Who We Are

Eric Barger

Eric R. Barger, Sr., President, A serial entrepreneur and visionary leader, Eric has been inventing, innovating, and building great teams since he was a teenager. An early pioneer in fiber optic, wireless network, and voice & data systems—Eric’s early projects were recognized as state-of-the-art innovations in Bill Gate’s book “Business at the Speed of Thought”. He has continued to operate at the “speed of thought” throughout his career, in such diversified sectors as software development, telecommunication networks, mobile heating and cooling technology, and advanced engine technology for renewable energy generation.

In 2014, Eric’s renewable energy generation work led to a fateful question from Ag leaders in North Carolina. “Can your technology do anything with animal waste?” Eric’s two-part response—"Yes. Why?”, led him and his team on a remarkable journey to discover and develop state of the art technology and a first of its kind business model to address the decades long challenge of how to reduce, reuse and restore the organic waste material in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.

Having spent thousands of hours with inputs and insights from across the Ag, Energy and Water sectors including private, public and academia—Eric’s “speed of thought” ability to apply the lessons of his past to the opportunities of the future, have led to a remarkable understanding and appreciation of what it takes to bring innovative solutions to the Ag, Energy and Water industries.

Sustainable Food, Renewable Energy and Clean Water is very real and very attainable. For Eric, the FEWture is now.

James E. Barger, Sr.

James E. Barger, Sr., Executive Vice President, has over 50 years’ experience designing, constructing and managing multimillion-dollar, complex, electronic infrastructure projects nationally and internationally. Known as an innovator and expert project manager, he has coordinated extensive supply chain logistics, construction labor pools and technical /engineering teams as he directed projects for public and private entities. He has served as a consultant and contractor to municipalities, telephone and cable TV companies and colleges and universities. Jim held every technical and technical management position within the largest privately held cable television company in the US.

He has organized several successful shareholder-owned and privately-owned ventures in the areas of communications, research and development and manufacturing. He is responsible for operations oversight throughout the company.

Bud Westerman

Bud Westerman, Executive Vice President Research & Development Engineering, Bud is our innovator and innovation team leader in developing new technology, improvement in processes, and strategies needed to grow all aspects of our venture. He has over 30 years developing and patenting new chemical processes, mechanical and electrical applications, and analytical methods. His work experience in solar heaters, mechanical power systems, and structural materials has generated over 40 patents and numerous trade secrets used by domestic and international companies and governments.

He has over 36 years of project management, leadership and engineering experience ranging from sensor development to computer modeling, systems testing to structural design. His understanding of applications technologies is paramount to controlling the critical aspects of our needs and innovation and knowing when to adapt other technologies in managing our Intellectual Property.

Nick York

Nick York, Executive Vice President - Strategic Initiatives, Nick is a lawyer, entrepreneur and strategic business advisor with experience ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, universities, governments and national non-profit organizations.

Nick has been an owner and investor in several businesses throughout his career, including Co-founder/CEO of Transom Group, a Technology Management Consulting firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio with offices in Cleveland and San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Nick has served as Vice Chair Board of Trustees of the University of Akron where he focused on strategic initiatives and student engagement for the 29,000-student research and technology university.

Nick’s legal practice involved several national law firms in the United States in Cleveland, Columbus and Chicago, where he served a national and international clientele of technology start-ups and growth companies in matters ranging from intellectual property to corporate finance.

Nick’s passion over his 25-year career has been to inspire people and organizations to maximize their potential His career can best be described as operating at the intersection of business, law, and government, with successful results in domestic and international initiatives, public-private partnerships, and government relations.

Mike Gilb

Mike Gilb, Corporate Counsel, Brings over 30 years of legal experience to the company. Graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1982 and the Ohio Northern University Law School in 1985. Licensed by the Ohio Supreme Court that same year. Admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court.

Mike served as a State Representative in Ohio. Also, was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Judge in Ohio. Mike brings his vast legal experience to assist the company with maintaining legal compliance with State and Federal laws.

