TEAM CES
We have a team of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals backed by more than 220+ years of experience delivering energy-saving solutions in the lighting industry.
Tony vlastelica
Tony Vlastelica
Founder & Principal
Founder + principal
Since founding Contemporary Energy Solutions in October 2011, Tony has been active in the day-to-day operations of the company. Tony spends his time in multiple areas including CEO responsibilities, talent acquisition, sales leadership, and client acquisition/retention.
Tony has worked in the energy field since 2008, including 4 years with Orion Energy Systems.
With a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, previous entrepreneurial experience, and industry leading sales training by pioneers in the lighting retrofit space, Tony is uniquely positioned to help guide CES and ensure we deliver the desired results to our clients at our high standard of performance.
A devout Christian, Tony recognizes that he has been saved and greatly blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters, as well as watching science fiction, superhero, and Disney/Pixar movies. Tony also enjoys (or more often, endures) watching Chicago Bears football with his friends and family. Tony is the son of immigrants from Croatia, and is in the first generation of his family born and raised in the USA. Tony really likes BBQ - both eating it and making it for friends.
Dave A.
lighting
auditor
Dave has a strong work history in the lighting industry, with experience working as a lighting tech, sales, project manager, coordinator, dispatcher, and lighting supervisor. At CES, Dave is a member of the sales and project management team. He compiles lighting audits and site surveys, ensuring accuracy for our site proposals.
When Dave's not playing hard in the lighting world, he can be found working multiple secondary jobs including In N Out Burger, where he's created a special animal salad, not listed on the menu. It's his secret recipe; make sure you ask him about it!
ray B.
lighting
auditor
Ray is a proven A+ player who has worked his way up in the lighting industry, most recently serving as a Lighting Auditor for Oklahoma LED. Versed in the industry, Ray has audited several facilities and has a passion for helping businesses achieve their energy reduction goals. Ray’s work ethic is like no other – his grandfather instilled lifelong values of responsibility, integrity, and character – qualities Ray continues to demonstrate day in and day out.
On the side, Ray can be found at the golf course either volunteering for various events or taking time off to play the wonderful game.
Brad B.
sales engineering manager
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor’s degree in service management, Brad spent much of his 11+ years in the lighting industry. With a strong background in proposal development and engineering, Brad provides product knowledge to the sales team. He joined CES in September 2018 and currently serves as the Sales Engineering Manager. Brad’s drive to succeed is off the charts … he once sold a 50-year-old port-a-potty at a garage sale for its full asking price; must be the salesman in him.
If you think you are a “foodie” – you haven’t met Brad. He is always ready to try new or different food combinations.
Alyssa C.
marketing & ops. coordinator
Alyssa maintains our marketing content, watches over our social media pages, creates marketing materials for our sales team, and oversees prospect researching for our Sales team.
She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and spent seven years in Southeast Wisconsin working in PR/Marketing for healthcare organizations, and a mining equipment manufacturer. She returned home to Northeast Wisconsin and began working once again in the nonprofit sector as a healthcare fundraising professional. No surprise here, but Alyssa is a warm-hearted, people-person and loves building personal and professional relationships. We're so glad her interests led her to #teamCES!
Aaron D.
purchasing manager
With an education background in Biotechnology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Civil Engineering from Chippewa Falls Valley Tech, Aaron uses his knowledge to evaluate product lines for quality. He joined CES in February 2018 as Purchasing Administrator. Prior to this, he spent 6 years at a like-lighting solutions provider where he focused on project purchasing and material planning.
Aaron spends most of his free time with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys cooking and loves trying new food. During the long Wisconsin winters, Aaron plays on a mediocre dart team. When summer finally arrives, he’s excited to get back outside to play on his volleyball team.
matt g.
Business Development Exec.
Matt joined the CES team with several years of experience in sales, account management, and team development. Most recently, he managed and mentored sales teams across Wisconsin and Illinois in selling and supporting communication services, as well as offering solutions in IoT. As a resilient member of the CES sales team, Matt finds and retains clients by building meaningful relationships, ensures our products and services exceed customer expectations, and collaborates with management on sales goals and planning.
Matt has a bachelor’s degree in business management. Outside of work, he loves camping with his family, cheering for all the Wisconsin sports teams, golfing, fishing, and mountain biking.
katie h.
proposal analyst & crm admin.
Putting her Administrative Assistant Associates Degree to use, Katie started her work career in the tourism industry. She then shifted gears to the lighting industry and accepted a position where she put together bids for commercial, industrial and agricultural customers.
Katie joined CES in July of 2016 in the role of Operations Support/ Proposal Developer. She is also responsible for maintaining the company data in Salesforce.
Katie stays active during her off time. She enjoys gardening, a glass of wine, and watching baseball and football. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their two boys.
jen k.
operations manager
Operations management for lighting and solar projects is Jen's forté. She brings a wealth of experiences to the CES team, having co-managed over 5,000 lighting and solar installations during her professional career. Jen joined CES in March 2017 where she started working in our incentive department. It's no surprise why she was soon promoted to our Operations Manager.
Jen spends most of her time with her husband, four kids, and their beloved pets. Together, they enjoy their summers on the boat and winters at their family cabin in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
jamie l.
