Leadership
Meet the experienced leaders who make SYTE’s commitment to excellence, safety, and performance a reality on every project.
Mario L. Short
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Mario L. Short has distinguished himself as one of the few minority veterans to build and lead a successful company specializing in heavy civil construction, underground utilities, and make ready work for utilities and clean energy across the nation.
Mr. Short is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and construction industry professional, with more than twenty (20) years of experience. He actively serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SYTE Corporation with responsibilities for overall management and operations.
His input and contributions can be traced across all aspects of the company, including Project Management, Business Development, Human Resources, and Corporate Finance. In his role as CEO, he ensures SYTE’s adherence to all industry safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Under Mr. Short’s leadership, SYTE Corporation has averaged double digit growth in revenue and net income year over year; has earned local, regional, and national recognition, and has established itself as a preferred partner to many government agencies and private sector entities. Moreover, Mr. Short has developed an organizational culture steeped in collaboration, transparency, and performance excellence.
Mr. Short studied electrical engineering at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, and received his executive education at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in Hanover, NH. His public service contributions include serving and supporting veteran-based organizations such as the Dive Heart Military Wounded Program and Leave No Veterans Behind.
Mr. Short is married and the father of four. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, golf, and reading autobiographies.
Our Management Team
Kahmal Patterson
Controller
Mr. Patterson is a Controller with 10 years’ experience managing the finances/project accounting for both residential and commercial construction projects. His project accounting experience includes detailed budgeting, job costing, managing subcontractor compliance (certified payroll reporting & SF1413), monitoring cost to complete reports, processing and submitting monthly AIA documents or required documents for progress billing, entering subcontract agreements into SAGE100 software, process invoices, change orders, purchase orders, lien waivers, and vendor certificate of insurance efficiently. Additionally, Mr. Patterson assists the project management, business development and marketing teams.
Brandon Lucas
General Manager
Dr. Brandon Lucas is a seasoned engineering and administrative leader serving as General Manager of Utilities at SYTE, where he provides strategic oversight and leadership for the Emissions Survey Division. With advanced engineering degrees from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Physics from Norfolk State University, he brings over 20 years of leadership experience within large-scale healthcare and educational organizations.
Dr. Lucas is known for his strengths in project management, strategic planning, team leadership, and clear communication, having successfully overseen complex operations, multimilliondollar budgets, and human resources. Driven by a passion for positive impact and inspiring others, Dr. Lucas combines technical expertise with thoughtful leadership to drive meaningful organizational progress.
Andy Pollard
South East Operations
As Leak Survey Manager, Andy Pollard brings over a decade of hands-on experience in the natural gas industry, specializing in leak detection, compliance, and field operations management. He oversees planning, scheduling, and execution of leak survey programs across above- and below-ground natural gas facilities, ensuring all work meets federal, state, and client-specific safety standards.
Andy has extensive experience leading and training field technicians, evaluating performance, and coordinating reporting for utility and energy clients. His background includes project planning, regulatory documentation, quality control, and close collaboration with client representatives to deliver accurate, timely, and compliant results.
JiaJia Guo
Project Manager
Jiajia Guo is a Project Manager at SYTE Corporation, supporting the delivery of heavy civil and utility infrastructure projects across the Midwest. Her work focuses on managing federally funded and public-sector projects, including sanitary sewer and underground utility infrastructure. Jiajia is closely involved in project execution, coordination with subcontractors and stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and municipal requirements.
In addition to project delivery, Jiajia plays an active role in business development and proposal efforts, supporting pursuits through SAM.gov, PIEE, and other federal procurement platforms. She brings a strong understanding of the full project lifecycle— from pursuit and proposal development to execution and closeout— helping bridge SYTE’s business development strategy with operational delivery. Jiajia is PMP-certified and is committed to building repeatable processes, strengthening compliance, and supporting SYTE’s continued growth in the heavy civil and infrastructure market.
Alex Jackson
Operations
Alex Jackson, PMP is a seasoned operations and business development leader with over a decade of experience driving performance, building high-impact teams, and delivering results across the utility, consulting, and energy sectors. A former leader at Nicor Gas, Alex built a strong foundation in operational excellence, safety performance, and large-scale field execution through progressive leadership roles spanning Customer Experience, Meter Reading, and Field Operations. He brings a proven track record of leading large, diverse teams, managing complex projects, and improving operational efficiency while maintaining a sharp focus on stakeholder engagement, workforce development, and service quality. Earlier in his career, he served as a Recovery Program Supervisor, managing 26 direct reports and supporting clients across telecommunications, financial services, insurance, and satellite industries.
Beyond corporate leadership, Alex is deeply committed to community and industry advancement. He has served as both President and Vice President of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Chicago Chapter and has been an active member of the Illinois Utility Business Development Council (IUBDC) and the Chicago Executive Club. Alex holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a concentration in Supervision and Leadership from Eastern Illinois University, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through PMI, and a graduate of the
Multi-Cultural Leadership Program. Known for his strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, and results-driven approach, Alex brings disciplined execution and forward-thinking solutions to every organization and partnership he supports.
Raquel Montesa
Controller
Raquel Montesa is a senior finance professional with over 20 years of experience as a Controller and CFO. She specializes in financial reporting, internal controls, cash flow management, and process improvement. Raquel partners with leadership teams to build scalable, compliant finance operations and provide clear financial insights that support growth and operational excellence.
Sheila Short
Finance
Sheila Short is a finance and accounting professional with over twenty years of experience in the construction industry and currently serves as Finance Administrator at SYTE Corporation in Chicago. Her expertise spans accounts receivable and payable, payroll administration (including Davis-Bacon wages), contract pay applications, bank reconciliations, and financial reporting for complex construction projects. She has extensive experience using Sage 100 Construction Software, Peachtree Accounting Software, and Deltek ComputerEase Software. She works closely with external accounting firms to support monthly reporting and year-end closing.
Sheila is recognized for her strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage sensitive financial information with discretion and professionalism. She excels at building effective relationships with employees, clients, subcontractors, accountants, attorneys, and government agencies to resolve discrepancies and keep projects on track. Sheila’s education includes Technical Management with a concentration in Accounting at DeVry University and she completed executive training in Building a High-Performing Business at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Sonia Rivas
Analyst
Sonia Rivas is a Program Analyst responsible for conducting comprehensive quality reviews to ensure accuracy, compliance, and consistency across program operations. She communicates findings and recommendations clearly and professionally to drivers. Sonia’s approach is focused on maintaining high standards, supporting operational efficiency, and providing fair, objective feedback to promote continuous improvement.
Sonia is a U.S. Army National Guard veteran with 17 years of service, including one deployment. Her military experience has strengthened her discipline, attention to detail, and leadership skills, which she brings into my professional work every day.
Proven Leadership.
Measurable Outcomes.