Benjamin Barger

Benjamin Barger, Executive Vice President – Marketing and Corporate Strategy, Benjamin is a seasoned and proven leader, entrepreneur and innovator. He has developed and directed cross-functional executive leadership teams, within both corporate and project development environments; successfully leading multiple complex projects exceeding one billion-plus in contract value. Full-stack converged technology, corporate marketing/branding, comprehensive project/program life-cycle management and strategic development have become mainstays in his current responsibility stack.

In the early 1990’s, Benjamin began innovating and leading in the telecom sector. As a director for Fibeax Constructors Inc., he designed and managed complex enterprise and carrier networks, ranging from central headend/network operations center (NOC) facilities, to outside plant (OSP) networks; constructing some of the first-to-market physical and electronically redundant systems. Benjamin has served as a strategic resource for several of the top ten carriers, authoring and leading the implementation of technology practices and procedures.

The demand and exponential growth of technology in the sports and entertainment sector pulled Benjamin into a prominent role, leading multiple complex project developments for the NFL, NBA, and Collegiate venue space. As stadiums, arenas and entertainment districts began migrating towards seamless user connectivity and experience initiatives, Benjamin applied his full-stack comprehension to multiple best-in-class venue developments. Benjamin lead the design/build cycle and convergence for building automation systems, core and distribution, wireless and wired access networks, user experience and enterprise applications, and multiple “smart-city” development initiatives.

>Throughout his professional career, Benjamin has led the branding, marketing and business development organizations for multiple executive and creative groups. He has excelled and lead the creative initiatives for marketing automation, digital content development and multimedia presentation/web development. In addition, he has led the contract development and negotiations, crossing operations, business development, marketing and executive teams.

Benjamin has served on multiple community leadership boards and continues his pursuit/passion for helping both groups and individuals continually mature, grow and develop.

John LaPenta

John LaPenta, Executive Vice President Southeast Region, Hands-on strategic, legal and regulatory attorney. John has led multi-functional teams including, government affairs/relations, advocacy, lobbying, coalition building, legal, regulatory and compliance mostly in the telecom and tech industries. Extensive experience in start-ups in the wireless, microwave, telecom, cable and tech industries.

John has been on the executive team of several successful start-ups in the wireless, telecommunications and constructions industry. Taking one company public and successfully selling the other to Wall Street investment firms.

John has served on numerous corporate boards in the construction, development and the captive insurance industry.

John has worked on two presidential campaigns and has held appointed positions in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. State Department.

In addition to his law degree, John has a Masters in International Transaction with additional post graduate studies in South East Asian Economics. He completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics. John is a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Bar.

Pete Walsh

Pete Walsh, Executive Vice President Strategic Relations, Pete brings more than 35 years of business and technology experience to the Barger Tech team and was groomed in high technology organizations and programs including the US Space Shuttle Program (NASA, Rockwell Space Operations, United Space Alliance); various DOD programs for Rockwell International and Lockheed Martin including the B-1B Bomber, F-16 and F-22 programs; and most recently the CIO for the Dallas Cowboys responsible for the strategy and implementation of all of the technology for AT&T Stadium (deemed the “most technically advanced stadium in the world”) and the Dallas Cowboys vast business enterprise. Prior to the Cowboys, Pete was the regional CIO for the Americas for Nokia and VP/CIO for a global logistics start-up company.

Pete has been on the University of Texas at Arlington College of Business Advisory Council for the past 10 years; he continues to be a guest keynote speaker at various CIO and technology conferences around the world and holds 20+ patents based around technology innovation and consumer automation. Pete understands and applies technology to enhance business processes and to create positive outcomes.

Larry Cooper

Larry Cooper, Vice President Energy Technologies, Larry’s entire 45-year career has been in product development and project management. The ability to adapt to changing fields has given him the opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of programs and disciplines. These include the management of engineers, software writers, and technicians in the areas of structural, civil, mechanical, and electronic designs and implementation.

He has filled the positions of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Technology Officer, and Secretary with private and public companies.

Timely tracking of project status is the key to timely completion and success of the BEST Plan.