meet the team
Board of Advisors
Chris Decker, P.E.
PresidentPresident
Chris Decker, P.E.
Chris Decker, President and Founder of Planate Management Group, is a U.S. Navy Veteran boasting over 35 years of expertise in military and civilian installation management. His career encompasses a rich blend of uniformed service, senior government civilian roles, and leadership in the contractor arena. With a background in the Civil Engineer Corps/SEABEEs, Mr. Decker brings invaluable insights into facilities management and acquisition, honed through his extensive tenure within the US Navy. Notably, Mr. Decker served as the pioneering Public Safety Director for the US Navy, orchestrating a groundbreaking $9 billion program aimed at enhancing counterterrorism efforts in the aftermath of 9/11. His leadership steered critical initiatives, shaping the landscape of global security operations and complex infrastructure environments.
In 2007, Mr. Decker founded Planate Management Group, a dynamic team of technical specialist's adept at navigating complex environments. Under his guidance, Planate has emerged as a powerhouse, delivering innovative solutions in planning, design, construction, and professional services to clients worldwide.
Beyond his corporate endeavors, Mr. Decker is deeply engaged in various philanthropic and leadership roles. He serves as the Vice Chairman of the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), a Founding Board member and Vice President of the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation and holds the position of Director of the US Philippines Society, among other notable affiliations.
Chris is a licensed professional engineer and alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, he holds a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from the University of Florida, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Science from the United States Naval Academy.
Timothy (Tim) J. Tope P.E.
ChairmanChairman
Timothy (Tim) J. Tope P.E.
Timothy (Tim) J. Tope, P.E. brings over 30 years of extensive experience in business development, client management, and operations within the federal sector. Mr. Tope currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Mission and Integrated Management Services, and President of Aviation Services at Versar Global Solutions, Inc. (VGS). In this capacity in leads growth and operations for the five (5) global market sectors: Contingency Programs, Power, Critical Infrastructure Management Services (which encompasses Fuels Facilities, Program/Construction Management, and Integrated Security Solutions), Aviation & Logistics, and Integrated Facilities Services – which support over 100 US Military Installations located in the NORTHCOM, INDOPACOM, EUCOM, SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM Combatant Commands.
Prior to his role at VGS, Mr. Tope held leadership roles in major international organizations like Louis Berger Services, Parsons Infrastructure and Technology, and URS Group, Inc., significantly contributing to their growth and success. Specifically, as the Senior Vice President of Defense & Logistics at Louis Berger Services, Mr. Tope led a global operation exceeding $150 million. His strategic vision and operational excellence resulted in a 300% increase in topline revenue and a 500% rise in EBITDA from 2017 to 2022. Previously, as the Chief Strategy Officer, he was instrumental in expanding the company's capabilities and securing major contracts, boosting the company’s backlog by over 200%.
Throughout his career, Mr. Tope has demonstrated exceptional communication skills and technical leadership, particularly within the Department of Defense community. His professional affiliations include SAME, ISOA, NDIA, and ASCE, among others. Recognized for his strategic planning and business development acumen, he continues to drive innovation and excellence in stability operations, sustaining critical facilities, and infrastructure management projects.
Gary Erickson
Board MemberBoard Member
Gary Erickson
Gary Erickson, a licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa, brings vast experience in strategic vision and business development within the engineering sector. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and advanced management training from Harvard University, Gary excels at turning strategies into successful outcomes. He has held significant roles at organizations such as Planate Management Group, Atkins North America, Black & Veatch, MWH Americas, and the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence.
As a Board Member at Planate Management Group, Gary mentors and advises the Architecture and Engineering Divisions. At Atkins North America, he revitalized an underperforming unit by developing a go-to-market strategy and building a new leadership team. At Black & Veatch, he established a strategic planning process that led to the division's most profitable year, launching new initiatives and expanding market access.
During his tenure at MWH Americas as President of Federal Services, Gary expanded the company's scope to include design-build of facilities and infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and asset management. In earlier roles at the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence and HQ United States Air Force, he oversaw large-scale engineering programs, managed substantial budgets, and led extensive teams. Gary is known for his innovative business practices, effective team building, and strong client relationships.
