Management Team

CHRIS LAROCCA

Chief Executive Officer 

Chris joined the board of Peak Utility Services Group in June 2022 as its Executive Chairman.  In September of 2022 Chris was selected to lead Peak Utility Services Group as its President & CEO. 

Chris has over 20 years experience successfully leading and managing highly profitable and growth-oriented companies.  Chris also currently serves as President & CEO of Network Connex, a leading provider of digital communications infrastructure services.  Prior to Network Connex, Chris was the President & CEO of Nortek Control, a technology provider of artificial intelligence, access control and security related products.  Other work experience includes holding CEO and executive management positions at Dover Corporation, General Electric, EMCORE Corporation and Luminance Brands. 

Chris will remain focused on working with the Peak USG leadership team to accelerate Peak’s position as a leader in maintenance and installation services within the telecommunications, electric, and natural gas industries.

Troy Vallier

Chief Financial Officer 

Troy Vallier joined Peak Utility Services Group as the Chief Financial Officer in 2021. He brings with him extensive executive experience in accounting, finance, operations, IT and M&A.

Troy is the former CFO of a restoration contractor firm and has held senior level roles at Salis Holdings, Arrow Electronics, Atkinson Construction and Level 3 Communications.

Throughout his career, Troy has focused on helping companies improve their bottom line through successful team engagement, effective communication, strategic planning, and innovative process improvements.

Troy received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Jim Qualteri

Chief Information Officer 

Jim Qualteri joined Peak in 2021 bringing a diverse technology career encompassing both Corporate IT and Private Equity operations.

Jim Qualteri is the former President of Nexus Technologies Inc. and CIO of RK Mechanical. As President of NexusTek, Jim managed the largest privately held MSP in the region until its successful sale in 2017. Jim was also the CIO for RK Mechanical, a large specialty trade contractor, with operations around the Intermountain West.  

Jim graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and prior to his IT career served in the United States Army, Colorado Army National Guard and was a Federal Officer with CIA.

Jim enjoys being active in the Colorado community. He served 8 years on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, two of which he was Board Chair. Jim currently is a Board member for Metropolitan State University of Denver.  

James Carithers

Chief Operating Officer

James Carithers joined Peak Utility Services Group in 2017 from the SiteWise leadership team. Prior to joining SiteWise, he served as a Director at Quanta Power a division of Quanta Services.

James provides executive-level oversight of the corporate functions of environmental health and safety (EH&S), field operational excellence including training and quality, asset management, real estate, supply chain management, marketing and sales and corporate strategic planning. Responsible for developing and executing corporate strategies and long-term corporate goals.

James graduated from San Juan Basin Vo-Tech with an associate degree in Industry Welding. 

Ryan Polk

General Counsel & Interim CHRO

Mr. Polk joined peak in July of 2020, and brings with him over seventeen years of experience in the construction industry, both before and after going to law school. Mr. Polk began his career in construction with a major national homebuilder. After law school, Mr. Polk was a litigator and trial lawyer, who specialized in a broad range of commercial and construction disputes, and transactions. Most recently, he spent the last almost seven years as the General Counsel for a large specialty trade contractor, with operations around the Intermountain West. 

Mr. Polk received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the President’s Leadership Class, and his law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law. He is licensed to practice before all courts in Colorado and Wyoming. 

Steve Trujillo

Environmental Health & Safety Director 

Before joining Peak Utilities, Steve Trujillo has had an exceptional career in the Occupational Health and Safety field spanning over 30 years. He began his journey in Chemical Operations with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and eventually transitioned into Health Physics (Radiation Protection). During his tenure, Steve Co-chaired the Hazardous and Toxic Materials Committee and served on a DOE Special Exposure Cohort Review Board in Washington DC. Steve's leadership abilities enabled him to manage industrial hygiene and safety professionals during nuclear power plant outages. Later, Steve joined Techtron Engineering as a Regional Safety Manager who provided professional health and safety consulting to Xcel Energy's Engineering and Construction department while managing contractor safety professionals on large-scale demolition, new infrastructure, and remediation projects. His increasing roles and responsibilities in health and safety paved the way for his success as VP of Operations and Safety at Techtron Engineering in Denver, Colorado. Steve holds a B.S. degree in Occupational Health and Safety, several professional safety certifications, and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).