VISTRA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Job Titles:
- CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT of FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Bart brings over 30 years of Military and Commercial leadership providing products and services for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and major Tier One international companies. In his current position, he serves as Vistra's COO and leads the Federal Team's Program Management and Business Development/Proposal activities. Bart has been a key leader throughout his career. Starting as an engineer for a major Tier One company he led matrixed teams of individuals comprised of multiple disciplines to design, build and deliver leading-edge technology systems for the DoD. As he continued to gain responsibility, he later moved to a multi-billion-dollar large company where his leadership as Director of Programs was integral to the company becoming the largest supplier to the U.S. Navy for military training products and services, nearly $400M in revenues. Later as Vice President of Marketing/Business Development for U.S. Operations and becoming a member of the leadership team, he was responsible for developing strategic plans, marketing and business development, customer relations and achieving annual bookings and growth objectives. Prior to coming to Vistra, Bart worked at a mid-sized Veteran Owned Small Business which provided engineering services to major Military and Commercial avionics providers where he was responsible for both business development and program management. Bart has a Master's in Business Administration from Binghamton University (SUNY-B) and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University. He has several published papers related to Program Management, and is also a member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)/National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) and has held various positions of responsibilities, most recently as a member of the NTSA Executive Committee. He received his PMP in 2005.
Job Titles:
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- PRESIDENT
A retired and decorated career military officer, Brian has provided public relations, strategic communications, marketing and management consulting services to senior leaders and their organizations for more than three decades. Prior to founding Vistra, Brian provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Fla. He also served in a director-level policy position on the Homeland Security Council (HSC) in the White House. As an experienced leader and communications professional, Brian worked in the Washington, D.C. office of Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, a niche-market Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm. While in uniform, he served as Spokesperson and Chief of Communications for an Army Secretary and on the personal staff and communications team for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brian founded Vistra in 2007 and has grown the company to nearly 100 team members with a growing client portfolio which includes clients in healthcare, information technology, transportation and airports, sports and entertainment, local state and federal government and nonprofit industries. Brian holds an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College, an M.S. in Administration from Central Michigan University and a B.S. in Marketing from Hampton University. He also holds certifications from colleges and universities across the United States.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of CONTRACTS & COMPLIANCE
Job Titles:
- PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of FEDERAL BUSINESS GROWTH
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Josh is a seasoned communications expert with a passion for helping those in need, serving the underserved and using his journalistic skills to give a voice to those who often feel unheard. As a former journalist and business owner, Josh's experience includes leading multi-cultural communications efforts across the country for large, multi-state organizations, nonprofit groups and minority-owned businesses focusing on underserved populations. A relationship builder and listener who values the lives and experiences of others, Josh utilizes his communications knowledge to truly make a difference. Drawing on his deep media roots and vast experience as a storyteller, he effectively positions Vistra's partners to secure the exposure they deserve. Josh is also experienced in crisis communications and has handled media crises for organizations on both the local and national level. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Josh spent the first 15 years of his career working in television and radio. He has been a news reporter, anchor and radio host throughout the Tampa, Las Vegas, Nashville, and Jacksonville media markets covering some of the biggest stories in the country including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, presidential elections, and numerous hurricanes. He also helped launch video production companies, SnapShot Interactive in Nashville, Tennessee and Blue Dog Video in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 2012, with a desire to make a positive impact on underprivileged youth, Josh began working as an after-school program director and youth and college minister in Georgia. He served in that role for four years before moving back to Tampa to effect change and manage external relations with a national nonprofit involved in child welfare, juvenile justice, and workforce development. Josh serves on the Board of Directors for BAYS Florida, a Tampa-based nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life for youth and families. He also serves on workforce development committees for the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Bay Partnership.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of HUMAN RESOURCES
Job Titles:
- SENIOR CONSULTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
As Vistra's Executive Vice President, Maureen is involved in all aspects of Vistra's strategy, administration, operations and financial management. She served as CFO from the company's founding in 2007 until 2016. Maureen was a key player in establishing Vistra's administrative and financial operations including accounting, HR and contracting. Maureen's experiences as a U.S. Army Finance Officer, staff accountant with a property management company and small CPA firm, and consultant to small businesses and nonprofits have enabled her to contribute to the growth and development of Vistra. Maureen spent four years as an Accounting Professor at the University of South Florida and nine years at The University of Tampa where she earned tenure prior to leaving academia to join Vistra full time in 2019. She is an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at The University of Tampa teaching Financial Management in their Nonprofit Management Program. She has published research in the areas of nonprofit management, defense contracting and outsourcing in the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Accountancy. A Certified Public Accountant licensed in Florida and Virginia, Maureen holds a B.S. in Accounting from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. She is a member of the Hillsborough Education Foundation Program Oversight Committee and a current instructor, former board member and former board treasurer of the Nonprofit Leadership Center.
Job Titles:
- VICE PRESIDENT of CAPTURE MANAGEMENT
Michael brings over 25 years of experience developing and managing communications programs for government and commercial clients, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, Boeing and the American Chemical Society, among others. In his current role, Michael is responsible for strengthening relationships with Vistra's federal and civilian partnerships as well as driving growth through existing contract vehicles and new business. Prior to Vistra, Michael was the Government Practice Lead for Heart+Mind Strategies, a globally recognized market research consultancy, and before that he led the Federal Practice as a Vice President at Qorvis MSLGroup, a unit of Publicis Groupe. Michael has managed and supported communications campaigns in Washington D.C., across the country and around the world. His experience includes market research, media monitoring and analysis, website design and development, digital and social media campaigns, public and media relations, advertising and event management. Michael holds a B.A. in European Studies with a focus on 20th Century Russia from Vanderbilt University and an MBA in Finance and International Business from the George Washington University.
Job Titles:
- COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR of SURVEYS and RESEARCH METHODS