Our Team

Lee Skandalaris

CEO & Managing Partner

Lee is a serial entrepreneur, investor and guiding vision behind Quantum Ventures. He has served an instrumental role in building companies over his career, including as an investor and founder of various Quantum companies. In 2008, Lee joined Quantum Ventures were he founded his first of five Quantum companies. Additionally, he has also acquired and worked alongside founder and management-led businesses to execute their growth plans. His hands-on experience building companies enables him to effectively work alongside company leadership and develop Quantum's growth team to serve the needs of our partners. Lee is passionate about driving business transformation and modernization through technology, software and business process optimization. He enjoys working with teams to develop a bold vision for our businesses and working everyday to achieve them. His M&A experience spans a broad range of industries involving businesses with annual sales ranging from start-ups to over $3.0 billion. His experience includes both domestic and international acquisitions, divestitures, turnarounds, carve-outs and joint ventures. He has led transactions as a private investor and, prior to Quantum, leading deal teams for public companies.

Honored by DBusiness Magazine as one of its 30 in their 30’s, Lee is a member of the Young Presidents Organization where he serves on the Board Of Directors and has held various leadership roles. Lee earned a BA in Economics from Duke University while also winning two ACC Championships as part of the lacrosse team. He is currently part of the Presidents Program at Harvard Business School.

Company Involvement

Ceiling Scenes
Chemsol
Godfrey Group
Mossy Oak Graphics
Precast
Prinstant
Quantum Plastics
Seminole Masonry
Superlift
Tectonics
LBN
Monroe Engineering
Noble International
Nelson-Miller
Xembedded
Stealth LC
Ice Cream For Bears

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Spending time with my wife and kids. Whenever possible, on the water, coaching youth sports, fishing, enjoying Duke and MSU sports.

Motto I Live By

My mindset every day - what we do today becomes our success or failure tomorrow. Live life urgently.

Links

30 in Their Thirties: Lee Skandalaris // 32

Robert Skandalaris

Chairman

Bob's entrepreneurial and investor experience includes successfully executing many middle-market transactions. He has held several senior officer positions including: Founder, Chairman and CEO of a billion dollar publicly traded automotive parts supplier, Chairman and CEO of an international asset management corporation and Senior Vice President of Investments at a New York-based investment bank. Bob began his career as a CPA with Touche Ross & Co. His successes as an entrepreneur and investor lead to the founding of Quantum Ventures in 2002. Bob's extensive experience is a tremendous asset to the leadership of our companies. He has a unique skillset for growing companies, identifying value and mentoring leaders. He's also successfully taken multiple companies through various stages of growth including IPO's, SPACs and capital raises. Bob's philanthropic nature is the guiding vision behind Quantum's many transformation gifts he's made to support entrepreneurship, education, athletics and other important causes. It's this unique combination of experiences that allow him to support our leaders in their efforts to build great companies and seek to start their own philanthropic journeys.

Bob has received honorary doctorate degrees from Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University. He is a trustee at Washington University in St. Louis where he established the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Company Involvement

Chemsol
Precast
Quantum Plastics
Seminole Masonry
LBN
Monroe Engineering
Noble International
Nelson-Miller
Xembedded
myregistry.com
Lewis & Clark Ventures
True Radius Marketing
Shermeta Law Group
Kumanu
Clipix
Sheppard Grain
Connected Living
Wood Pro Inc.
Virtual Nerd
Manitex
CDI Tech
360 Capital Partners
Advantage Insurance

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Football games or on the golf course.

Motto I Live By

Plan your work and work your plan.

Links

• Michigan State Varsity Club
• robertskandalaris.com
• DBusiness Magazine
• Washington University in St. Louis Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• The Evolution of the American Dream: How the Promise of Equal Opportunity Became a Quest for Equal Results
• Ten by Three

Todd Webber

Partner

Todd Webber is a serial entrepreneur, digital media guy, forward thinker, and all-around business development enthusiast. He has been in the interactive marketing and digital space since graduating Michigan State University School of Law in 1997. He has been a part of executive management teams, and a partner and founder in 13 different start-ups since 1999. Todd is passionate about growing teams, creating unique cultures, and making sure all team members feel the individual and collective responsibility of building business. Todd’s driving spirit and enthusiasm guides the team’s corporate development, new state growth and overall business strategy. His entrepreneurial experience is a perfect fit for meeting the ever evolving needs found in various business lines.

Company Involvement

Quantum Digital Marketing
Quantum Plastics
LBN
True Radius Marketing

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

I can be found on the lake, golf course, or chilling with my wife and dogs.

Motto I Live By

Whatever is supposed to happen always does.

Mike Toribio

Partner

Since 2011, Mike has played a pivotal role in various Quantum Ventures investments. Combine his attention to detail with his understanding of technical concepts, and he exhibits a unique ability to take highly complex problems and map each step to solution implementation. His focus and dedication to operational excellence has led to world-class innovations in manufacturing processes, resulting in exponential growth for multiple businesses that span different industries. A former Navy fighter pilot, Mike (or just "MT" as many coworkers affectionately call him) embraces challenging business experiences and develops transformational solutions. Mike exhibits all-around expertise and is fully immersed and hands-on with both strategy and tactics. He's not afraid to fail forward in order to develop ground-breaking technology, automation, manufacturing, and process solutions.

