Our Team

Dr. Ali Ebadian is the Founder and CEO of Phiston Technologies, where he spearheads a remarkable career centered around data security, destruction, and research and development.

Since 2009, Dr. Ebadian has steered Phiston's strategic direction, operational excellence, financial growth, and overall sustainability, solidifying the company as the global leader in scientific research, development, and engineering design for cutting-edge technologies that effectively destroy end-of-life data storage media. With a portfolio of 14 patents/trademarks and two pending awards, Phiston Technologies stands as a testament to Dr. Ebadian's relentless pursuit of innovation.

With over four decades of experience collaborating with industry, government, and academia, Dr. Ebadian has cultivated an impressive reputation as a researcher, administrator, and manager. His visionary leadership led to the establishment of the Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology (HCET) in 1995 and the Center for Energy and Technology of the Americas (CETA) in 2001, both in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Dr. Ebadian's contributions also extended to his role as a Consultant and Special Advisor to the CEO, where he played a pivotal role in diversifying the research portfolio across federal agencies.

In addition to his vast practical experience, Dr. Ebadian holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, complemented by a minor in Engineering Management/Nuclear Engineering. His academic achievements are further bolstered by a multitude of accomplishments. Notably, he has published extensively, with 107 journal publications and 173 meeting and proceedings papers to his credit, while also contributing chapters to two reference texts.

Dr. Ebadian's expertise and influence extend beyond his research, as he has actively participated in 14 professional societies and served on various governmental committees, including the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee. Moreover, he has lent his insights as a member of panels and advisory boards with esteemed institutions such as the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), DOE, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Ebadias has been married to his wife Susan for over 40 years and has two children and four beautiful grandchildren.

Maj. Gen. Eugene A. Lupia served as the Air Force Civil Engineer in Washington, D.C., where he oversaw the organization, training, and equipping of a 65,000-person civil engineering force. He was responsible for the development and maintenance of Air Force bases globally, as well as housing, fire protection, and disaster preparedness. He supervised the Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency in Florida and the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence in Texas.

Having entered the Air Force in 1967, Gen. Lupia held several significant positions, including advising the Vietnamese Base Civil Engineer in South Vietnam, serving as Base Civil Engineer at McConnell Air Force Base, and taking on various roles in planning and programming in Europe and the U.S. He was a mobilization fellow studying nuclear blast protection and held roles in the Strategic Air Command, including serving aboard the "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post. He assumed his position as the Air Force Civil Engineer in 1995 and retired effective Sept 1, 1999.

As President of Government Facilities & Infrastructure (GF&I), Mr. Lupia led the development and risk management for CH2M HILL's government projects. He ensured mission success by delivering sustainable and safe facilities and infrastructure solutions.

In his role as President of Enterprise Delivery Excellence (EDE), he oversaw operational and project delivery support services, including the Center for Project Excellence which developed policies, systems, and procedures for consulting, design, construction, and project delivery. He also handled Program Management, Health, Safety, Security & Environment, Enterprise Technology, and served as Director of Enterprise Risk Management.

Before EDE, Mr. Lupia served as President of the Environmental Services Business Group, growing the business from $285 million in 2000 to $565 million in 2010. This role had a global reach, providing services including planning, consulting, engineering, construction, and facility operations across various market segments.

Raul Travieso is an accomplished technology professional and currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Phiston. With extensive experience in mechanical design engineering, Raul has contributed significantly to Phiston's growth and success. He began his design engineering career after earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Florida International University. As a design engineer in the medical industry for many years, he developed cutting-edge devices and honed his technical skills.

Raul's unwavering dedication to innovation and talent for simplifying complex ideas into actionable solutions propelled him to ascend to greater responsibilities. Throughout his career, he has made remarkable contributions as both a team member and a technical leader on a wide range of projects. These endeavors have spanned various fields, encompassing pacemakers, surgical devices, as well as immunology and hematology systems. Raul's expertise has been employed by renowned Fortune 500 enterprises, including Baxter Diagnostics, Johnson &
Johnson, and Beckman Coulter/Danaher, where he has excelled in research and development as well as manufacturing roles.

For the past decade, Raul has served as the CTO at Phiston, spearheading the company's technological strategy and driving product development. His strategic vision has revolutionized the field of data security, leading to remarkable growth for Phiston. In addition to his role as CTO, Raul is deeply passionate about mentoring young talent and fostering a culture of innovation within the organization. He believes in empowering individuals to reach their full potential and encourages a creative and inclusive work environment.