Marc Knapp
Board MemberBoard Member
Marc Knapp
Marc brings over 5 decades of experience in strategy, finance, financial risk management, and organizational design/development to his role on the Board of Advisors. Among his achievements are:
Marc has degrees from Brown University (BA – History/Economics), the Columbia University Graduate School of Business (MBA – Finance), and the University of Baltimore School of Law (JD). He is a member of the Maryland bar and currently serves as a probate court judge. He has previously taught banking, finance and general business management courses at the New York Institute for Banking, New York University and the University of Maryland, and has served on the boards of a number of for-profit and non-profit enterprises.
Lawrence E. Ruggiero
Board MemberBoard Member
Lawrence E. Ruggiero
Lawrence E. Ruggiero is a highly experienced legal professional specializing in federal procurement law, litigation, and compliance. As Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at SAIC, he provides legal support for corporate departments, oversees major procurement matters, and leads due diligence for acquisitions. His expertise includes contract templates, compliance programs, and government audits.
Previously, Lawrence served as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at SAIC (now Leidos Inc.), managing legal services for an $11 billion contracting business. He successfully handled major litigation, including a False Claims Act appeal and international arbitrations. Lawrence also played a key role in developing high-potential leaders and designing the $4 billion spin-off entity that became the new SAIC.
Lawrence's career includes roles as Senior Legal Counsel at Teleglobe Communications Corporation and Government Contracts Associate at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson. He began as a Contracting Officer in the United States Navy, managing construction and service contracts. Lawrence holds a J.D. from George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Rutgers University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He is a registered Professional Engineer and active in professional and community organizations.
Michael W. Shelton
Board MemberBoard Member
Michael W. Shelton
Mike's expertise is built upon his experience in facilities operations, maintenance, and strategic planning, as well as his diverse management capabilities. Before retiring as Chairman, EMCOR Government Services, he was responsible for overseeing all of the EMCOR Government Services' activities. This included planning, coordinating, and implementing the wide variety of programs and processes required to ensure consistently high-quality building operations and facilities maintenance service at all designated government facilities, while maintaining maximum security, cost effectiveness, and responsiveness. Previously, he was president of Burns and Roe Services Corporation, where he was in charge of all activities associated with the growth and operations of this facility and utilities business.
Prior to that, Mike spent over 34 years in the Navy. His naval career spanned six command tours involving all facets of the Navy's facilities and construction forces in worldwide operational areas. In addition to holding an officer-in-charge-of-construction post, he commanded a Seabee battalion; a regiment and brigade; a Navy Public Works Center; and the Navy's largest Engineering Field Division. He is a veteran of two “in country” tours in Vietnam, supporting the U.S. Marines during the ‘68 Tet Offensive, and the Special Operating Forces. He is most proud of the Presidential Unit Citation his command received.
Mike holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as masters' degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and in management from the University of Arkansas. He is a distinguished graduate of the command staff course at the Naval War College and completed the Stanford Executive Program. He is registered in Pennsylvania as a professional engineer. A winner of the University of Illinois' 2005 Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus Award, he has been elected a Fellow of the Society of American Military Engineers and of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mike has been president of the Professional Housing Management Association and he served on the Contract Services Association's (CSA) executive committee as the Chairman and served as Co-Chairman of the Professional Services Council (PSC) during the merger of CSA and PSC. Mike is currently on the board of The Folded Flag Foundation which provides scholarships to the families of service personnel who were killed in action or training for combat. He recently published West Point Admiral – Leadership Lessons from Four Decades of Military Service.
Mike is married to the former Mary Cornelius of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have three grown children: Michelle, Jessica, and Tom and four grandsons.
Bret Muilenburg
Board MemberBoard Member
Bret Muilenburg
Bret Muilenburg has over 30 years of experience in defense and private industry, specializing in facilities management, engineering, and corporate operations. As Vice President and General Manager of Environmental Solutions at Jacobs Solutions, he led global environmental initiatives. Previously, he directed federal strategy and business planning to drive growth in the Department of Defense and federal agencies.
In the Navy, Bret commanded NAVFAC, managing 21,000 employees and a $14 billion annual business. At NAVFAC Pacific, he oversaw facilities planning, construction, and energy operations from California to India. As Commanding Officer of NAVFAC Hawaii, he led 1,150 employees with a $650 million annual business volume, focusing on comprehensive facilities and environmental services.
Bret holds advanced degrees from Stanford and George Washington University, and a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy. His professional affiliations include the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
