MLS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Adam Morales Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Dan Covert Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Applied Product Specialist
Chis joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2019, an experienced leader in both corporate and consulting capacities, having spent time disseminating and coaching to non-financial individuals - company stakeholders, clients, and peers. Chris is proficient in the complexities that tie financial analysis and decisions to real world outcomes. A critical thinker who emphasizes continuous learning.
Chris received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Portland State University.
Job Titles:
- Dan Covert Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Product Specialist
- Video Product Specialist
Elected President of Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 1992, David entered into a purchase agreement with MLS stockholders that would allow him to purchase all outstanding shares of company stock. With the repurchase of stock complete in 2004, for the first time in company history MLS was under the ownership of a single person.
Under David's leadership the company has flourished. His vision has streamlined the companies' product offering and expanded into new markets through expansion and acquisition. As an innovator he has worked to make MLS more efficient and effective, bringing a real value and strategic partnership to MLS customers and vendors. His knowledge of the markets they serve makes him a subject matter expert for trade and industry organizations.
David is committed to developing a strong management team that will enable the company to achieve continued success. Mitchell's is a democracy where everyone has a voice and an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
David received a Bachelor of Science in Science from Oregon State University in 1984 and joined MLS that same year, holding a variety of positions in all critical functional areas. Away from work he brings the same passion to his personal pursuits of cooking, exercise, landscaping and appreciation of the arts and nature.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- President
- in 2014 As CFO
Ean joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2014 as CFO. Ean brings 20 years of finance, operations, manufacturing and supply chain experience, spanning multiple industries to MLS. Ean's experience includes organizations of various size, from startups and small, closely held businesses to multibillion dollar global conglomerates. Ean provides leadership to the Operations, Accounting, Finance, HR and Information Technology functions of MLS.
Prior to MLS, Ean served as CEO of Creative Tent International, a closely held manufacturer of engineered fabric structures. Prior to Creative Tent, Ean served in various executive roles at Core Health and Fitness, Sapa Group, Nautilus, Inc. and Oresis Communications. Ean's early career was spent at Arthur Andersen, LLP, where he specialized in large scale ERP implementations.
Ean received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and an MBA, with honors, both from Portland State University. He is a licensed CPA (Inactive) in the State of Oregon.
Job Titles:
- Adam Morales Branch Manager
Gene joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in November of 2020 and brings with him over 20 years of supply chain management experience in various industries with a strong background in OEM and manufacturing - some of which was with the Dover Corporation. Gene has been instrumental in developing and implementing Mitchell's overall strategy for improving warehouse functions, safety, logistics, supply chain, order processing, fulfillment, quality assurance, and providing transparent supplier communications.
Gene received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Oregon State University, and his MBA in Finance from George Fox University.
Job Titles:
- Rich Emery Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Human Resources
- in 2019 As the Director of Human Resources
Jeremy joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2019 as the Director of Human Resources for our 16 locations. Jeremy will leverage his prior experiences to drive best practices and balance excellence with innovation by adapting quickly to ever-changing environments and offering creative solutions in the areas of talent acquisition, employee relations, HRIS, culture development, and business strategy.
Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Portland State University.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Board
Jim Paulson has served as a board member of Mitchell Lewis & Staver since 2011, bringing strong sales, marketing, product development, and operational expertise to the table. He retired in December 2018 from his role as CEO of Healthco Information Systems, providing healthcare software solutions to independent medical practices. Prior to HealthCo, Jim was the President and COO of Viewpoint Construction Software, where he led their transformation and global expansion from 2008-2015 and ultimate sale to Bain Capital. Prior to Viewpoint, Jim was GM of GE's Intrusion Security Group, which he led from 2004-2008.
In addition to Mitchell Lewis, Jim serves as an independent board member and consultant to private equity-backed companies including QuatrisHealthco and Bastion Security. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and an MBA from the University of Oregon.
Job Titles:
- Mike Swapp Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- CFO
- EVP
- Financial Consultant
- Member of the Board
For more than 20 years, Linda has served as EVP & CFO for respected international and domestic companies including Tillamook County Creamery Association, Nautilus, Warn Industries, Gardenburger and Blount International. Linda's experiential knowledge of finance and operations has been instrumental in leading the development of strategic growth initiatives resulting in record earnings, paying down debt, and effective cash management to support accelerated growth, product development, innovation, product launches, and operational excellence. Linda has also led five significant and successful ERP projects.
In 2018, Ms. Pearce was named "CFO of the Year" by the Portland Business Journal. In 2020, Linda completed eight years as a commissioner for the Port of Portland and recently fulfilled her terms as a trustee for Providence and OMSI. She is a past board member of The Children's Center, Warn Industries, Providence Medical Foundation, Bergstrom Nutrition, and Blount Federal Credit Union.
Linda holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis from Portland State University and an Executive MBA from the University of Oregon.
Linda and her extended family live in Lake Oswego and enjoy many outdoor activities.
Job Titles:
- Philip Hawerton Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Applied Product Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Branch Operations
- in 2017 As Branch Manager
Michelle joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2017 as Branch Manager of our location in Orange, California where she was quickly recognized as a product and market leader within the company. Michelle's natural leadership and management capabilities earned her the role of Regional Branch Manager in 2019, then Director of Branch Operations in 2021. In this role, Michelle will continue to focus on the development of policies and processes that support branch operational growth and efficiency.
Prior to MLS, Michelle spent nearly 15 combined years with Western Hydro in various roles of increasing responsibility.
Mike joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2016, as an experienced sales leader he promotes collaboration and brings an energetic leadership style to motivate the sales team across all 19 locations. His breadth of knowledge within the functional areas of the business combined with decades of sales acumen and leadership expertise have proven vital for the growth of Mitchell Lewis & Staver.
Before joining MLS, Mike held the position of Regional Manager at Rain Bird Corporation - a leading manufacturer of irrigation products and services. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Chico.
Job Titles:
- Mike Swapp Branch Manager
The Mountain States Groundwater Expo is held annually in Laughlin, Nevada, and hosted by the Ground Water and Water Well Associations of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- President
- Applied Product Specialist
Peter has served as a President/Chief Operating Officer of his company for over 15 years. He has taken divisions of Fortune 500 companies to double-digit growth through organic and acquisition strategies that are simple, yet powerful. He specializes in business strategy, positioning and long-term growth planning.
Job Titles:
- Philip Hawerton Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Rich Emery Branch Manager
Job Titles:
- Controls Business Unit Manager
Ryan joined Mitchell Lewis & Staver in 2022 as the Business Unit Manager for our Controls & Packaged Systems division located in Wilsonville, OR. Ryan brings 14+ years of controls, mechanical engineering, and product management experience to MLS. With interests in design, manufacturing, strategy development and business leadership, Ryan will leverage his background from time spent at Cerus Industrial and Franklin Electric to further grow our controls and packaged systems footprint while enhancing the overall value provided for MLS customers.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University.
Job Titles:
- Regional Sales Manager, Account Management