About The Team
Gene Langmesser
Chief Operations Officer
Born in Detroit Michigan, (founder of N2A motors) has extensive years of domestic and international professional experience in the Sales, Business Development, Executive Business Operations, and the Product Design Engineering industry. He is an executive and has held these positions in both aerospace and automotive sectors of the world. Gene formed many teams over his career and has executed programs for both domestic and international Markets. He worked his way up through all the key job classifications and has performed these tasks from “art to part” interfacing with the entire executive team, sales and technical. In his career Gene set-up offices, design, engineering, rapid prototyping, mock-up and fabrication facilities. He has conducted international business in Germany, Italy, England, France, Poland and Mexico.
In 2016 Gene and N2A were task to design and build the first ever Hydrogen Hybrid Semi-Truck, by Nikola Motors. They delivered the entire carbon fiber body, all lighting, glass, mirrors, grills, emblems, full interior, dash, gauges, beds, seats, and many other aspects. N2A was also contracted by Nikola to build much of the first ever all-electric UTV 72 kWh EV buggy project that can hit zero to 60 in about 3 seconds.
In addition to leading design and product development teams and prototyping for automobile manufacturers such as Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus, Ford, Hyundai, and others, he has also created or built many movie cars or props. Most notably the futuristic Lexus 2054 driven in “Minority Report”, the transforming taxis in “Taxi”, fighter ships in “Battlestar Galactica”, the Batmobile in “Batman and Robin”, and the Terminators bodies in Terminator 3.
Gene holds credentials from U of M (BSME), Philpot, Batavia, CAD systems – DRAM, ADAMS, CATIA, CGS, Fisher Graphics, and multiple business and management courses. He wrote and passed CAD processes for complying seat belt restraint systems with Government standards (FMVSS 208). Gene also holds multiple patents, co-patents and a letter of recommendation from Porsche Engineering to the German government regarding his expert abilities. He sits on the Board of Directors of 3 companies 2 publicly traded.
Barry Henthorn
Chief Executive Officer
Barry has a long history in founding start-up companies as well as providing business guidance and funding. An inventor and pioneer in the development and marketing of telecommunications technologies, Mr. Henthorn has been advising US corporations in a variety of industries since the early 1990’s. While CEO of Emerald City Cellular he created the Free Cellular phone which changed the market forever. While CEO of Innovative Communications Technologies he was the architect of the VOPT voice protocol which pioneered the elimination of charges for long distance calling, While CEO of ReelTime he developed the ability to stream DVD quality video over the internet making ReelTime the leader in the field worldwide. In 2015, Henthorn was named the “Most Innovative Public Company Leader” to watch in Forbes Magazine. He was also featured as one of 12 Highlighted Entrepreneurs of the Millennium in Washington CEO magazine’s Millennium edition. He has been featured for his contributions in publications such as The New York Times, Washington CEO, The Seattle Times, The Wall Street Journal, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and numerous others. In 2018 Barry was named to the Forbes Technology Council as an advisor and contributing Tech author. Mr. Henthorn sits or has sat on advisory boards for U.S. corporations in industries including aerospace, law, accounting, international trade, espresso machine manufacturing, and travel. Barry continues to contribute to a fresh viewpoint and vision towards the future.
Alberto Hernandez Mendoza
Studio Chief
Alberto Hernandez Mendoza is a highly experienced Studio Chief with a unique background in engineering and design. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he grew up in Mexico City where he obtained his undergraduate education. He later pursued graduate studies overseas. Despite being formally educated as an engineer, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, Alberto chose to pursue a career as an Industrial Designer in the automotive field.
At the beginning of his career, he focused mostly on designing racing cars, but he quickly expanded his expertise to include all types of vehicles and transportation in general. This led him to move to the United States in 1989, where he has worked as both an engineer and a stylist. Throughout his career, Alberto has successfully prototyped a wide range of vehicles with various objectives, including introducing conceptual ideas to the public, creating vehicles specifically for research and development purposes, and creating specialty vehicles for unique and demanding applications.
