PBCo IncPBCo IncKevin initially started working with the PBCo team in 2019 as a strategic consultant. He acquired the company in 2023 from his father, Ross, who had owned and operated PBCo for over two decades. Kevin brings to PBCo over 25 years of experience in strategy, operations, finance and investments.
Prior to acquiring PBCo, Kevin spent six years as a partner in a venture capital firm, where he invested in early-stage technology companies and served on their boards to facilitate their growth. He also was a Managing Director for Stephens Capital Partners LLC and Stephens Inc. for twelve years where he was involved in transactions ranging from startup opportunities to leveraged buyouts. He began his career as a member of General Electric’s Corporate Audit staff, working across a variety of GE’s global businesses to execute financial audits, lead operational reviews, and drive strategic corporate initiatives. After Audit Staff, Kevin joined GE Capital as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, leading and mentoring numerous operational improvement projects as well as co-founding a new insurance business.
Kevin holds a B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. After college, he served as a field artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps. Kevin currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Veterans Bridge Home, a non-profit that connects transitioning military and veteran families to community-based resources.
Dan Baker joined PBCo in 1998 as Vice President, Chartering/ Marine Operations. Dan has a wealth of marine experience gathered during a diverse 18-year career in maritime commerce.
Prior to joining PBCo, Dan spent three years in Nassau Bahamas as Senior Consultant for Jones & Bardelmeirer Co. (JBC), an ocean shipping consulting company with over 500 clients worldwide. At JBC, Dan handled marketing along with the production of business plans and logistic and trade studies. This included bulk handling strategies, ship operations management and maritime corporate governance. During this time, Dan served on 15 foreign ship owning companies’ Boards of Directors.
Dan also served as Director of Fleet Development for ULS of Toronto (a group owning 26 Canadian and foreign flag ships, a dry dock, fuel oil supply and other marine oriented supply companies). At ULS, Dan was responsible for corporate acquisitions of related businesses and assets in addition to development of subsidiary business units.
He also served as Director of Operations, ULS Marbulk Shipping Inc., a Salem, Massachusetts based a specialty ship owner, where he was responsible for the senior management of all its operations.
Dan started his maritime career in the Canadian Coast Guard College before beginning his career as Senior Officer aboard Great Lakes and ocean-going bulk carriers.
Ross joined Paul Blum Co. in early 2001 as its President and a year later purchased the company from Bernie Blum, son of the founder. In 2023, Ross sold PBCo to his son, Kevin, and was named Chairman Emeritus.
Before joining PBCo, Ross was President/CEO of Pine Hill Materials Corp. for 10 years. Under Ross’s leadership from 1992 to 2001, Pine Hill became the largest manufacturer of ready-mixed concrete in Western New York. During Ross’s tenure, Pine Hill sales more than doubled and employment rose to over 200 people. In 2001, the Lafarge Corp acquired Pine Hill.
Ross has an extensive background in leading and growing companies. He served as Senior VP/Principal of a private equity firm that invested more than $200 million across 60 acquisitions, involving companies with total sales in excess of $4 billion.
Ross also served as President and COO of a manufacturer and retailer of above ground swimming pools. During his tenure, the company more than tripled sales and grew from 13 to 29 branch offices with1,300 employees.
He was Vice President and CFO of an American Stock Exchange-listed discount retailing company with stores in New York and Ohio, sales topping $250 million, and more than 4,000 employees. Ross began his career as a CPA at Price Waterhouse where, as a Senior Manager, he supervised a wide variety of audit and consulting engagements for public and private corporations.
Ross’s professional activities include service on a number of Boards of Directors of industry-related associations, including the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, NYS Concrete Producers Council, and American Concrete Pavement Association, NE Chapter.
Peter J. Romano Jr. has a degree in Civil Engineering Technology and has been in the construction materials business since 1983. His vast industry experience crosses all types of construction and manufacturing, with a focus in the materials engineering end of the business. His career spans over the ready-mix concrete, aggregate, building materials businesses in addition to electric utilities, cement manufacturing and the beneficial reuse of industrial byproducts related to materials engineering for manufacturing and construction.