Shahrouz Ebadian is a visionary digital leader with a proven track record in driving technological advancements and strategic innovation. Shahrouz has a wealth of experience in overseeing System Infrastructure Solutions, Strategic Applications Direction, People Management, and Software Development/DevOps. He is dedicated to pushing boundaries and optimizing processes within organizations.

Shahrouz holds a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida and an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Central Florida. With over 15 years of experience in enterprise application development and leading complex projects, Shahrouz brings a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies and their practical applications.

As the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Shahrouz spearheads the transformation of in-house systems and infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration of state-of-the-art software into our newest products. With an unwavering focus on driving business growth and operationalefficiency, Shahrouz also leads the marketing and sales teams, playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic vision of Phiston.

Shahrouz Ebadian currently resides in South Florida, where he shares a home with his girlfriend and Italian greyhound rescue Harlee. When he's not immersed in the world of technology, Shahrouz is probably in his backyard watching sports and barbequing.

Meet Ty Rivers, a dynamic and results-driven operations executive with a global outlook in manufacturing and supply-chain management. With a strong focus on operational excellence and a knack for business partnership, Ty is at the forefront of leadership, paving the way towards success. Known for being friendly, hands-on, and high-performing, Ty's passion lies in driving business growth through financial discipline, creativity, and collaborative teamwork.

Ty has successfully steered a 20+ year career track leading to his current role as Director of Operations at Phiston Technologies Inc. Ty has led operationally the start-up of several Brownfield companies by transforming them during the post-acquisition process into operational excellence organizations within the medical device industry (IVD, Orthopedics and Urology, Cardio-Vascular, Neurology, Peripheral Guidewires).

Ty is now commanding the operational transformation of manufacturing, procurement, warehousing, facilities, and vendor management.

Ty holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and an Executive MBA, both from the University of Miami.

Hernando Avellaneda Vega is a dedicated chemical engineer, holds a degree from the National University of Bogota, Colombia. His professional journey is marked by significant contributions in manufacturing, supply chain, and inventory control management, where his strategic insights and innovative approaches have driven success. Hernando is a fervent advocate for teamwork, believing that collective effort is key to achieving a seamless balance between ambitious goals and tangible results.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Hernando is deeply connected to the natural world. He finds solace and inspiration in camping, an activity that allows him to explore breathtaking landscapes and forge lasting memories with his family and friends.

Doug is an experienced Production Manager/Quality Control Manager at Phiston Technologies, with a lengthy background in design engineering and quality control. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he spent 8 years serving his country before getting Honorably Discharged.

Doug has worked on a variety of projects throughout his career, from designing Aircraft Carriers for the Navy to working in the medical field at Surgical Laser Technologies.

In addition, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of racing at Daytona International Speedway as a professional driving instructor and racecar driver in the ARCA Series. After several successful years designing various civil and military projects at Rocky Research, Doug relocated to sunny and humid South Florida to join the Phiston family in 2017. His extensive knowledge and experience make him an integral part of the Phiston team, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Kevin Radican has been with Phiston since 2022 and brings over 20 years of experience as a security operations manager. Kevin’s focus is on providing the highest level of security in support of all Phiston global operations, including mobile destruction services, onsite destruction support, and secure transfer services.

Before joining the Phiston team, Kevin served as a Program Liaison Officer contracted to the Department of Homeland Security - Flight Operations Unit and an AWS Data Center Decom Security Manager.

His primary area of expertise is the protection of customer data & IP during the media handling lifecycle as well as the secured transfer of un-sanitized assets. Kevin is entirely customer obsessed and gives clients peace of mind by providing the highest level of security support in the following areas:

• Mobile Destruction – Temporary Red Zones
• Certificates of Destruction – Secured Scanner & Photo Verification
• In-House Destruction – SOPs & Best Practices
• Missing Drives Investigations – Media Anomalies
• Secured Transfer - Customized Security Planning and Support
• Risk Assessments and Mitigations

Kevin received a BS in Criminal Justice from Radford University. When he is not obsessing over his customers, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and working on his property in the mountains with his two dogs.

Having worked with some of the biggest names of our time, like Coca-Cola, Amazon Web Services and Meta, Joel Chakkalakal has had his fair share of incredible life experiences.

Specifically in the world of media handling, Joel was the first global decommissioning manager for AWS in 2015, standardizing the way techs across the globe decommissioned racks, handled media and disposed of the asset. At a rate of 10,000 racks per week, there are maybe 4-5 people across the globe that have the rack intimacy like Joel.

Joel is a lean six sigma master black belt, so it is fair to say he knows how to mitigate and remove risk from any situation. For him it always starts with the process, a complete understanding of the cradle to grave process is key to help his clients understand their risks.

