Leadership

RICHARD SUMMERS

President & CEO

Rich Summers is a results-oriented leader with a distinguished career driving growth and operational excellence across diverse markets. Currently serving as President and CEO of Sparus Holdings, Inc., he oversees the company’s provision of professional, field, and technology services to utilities and Fortune 500 industrial companies. With a strong background in strategy development, sales and marketing leadership, finance, and organizational development, Summers has a proven track record of enhancing efficiency, increasing sales, and fostering long-term business success. He holds a BS in Organizational Leadership and Information Technology from Duquesne University.

Rich believes, “Our culture is one of teamwork, based on the recognition that the company’s greatest asset is our people.”

Core Strengths:

Strategy, Vision, and Mission Planning
Sales and Marketing Leadership
Finance, Budgeting, and Cost Management
Contract Negotiations and Strategic Alliances
Organizational/Team Development and Leadership
Tactical-Alliance/Partnership Development
Customer Service and Relationship Management
Efficiency/Productivity Enhancement

JEFF SCHECHTMAN

Chief Operating Officer

Jeff Schechtman is an accomplished operational leader with a strong track record in managing distributed field and professional services organizations focused on infrastructure. With extensive experience in the full life-cycle of infrastructure projects, including planning, design, program and construction management, and operations and maintenance, he has served both public and private entities.

Currently, he is the Chief Operating Officer at Sparus Holdings, a role he has held since July 2023. Previously, he was the Senior Vice President and Central Region Operations Leader at WSP USA, where he drove operational performance, client satisfaction, and growth initiatives across various infrastructure projects. Jeff also held significant positions at DBi Services and WSP USA, including roles as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President.

He started his career as a structural engineer and project manager at Parsons Brinckerhoff, later becoming the Vice President and Director of the Ports & Marine Division. Jeff holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. His career spans multiple leadership roles where he has been instrumental in project management, business development, and operational execution.

JODY BOYLES

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

Jody Boyles’s impressive career began as a Corporate Account Executive at YRC Freight (formerly Roadway Express), where he spent 15 years mastering operations and corporate sales, focusing on retail clients. Joining the Southern Cross family over a decade ago, Jody has excelled in roles such as Sales Director, Vice President of Business Development, and now Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. His extensive experience enables him to seamlessly collaborate across all departments, secure new clients, and nurture existing relationships.

A graduate of Appalachian State University with a BS in Public Relations and Marketing, Jody was also a Division 1 baseball letterman and briefly played professional baseball. He brings the same competitive spirit and teamwork ethos to Southern Cross, driving growth and fostering a collaborative culture within the company.

JOHN EDWARDS

Chief Human Resource Officer

John Edwards is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Sparus Holdings, Inc., where he leads strategic initiatives in HR strategy, business partnership, learning, communications, talent development, and talent acquisition. With over two decades of experience, John has a proven track record in enhancing organizational effectiveness and driving HR excellence across diverse industries.

John brings extensive HR experience from his roles at Sparus Holdings, Interface, Ronald Blue Trust, GE, and Ethicon, Inc. His expertise spans leadership development, organizational design, performance management, and strategic HR planning, with notable achievements in managing HR during mergers and acquisitions, and leading initiatives across GE’s business units.

John holds a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR) in Human Resources from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Auburn University. He is recognized for his expertise in Six Sigma methodologies, leadership development, and implementing HRIS systems to optimize workforce capabilities.

JAY SQUANCE

Chief Financial Officer

Jay Squance brings extensive leadership in financial strategy to Sparus Holdings, Inc., leveraging a career highlighted by roles at Pan-Am Dental Laboratory, WestRock Company, Catalyst Paper, Verso Corporation, and General Electric. With a proven track record in operational excellence and financial stewardship, Jay excels in developing robust policies and systems that foster scalable growth and enhance profitability across diverse industries.

His tenure includes significant achievements such as spearheading strategic finance initiatives at WestRock Company, a global packaging leader, where he played a pivotal role in managing multi-billion-dollar revenues and optimizing financial operations. Jay’s expertise extends to financial planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance, underscored by his certifications as a Certified Pricing Professional (CPP) and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Jay holds a BS in Finance from Miami University and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he remains committed to community engagement, serving as an Associate Board Member at the Dayton Art Institute.