Leadership
The ZAP team is comprised of talented, innovative individuals that have years of experience in the industry. With their talents and education combined, the ZAP leadership team is top tier in engineering and construction services.
Steve Tzap P.E.
Founder/Owner
Steve has over 40 years of industry experience and started ZAP in 2001 when he identified a need for process expertise in the gas processing and related energy industries. Steve received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University and his MBA in Finance from the University of Houston.
Frank Lousberg P.E.
President
Frank joined the ZAP team in 2008. His leadership skills and broad expertise make him an asset to the ZAP leadership team, bringing 20 years of industry experience. Frank received his BS in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Refining at the Colorado School of Mines.
Rick Jacobs PMP
Vice President of Engineering
Rick joined the ZAP team in 2013 and has over 22 years of experience in operations and engineering management. Rick has specific experience with engineering management, project development, project engineering, and operations management. Rick received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Jackson Emnott P.E.
Vice President of Engineering
Jackson joined the ZAP team in 2011 and has over 15 years of experience in structural engineering, structural design, and construction in Heavy Industry and Oil & Gas. Jackson received his BS in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Jay Allin
Vice President of EPC
Jay brings 30 years of Midstream Oil & Gas experience to ZAP. He has extensive experience in engineering and project management of gas plants, compressor stations, and pipelines. Prior to joining ZAP, Jay spent 12 years executing projects for an operating company with both Upstream and Midstream assets, allowing him to bring an operator point of view to our projects. Jay received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
Chris Combs
Vice President of Gulf Coast Engineering
Chris joins ZAP after establishing himself as a trusted engineering service provider within the Midstream Oil & Gas industry. Chris has significant experience with the transportation, metering, and storage of NGL, LPG, LNG and other liquid petroleum products. From his time as a Project Manager, leading engineering and Engineer-Procure-Construct projects, to leading a multi-disciplined engineering team, Chris has the background, experience, and leadership skills to lead our Gulf Coast engineering team, which is based in Houston Texas.
Jeff Kutz
Vice President of East Coast Engineering
Jeff has over 17 years of engineering experience in all facets of heavy industrial equipment design and project execution. Jeff has significant experience in cement and mineral processing plant design and plant operations with over 10 years of experience in consulting engineering in direct support of these industries. Jeff has led global engineering project teams, EPC projects and directly managed engineering staff which provides for a strong background to lead our East Coast Engineering team. Jeff received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University.
Shane Wilson
Vice President of Business Development
Shane joined the ZAP team in 2017 and has 18 years of engineering and management experience, leading projects, teams, departments, and facilities. Shane received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama.
Sara Esch aPHR
Vice President of Operations
Sara joined the ZAP team in 2012 and has experience completing project controls and management duties for both engineering and construction projects. Sara has worked as construction and engineering support on oil and gas, power generation, commercial, and residential projects. Sara is responsible for Hr, Payroll, Accounting, and Project Controls at ZAP. Sara received her BS in Construction Management from Texas A&M University.
Josh Lucero
Vice President of Design
Josh joined the ZAP team in 2011 and has over 17 years of experience in piping, equipment, material handling, and civil/structural design. Josh received his degree of Applied Science of Mechanical Design from Westwood College of Technology.
Eric Walker P.E.
Mechanical Engineering Director
Eric joined the ZAP team in 2012. Eric has experience as a mechanical and project engineer in upstream and midstream projects, facility design, and project execution. Eric holds BS degrees from the University of Wyoming in Energy Systems Engineering, Marketing, and Business Administration.
Paul Chihoski P.E.
Electrical Engineering Director
Paul has over 26 years of experience in Electrical engineering and Engineering Management for Heavy Industrial and Midstream Oil and Gas. Paul has a particular expertise in the design and controls for Conveyors, Mining and Port Handling Equipment. Paul received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University.
Keivan Pirasteh
Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Director
Keivan joined the ZAP team in 2017 and has over 17 years of experience in Controls & Automation engineering and Engineering Management serving a variety of clients in Oil and Gas and Heavy Industry. Keivan studied Mechanical Engineering at University of Maryland at College Park and holds a BS degree from Colorado State University in Industrial Technology Management.
Eric Henderson P.E. S.E.
Structural Engineering Director
Eric has over 17 years of engineering and management experience in the heavy industrial, oil and gas, renewables, and utility sectors. Eric received his BS in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and has executed projects worldwide as part of engineering and construction management teams.
Sean Respeto P.E.
Director of Engineering – Gulf Coast
Sean joined the ZAP team in 2022 and has over 15 years of experience in positions with increasing responsibility as Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager in the Midstream Oil & Gas Industry, and is currently serving as the Director of Engineering for Gulf Coast. Sean received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Peter Paone P.E.
Director of Engineering – East Coast
Pete has established himself as an expert in process design and emissions controls in cement and a number of related heavy industries, with experience in lime, lithium, lightweight aggregate, and other minerals processing plants. With more than 2 decades of experience leading multi-discipline engineering teams to solve complex plant problems, Pete is well positioned as the Director of Engineering for our East Coast team located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Scott Fischer
Director of Projects
Scott joined the ZAP team in 2019 and has over 16 years of project management and construction engineering experience, including 8 years in the midstream oil & gas sector. Scott received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