With over 20 years of experience, Alberto has worked with car manufacturers from all over the world, including Europe and Asia, as well as American companies. He has held several key positions in the industry, including Styling, Design, and Engineering Consultant at Moal Coachbuilders, Studio Chief Engineer at N2A Motors Inc., Chief Designer/Senior Project Manager at So-Cal Speed Shop, and Chief Designer/Engineer and Managing Director at Metalcrafters, Inc.
Alberto’s exceptional work has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2012, he was part of a team that won the “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award,” and in 2015, he was inducted into the “Rod and Custom Hall of Fame” in the Designer/Illustrator category. These accomplishments reflect Alberto’s exceptional talent, dedication, and passion for his craft.
Alex Firth / Captive Spark
Chassis Lead
Alex Firth and his skilled team of designers, craftsmen, and vendors have the skill and capability to handle large-scale, labor-intensive projects and the production of high-quality finished products. Through a meticulous planning process and state-of-the-art design and fabrication, Captive Spark brings our vision to life. Alex offers an extensive range of services as part of our custom fabrication solutions. Services that include metal fabrication, welding, water jet cutting, CNC machining, design and build for the aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors of the world. Using advanced machinery like CNC Press Brake machines, Bystronic Press Brakes, we offer metal forming services that are based on a foundation of precision, performance and end-product quality.
Founded in 2001, Captive Spark is a custom metal fabrication shop and design studio that specializes in taking projects from concept through to finished product with an old world, artisan approach focused on quality, craftsmanship, and durability.
Why use an aluminum chassis? Aluminum is extensively used for automotive chassis and engine applications. Properties like useful strength, low density, high thermal conductivity, excellent machining behavior and good corrosion resistance are the main reasons for using Aluminum. Future Hybrid and Electro automobiles need lightweight designing materials like Aluminum because Batteries are heavy.
Elliot Pollock / Armada Engineering
E-Cite Motors Group – Truck Lead Engineer
Elliot Pollock launched Armada Engineering in 2011 fueled by the desire to overturn old school ideas about how race vehicles are engineered and designed in favor of innovation with leading-edge technology. Today Elliot has brought new life into race vehicle building from concept through high-quality finished product. His team of experienced engineers, fabricators, mechanics and ASME/AWS certified welders make sure that every detail is designed for off road dominance.
E-Cite and Armada’s Innovative engineering is what brings us together; Complete CAD services so that we can implement all ideas and designs into 3D CAD models using Solidworks. After all the CAD/engineering is completed, we move into the prototype phase and beyond.
One of Armada’s specialties is their advanced fabrication skills utilizing todays leading technology. From concept to reality, E-Cite truck projects will only be handled by our industry leading engineers, experienced fabricators, mechanics, and ASME/AWS certified welders. The mark of a superior vehicle are all in the details – which is why we’ve built an extensive network of production facilities and skilled craftsman to expertly bring conceptual ideas to life. From five-axis CNC to water jet cutting, laser cutting, CNC tube cutting (notching), bending and 3D laser scanning, we only work with innovative, leading-edge partners to execute our plans.
Elliot and Armada Engineering known for their offroad vehicle building in the race circuits. “You Theory” was their first client to contract them to build a Trophy Truck. Seasoned, off-road pro driver Jerry Whelchel approved. They built the first purpose built 6100 truck for client Chrisman Racing. Cody Waggoner owns the most cutting edge, one of its kind, Ultra 4 race cars with IFS and IRS, engineered and built by Armada Engineering. The ARMADA ENINGEERING HONEY BADGER CLASS 10 CAR, another example of innovative geometry from Elliot’s engineering team.
John Rook / Lera Glass
E-Cite Motors Group – Composites Lead
John Rook. has been in business for thirty years offering a wide variety of fabrication and manufacturing services to local, national and international clients.
John Rook is recognized for his innovative use of composite materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass and metals of all types, proprietary poly resins for infusion, proprietary VARTM techniques and specialized finishes. John will collaborate with E-Cite Motors Group in designing, developing materials and techniques, and creating production methods to build whatever can be imagined.
