Mantis Leadership

Our Leadership Team

The Mantis leadership team has extensive experience and proven expertise

The individuals on the Mantis leadership team take a strong, hands-on approach in their individual roles to help support our clients, so Mantis is able to meet each of their overall, individual, strategic facility performance goals.

The Mantis leadership team includes architects, professional engineers, registered roof consultants and observers, experienced project and account managers, professional services staff, and other talented veterans of the Architectural Engineering and Construction industry.

Darrell Whitley

Darrell Whitley

President and CEO

As President and CEO of Mantis Innovation Mr. Whitley is responsible for managing overall operations and setting the company's strategic direction. Prior to this role, Mr. Whitley was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Resource Environmental Solutions, a KKR and Onex Capital portfolio company. He was previously the Senior Vice President, Market Development and Enterprise Sales at Total Safety, a Warburg Pincus portfolio company. Additional positions and experiences include Regional Vice-President and Managing Director for RR Donnelley, President of CGX Solutions and President and Chief Executive Officer of Tennyson Group. Mr. Whitley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University.  

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Rob Golden

Rob Golden

Chief Sales Officer

Mr. Golden brings over 25 years of knowledge and experience to Mantis Innovation.  As CSO, Golden oversees and directs a company's sales strategy, including setting sales goals, managing the sales team, and driving revenue growth.  Prior to Mantis, Golden honed his skills by working in startups where he managed sales, operations, and marketing with the goal of either selling and/or taking to public offering.  In 2008, Golden followed his environmental dream and became the President of The Global Green Team, one of the first sustainability firms to help Fortune 1000 companies develop their sustainability programs.  Golden earned his degree from Indiana University and can be seen (and heard) cheering on his Hoosiers. He currently resides in Glenview, IL with his wife Dina and as a ‘Girl Dad’ to his three daughters.  In his spare time, Golden can either be found helping at local charities, watching his Hoosiers, at Bulls or White Sox games, boating on Lake Michigan, or playing in his the band, One Stick Pony. 

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Miah Dancy

Miah Dancy

Chief Operations Officer

As COO, Jeremiah Dancy is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of Mantis, ensuring efficient business operations, and implementing company policies. With 24 years of experience in construction and facility asset management, Dancy is a technical expert in facility planning, design, installation, and maintenance. Dancy ensures projects are executed safely, on time, and on budget. He also directs professional development for the company’s teams as well as individual training and mentorship programs. Dancy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from the California University of Pennsylvania.

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Ali Gilliam

Ali Gilliam

Chief Marketing Officer

Ali is the driving force behind Mantis Innovation's marketing endeavors, serving as the Chief Marketing Officer. She orchestrates a comprehensive marketing strategy, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams spanning various departments and service areas to realize both company-wide objectives and targeted solutions, all while elevating Mantis Innovation's brand presence. With over 15 years of experience in content creation, brand storytelling, and marketing strategy, Ali boasts a proven track record of meticulously crafting and executing sales and marketing initiatives across diverse industries, including energy, new home construction, real estate, and hospitality. Her expertise extends to content writing and digital strategy, underpinned by academic accomplishments, including a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media & Communications from Salisbury University and a subsequent Master of Arts in Composition & Rhetoric. Ali's passion for innovation and communication continually fuels her commitment to delivering exceptional results.

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Giovanni Diano

Giovanni Diano

Chief Finacial Officer

Prior to this role, he was Senior Vice President and Divisional Finance Director at Woodforest National Bank. He was previously the CFO of Paysafe’s Global Payment Processing Division through Paysafe’s acquisition of Merchants’ Choice Payment Solutions, where Giovanni was the CFO. Previous positions and experience include senior financial roles at National Processing Company (now part of FIS) and Continental Airlines (now United Airlines). He began his career in business systems consulting. Giovanni holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from Rice University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

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Rad Brannan

Rad Brannan

Chief Technology Officer

Rad Brannan brings over 15 years of energy and information technology experience, including 10 years in an executive management position. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Business Information Systems for Just Energy where he led the global IT strategy and delivery for the following business units: commercial, supply, structuring and finance. During his tenure with Just Energy, he architected, implemented and evolved Hudson Energy’s industry-leading broker portal, Connex. Brannan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Information and Operations Management from Texas A&M University.

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Kevin McAlpine

Kevin McAlpin

General Counsel

Kevin McAlpin brings over 20 years of combined legal and risk experience to Mantis Innovation. McAlpin’s expertise includes general corporate law, complex energy product transactions, regulatory affairs and compliance issues, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, contract negotiations, and business management. He previously worked in executive and legal counsel roles for Just Energy, Standard Renewable Energy, and ExxonMobil. McAlpin is a graduate of The Citadel and holds an MBA from the University of Mississippi, as well as a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston Law Center. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the American Corporate Counsel Association.

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Recent Press Releases

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Mantis Innovation Announces New Vice Presidents of Sales to Enhance Leadership Team

Mantis Innovation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Vice Presidents of Sales, Jeremy Gonser and Richard Prinz.

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Mantis Innovation Recognized as Overall Best for Supplier Satisfaction by ERCG

The Energy Solutions Division of Mantis Innovation was recently presented with its second consecutive ABC Excellence Award by ERCG

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Mantis Innovation Leaders Join TEPA Board, Elevating Commitment to Advancing Competitive Energy Markets

The Energy Professionals Association (TEPA) announced that Mantis Innovation President of Energy Solutions, Steve Campbell, and Vice President of Operations, Jen Underwood, would be taking on new board positions.

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