Joel’s formal education is Master’s in Supply Chain management from the University of Houston, and B.A. in Marketing from the University of Texas. Joel serves on number of boards including USAID helping the government organization provide essential humanitarian aid to their patients and underserved regions of the world.

When you put those together, you get an industry expert passionate about helping companies streamline their risk-elimination protocols.

But his real achievement comes from being a loving father to his beautiful children and a dedicated respectful spouse to his partner in life, Alina.

Debra Nadelman is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with over 30 years of experience. Her strategic management skills have been instrumental in driving substantial growth in various leading companies. Debra's analytical prowess enables her to provide clear direction in complex financial procedures, fostering team unity and collaboration.

Hailing from South Florida, Debra is an alumna of Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina, and holds a managerial accounting certificate from Florida Atlantic University. Outside the professional sphere, she finds joy in music and cherishes spending time with friends and family.

Karman Eckelbarger is an experienced Senior Sales Manager at Phiston Technologies where she drives revenue growth and revolutionizes data security. Spearheading strategic sales initiatives, she cultivates client relationships and partners with a high-performing team.

Karman has a wealth of experience in overseeing Sales Operations and Marketing Management. She leverages her B2B sales expertise, understanding of data security, and strong leadership skills to exceed targets, contributing to continuous growth. As a results-oriented professional with a passion for innovation, she is excited to be shaping the future of data security.

Holding a BA in English from the University of Central Florida, Karman champions cutting-edge growth and innovation in her role. When she’s not engaging in her professional life, you can find Karman walking her beloved Maltese Pierre in sunny Miami.

Juan Profet is a dedicated member of the Phiston Technologies team, having served the company for over a decade. As one of the more tenured members of the group, having started in 2011, he has contributed significantly to the company's success and growth.

Juan holds several key responsibilities within Operations Support, including overseeing accounting practices, shipping operations, and managing warranty and service departments.

Juan holds a BA in Finance from Florida International University, complemented by 15 years of invaluable experience in Wholesale and Manufacturing accounting. His educational background and extensive experience have sharpened his skills and expertise, making him an asset to the Phiston team. Before joining Phiston, Juan held the position of Accounting Manager at a notable HVAC wholesaler, further enhancing his expertise.

Jean Carlos Gamboa is a highly experienced Service Manager at Phiston Technologies, having worked in various aspects of production and team development throughout his tenure with the company. With his extensive knowledge of the business and technical know-how, he is the perfect candidate for his current role.

As head of the Service Department, Jean Carlos focuses on maintaining strong customer relationships by developing problem management and service improvement plans. He ensures that all customers have the support they need by expanding and training local teams around the world. He interacts extensively with the business team, understands the SLAs, and supervises the service support teams to maintain a viable service infrastructure.

Jean Carlos' technical expertise and strong management skills are complemented by his outgoing and approachable personality, making him easy to talk to and work with. His focus on customer satisfaction and team development make him an invaluable member of the Phiston team.

Alex Fernandez is a dedicated professional in the field of Electronics and Industrial automation. In May 2018, Alex joined the esteemed ranks of Phiston Technologies, bringing with him a wealth of expertise. His journey commenced after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Electronics Engineering from ITT Technical Institute.

Before joining Phiston Technologies, Alex played a crucial role in installing Data Acquisition Systems on large scale drill rigs and cranes for Keller North America. Prior to that, he served as an Electro-Mechanical Technician for the Baggage Handling System at Miami International Airport. In this role, Alex excelled in troubleshooting, repairing, and conducting preventive maintenance on PLC-controlled conveyor systems.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Alex finds joy in various hands-on activities. He indulges in welding, machining, and CNC milling within his very own in-home machine shop during his spare time. This passion for craftsmanship further complements his technical skill set.

With a diverse background and a genuine enthusiasm for his work, Alex Fernandez brings a unique blend of experience and dedication to his role at Phiston Technologies.

Ghassan holds a B.E in mechanical engineering and a minor in applied mathematics from the American University of Beirut (AUB). During his undergraduate degree, he was one of the founders of the AUB robotics club and delivered several mechanical workshops and MATLAB tutorials. He was listed on the dean’s honor list in both mathematics and mechanical engineering departments and graduated with the dean’s creative achievement award at the Electrical and Computer Engineering department for delivering an autonomous high-rise cleaning robot which was later deployed at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) in Doha and in Santiago Chile’s Egana2 building complex. In his free time, he enjoys playing his guitar, bass, or bongos in his free time. Otherwise, he can be found at the beach enjoying the warm Florida breeze.