One of the greatest privileges of Mike's life was having the honor to serve our Country alongside many others who answered the same call. He sees more similarities in excelling in the military and in business than differences, and believes taking care of your organization and your people leads to success in both.

Company Involvement

Ceiling Scenes
Chemsol
Mossy Oak Graphics
Prinstant
Superlift
Tectonics
Xembedded

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Spending time with my family is my #1 priority; coaching my kids in sports; finding time to enjoy individual endurance sports on my own.

Motto I Live By

Fulfillment. In every dimension of life; in whatever you think, say or do; in your professional and personal life - strive for maximum fulfillment and give every ounce of everything you've got - leave everything on the field.

Ron Embree

Operating Partner

Ron is a renowned plastics industry veteran. In 2006, Ron founded River Bend Industries in Ft. Smith, Arkansas with the intent to save jobs and keep manufacturing in the United States. He later expanded River Bend into a second manufacturing plant in Iowa. In 2015, River Bend Industries became part of Quantum Plastics Complete and Ron assumed the role of Quantum Plastics President and Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role of Quantum Plastics CEO in 2017. As Quantum Plastics CEO and President, Ron directs all facets of the business including manufacturing, business development, collaboration between molding facilities and financial performance.

His extensive background in operations, production, and business management has resulted in accelerated company growth, to the extent he even completed two different company acquisitions in the same day. Even with his dedication and leadership, Ron still credits his success to those around him and their talents.

Company Involvement

Quantum Plastics
Hospitec
Inceptor

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Golfing, spending time with grandkids, or doing Church work.

Motto I Live By

It's not about me.

Dean Locke

Operating Partner

Dean joined the Quantum Ventures team in 2015 as part of Precast Specialties, adding Seminole Masonry in 2017. He currently acts as President of both Precast Specialties Seminole Masonry, utilizing his Engineering background and business expertise to grow both lines of business and expand further into the construction industry.

Even after years of working in the construction industry, Dean still loves walking on a raw piece of land just before a project starts, viewing it as a blank canvas. He works to teach a new workforce the importance of quality and precision in everything the company does, believing that even the smallest of details are a representation of all of us.

Company Involvement

Precast
Seminole Masonry

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Golfing, Offshore Fishing, Sports Fan

Motto I Live By

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” —Theodore Roosevelt

Jack Aigner

Senior Financial Analyst

Prior to joining Quantum Ventures, Jack attended Bryant University obtaining his MBA in Global Finance, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Concentration in Finance and Minor in Psychology. During that time, he was a face off specialist for the men's lacrosse team for five years and was awarded 2021 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. His involvement with various organizations has allowed him to gain experience in a wide range of industries and business. This has aided in analyzing current portfolio companies to drive improvements, evaluating potential acquisitions/growth opportunities, and building relationships. He assists with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in hopes to improve internal processes related to tracking financial metrics.

Area of Expertise

Finance

Company Involvement

Prinstant
Quantum Digital Group
Quantum Plastics
Tectonics
Stealth LC
Ice Cream For Bears

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Watching sports, spending time with my wife, golfing, fishing, cooking, and reading

Motto I Live By

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Brandon Karr

Financial Analyst

Since joining the team in 2020, Brandon has been instrumental in supporting and managing diverse portfolio companies with his expertise in financial analysis, strategic planning, and driving growth initiatives. Before joining Quantum, Brandon attended Tufts University in Boston, MA, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with Minors in Finance and Music. While at Tufts, Brandon served as the captain of the Varsity Golf Team for two years and received All-New England and All-NESCAC honors.

At Quantum, Brandon uses his vast experience in both operations and finance to craft and execute financial plans for a variety of companies spanning many industries. He believes that metrics and accountability drive success and relies on data-driven insights to highlight efficiencies and spur growth. Brandon is passionate about cultivating meaningful relationships, which are crucial to strengthening collaboration and helping businesses thrive.

Area of Expertise

Finance

Company Involvement

Quantum Digital Marketing
TruRadius Marketing

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

On the golf course, tennis court, or spending time with my family and golden retriever, Blue.

Motto I Live By

The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Nicholas Batschynsky

Analyst

Nicholas earned his Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a degree in Information Science from Michigan State University. He brings a detail-oriented and analytical mindset to the team, with a strong interest in systems optimization and operational efficiency.

His passion for understanding how things work—paired with a curiosity that spans across industries—drives his approach to improving processes, evaluating growth opportunities, and supporting portfolio companies. He thrives on challenges that push him to learn quickly, adapt, and solve complex problems through a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on experimentation.

Area of Expertise

Finance

Company Involvement

Prinstant
Quantum Digital Group
Tectonics

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Spending time with family and friends, hitting the golf course, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring new foods, and diving into emerging tech. I’m constantly picking up new hobbies—whether it’s learning a new skill or building something from the ground up.

Motto I Live By

The day you stop learning is the day you stop improving.

