Apex Team
Meet The Apex Team
Steven H Madden
Founder & Chairman
Steven H Madden
Founder & Chairman
Steven Madden is passionate about leading impactful transformation across both business and nonprofit sectors.
Over the past 35+ years, Mr. Madden has started, built, acquired, merged, and sold a wide range of businesses, real estate holdings, and investments across the industrial, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. He currently serves as Chairman of multiple companies, including Dan-Loc Group, WeldFit Corporation, Ashburn Chemical Technologies (D-ASH), Bison ProFab, Barnhart Transportation, Asphalt Transportation, Apex Heritage Properties, Apex Heritage Capital Investments, and Apex Heritage Group. Mr. Madden’s core areas of expertise include manufacturing, engineering, distribution, service operations, and top grading executive teams. More recently, he has expanded into international trade, establishing strategic partnerships in the United Kingdom, the People’s Republic of China, Latin America, Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
Beyond the corporate world, Mr. Madden has long been committed to community and nonprofit service. He has held leadership roles such as chairman, president, long-range planning chair, and education chair for various organizations, including international trade associations, adult education initiatives, recreational clubs, youth sports leagues, and his local church. In 2016, he was elected trustee of Vanderbilt University, where he continues to contribute through his involvement in a variety of committees.
A proud alumnus of Vanderbilt, Mr. Madden earned his Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development in 1991. During his undergraduate years, he also studied abroad at the University of Innsbruck in Austria in 1989. A lifelong learner, he has consistently invested in his own growth by working with personal coaches since 1991, participating in Vistage for nearly two decades, and engaging with the Young Presidents’ Organization (now YPO Gold) since 2008. He is also a member of Tiger 21, CEO Forum, C-Club, Big Sky Bravery, and several other high-impact leadership and peer advisory groups.
Steven Madden believes deeply in the personal growth and development of individuals, organizations, and communities. His ongoing commitment to education, philanthropy, mentorship, personal development, and the pursuit of the greater good is guided by a strong foundation of faith and purpose.
“It’s all about people and culture. Treat others like you want to be treated and be kind”
Todd Riedel
President, Apex Capital Investments
Todd Riedel
President, Apex Capital Investments
Todd Riedel serves as the President of Apex Capital Investments for the Apex Heritage Group. Mr. Riedel has responsibility for the investment activities, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, deal sourcing, financing, capital fundraising, Apex strategic planning, and various philanthropic and community projects. He works closely with each company and other Apex employees to accomplish these functions. Mr. Riedel works closely with Mr. Madden on numerous Apex investments, both prospective and current, to help maximize value for the portfolio.
Mr. Riedel served as the Vice President of Marketing for the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, a $3 billion health system in Houston, Texas, where he helped grow market share (7%) and revenue ($300 million) over a three year period during his 11 year career. Subsequently, he was recruited by MetroNational Corporation, a $1 billion real estate investment, development & management firm located in Houston, Texas, to help grow revenue for their portfolio of companies and served as Vice President of Mexico Operations. Mr. Riedel led a team in building strong relationships and emerging business opportunities for MetroNational Mexico.
Mr. Riedel also served as the Chief Operating Officer of a Houston-based industrial real estate development and general contracting firm where he grew revenue and profitability by 100% within the first 18-months after taking over. His role in leading all aspects of the company helped increase profitability four-fold from previous years.
Mr. Riedel has served on multiple boards, both profit and non-profit based, within the greater Houston area for 20+ years including MetroNational Mexico, Hermosa Ventures, Houston Council for Alcohol and Drugs, Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association, Baseball USA, and Texas Children's Cancer Center. He attended The College of The Ozarks on a baseball scholarship and received a B.S. Business Administration.
Mr. Riedel is married with two children and enjoys his family more than anything else in life. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoys coaching, fitness, golf, fishing, hunting and anything that allows him time with his family.
"Culture eats strategy for breakfast"
- Peter Drucker
Scott Coulter
Chief Financial Officer
Scott Coulter
Chief Financial Officer
Scott Coulter serves as Chief Financial Officer for Apex Heritage Group. Mr. Coulter is responsible for overseeing the financing and accounting functions for Apex Heritage Group’s operating companies, real estate, and investments. Key responsibilities include banking, legal, tax, accounting, financial analysis, risk management, strategy, and transaction advisory among other responsibilities. In addition, Mr. Coulter helps source, analyze, diligence, and execute private and public investments.
Mr. Coulter brings extensive operational and transactional experience to Apex having spent time as an operating CFO proficient in buy-side and sell-side transactions. His experience spans a wide range of industries and businesses, including start-ups, buy-and-build companies and established large-scale industry leaders. This broad range of experience allows Mr. Coulter to add value in a wide variety of areas within the Apex organization.