Coming from a very creative background, with years of training in the uncompromising world of aviation technology. John Rook brings an inventive, precise and thorough approach to the projects in aerospace, aviation and automotive technology.
As a global leader and dedicated engineering partner who effectively collaborates in designing, developing, and manufacturing innovative complex carbon fiber products beyond industry standards. As experienced leaders in advanced composite manufacturing, we know the industry. We know to the highest standards what works and what doesn’t. Our unique capabilities to interface / co-mold carbon fiber with conventional materials is why we have E-Cite’s value and trust.
Headquartered in San Bruno, CA, Lera Glass is owned and operated by John Rook. The company’s mission is to collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, designers and artists to construct ornamental, architectural, and fully functional elements using various techniques such as casting fiberglass, Carbon fiber, acrylic, wood and metal. Projects range in scope and scale, emphasizing quality and consistency regardless of the solution size.
“With our wide variety of composite manufacturing processes, and years of experience, we have the capacity to support E-Cite Motors Group at any point of its life cycle.” …John Rook
Casey Dmitriev
Acclaimed Auto Co-Owner & E-Cite Motors Artificer
While being raised on Whidbey Island, WA, Casey found an early love for mechanics and Engineering, working with his stepfather restoring and customizing Harley Davidson motorcycles and classic Hotrods in his youth. He later began formal training achieving top honors studying vehicle design, custom painting, vehicle design fabrication, and general automotive repair. He continued his formal education earning certifications in automotive electrical, corporate business ethics, company management, and business ownership.
Caseys’ love for the automobile and flight time in a 2-seater vintage biplane and swept wing aircraft led him to a career restoring vintage military and civilian aircraft for a specialized high end aviation restoration facility outside Olympia Washington. Caseys’ reputation and wide range of skills in the restoration industry earned him the nick name of “Merlin” which blossomed into him working for some of the biggest specialized vehicle restoration and customization companies on the West Coast for over 30 years.
His work in custom and classic vehicles has been showcased in several magazines and car shows throughout the years. His career in restoration and one-off custom design builds gave him the opportunities to work with well-known celebrities and famous athletes on vehicles most technicians only dream of. In 2019 he became one of the founders of Auto Rescue, Repair, and Restoration, Inc. dba “Acclaimed Auto Repair” which was purchased by VaporBrands International, Inc. (now Innovative EV Technologies, Inc.) along with N2A Motors and E-Cite Motors, L.L.C. in 2021 to further the development and manufacturing of E-Cites electric vehicles. With years of experience in the industry and the wisdom of foresight knowing the future in EV’s Casey brings to the table, his inventiveness and eccentric viewpoints that are what most companies lack.
VIN DI BONA
ADVISORY BOARD – Entrepreneur · Visionary · Car Enthusiast
Vin Di Bona is an American television producer of television shows such as MacGyver, Entertainment Tonight, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. He runs an eponymous production company called Vin Di Bona Productions. In 2010, Di Bona launched a second business, FishBowl Worldwide Media, an independent production company developing properties for film, television, digital platforms and brands.
Vin is a pioneer in comedic reality programming and a 50-year entertainment industry veteran, Peabody and three-time Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer Vin Di Bona is the creator and executive producer of America’s Funniest Home Videos. Now in its 33rd year, AFV is the longest-running, primetime entertainment show in the history of ABC. His diverse experience in producing and directing includes television movies, broadcast and cable series, network specials, music award shows, and variety programming. Di Bona is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Emerson College and is on the Board of Directors for Paulist Productions and the Petersen Automobile Museum. Di Bona also serves on the Board of Directors for the Smithsonian Institution.
In 2023 Di Bona seized a new opportunity when he sold a major stake in Vin Di Bona Productions and FishBowl Worldwide Media to an investor group led by Clarion Capital Partners, LLC. With this move, Di Bona remains CEO and President of both companies which operate within Clarion-backed V10 Entertainment which is helmed by CEO John Stevens and President Hans Schiff. This alliance allows Di Bona to continue producing reality programming while working alongside Stevens and Schiff to acquire new IP and production companies across all traditional, digital and emerging outlets.