Over the past 30 years, Peter has held positions in Technical Services, Operations and Management serving as Vice President, President and CEO of various companies. He has owned and operated four successful companies throughout his career serving as Managing Partner for most of them. Prior to joining PBCo, Peter was the CEO of United Materials LLC where he grew the company’s revenue more than 30% before being acquired in 2019. The business was vertically integrated into aggregates, construction materials supply and the manufacturing of ready-mix concrete.
Peter continues to be involved in a variety of industry associations, currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Western New York Construction Exchange and the Advisory Board of Bank on Buffalo a division of CNB Bank. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the National Ready-Mix Concrete Association, the American Concrete Institutes Western New York Chapter, and the American Concrete Paving Associations New York Chapter.
Peter is married to Colleen Romano for over 30 years and has three children. He enjoys flying, golf and spending time with family and friends.
Darlene joined PBCo in 1972 as an administrative assistant to the founder of the company, Mr. Paul Blum. Subsequently, Darlene earned her B.S. Degree in Business Administration from SUNY – Buffalo. She has since been involved in numerous areas of PBCo’s operations during her five decades of service.
Darlene’s career with PBCo spans domestic Technical Sales and Logistics involved in the supply of steel-making byproducts to cement plants in the eastern half of the U.S., to the coordination of barge scheduling, inspection, loading, and transport.
When PBCo’s cement imports increased dramatically in the mid 1990’s, Darlene played a key role in handling all phases of operations related to barge transportation on the Mississippi River and its major tributary rivers.
Darlene was promoted to Vice President of Financial Administration in 1999 to focus on inventory management and financial aspects of PBCo. Drawing upon her extensive knowledge and experience of the company’s operations, Darlene moved seamlessly into her position to establish and maintain internal controls and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, project budgets and actual expenditures. She also took on human resources management for the company.
From 1999 until 2017 Darlene remained in her position relating to the financial and accounting functions as well as human resource management for PBCo. Her responsibilities included the preparation of financial statements, budget and cost analyses, cash management and internal financial controls.
In July of 2017 Darlene semi-retired. Darlene’s current responsibilities include preparing of financial statements, budget and cost analyses, as well as providing development and coordination of financial policies, procedures, and plans relating to corporate human resource issues.
Sean Ahern joined PBCo in early 2018 as Manager-Operations. With over a decade and a half of experience in the shipping industry, he oversees the handling of numerous cargoes and operations at sea and ashore. He possesses a strong understanding of barging, landfills, stevedoring, terminals, trucking, warehouse, yard, and vessel operations based on his experiences as both a junior and senior officer aboard vessels, as a cargo superintendent, and in maritime administration. Sean’s knowledge of the industry enables him to quickly assess customers’ needs and develop key relationships with a wide variety of people across the world.
At PBCo, Sean’s expertise focuses on providing logistics planning and coordination, vessel chartering and freight analyses, quality control, customer satisfaction, and business development. Sean also leads PBCo’s digital initiatives to streamline customer inventory tracking, delivery, and invoicing.
Sean graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Transportation. Additionally, he has served as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve and holds a USCG Masters License.
Teresa joined PBCo in 2017 as Bookkeeper/Accountant. Teresa’s current responsibilities include cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, assistance with budget and cost analyses, assistance with human resources, and other administrative tasks.
Prior to joining PBCo, Teresa worked for the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier for over 16 years, working in accounting, payroll, human resources, and technology services. (Computer IT). Teresa has over 28 years of accounting experience working in both the For-Profit and Non-Profit fields and holds a Notary Public License. Teresa Earned her A.A.S. in Accounting also studying Business Law and Business Communications.
Teresa was born & raised in Lockport, NY, currently resides in Grand Island, NY with her husband Mark.