Before joining Apex Heritage Group in 2022, Mr. Coulter served as CFO for a private equity backed commercial construction subcontractor for nine years. At his previous role, he was instrumental in expanding the business from a local Houston-based operator with ~50 employees to four locations in multiple states and over 400 employees when he left the business to join Apex. Prior to his role as CFO, Mr. Coulter spent three years as a Senior Associate at Platform Partners, a Houston-based private equity firm with ~$1BN in net asset value focused on investing in middle-market private companies across a wide range of industries. During Mr. Coulter’s time at Platform, he was involved in their portfolio company acquisitions, operating company strategy development, financial performance monitoring, and the successful exit of investments. Mr. Coulter began his career at Stephens, a family-owned financial services firm in Little Rock, spending time in the investment banking and equity research departments.
Mr. Coulter received his BSBA in Finance from the University of Arkansas and earned minors in Accounting and Mathematics. Mr. Coulter is married with two young children and enjoys coaching youth sports, traveling with family and friends, golfing, and being outdoors. Mr. Coulter serves on the Board of the Houston Young Life College and is actively involved at Grace Bible Church.
"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.”
- Warren Buffett
Cole Sullivan
Chief Investment & Research Officer
Cole Sullivan
Chief Investment and Research Officer
Cole Sullivan serves as the Chief Investment and Research Officer for Apex Heritage Group and joined in 2020.
Mr. Sullivan is responsible for Apex’s public and private investments, including sponsored funds and other direct investments, and works directly with Mr. Madden and the Apex team. In addition, Mr. Sullivan is responsible for investment due diligence and monitoring, leading and implementing portfolio strategy and monitoring and assessing risk across the portfolio holdings. Along with the investment side, Mr. Sullivan also works closely with Apex portfolio companies and Apex management on strategy as well as forecasting, research, and macro trends.
Mr. Sullivan’s background is primarily in equity research, where he spent over 14 years at Wall Street firms covering the oil services and equipment sector of the energy industry, providing macro and company-specific forecasts and analysis for institutional investors. He started his research analyst career at Oppenheimer & Company and spent five years at Jefferies & Company, two years at ISI Group (now part of Evercore) and most recently over five years at Wells Fargo Securities, where he was a Director and Senior Equity Analyst responsible for the lead coverage of offshore drilling, offshore supply vessel, capital equipment and service companies. Prior to equity research, Mr. Sullivan spent over three years in corporate banking and public finance at Hibernia Bank (now part of Capital One Bank).
Mr. Sullivan received both his BS in Construction Management and his MBA in Finance from Louisiana State University. He is also a CFA Charterholder and held multiple securities licenses (7, 63, 86 and 87) in his prior role.
Mr. Sullivan is married with three children and lives in Houston. He enjoys exercising and focuses his free time with his family as well as outdoors hiking, hunting and fishing.
"Nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort”
- Theodore Roosevelt
Eric Heinle
Chief Operating Officer
Eric Heinle
Chief Operating Officer
Eric Heinle serves as Chief Operating Officer of Apex Heritage Group. Mr. Heinle is focused on operational excellence, business intelligence, streamlining and best practices, due diligence and mentorship.
Eric brings extensive expertise, including senior leadership experience across multiple manufacturing, product and service businesses. His strategic vision and proven track record in driving operational excellence have consistently delivered significant growth and innovation. Mr. Heinle served as the co-President of WeldFit and President of Ashburn Chemical Technologies. Prior to joining Apex, Mr. Heinle service as the Vice President of Fabrication for SNC-Lavalin, a leading global engineering and construction firm. Prior to joining SNC-Lavalin, Mr. Heinle was the Vice President of Production Equipment at Valerus.
Mr. Heinle received his Bachelors of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Todd Sale
Strategy & Business Intelligence
Todd Sale
Strategy & Business Intelligence
Todd Sale serves as Senior Vice President – Special Projects for Apex Heritage Group. In this role, he leads a range of high-impact initiatives across the Apex portfolio, with a focus on business analytics, operational performance, and cross-company strategic execution. Todd works closely with leadership across Apex and its portfolio companies to identify opportunities, solve complex challenges, and accelerate value creation.
Todd brings over three decades of experience in industrial services, operations, and executive leadership. Prior to joining Apex Heritage Group in early 2025, he spent over 16 years at WeldFit, an Apex portfolio company, where he served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. His time at WeldFit was marked by continuous leadership growth, as he progressed from operations into broader strategic roles, helping guide the company through significant phases of development, diversification, and performance improvement.
Earlier in his career, Todd held leadership roles in the industrial services sector, developing deep expertise in engineering, project execution, and commercial development. These experiences laid the foundation for his transition into executive roles and his ability to drive alignment between technical execution and strategic planning.
Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and holds ESG certification from the Energy Workforce & Technology Council.
Todd lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, Keleigh. He is a passionate Texas Longhorn sports fan and enjoys woodworking in his spare time.
"You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."
- Carl Jung
Paul Diorio
President, Dan-Loc Group & Apex Global
Paul Diorio
President, Dan-Loc Group & Apex Global
Paul Diorio has been with Apex Heritage Group for nearly 10 years and has helped build, buy and improve each of the operating companies. Paul is responsible for the global operations of each company, including procurement, capital expenditure, facilities, EHS, IT, and at times quality audits/inspections.