Vin is a vintage and classic car collector with some of the most unique and rare automobiles in the world. These 100 Point Concours Competition cars range from a Jaguar, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lincoln, and a special 7-8-9 SS, built by N2A motors. For full bio Vin Di Bona
Michael Carter
ADVISORY BOARD – Entrepreneur – Executive Officer
Michael Carter’s career started in the United States Navy, spending six years at the Naval Ocean Systems Center and Operational Fighter Squadron One. After Naval service, he was an Early Warning Radar Systems Design Engineer at Litton Industries for nearly eight years, leaving Litton as an Engineering Manager for a position of Director of Operations for General Signal Telecommunications Group. For the next twenty years, Michael held executive positions of General Manager, President, Chief Operations Officer and CEO in Global Contract Manufacturing Services companies where he developed manufacturing facilities in North, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Where his specialties in operations development includes Aerospace, Automotive, Military and Defense, Semiconductors, and Telecommunications.
Michael’s experience includes product design and manufacturing in Electronics and Software, Metals, Plastics, Rubber, Cable and Wire, Composites, and other Materials. He is a subject matter expert in each of these areas and has been retained by Law Firms as an Expert Witness for opinions in design fitness for use, manufacturing processes and reliability analysis.
For the past ten years Michael is the owner and CEO of IXI Technology, where he has increased the enterprise value from less than $10 Million Dollars to over $100 Million Dollars.
Mr. Carter has worked extensively with Private Equity in Turnarounds and with Company owners to raise capital, improve operational efficiencies and increasing profitability in preparation for liquidity events.
Michael is the Chairman of the IXI Technology Board of Directors and has been on the Board of LightWorks Optics and was elected to the Public Governing Board of Trustees of the Oak Grove School District.
BOB DAVIDS
ADVISORY BOARD – Entrepreneur · Leader · Visionary
Bob Davids is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse range of achievements. At just 17, he entered and graduated from the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, an accomplishment shared by only four students in his class. He has headed six successful companies and is currently building a high-end resort in Indonesia. Davids has a talent for turning around struggling businesses, such as a drug-hangout in Nevada which he transformed into a thriving casino. He also built a toy company in China, Radica, from scratch to become the third most profitable toy maker in the world after Hasbro and Mattel, despite facing a 36% industry turnover.
In just five years, he established Sea Smoke Cellars, America’s best new winery according to Food & Wine, with its Pinot Noir being named one of the Top 100 Wines of the World by Wine Spectator for four consecutive years. He has worked closely with best-selling author Robert Townsend for six years and was asked to write the preface for the commemorative edition of “Up the Organization.” Davids and his companies have been featured in numerous magazines and business books, and he co-wrote the book “Leadership without Ego” with Brian Carney and Isaac Getz.
Charley Bell
ADVISORY BOARD – Branding Guru – Marketing Strategist – Creative Director
Charley Bell is the Founder, President, and Creative Director for 789, Inc., a leading branding, marketing, and design agency in Los Angeles, California. He is also an adjunct professor in branding, concept development, and design.
With over 20 years of experience in comprehensive brand development, marketing campaigns, and high-quality, dynamic communications solutions Charley has developed a unique and successful track record in supporting the needs of government, non-profits, corporate and international businesses. He has worked with notable clients such as Microsoft, Sony Pictures, Next Era Energy, American Tower, SoRCE Technologies, Alliance Growers, Talley Communications, Raytheon Technologies, and UCLA.
Charley has worked on various international projects from economic development and business attraction marketing, brand research, design, and development, transportation innovation and new technology, environmental and health-conscious products, trendsetting social media campaign development, educational marketing communications, traditional and digital advertising, grassroots marketing, outreach, and mobilization initiatives, and cutting-edge digital and video media production.