Ghassan’s engineering career started as a researcher at the University of Twente’s Surgical Robotics Lab (SRL) in the Netherlands where he delivered a guidance and navigation system to track and guide self-propelled microjets for drug delivery. He also worked as the lead mechatronics engineer during the development of an in-situ capacitive tomography sensor for real time oil spill tracking for the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and was later awarded a patent. He later did research at the vision and robotics lab at AUB and was responsible for the POMDP path planning and Lyapunov tracking algorithms.

Ghassan Joined Phiston Technologies in 2022 as a Systems Design Engineer where he is contributing to the modernization of existing products and the developments of new technologies in the Data handling and destruction industry. His days are never without excitement here at Phiston, with the range of disciplines involved and the vast opportunities that have yet to be explored he plans on pushing the limits in every direction.

As an expert in creating prototypes and proof of concepts for design for manufacturing, Alejandro Paya brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work. He is a certified SolidWorks Expert, with the ability to produce models and drawings per ASME Y14.5 standard.

Alejandro earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University, where he honed his skills and expertise in the field. With an eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Mr. Paya ensures that every project he works on meets the highest standards of quality and precision. His expertise and dedication make him an invaluable member of any team.

Maurizio Berroni is a dynamic and innovative IT graduate, with an expansive knowledge base covering both hardware and software aspects of the industry. At Phiston Technologies he has brought a fresh perspective and new insights to the team. Maurizio's natural skills in solving problems make difficult tech issues seem easy to handle, making him a vital part of any IT team.

Away from his professional sphere, Maurizio has a deep-seated passion for video gaming and soccer, reflecting his competitive spirit and strategic thinking. He also harbors a keen interest in artificial intelligence, constantly seeking to learn and stay ahead of emerging trends in this captivating field. Maurizio's combination of technical expertise and curiosity makes him a vibrant force in the evolving landscape of information technology.

Vanessa, a highly skilled and experienced professional, joined Phiston Technologies in February 2023 as the Office Manager. With a robust background in management spanning eight years, Vanessa is adept at coordinating a wide range of essential services and resources that drive the organization's operational efficiency. As the go-to person within the company, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Prior to her tenure at Phiston, Vanessa made significant contributions to the recruiting industry and retail sector. Over the course of 15+ years in customer service, she has honed her ability to help individuals surpass their goals. Her unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations is a testament to her dedication and passion for delivering exceptional results.

Vanessa is not only a consummate professional but also a devoted family-oriented individual. Hailing from the beautiful state of Florida, she nurtures big dreams of exploring new horizons through travel. Her innate curiosity and desire for personal growth drive her aspirations beyond the confines of her native land.

With Vanessa's invaluable expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, Phiston Technologies benefits from her dynamic contributions as she helps foster a productive and harmonious work environment.

Chema Costa has been part of the Phiston team for two years as a mechanical technician. He works tirelessly on all Phiston products to ensure they meet the highest quality standards before leaving the facility. Chema enjoys collaborating closely with the engineering department to drive innovation and push for better outcomes.

In addition to his production duties, Chema also manages shipping and receiving to ensure timely delivery of machines and consumables. He occasionally assists with QA/QC and is responsible for organizing parts and inventory. Chema's expertise includes working on CNC machines, and he is currently completing an in-house apprenticeship. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer science and electricals from FIU.

Jose Colon has been an assembly technician at Phiston Technologies for over 10 years, having previously worked in the medical field for many years at Beckman Coulter Life Sciences. He is recognized for his dedication and hard work both on and off the job. In his free time, Jose enjoys singing.

Holly Walker is a professional electrical mechanical assembler with over 7 years of expertise in the aerospace industry. Having worked on cutting-edge projects for leading aerospace companies, she brings a meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and technical proficiency to her current role as a data destroyer assembler.

During her time away from work, Holly relishes spending time with her two young sons, Jack and Glenn, who are 10 months and 3 years old respectively.

Matthew is an Electrical/Mechanical Technician at Phiston, He is a proud Marine Corps Veteran. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with over 10 years of experience in his field. On his time off, he enjoys riding the Harley with his wife.

Anthony Lyn is a veteran Biomedical Technician who has been honing his expertise in healthcare technology and medical device operations for over 13 years. His profound expertise, coupled with his knack for problem-solving, has positioned him as an invaluable asset within the industry. At Phiston Technologies, Anthony's meticulous attention to detail have earned him an esteemed reputation for reliability and excellence.

Beyond his technical acumen, Anthony is a fervent sports enthusiast and movie aficionado. These interests echo his appreciation for teamwork, strategic thinking, and compelling narratives, extending his professional attributes into his personal life. Anthony's combined passion for his work and leisure pursuits embodies a well-rounded individual who brings a unique blend of technical prowess and humanistic approach to his role as an Assembly Technician.