Mr. Diorio’s 35+ year background includes various positions with Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBI), Tyco, and York International. Paul has extensive experience in procurement and operations covering the Americas, Europe and Asia. Mr. Diorio has spent his entire career in process improvement and making companies run more effectively.
After receiving his Electrical Engineering degree from the United States Military Academy, at West Point, Paul was stationed in Germany, where he commanded a supply and service company, comprised of over 300 soldiers and civilians in support of the 3rd Infantry Division. After separation from the military, Paul remained in Europe managing the international manufacturing representative network for an electronic equipment supplier. Paul went on to work for York International where he was instrumental in the startup of a large manufacturing facility in Houston, TX. Subsequently, he was recruited by Anderson-Greenwood Valves (Tyco) to become the business unit manager of the spring valve product line where he oversaw all aspects of the division including personnel hiring, supply chain management and conversion to lean manufacturing. Following his tenure at Tyco, Paul, went on to work for Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) where he was the Director of Procurement for all of the Western Hemisphere.
"Always do more than is required of you."
- Gen. George Patton
Kacey Noland
Chief Administrative Officer
Kacey Noland
Chief Administrative Officer
Kacey Noland serves as Chief Administrative Officer for Apex Heritage Group. With over 30 years of experience at Apex, she has played a key role in the company’s growth and success. In her position, she works closely with leadership and team members across the organization, overseeing daily administrative operations, human resources, and information technology functions. Known for her hands-on leadership, deep knowledge of the business, and unwavering commitment to employees and customers, Kacey is a trusted partner throughout the organization.
Starting her career at Apex, Kacey has grown alongside the company—taking on increasing responsibilities and contributing to many key milestones over the years. Her practical experience and dedication make her an essential part of the Apex leadership team.
Outside of work, Kacey is active in her church community, where she volunteers her time to support others. She also enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Angie Lapp
Vice President, Executive Affairs
Angie Lapp
Vice President, Executive Affairs
Angie Lapp serves as Vice President of Executive Affairs for Apex Heritage Group. She works directly with Steven Madden on a variety of projects and is responsible for the daily running of Apex Heritage Group's home office. Ms. Lapp works in tandem with the Apex Heritage Group team and affiliated companies to maintain business continuity and serve our employees and customers to the highest degree possible.
Prior to Apex Heritage Group, Ms. Lapp served as the Office Manager for Petro Harvester Oil & Gas, LLC, an upstream exploration and production company backed by TPG Capital. She was a founding member of the Houston location and oversaw the initial office buildout. Previous to Petro Harvester, Ms. Lapp served as a Work Force Administrator and Executive Assistant at Goldman Sachs over a 10-year period and worked with the Investment Banking Division and Municipal Finance departments.
Ms. Lapp has also been active in Child Advocates, Inc. for over a decade. She has served as President for Child Advocates Young Professionals for Children, along with various committees, helping plan and provide safe and fun activities for the children served by Child Advocates. Ms. Lapp attended Baylor University and received a B.A. in Philosophy/Pre-Law. She, along with her family, enjoys being active outdoors, traveling and volunteering together.
"Every day choose to be open to new ideas and perspectives, respect others, and work hard."
Tracey Piña
Vice President, Human Resources
Tracey Piña
Vice President, Human Resources
Tracey Piña is an accomplished human resources executive with over 30 years of experience guiding people strategies across a wide range of industries. As Vice President of Human Resources at Apex Heritage Group, she leads HR operations for the organization and its affiliated companies, ensuring alignment between business goals and a people-first culture.
Throughout her career, Tracey has held HR leadership roles in diverse sectors, equipping her with deep insight into the unique challenges companies face in today’s evolving workplace. Her ability to adapt and deliver practical, effective solutions has made her a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leadership teams.
Tracey is known for her collaborative approach, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to employee engagement and organizational growth.
Outside of work, Tracey enjoys spending quality time with her husband, three children, and five grandchildren.
Ken Wollin
Vice President, Apex Global & Products
Ken Wollin
Vice President, Apex Global & Products
Ken Wollin has been with Apex Heritage Group for nearly 29 years. Mr. Wollin’s roles within the Apex group of companies have included senior leadership positions in marketing, product and technology management. These roles have required the management of both creative and technical personnel as well as cross-functional knowledge and expertise in new product development, product compliance, pricing, advertising, public relations, promotions, technical writing, and overseeing the creation of print and digital media.
After graduating from Texas A&M University with a BS in Industrial Distribution, Mr. Wollin began his career in industrial sales, working as a territory manager for Cincinnati Milacron. He managed a sales territory covering the greater Los Angeles area to central California and across to Utah and Colorado. Five years later, he returned to his alma mater and received an MBA.
Mr. Wollin is married with two young daughters and greatly enjoys the time he and his wife spend teaching them and watching them grow. He has enjoyed volunteer positions with his daughters’ school, including six years as a youth soccer coach and several years as the school board president. He is an avid cyclist and has proudly participated in the annual Texas MS150 bike ride for the past 28 years. Mr. Wollin is an outdoorsman and enjoys skiing, fishing, hiking and visiting national parks with his family.
"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."
- John F. Kennedy