Project coordinator
Jamie has spent the past 10+ years in the commercial business insurance industry, managing processes and procedures for several client accounts.
As a project coordinator for CES, she handles our assignments from start to finish. She is responsible for scheduling, managing project budgets, and coordinating project needs with internal team members.
Her wealth of experience and knowledge extends academically too; she holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Illinois State University. Outside of work, she’s consumed with spending time with her husband, two kids, and their three dogs and two cats.
mickey l.
Senior Project Manager
As an Army Veteran, Mickey spent 7 years as a Combat Medic. His time included 36 months in Iraq where he received many awards including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. While in the Army, he finished his Associate's Degree in Business Administration. Mickey joined CES in November 2015; he currently works as a Sr. Project Manager.
Mickey loves going on family walks with his wife, children, and household pets. He prefers to spend as much time outside with his family as possible whether it would be exploring new places or having a BBQ. His hobbies include lifting weights and outdoor activities such as bike riding, hiking, and running. He is an avid Chicago sports fan. Mickey is only a few hours from earning his carpentry apprenticeship and he is a licensed barber.
nick l.
Senior Project Manager
Our Senior Project Manager, Nick is the point of contact for contractors and clients in our southern states. He ensures lighting service projects are done accurately, within budget, and follow the scope of the contract. He also provides lighting surveys, analyzes existing lighting set-up/systems, and recommends solutions to meet customer’s needs. Nick brings more than 20 years of engineering and management experience.
Moral of the story? Nick has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this industry and he is one smart cookie. Nick holds a Master of Science degree in engineering management from the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga.
tom p.
Business Development Exec.
A marketing and sales professional in the lighting industry, Tom has broad experience in building and sustaining customer relationships. With more than 15 years of service, Tom is dedicated to helping CES clients find quality lighting solutions for their industries. Self-motivated and energetic, Tom researches and attracts new clients, delivers presentations for potential clients, and maintains communication with existing clients to support an ongoing relationship.
Tom earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing and Economics from The Ohio State University (go Buckeyes!). He loves nothing more than spending time with his three children, being outdoors, and staying fit.
ryan r.
Vice President, Operations
Ever since Ryan stepped foot on his family’s dairy cattle farm, he has forged a reputation for working hard to get to where he is today. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, he joined the lighting industry. He was tasked with compiling estimates, managing company pricing and strategy, assembling reports, and obtaining 1M+ in third-party financing contracts. Ryan joined CES in 2017 as a Controller and was soon promoted to VP of Operations.
In his free time, he enjoys staying active by working out, playing volleyball or tennis, and running in various marathons. Though his love of running, he completed the Chicago Marathon in 2016.
corey s.
Senior Project Manager
With a decade of experience, Corey utilizes his knowledge and management skills to further CES’s services nationally, as a Sr. Project Manager. Corey came to CES from an IoT deployment company as a program manager and operations leader. It was there he managed a team that serviced the retail banking and grocery industry, commissioning, and retro-commissioning 800+ locations. Prior to that, he spent 8+ years at a national leading ESCO and oversaw several facets of their business operations.
In his spare time, Corey is passionate about his many hobbies and interests. Being a collectible enthusiast from a young age, Smith shared, “There is no better feeling than opening a fresh pack of football cards.”
jason s.
Business Development Exec.
A professional in the lighting industry, Jason has broad experience in building and sustaining customer relationships. He brings 15+ years of combined experience having started his own ventures and leadership roles at several lighting companies. His talents deliver winning solutions for CES clients. At CES, Jason plays an essential role in our Southeast Region: he identifies prospective clients, builds customer relationships, develops new projects, and works with clients to bring projects to successful completion. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Engineering, Jason went on to obtain his Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Kentucky. He's a family man, loves new experiences, and a good cigar!
patty s.
office
manager
Patty rejoined the CES team in April of 2019. She had previously worked as Tony’s sales assistant at a-like lighting solutions provider. Patty is currently tasked with general office management, bookkeeping, human resource activities, and serving as Tony’s executive sales assistant. With over 25 years of experience in office management and customer service, she prides herself on providing great attention to detail and timely follow-up on assignments from her co-workers and customers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion from U.W. Stevens Point and a master’s degree from Silver Lake College.
Patty has always been interested in fitness and nutrition and is an avid walker. She logs 5–6 miles every morning and doesn’t miss a sunrise.
joaquin v.
director, Project Management
With 13 years of combined experience in the design and implementation process of electrical, lighting, telecommunications, life safety, and security systems. Joaquin has had the opportunity to install, design, collaborate, and lead an array of interdisciplinary renovation and new construction projects with varying complexities. Prior to re-joining CES in December of 2018 as a Sr. Project Manager, Joaquin received his Master of Industrial Technology and Operations from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
For Joaquin, family time is invaluable as well as time working on self-improvement. Even though he is used to spending months inside due to Chicago winters, he any savors time he can spend outdoors fishing, hiking, swimming, and outdoor festivals. In 2016, he spent time backpacking through the Amazon Rainforest as well as various volcanoes in Ecuador.
modesty v.
