Team

THE HEART OF A GREAT BUSINESS IS ITS PEOPLE

Meet the team of skilled and passionate professionals who are the driving force behind our organization.

United Bridge Partners

DOUG WITT
DOUG WITT
President & Chief Executive Officer

Doug joined UBP in 2018 as the President and Chief Executive Officer with over 30 years of CEO, Chairman, and Executive Operating experience in transportation and logistics, both public and private, with companies such as FedEx, Golden State Overnight, and Grainger.

Doug previously served as the Chairman of Golden State Overnight and as the CEO of nal.syncreon, owned by Lake Capital, a specialized provider of integrated logistics services and supply chain solutions to global industries. Doug served as CEO of Operating Partners LLC, identifying, sourcing and executing platform business acquisitions for private equity firms in behavioral health, transportation, logistics, and distribution. In addition, Doug was previously the President of FedEx Supply Chain Management.

Doug graduated Stanford University with an AB and Harvard Business School with an MBA. In his free time, Doug plays sports, spends time with his four boys and friends and works out regularly enjoying yoga, golf and tennis. He is beginning to play the piano again; the team will be monitoring his progress.

Denver, CO - 30+ years professional experience
ANTHONY PELLEGRINO
ANTHONY PELLEGRINO
Chief Financial Officer

Anthony joined UBP in February 2019 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to UBP, Anthony spent 15 years as a finance executive at a logistics company that focused on specialized services for large-scale automotive and technology customers. Prior to logistics, Anthony was a VP of Finance for a publicly traded IT consulting and software company.

Anthony has an MBA and BBA from Northern Illinois University and is a CPA. When not working, Anthony enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hockey, football and outdoor activities.

Joliet, IL - 25+ years professional experience
VERONICA LATONIO
VERONICA LATONIO
VP Tolling & Back Office Operations

Veronica joined UBP in February 2014 as Director, Collections & Treasury. Prior to UBP, Veronica had nearly 20 years of Consumer Finance experience with HSBC Bank and Capital One Finance, where she held leadership roles in Back-End Collections, Internal Audit and Global Operations.

She has a BS in Political Science, Public Administration. In her free time, Veronica enjoys quilting and spending time with friends and family.

Chesapeake, VA - 25+ years professional experience
LEE WHITNEY
LEE WHITNEY
Vice President

Lee joined UBP in May 2017 as an Associate and is involved in all aspects of evaluating, executing and sourcing new business opportunities as well as bridge portfolio management. Prior to joining UBP, Lee worked as an analyst at Stifel in their Global Transportation and Logistics Investment Banking Group, where he primarily executed mergers and acquisitions and various capital markets activities.

Lee has a BS in Finance and a BS in Accounting from the Robert H Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. In his free time, Lee enjoys traveling, running, swimming and shooting sporting clays.

Chesapeake, VA - 10+ years professional experience
JESSICA VIRGO
JESSICA VIRGO
Director of Administrative Services

Jessica joined UBP in April of 2017 as an Executive Assistant | Office Manager. She came to UBP with 20+ years of experience in the administrative worlds of insurance, corporate real estate and oil and gas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dancing.

Denver, CO - 25+ years professional experience
Sean Romo
Sean Romo
Bridge Revenue Director

Sean Joined UBP in May 2021, as the Bridge Revenue Director. Prior to joining UBP, Sean has led multiple sales & account management teams at James Hardie Building Products, Enterprise, and Clearwire.

Sean has a BS from Purdue University. In his free time, Sean enjoys spending time with his family, running, and traveling.

Joliet, IL - 18+ years Professional Experience
Adam Eberts
Adam Eberts
Senior Manager Business Systems
Chicago, IL – 27+ years professional experience
Ed Vargas
Ed Vargas
Senior Project Manager

Ed joined UBP in October 2021 as Senior Project Manager, Toll Systems Operations. He brings over 21 years of network, management, and tolling systems experience that he gained working with the Illinois Tollway, where he held management, technical, and leadership roles. Ed earned an AAS degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from NYC Technical College.

In his free time Ed enjoys spending time with his family, sailing, traveling in his RV, and an occasional woodworking project.

