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Adopt Technologies 
Management Team

a photo of someone at adopt technologies

Brett Helgeson

President, CEO  & Managing Partner

Brett oversees and manages all business operations at Adopt Technologies.

 

He is focused on the vision and strategy of the organization while working with his team to refine, implement and execute the business plan required to realize those long-term objectives.

 

Prior to purchasing Adopt Technologies, Brett founded Helgeson Construction Management, which managed and executed over $56 million of commercial construction projects in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

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Brett volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for the Beatitudes Campus and New Way Academy.  He has a BS in Building Construction Technology from Purdue University and a MBA from Arizona State University.

Ryan Treisman 

Chief Technology Officer & Partner

Ryan is responsible for architecting, managing and scaling Adopt Technologies’ cloud computing infrastructure, networks and systems. Through significant research, testing and implementation, he identifies and integrates cutting-edge technologies and strategic initiatives to advance Adopt’s mission and vision.

 

Ryan also assists with refining and delivering customer on-boarding and support processes.

Prior to joining Adopt Technologies, Ryan served as the systems engineer for a national financial company, and as an IT administrator for multiple Phoenix based organizations.

 

He also owned a company specializing in the design and sale of wireless technologies. Ryan has earned a BA in Sustainability, and an MS in Global Technology and Development from Arizona State University.

a photo of craig despres from adopt technologies

Craig Despres

Chief Operations Officer

Craig oversees and manages all client operations at Adopt Technologies.  He is focused on the client experience, customer support team and Virtual CIO Services.  

 

In addition, he is responsible for the defining and refining of the overall process flow of key areas within the Adopt Technologies organization.

 

Prior to joining Adopt Technologies, Craig has held IT leadership positions in the Data Center and Hospitality industries, with a focus on building successful teams and processes.  

 

Craig has a combined Bachelor Degree in Computer Science, Communications and Business from The University of Michigan.

a photo of brett helgeson of adopt technologies
Brett
Ryan
Craig
Craig
Pauli

Adopt Technologies 
Board of Advisors

Christopher Hunter

Christopher Hunter

Christopher ("Chris") Hunter is the Chairman of Adopt Technologies Board of Advisors. Chris brings a broad range of business expertise to Adopt Technologies Board of Advisors. Chris' vast C-level experience with a myriad of national and multi-national corporations bring tremendous leadership and value.

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Chris' focus on defining and executing strategic initiatives, as well as key performance indicators in support of those initiatives, bring a no non-sense approach to performance and accountability for Adopt Technologies leadership.

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Chris' experience and acumen extends to all business-related decisions that Adopt Technologies makes as a growing firm focused on becoming a leading cloud computing services provider for its small and medium sized business customers.

Board of Advisors

Ed Zito

Ed Zito

Ed Zito brings extensive financial, capital acquisition and business leadership expertise to Adopt Technologies Board of Advisors. Ed's acumen in business, economic development, commercial and investment banking add tremendous value to Adopt Technologies leadership and his inquisitive nature brings forth thought-provoking discussion and ideas that both challenge the organization and enhance its potential to successfully realize long-term strategic initiatives.

 

Ed is the President of Alliance Bank of Arizona where he also serves on the bank's Asset and Liability Management and Investment Committee (ALCO). Ed is a recognized and respected business leader known for his commitment to Arizona businesses and long
standing track record of success.

heather elrod on the board of adopt technologies

Heather Elrod

Heather Elrod brings to Adopt Technologies Board a track record of executive experience heavily focused on rapidly growing and scaling companies and ultimately, increasing company value.  Heather has guided both emerging and multi-billion dollar companies and demonstrated consistent ability to improve operational efficiencies and the key performance indicators that drive the business forward.  Successfully managing and navigating the many challenges that come along with rapid scaling businesses is an art and the skill Heather has demonstrated in doing so is admirable.  Heather’s experience with venture debt, private equity, acquisition and selling franchised businesses rounds out an already impressive set of skills and acumen that brings great value to the Adopt leadership team.

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Currently, Heather is the CEO of the Amazing Lash Studio franchise, named the 2018 #5 top new franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine and the 2019 #4 franchise on the Franchise Times Fast and Serious List.

Brian Blakley

Brian Blakley

Brian Blakley is a seasoned IT and technology professional that has started, acquired, built and sold many businesses in the industry.  Brian is currently the CEO of Cosant Cyber Security and his deep experience and understanding of IT security, compliance and helping companies develop a culture of security, is the primary factor for his involvement with Adopt Technologies Board.  Due to his previously owning an IT managed services firm as well, even more value is derived from Brian by leveraging his experience in the MSP space on everything from service offerings and delivery through staffing metrics and pricing strategy.

 

Brian’s myriad professional roles and experiences have helped him become a successful and truly seasoned entrepreneur, leader and executive.  Beyond the “real world” education he has received, Brian also maintains CISSP (Certified Information Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designations.  Importantly, through business interactions that Adopt Technologies has had with Brian with both his current and past businesses, it is also evident that Brian shares the core values that Adopt Technologies is founded upon.

Aaron Gagnon

Aaron Gagnon

Aaron Gagnon brings legal counsel and general business expertise to Adopt Technologies Board of Advisors. Aaron understands the intersection of business, law and relationships which culminate in strong insight on a wide array of important topics and decisions Adopt Technologies evaluates on an ongoing basis.

 

Aaron's experience with navigating and avoiding potential pitfalls that many small businesses fall victim to, as well as mitigating risk, is of significant value to a fast-growing business like Adopt Technologies.

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