Raba Kistner Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Raba Kistner has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, and finance.

Driven by a commitment to client success, Raba Kistner delivers comprehensive engineering consulting services across the full lifecycle of capital investments, specializing in geotechnical, construction materials, geosciences, and environmental sciences.

Leadership Roles at Raba Kistner

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Chris L. Schultz
  • Vice President, Chief Financial Officer - Renan Pierre-Louis
  • Chief Operating Officer - Elliot Townsend
  • Division Infrastructure President & Chief Operating Officer - Russel Lenz
  • Associate Chief Operating Officer - Newel White
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - Gabriel Ornelas
  • Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure - Frank Holzmann
  • President - Rafael Barrera
  • Chris L. Schultz - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Chris L. Schultz, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Raba Kistner, directs the overarching corporate strategy and vision. Schultz guides the firm's expansion into new markets and service areas, ensuring alignment with the company's founding principles of integrity and technical excellence. This leadership role involves fostering innovation across all departments, from geotechnical engineering to environmental sciences, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders and clients. By setting ambitious goals and championing a culture of continuous improvement, Chris L. Schultz drives the company's sustained growth and market leadership. The executive's focus remains on enhancing the firm's reputation for delivering high-quality, risk-mitigating solutions throughout the entire capital investment lifecycle. Schultz oversees the strategic direction for all operational divisions, ensuring cohesive execution of the company's mission.
    Chris L. Schultz

    Renan Pierre-Louis - Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    Renan Pierre-Louis, the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Raba Kistner, directs all financial operations and strategic financial planning for the firm. Pierre-Louis oversees budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring the company's fiscal health and stability. This executive role involves managing investment strategies and optimizing financial performance across all service areas, including geotechnical engineering and construction materials engineering. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, Renan Pierre-Louis supports the sustainable growth and profitability of Raba Kistner. The Vice President, Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include securing necessary funding for capital projects and managing relationships with financial institutions. Pierre-Louis's financial acumen is crucial for navigating market complexities and ensuring the long-term viability of the company's operations.
    Renan Pierre-Louis

    Elliot Townsend - Chief Operating Officer

    Elliot Townsend, the Chief Operating Officer at Raba Kistner, manages the day-to-day operational activities across the organization. Townsend ensures efficient resource allocation and process optimization to support the firm's diverse service offerings, including geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing. This critical role involves overseeing the integration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance service delivery and client satisfaction. By focusing on operational excellence, Elliot Townsend supports the seamless execution of projects from planning through to completion. The Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities extend to managing inter-departmental collaboration, ensuring that all teams work cohesively to meet project deadlines and quality standards. Townsend's leadership drives operational efficiency, directly impacting the firm's ability to address the complete life cycle of client capital investments.

    Russel Lenz - Division Infrastructure President & Chief Operating Officer

    Russel Lenz, the Division Infrastructure President & Chief Operating Officer at Raba Kistner, spearheads the strategic direction and operational execution for the infrastructure division. Lenz oversees all aspects of infrastructure projects, from initial planning and design to construction phase services and program management. This leadership position involves driving growth within the infrastructure sector, ensuring the delivery of specialized services in geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing. By focusing on innovation and client-centric solutions, Russel Lenz enhances Raba Kistner's capabilities in managing complex capital investments. The Division Infrastructure President & Chief Operating Officer's mandate includes fostering strong client relationships and expanding the division's market presence. Lenz's expertise ensures the successful implementation of large-scale infrastructure initiatives, reinforcing the company's commitment to addressing key risk areas for clients.
    Russel Lenz

    Newel White - Associate Chief Operating Officer

    Newel White, the Associate Chief Operating Officer at Raba Kistner, supports the Chief Operating Officer in managing the firm's extensive operational functions. White contributes to optimizing internal processes and resource deployment across various service lines, including geosciences and environmental sciences. This role involves collaborating with department heads to ensure seamless project execution and adherence to quality standards. By focusing on operational efficiency, Newel White aids in the effective management of client capital investments throughout their entire lifecycle. The Associate Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities include facilitating cross-functional teamwork and implementing best practices to enhance service delivery. White's efforts directly contribute to Raba Kistner's ability to provide comprehensive risk management solutions and maintain its reputation for technical excellence.

    Gabriel Ornelas - Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    Gabriel Ornelas, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Raba Kistner, oversees critical operational functions and strategic initiatives. Ornelas plays a key part in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery across the company's core disciplines, including geosciences and environmental sciences. This leadership role involves driving operational improvements and ensuring seamless project execution from inception to completion. By focusing on process optimization and resource management, Gabriel Ornelas supports the firm's commitment to addressing the complete life cycle of client capital investments. The Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities include fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within operational teams. Ornelas's strategic oversight ensures Raba Kistner consistently meets client expectations for quality and timely project completion.
    Gabriel Ornelas

    Frank Holzmann - Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure

    Frank Holzmann, the Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure at Raba Kistner, leads the operational strategy and execution for the firm's infrastructure projects. Holzmann directs all aspects of infrastructure development and management, ensuring the delivery of specialized engineering consulting services. This executive position involves optimizing project workflows and resource allocation to meet the demanding timelines of infrastructure initiatives. By focusing on operational excellence, Frank Holzmann enhances Raba Kistner's capacity to manage complex capital investments within the infrastructure sector. The Chief Operating Officer, Infrastructure's responsibilities include driving innovation in project delivery and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. Holzmann's leadership ensures the successful completion of critical infrastructure projects, reinforcing the company's expertise in addressing key risk areas.
    Frank Holzmann

    Rafael Barrera - President

    Rafael Barrera, the President at Raba Kistner, holds a pivotal leadership position within the organization. Barrera's role involves guiding strategic initiatives and fostering growth across the company's diverse service offerings, which span geotechnical engineering, construction materials engineering, geosciences, and environmental sciences. This executive function is critical for maintaining Raba Kistner's market position and expanding its client base. By championing the firm's core values and commitment to technical excellence, Rafael Barrera ensures that Raba Kistner continues to address the complete life cycle of client capital investments effectively. The President's focus includes cultivating strong relationships with industry partners and stakeholders, driving the company's mission forward. Barrera's leadership contributes significantly to the firm's ongoing success and reputation for delivering comprehensive solutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Raba Kistner Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Raba Kistner?
    Raba Kistner is led by Chris L. Schultz (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Renan Pierre-Louis (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) and Elliot Townsend (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Raba Kistner’s executive team?
    The executive team of Raba Kistner includes leaders such as Chris L. Schultz (President & Chief Executive Officer), Renan Pierre-Louis (Vice President, Chief Financial Officer), Elliot Townsend (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Raba Kistner have?
    Raba Kistner has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Raba Kistner’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Raba Kistner includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Division Infrastructure President & Chief Operating Officer, Associate Chief Operating Officer.