Chicago, IL - Joliet, IL - 20+ years professional experience
LAURA WEBER
LAURA WEBER
Marketing Lead

Laura joined UBP in June 2019 as Communications Specialist and Office Manager. She comes to UBP with 12 years of marketing commutations experience at the graphic arts supplier GPA, where she translated ideas into compelling marketing collateral. Prior to that, she worked for the Calumet Press for two years as Assistant Editor then Graphic Designer.

She holds a BA in English, Professional Writing from Purdue University Northwest. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and cosplay.

East Chicago, IN -15+ years professional experience
MELODY PICKETT
MELODY PICKETT
Legal Counsel

Melody joined UBP in February 2017 as Legal Counsel. She comes to UBP with 30 years of transactional legal practice, with the last 11 years focused on complex construction and corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, public-private partnerships, design-build contracts, project support and claims for a billion-dollar heavy civil construction company.

Melody has a Bachelor of Arts in Writing from Loma Linda University in Riverside, California and a Juris Doctor from Boalt Hall, University of California in Berkeley, California. Melody enjoys golfing, singing and playing the piano, hiking and wandering around the country with husband, Mike, in their little RV.

Denver, CO - 30+ years professional experience
Ernesto Santana
Ernesto Santana
Staff Accountant
Joliet, IL - 6+ years professional experience
JODECI VIRGO
JODECI VIRGO
Administrative Assistant

Jodeci joined United Bridge Partners in July of 2019 as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining the company, she worked as a stay-at-home mom and wife. In her free time, she enjoys watching her son grow and spending time with her many animals.

Denver, CO - 3+ years professional experience

Back Office Tolling Operations

MEREDITH ST. JOHN
MEREDITH ST. JOHN
Senior Manager of Tolling Operations

Meredith joined UBP in 2016 as the Senior Manager of Tolling Operations. Meredith was previously with Capital One Financial responsible for the Customer Service Digital Operations group.

Meredith attended Norfolk State University for Business Administration. In her free time, she enjoys time with family and friends, and volunteering in the community.

Chesapeake, VA - 25+ years professional experience
Tanysha Daubon
Tanysha Daubon
Operations Support Specialist

Tanysha joined UBP in September of 2021 as an Operations Support Specialist. Prior to UBP, Tanysha worked in various industries including banking and finance. Most recently she worked with the U.S. Military managing several active-duty housing properties throughout Virginia. Tanysha is also active in the community as a volunteer for the homeless shelters in Virginia Beach, VA.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son and hopes to continue her travels with him abroad.

Chesapeake, VA - 7 years professional experience
Trimika White
Trimika White
Operations Support Specialist

Trimika joined the UBP team in June 2022 as an Operation Support Specialist, bringing with her over two decades of customer service experience in both public and private sectors where she cultivated her customer service and problem-solving skills. Trimika enjoyed mentoring new employees as part of peer-to-peer program to improve efficiency for the company.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and volunteering in the senior community.

Chesapeake, VA - 25+ years professional experience

Bay City Bridge Partners

TERRY VELLIGAN
TERRY VELLIGAN
General Manager

Terry joined UBP in February 2018 as General Manager of Operations. Prior to UBP, Terry worked at Martin Mechanical as Safety Director and Project Manager, where he coordinated, administered and implemented comprehensive training programs in industrial safety.

Terry comes to UBP with over 25 years in Construction and Management. He has a BS from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas and a MA from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. In his free time, Terry enjoys golfing, fishing, playing baseball, riding motorcycles and volunteering in community youth programs.

East Chicago, IN - 25+ years professional experience
KEVIN BISCHEL
KEVIN BISCHEL
Project Delivery Director

Kevin joined UBP in 2019 as a Project Delivery Director and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Kevin has over 20 years of experience in the design and delivery of major transportation infrastructure projects.

Prior to working at UBP, Kevin held project management and project operations roles at WSP USA/Parsons Brinckerhoff and AECOM. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Kevin has a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. In his free time, Kevin enjoys woodworking and spending time outdoors with his wife and three boys.

