Meet Our Key Leaders
NE-XT’s leadership team and board of directors are responsible for overseeing the successes we produce for customers every day. Meet some of our company’s key leaders below.
Leadership Team
Richard Havighorst, Chief Operating Officer
Richard Havighorst is NE-XT Technologies COO. Since 2022, Richard Havighorst has served as NE-XT’s CFO. A certified public accountant who earned an MS in accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh, he recently worked as vice president of business and financial operations for Otis Elevator Company, where he worked for nearly 35 years.


Gordon Cranston, Executive Director of Operations
A NE-XT employee since he was in high school, Gordon Cranston has climbed the ladder over the past 20 years, from manual and CNC machining to his current role.He is responsible for providing direction and support to a team of three shop floor managers, the logistics department, the job shop department and production control. In the past, he also worked asa job shop manager, a CNC programmer and VP of training and recruitment.
Gordon earned a partial certificate from Springfield Technical Community College, a mechatronics/automation certificate of completion from George Brown University and other certifications relevant to his position.
Jesse McCoomb, VP of Operations
Jesse McCoomb is the VP of Operations for NE-XT Technologies. Jesse brings experience from previous roles at Leggett & Platt Aerospace, Coherent Inc., Turbine Technologies and Pratt & Whitney. Jesse McCoomb holds a 2014 – 2019 Master’s Degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. With a robust skill set that includes Logistics, Operations Management, Lean Six Sigma, Military Aviation, Program Management and more.


Katie Szelewicki, VP of Human Resources
Katie Szelewicki is a human resources professional with more than a decade of experience in the field. In her role, she is responsible for collaborating with management to craft the company’s strategic vision and mission, as well as to develop strategic human resources plans and policies. Before joining NE-XT in 2021, Katie worked at Pratt & Whitney as a senior manager in the human resources department for military engines.
Katie earned a BBA in operations management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2012, where she also earned an MBA in 2015. She also completed an MS in employee and labor relations from the University of Denver in 2018. In addition, Katie has earned a SHRM-CP certificate, which is the global standard certification for human resources professionals.
Don Davis, VP of Quality and Continuous Improvement
In his role as NE-XT’s VP of quality and continuous improvement, Don Davis is responsible for strategic direction, governance and performance of quality and continuous improvement. He has nearly four decades of experience in his field and most recently worked as a VP of quality and continuous improvement at Otis Elevator Company.


Lydia Blanche, Director of Business Development
Joining NE-XT by way of acquisition, Lydia has 15 years of experience in Business Development throughout the US and Europe, in automotive and industrial markets. Leading the Business Development team with a strong background in machining and raw materials, NE-XT is breaking into new markets and developing long-term strategies for organic growth and growth through acquisition.
Board of Directors
We are supervised by a board of directors composed of eight multidisciplinary leaders who are not NE-XT employees. Subcommittees are responsible for auditing, corporate governance and executive compensation.
Alan H. Howard
Board of Directors
Alan H. Howard has had an over 35 year career that has included investment banking, private equity/investing, organizational leadership and corporate governance…
Read MoreAlbert F. Kasper
Board of Directors
Before retiring on December 31, 2023 Al had been the President & Chief Executive Officer of Savage Sports Corp., a leading manufacturer…
Read MoreKenneth Brown
Board of Directors
Kenneth Brown, Senior Managing Director, Operating Partner, Industrials, focuses on creating and driving value-added initiatives with MRC’s …
Read MoreMichael Somma
Managing Director
Michael Somma, Managing Director, focuses on identifying, analyzing, and executing investments across various industries…
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