TRISTAR Leadership Team

LEADERSHIP

Leadership that drives innovation for TRISTAR and our customers

Executive Leadership

Vince Carlos Gaitani

Vince Carlos Gaitani

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President

Vince Carlos Gaitani (Guy-Tan-E) CEO and President of TRISTAR. Carlos is a Navy veteran with more than 25+ years technical expertise supporting the Department of Defense and other Federal Agencies. Carlos is a visionary and the cornerstone of our future vision. Internally, Carlos’s leadership is recognized for his extensive business experience and open-minded management approach which creates a culture where our team is free to be innovative and empowered to deliver creative solutions to our customers.

Carlos was the founder of G Force, Inc a defense services company which acquired TRISTAR. Carlos merged G Force into TRISTAR unifying TRISTAR’s capabilities in the Defense and Aerospace market.

Carlos was born and raised in Philadelphia PA, went on to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1996 as Electronic Warfare Specialist and took part in Operation Desert Shield and Storm in 1990/1991. Carlos has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Carlos gives back to the community serving as a Deputy and Sergeant for the Monroe County Indiana Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division and teaching classes as a certified NRA Pistol instructor. Carlos is involved in various charities and organizations including life member of the Association of Old Crows (AOC), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), U.S. Naval Institute, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the Navy League. Carlos is a single father raising three beautiful children Vince, Madison and Elizabeth.

Christina M. Agresti

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Christina (Chris) M. Agresti is Chief Operating Officer of TRISTAR.  Chris previously served as Chief Marketing Officer for TRISTAR with over 26 years of business management and defense industry experience leading small & large companies. TRISTAR is a culture-first company focused on performance and Chris embodies the values we shape at TRISTAR.  Chris is responsible for all aspects of strategic direction including the improvement of operating performance, profitability and business growth. In addition, Chris is responsible for fostering corporate culture dedicated to the professional and personal development of its people and a workforce dedicated to its customer’s mission.

Prior to joining TRISTAR, Chris held leadership positions at NikSoft Systems Corporation as Vice President; BeBranded Corporation as Chief Marketing Officer; Tri Star Engineering Inc as Vice President, Business Development; Noblis Inc as Vice President of Marketing and Sabre Systems Inc in the roles of Vice President of Marketing and Vice President, Business Development.

Chris holds two Bachelor’s Degrees; Liberty University in Marketing and George Mason University in Psychology. Chris earned a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Psychology from Liberty University. Chris holds Executive Leadership Degree from Wharton School of Business and Cornell University, PMP certified. Chris is a Certified Executive Coach (IAC), member of International Association of Coaches, National Speaker’s Association, Association of the United Army (AUSA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Federal Employed Woman’s Association, Women’s Chief Marketing Association and National Press Club.

Melvin F. Reed

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Melvin F. Reed is Chief Financial Officer of TRISTAR.  Melvin has over 25 years’ experience as an accomplished financial professional with deep expertise in government cost accounting, business start-ups, financial analysis and budgets, and facility credits.  Melvin has been with TRISTAR since 2011.  Melvin takes a hands-on approach as an organizational leader bringing a successful history of strengthening financial reporting systems, supporting the implementation of business objectives to drive revenue and profit growth.  Before joining TRISTAR in 2011 Melvin’s professional portfolio ranges from managing companies upwards of $360M and successfully obtained facility credits up to $75M to finance: Change-of-Control/Ownership; Acquisitions/Mergers; Convert from C–Corp to S–Corp; ESOP.  Melvin has an extensive experience maintaining historical profitability; Service Contract Act (SCA) contracts and associated Fringe requirements; significant experience working with DCAA and DCMA to establish Disclosure Statement; and new Indirect Rates for contract awards.

Melvin has a Bachelor of Science Degree, Accounting, from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science, Finance from College Park University of Maryland.

Operations Leadership

Jeffrey C. Stermer

Vice President of Operations

Jeffrey (Jeff) C. Stermer is Vice President of Operations of TRISTAR.  Jeff has more than 20 years of management and defense industry experience leading small defense contracting firms.  Jeff will lead daily operations, set overall strategy and drive process improvement.  Jeff brings 12 years of deep experience working at NSWC Crane managing Surveillance Radar, Maritime Electronic Warfare, Electro-Optic and Distance Support programs.  Jeff led the growth of and supported several successful business development opportunities at NSWC Crane, NIWC Pacific, SEA 21, NSWC PHD Dam Neck, and NSWC Philadelphia and brings TRISTAR a critical resource in understanding the programs and policies in our market areas.