Chicago, IL - 20+ years professional experience
Kurt Hausbeck
Kurt Hausbeck
Facilities Manager - Bay City Bridges
Bay City, MI - Bay City, MI - 30+ years professional experience
Joe Jacobs
Joe Jacobs
Account Manager
Bay City, MI - 20+ years professional experience
Chloe Harper
Chloe Harper
Office Manager
Bay City, MI – 4+ years professional experience
Sadie LaClair
Sadie LaClair
Customer Service Manager

Sadie joined the UBP team in 2023 as the Customer Service Manager at Bay City Bridge Partners. As a Bay City native, she is passionate about giving back to her community and driving its success and growth. With 12 years of fast paced, high demand customer service experience, she brings with her a strong connection to Bay City and its people, and a keen ability to effectively connect the business and the people it serves.

In her free time, Sadie enjoys going on adventures with her kids, showing them the world, and teaching them to be kind people.

Bay City, MI – 13+ years professional experience

Cline Avenue Bridge

TERRY VELLIGAN
TERRY VELLIGAN
General Manager

Terry joined UBP in February 2018 as General Manager of Operations. Prior to UBP, Terry worked at Martin Mechanical as Safety Director and Project Manager, where he coordinated, administered and implemented comprehensive training programs in industrial safety.

Terry comes to UBP with over 25 years in Construction and Management. He has a BS from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas and a MA from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. In his free time, Terry enjoys golfing, fishing, playing baseball, riding motorcycles and volunteering in community youth programs.

East Chicago, IN - 25+ years professional experience
Walter Dukes
Walter Dukes
Facilities Manager
East Chicago, IN - 15+ years professional experience
Tijana Raketic
Tijana Raketic
Account Manager

Tijana joined UBP in September of 2021. Prior UBP, she was an schoolteacher teaching art to fifth and sixth graders. Tijana serves on the Board of Directors for the Serb National Federation as a member at large and as an Athletics and Events liaison. She graduated from Allegheny College with a BA in International Studies and French mino and is proficient in Modern Standard Arabic and French.

In her free time, Tijana enjoys spending time with family, travel, college football, reading, and clay shooting.

East Chicago, IN - 2+ years professional experience
Crystal Throw
Crystal Throw
Account Manager

Crystal joined UBP in 2023 as Account Manager at Cline Avenue Bridge. She brings an extensive knowledge of the transportation industry to her role, and is passionate about introducing trucking and transportation businesses to the value that the Cline Avenue Bridge can provide their organizations.

Crystal has an associate degree in psychology from University of Phoenix. She spends her free time with her family at the football field, basketball courts, softball fields and at gymnastics meets.

East Chicago, IN – 18+ years professional experience
Nancy Malagon
Nancy Malagon
Office Manager

Nany joined the United Bridge Partners team in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience as an administrative professional in corporate office management and higher education. She attended and worked at Purdue Northwest where she studied Business Administration and served as administrative support in the office of the Vice Chancellor.

A Texan by birth, Nancy is proud to have roots in East Chicago. She moved to East Chicago at age four and attended the local schools, graduating from East Chicago Central High School.

Nancy also has over two decades of experience in non-profit fundraising and event coordination. She currently serves as secretary on the board of Sociedad Cultural Y Civica la Reforma (SCCLR), a non-profit organization promoting cultural awareness and helping students across the region achieve their higher education goals. In 2020 she started an empowerment group for young girls whom she mentors. In her free time, Nancy enjoys entertaining guests in her home and traveling to warm climates and beautiful beaches as often as possible.

East Chicago, IN - 14+ years professional experience

Houbolt Road Extension JV

Pete Raketic
Pete Raketic
General Manager - Houbolt Road Extension-JV

Pete joined UBP in June 2020 as Facility Manager at Cline Avenue Bridge, and was appointed General Manager for Houbolt Road Extension-JV in 2021. Most recently, he worked with Fluor Constructors as a Field Operations Manager; his other experience includes roles within the petroleum refinery, steel, and manufacturing industries. Pete studied Electrical Construction and Maintenance at Coyne College. In his free time, you can find him enjoying the great outdoors playing golf, hunting, or fishing.

Joliet, IL - Joliet, IL - 40+ years professional experience
Rick Dewitt
Rick Dewitt
Facility Manager

Rick joined UBP in 2022 as Facility Manager at Houbolt Road Extension-JV, and has over 20 years of experience keeping commercial, residential, and industrial facilities running smoothly. His previous experience includes building maintenance roles at Fluor Constructors and life care facilities.