Andrew Skandalaris

An entrepreneur himself, Andrew has the skills and experience not only to start a business, but take it to the next level. In 2012, Andrew began with the company as an internal IT resource. By 2015, he had founded a new IT operation specializing in IT Managed Services, growing that into the Quantum Services Group that exists today. As our resident technology tinkerer, Andrew holds numerous certifications in Cyber Security and Network Security, including 3CX Certified Engineer, Sophos Certified SG & XG Firewall Architect, Fortinet Network Security Associate, to name just a few.

Area of Expertise

Information Technology

Company Involvement

Quantum Service Group

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

With my wife, and two children. When not surrounded by them, I can be found tinkering with technology.

Motto I Live By

If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.

Dan Petersen

Chief Technology Officer

Dan has been contributing his expertise and knowledge in software development to the Quantum Ventures team since 2007. Having worked in start ups his entire career, he is a natural at leading a team in building any technology solution you can think of from the ground up, and then growing it. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone as even-keeled and stoic as Dan in challenging conditions, but it's that calm demeanor that develops the roadmap to business-changing solutions. Your largest technology problem? Dan can architect, implement, and automate the answer.

Area of Expertise

Software Engineering

Company Involvement

Mossy Oak Graphics
Prinstant
Tectonics
LBN
True Radius Marketing

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Usually trying to keep my daughter occupied so she's not watching YouTube videos all day. School events, play dates, whatever it takes.

Motto I Live By

Listen first, speak later.

Eli Nakhleh

Since 2015, Eli has been providing specialized services in Information Technology. With a goal of helping people understand the wonderful world of computers, his expertise includes (but is not limited to) Microsoft, Dell, CRM, Email, Websites, Database, Data Migration, Telecom, Internet, Phone Systems, and more. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, he provides IT leadership across business lines. Eli won the 2020 Business Success Story Award from the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce Silver & Gold Awards, proving that not only does he have the IT expertise, but also the business acumen to grow companies.

A hardcore Detroit and U of M fan, Eli enjoys interacting with and learning from the brightest and best on the QVM team.

Area of Expertise

Information Technology

Company Involvement

Quantum Service Group

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Playing sports with my kids or watching sports on TV. Home projects and tinkering.

Motto I Live By

If you can't do it in practice, you can't do it in the game.

Christian Thompson

Withe over 25 years of fitness industry management experience, Christian thrives on seeing the personal success stories of the individuals he works with. An IDEA National Trainer of the Year Finalist 2010, he's actively led transformational change in the lives of our employees through exercise at the QVM Fitness facility. Running small training groups has been particularly gratifying, as it allows for the development of personal relationships.

An absolute fitness expert, Christian has a BS in Exercise Physiology from Western Michigan University, is a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Power Plate University Certified Instructor, Mad Dogg Athletics Certified Spinning Instructor, and NETA Certified Pilates Instructor. Not to mention, he has personally trained 100+ All-American athletes as well as 2 NHL players. He keeps us all physically fit with challenges like the Holiday "No Gain, No Pay'n", and provides ever-present access to a fitness professional.

There's four places he could spend every minute of every day: the gym, the garden, the kitchen and or (a rock & roll) stage!

Area of Expertise

Health & Wellness

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Singing and playing guitar for Church Mice!

Motto I Live By

The tenets from the book "The Four Agreements"

Links

Church Mice

Linda Liphardt

Controller

Prior to starting at Quantum Ventures, Linda had more than thirty years working in Public accounting. She brings her accounting expertise to QVM, helping many small start-up businesses get set up properly, to multi-million dollar companies with the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements as well as their tax needs. Linda is also experienced in winding down companies at the end of their life cycle. Her industry experience runs the gamut of anything you can think of, including the medical field, service industries, and manufacturers. She is a licensed, enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service for over 20 years, and holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from Walsh College.

Area of Expertise

Finance

Company Involvement

Quantum Digital Marketing
Ice Cream For Bears

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Spending time with family and friends. Exploring farmers markets and outdoor venue in the summer. Doing projects around the house, as I call them, sweat equity. During the winter, doing crafts and fun projects.

Motto I Live By

The only thing constant in business is change. Time is money and money is time, be mindful.

Telesha Gibbs

Executive Assistant

Telesha embodies the philanthropic beliefs of the Quantum team. Having led various community-oriented programs both internally and externally, she understands how to organize, launch, and subsequently manage programs that aim to give back and improve lives. She also plays a key role in managing facilities for our real estate division, plus has experience assisting with customer service and administrative tasks for multiple Quantum brands.

The versatility of her current position allows her to contribute in various ways to the Quantum team. Outside of Quantum, in 2019 & 2020 she was named "Rookie Of The Year" for launching a brand new program for women coping with the after effects of abuse & trauma. In 2022, she became a Certified Life Coach. Her big heart and smile provides the entire office with positivity.

Area of Expertise

Special Projects

Company Involvement

Chemsol
Quantum Service Group

Where You'll Find Me on the Weekend

Spending time with my husband and 2 children, volunteering at a women's shelter or in the community, speaking at events and churches about the FC Heart program, or serving on the Pastoral Leadership Team at my church.

Motto I Live By

The only time it is ok to look down on someone is when you are helping them up