals and the general public, she demonstrates great understanding and empathy towards every customer to meet their needs. Kate started her journey with KWIPPED as the Marketplace Coordinator and quickly advanced to Market Director after demonstrating great success in facilitating deals between customer and supplier. Kate grew up in Durham, North Carolina and has lived in Wilmington since July of 2014.
Dori is a 1 year old Yorkshire Terrier whose dad works at our office. Dori has a taste for adventure and enjoys living on the edge. Dori's hobbies include barking at squirrels, sunbathing under one of the office windows, and laying in a "sploot" fashion. She enjoys carrots and being the center of attention. Her favorite color is brown, because she is colorblind.

Directors

Robert Preville, Co-Founder/CEO

Robert is a serial entrepreneur and investor, having founded and led several high growth companies in the B2B arena. Prior to KWIPPED, Robert founded and sold GlobalTestSupply.com, a world-class provider of test and measurement equipment that ranked #800 on the INC 5000 fastest growing companies list. Prior to that, he was the founding employee and Vice President of Sales for MFG.com, the leading online manufacturing marketplace and a portfolio company of Jeff Bezos's Bezos Expeditions. Robert started his career at EDS (now Siemens), is co-owner of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, is an active angel investor via IMAF Cape Fear in Wilmington, NC and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Rob Kaiser, Co-Founder/Director

Rob Kaiser is a seasoned publishing and media executive. He serves on the board and is co-owner of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and Wilma magazine in Wilmington, NC. Before moving to Wilmington, he was instrumental in launching the business journal in Fort Wayne, Indiana, both as its editor and then publisher. Rob has covered all aspects of business, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, while serving as a reporter at the Chicago Tribune, Asian Wall Street Journal, Baltimore Business Journal and Lynchburg News & Advance. Rob has an undergraduate degree from James Madison University and masters degrees in business and journalism from Northwestern University.

Randy Swartz, Director

Randy Swartz has been an executive with several global organizations during his career span. Randy served as CEO of two international companies — Day & Zimmermann International and Chemtex International — and as an executive with DuPont, CH2MHill and BE&K. He has held leadership positions in manufacturing, marketing and sales, financial management, product research and development, and engineering and construction. Randy served for three years as the membership chairman for the national Construction Industry Institute and has been honored as a Distinguished Alumni by the Georgia Institute of Technology and a member of the N.C. State University's Engineering Hall of Fame.

Stephanie Mann, Director

Stephanie Mann is the SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development at Live Oak Bank.

Rodney Baker, Board Observer

Rodney D. Baker is owner and Senior Managing Principal of Baker’s Summit Capital Ventures LLC. The company invests capital in pre-IPO companies, venture capital angel funds, and franchisee equity agreements. It also provides consulting and operating guidance strategies to software technology and metaverse start-up ventures. Rodney has been an entrepreneurial and executive leader with extensive management and Fortune 500 consulting expertise. He has held positions of Head of Technology and Delivery at Lincoln Financial, and served in executive technical positions for OpenText, IBM, Bank of America, and BNY Mellon.