In his free time, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, spending time outdoors camping and fishing anywhere he can, especially along Florida’s gulf coast.

Joliet, IL - 20+ years professional experience
Mike McQuillan
Mike McQuillan
Account Manager
Joliet, IL - 10+ years professional experience
Jorge Guzman
Jorge Guzman
Inside Sales & Support Representative
Joliet, IL - 5+ years professional experience

Parkersburg Bridge Partners

TERRY VELLIGAN
TERRY VELLIGAN
General Manager

Terry joined UBP in February 2018 as General Manager of Operations. Prior to UBP, Terry worked at Martin Mechanical as Safety Director and Project Manager, where he coordinated, administered and implemented comprehensive training programs in industrial safety.

Terry comes to UBP with over 25 years in Construction and Management. He has a BS from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas and a MA from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. In his free time, Terry enjoys golfing, fishing, playing baseball, riding motorcycles and volunteering in community youth programs.

East Chicago, IN - 25+ years professional experience
Joe Martin
Joe Martin
Facility Manager
Parkersburg, WV – 25+ years professional experience
Jonathan Wallace
Jonathan Wallace
Account Manager

Jonathan Wallace joined UBP in 2022 as the General Manager of Parkersburg Bridge Partners. He has extensive management experience, having previously worked at Safelite AutoGlass; Foot Locker, Inc.; and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Throughout his career, he has received several awards and commendations for personal and store performance, including for dramatically increasing sales and consistently go above and beyond.

Jon studied Journalism and Mass Communication at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. In his free time, you can find Jon spending time with his wife and three children, cooking, skiing Snowshoe Mountain in his home state of West Virginia, or fishing.

Parkersburg, WV - 25+ years professional experience
Jimmie Wessell
Jimmie Wessell
Customer Service Manager

Jimmie joined Parkersburg Bridge Partners in 2023. His experience includes an extensive background in roles centered around providing excellent customer service. Jimmie is committed to ensuring the community of Parkersburg has a seamless experience from the introduction to electronic tolling through everyday support and questions.

Jimmie received a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University. His love of Doberman Pinschers and the outdoors has translated into having four beautiful Dobermans that he and his wife love to take for walks and hikes. He is also the proud owner of two very large Great Dane puppies that enjoy the country life as well.

Parkersburg, WV – 20+ years professional experience

South Norfolk Jordan Bridge

KEVIN CRUM
KEVIN CRUM
General Manager

Kevin joined UBP as the General Manager of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge in January 2012, while the project was under construction. Prior to UBP, Kevin amassed extensive marketing, promotions and public relations experience through his work at The Family Channel, First Hospital Corporation and several prominent regional communications agencies.

Kevin is a native of Hampton Roads and resides in Chesapeake, VA. Kevin has a BS in Public Relations and Promotions from Old Dominion University. In his free time, Kevin enjoys saltwater fishing, home improvement projects, and spending time with his wife and dog.

Chesapeake, VA - 30+ years professional experience
Ken Cater
Ken Cater
Facilities Manager

Ken joined UBP in January 2021 as the Facility Manager for the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. He comes to UBP with more than 20 years of experience in the construction, operation, and maintenance of world-class transportation projects. Prior to joining UBP, Ken held a variety of positions with several of the most respected engineering firms in the country, including URS and AECOM. His background also includes disaster/incident response and management while serving in several key roles with FEMA.

Ken has earned numerous professional certifications in the areas of civil construction, incident response & management, and industrial safety. Away from the bridge, he enjoys spending time with his son, PC gaming, and outdoor activities including camping and kayaking.

Chesapeake, VA - 20+ years professional experience
Brian Leffel
Brian Leffel
Account Manager

Brian joined UBP in 2023 as Account Manager at South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. He has over two years of outside sales experience and over 10 years of experience in customer service and sales.

Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from ECPI University with a concentration on homeland security. In his free time, he loves outdoor activities with his wife and daughter and exploring the culinary scene by trying out new restaurants any chance he gets. One of his greatest passions is playing guitar – both acoustic and electric – on which he has been honing his skills for over two decades.

Chesapeake, VA – 9+ years professional experience

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