Executive Management

Saalex Solutions offers a strong executive management team, which provides a unique depth of experience and diverse areas of expertise:

Travis Mack - CEO & Chairman of the Board

Mr. Mack provides strong leadership and direction, developing strategies to ensure Saalex’s continued success while earning admiration among the company’s stakeholders and communities. Prior to founding Saalex in 1999, Mr. Mack held senior technology management positions with Homestore.com and Modis IT Consulting. He has in-depth expertise in software applications services and defense acquisition contracting. He served in the U.S. Navy and is a service disabled veteran. Mr. Mack holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business from Webber International University. He completed the Senior Executive Management Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He also completed the Junior Executive Management Program at Clark Atlanta University, graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business Executive Leadership Program and is a certified Six Sigma greenbelt. Mr. Mack is a member of Southern California Aerospace Professionals (SCAPR) and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA). He sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club for Oxnard and Port Hueneme, the Board of Directors for The United Way of Ventura County, Dignity Health Ventura County Community Board, and CareerSource Brevard Workforce Development Board. He is also Head Baseball Coach for California State University Channel Islands.

Earl Jones - Board of Directors

Earl Jones brings over forty-two years of experience in the management, development and operation of space and communications ground systems. His twenty-two (22) year career at TRW (now Northrop Grumman) included successful acquisition of new space ground system programs as Business Area Manager for Space Command & Control and Telecommunications Systems. He also distinguished himself as a superb Program Manager including such programs as the Consolidated Space Operations Center (CSOC) located in Colorado Springs, CO, the Space-Based Infrared (SBIRS) Ground System Pre-EMD, The Follow-On Early Warning System (FEWS) Ground Segment, and the Launch and Network Control Equipment (LANCE) Program. During his career in the United States Air Force, he was responsible for ground system developments for such programs as the Space Shuttle Ground Processing at Vandenberg AFB, CA, Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) Processing at Cape Canaveral, FL, and Long-Haul Telecommunications Centers throughout the Pacific. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University and a Master of Urban Planning from Syracuse University.

Randall Wheeler - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Randall Wheeler is responsible for overseeing the Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources and Contracts Departments, as well as leading strategic planning and corporate development efforts. Randall Wheeler has served as Director of Finance at Saalex since 2004. Prior to starting with Saalex, he spent 15 years as a Controller in large public companies and Department of Defense contractors. Randall has guided the financial needs of Saalex as it has grown from a few employees in 2004 to more than 600 employees today. Randall has been named to the Pacific Coast Business Times’ annual list of Who’s Who in CFOs, Controllers, and Financial Executives multiple times. He graduated from Portland State University in 1987 with a BS in Business Administration and Accounting and is a Certified Management Accountant. Randall is a member of the Rotary Club and served as club President during 2009-2010.

Robert Bezduch - President

Robert Bezduch has over 30 years of combined experience as an active duty Army Intelligence Officer and federal contractor. During his tenure as an intelligence officer, he managing several programs encompassing force management related projects, focusing on planning, coordinating and controlling project life-cycle activities, while developing organization and operational concept plans. Over the course of his military career, Robert served as the capabilities subject matter expert for Intelligence training and operations, All Source, systems maintenance, and Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) and as the 2nd Infantry Division Senior Division Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) Representative, supporting the acquisition and fielding of TENCAP systems. He also served two combat tours supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Since Retiring from active duty, Robert has been a program manager for contracts supporting both Army and Navy requirements and the Director of Operations for Saalex Solutions. He earned a Master Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Arizona, South and a Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Don Kulp - Director of Business Development

Don Kulp has distinguished himself as a leader in Business Development for companies working with the Department of Defense, winning lucrative contracts valued in the tens of millions of dollars for corporations like Northrop Grumman, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, and multiple smaller businesses. Mr. Kulp served as the Vice President of Business Development for JSL Technologies Inc. While at JSL, he strategically identified and secured key business opportunities, established contract teams, established win strategies for developing RFP responses, trained teams, set ambitious goals, and exceeded financial expectations. Mr. Kulp earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and holds PMI, FSO, Lean Six Sigma, CMMI, CMMC, SCRUM, and ITIL certifications.