Jeff previously held leadership positions as Vice President of Valkyrie Enterprises Inc. and Director of Operations at Tri Star Engineering Inc.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a double major in Psychology and History, from Hiram College, Ohio

Corporate Leadership

Lindsay Ireland 

Vice President of Contracts

Lindsay A. Ireland is Vice President of Contracts of TRISTAR.  Lindsay has more than 22 years of experience managing commercial and government contracts and subcontracts for both small and large businesses. Lindsay oversees contracts and subcontracts management, serves as TRISTAR’s Empowered Official for ITAR/EAR compliance and ensures compliance with TRISTAR’s DCMA Approved Purchasing System and DCMA Approved Government Property System. Lindsay is a trusted advisor to the organization regarding matters of contract interpretation and execution, implications of contractual issues, legislative and regulatory developments. Lindsay has in depth knowledge and experience with FAR, DFAR, ITAR/EAR, Service Contract Act (SCA), ISO 9001, AS9100, FAA regulations and internal auditing. This background is a cornerstone to continuous improvements and policy development within the contracts department.

Lindsay previously held leadership positions as Director of Contracts at GC&E Systems Group and Contracts Manager at General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., Defense Division.

Lindsay has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications with a minor in Political Science from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. She also has a Master of Science Degree in Acquisition and Contract Management from Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE. Lindsay is a long-standing member of National Contact Management Association (NCMA) and served as the Hampton Roads Chapter Education Chair, Secretary and Liaison with Christopher Newport University’s Student Chapter. Lindsay is also a member for Women in Defense (WID) and Tidewater Association of Service Contractors (TASC).

Stephanie Poindexter

Director of Accounting

Stephanie Poindexter is the Director of Accounting of TRISTAR.  Stephanie has more than 15 years of accounting experience in the commercial and government contracting industries.  Stephanie oversees the finance department, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and contract accounting,  ensures compliance with TRISTAR’s DCMA Approved Accounting System. Stephanie is a trusted advisor to the organization regarding matters of payroll regulations, financial statement preparation and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) compliance. Stephanie has in depth knowledge and experience with GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Service Contract Act (SCA), and internal auditing. This background is a essential to continuous improvements and policy development within the TRISTAR finance department.

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Western Governors University, Millcreek, Utah. She also has a Certification in Accounting for Government Contracts from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

Janice Sanders

Human Resources Director

Janice Sanders is the Human Resource Director of TRISTAR. Janice provides guidance and oversight on all corporate HR operations including benefits, onboarding, training, professional development, and employee relations. Janice has more than 40 years of experience managing the Human Resource and Benefits departments within the government as well as small and large companies. Janice oversees our Human Resource department and serves as TRISTAR’s Representative for OFCCP and ensures compliance. Janice is a trusted specialist in the management of our Benefits with over 30 years of experience in health coverage offerings for our employees. Janice has in depth knowledge and experience with benefits, Service Contract Act (SCA), 401(k) regulations and internal auditing. This background is a cornerstone to continuous improvements and policy development within the Human Resource department.

Janice previously held leadership positions as Human Resource Manager and Benefits Manager at TRISTAR.

Janice holds professional HR certification, the Professional of Human Resources (PHR) certification and the Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification. She also received the Silver Star Award as the top Customer Service Representative for the state of Indiana for insurance agents. She has held an insurance agents license since 1984 in property & casualty and health/life insurance.

Janice is an advocate for veteran hiring and works to promote the transition of military personnel to corporate careers.

Mandy Smith 

Corporate Security Office/FSO

Mandy Smith is Corporate Security Officer/FSO of TRISTAR. Mandy has more than 15 years of combined military and corporate experience and is responsible for the corporate industrial security program and its compliance with NISP requirements. Mandy brings depth of experience in personnel security, operations security, and classified program management within a multi-site organization. Mandy is a results-focused Industrial and DoD Security professional with strength in 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and DoDM application, Security Program Management, and Security Training Development & Implementation and previously supported NSWC Crane. Mandy is proficient in leveraging Personnel Security and Physical Security knowledge to promote program effectiveness.

Mandy is a veteran who honorably served our country in the United States Marine Corps and helps to promote TRISTAR’s veteran hiring initiatives.

Mandy has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis. Mandy is currently working towards her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.