Tunary Chap - Director of Proposals and Administration

Tunary Chap, a certified Proposal Management Professional, is leading Saalex’s Proposal and Administration day-to-day efforts. She has been with Saalex for over ten (10) years and has greatly contributed to over $900 million dollars in proposal wins for the company. Prior to being appointed Director of Proposals and Administration, Ms. Chap served in various proposal and marketing positions and executed many functions from the ground up, where she provided strong organization, team-building, and great attention-to-detail. Ms. Chap holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UCLA with an emphasis on American Politics. She volunteers at her local Operation Gratitude monthly assembly days.

Jaime Bartkowski - Director of Contracts and Compliance

Jaime Bartkowski joined Saalex in April 2017. Mrs. Bartkowski is responsible for the negotiation and administration of all contracts and subcontracts, in addition to many other responsibilities related to contracting. Prior to joining Saalex, she was a Contracting Officer at NASA for 17 years. At NASA Mrs. Bartkowski worked on the Space Shuttle Program, Commercial Crew Program and the Expendable Launch Vehicle Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Central Florida and a Master’s Degree in Contract and Acquisition Management from Florida Institute of Technology.

Larnese Coles - Director of Finance

Larnese Coles joined Saalex in May 2020. She has worked in the accounting field for 35 years and held positions such as Assistant Controller, Acting Director of Internal Control, Senior Accountant, and other accounting roles. She has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Wilberforce University, a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University, and a Master of Professional Accounting from Colorado State University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc and has worked on several community improvement projects.

Gerri Markota - Director of Program Operations

Gerri Markota is our Director of Program Operations. She has been with Saalex for six years and has 45+ years of experience and in-depth understanding of program management organization and challenges. Ms. Markota has served Saalex as Program Manager for our ESS, Machine Shop and DITAC contracts where she managed those contracts in support of government initiatives including training range systems, hardware/software development, field engineering, engineering services and logistics. Each contract required the management and oversight of multiple technical task orders, adherence to applicable documents, and monthly data/deliverables. Ms. Markota holds an MBA in Technology Management and BS in Business Administration and Management. As the Director of Program Operations, she is responsible for leading the capture in China Lake and Point Mugu with a focus on NAVAIR work for NAWCWD and NAWCAD and execution of multiple multi-million-dollar contracts in CONUS and OCONUS locations for Navy, Army, Air Force, and NASA, with a focus on test range operations and management, engineering and logistics services, cybersecurity, and IT services. She is also responsible for contract organic growth to increase staffing levels.

Anthony Jeuck - Director of IT and Cyber Security

As the Director of IT and Cyber Security, Mr. Anthony Jeuck is responsible for ensuring the Saalex Solutions network is stable, available, and secure. Prior to joining the Saalex team, Mr. Jeuck served in the Marine Corps, retiring after 20 years of dedicated service during which he developed his skills and knowledge in the information technology and cyber security fields. During that time, he evolved from a help desk technician to planning, building and maintaining operational networks in which he developed a passion for cyber security. He is skilled in Microsoft Systems security and administration, Cyber Security policy, technical support, and vulnerability management frameworks.

Alma Perrusquia - Director of Human Resources

Ms. Alma Perrusquia joined Saalex in July 2015. She is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certified human resource (HR) professional. Over her career, she was instrumental in merging different platforms to create a customized Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). She is responsible for all aspects of human resources including recruitment, hiring, benefits administration, performance, and employee relations for over 700 employees. Prior to joining Saalex, Ms. Perrusquia worked as the Assistant General Manager/HR Manager for Ron Jon’s Cape Caribe Resort for nine (9) years. Ms. Perrusquia holds a HRMC from the University of Redlands.