John Rush, Jr.
Founder & CEO

John Rush Jr. is a visionary entrepreneur passionate about helping others elevate beyond their goals and aspirations. He is respected for being a strategic leader, tenacious, and innovative. John Jr.’s ability to build relationships and empower teams that deliver valuable results has established Rush Resources as a high-quality services provider in the industrial marketplace.

John Jr. has 20 years of experience in industrial services with a technical focus on instrumentation & controls. John’s entrepreneurial drive, combined with his industrial experience, fueled a vision. His vision was simple, in theory; it created a rewarding environment for people who contribute and deliver high-quality services to clients. Materializing the vision was more challenging than imaginable, but the profound results are rewarding.

John Jr. genuinely enjoys creating opportunities for others, so a lot of his free time is dedicated to researching innovative ideas and introducing others to collaborate creatively. Additionally, he enjoys traveling, experiencing different cultures, spending quality time with friends and family, and sharing wine over meaningful conversations.

John Rush, Sr.
President

John Rush Sr. (JSR) is the soul and foundational element of Rush Resources. JSR has been a leading figure in the industrial construction sector for over 50 years. He is well-known for his vast experience and technical capabilities. Still, those who are blessed to work with him will tell you that his ability to inspire progress and positively influence others is his strongest attribute.

JSR has extensive experience in construction management, project oversight, coordination, inspection, design, supervision, testing, quality assurance, and technical writing in the electrical and instrumentation fields. Additionally, he has been responsible for startups in the nuclear and fossil fuel power plant, oil and gas, chemical, refining, and paper industries.

JSR dropped out of Lamar University in his senior year to begin his apprenticeship as a Journeyman Wireman through the IBEW Local Union. Following the footsteps of his prior generations, JSR excelled as a craftsman, and his career progressed rapidly. JSR is a fifty-year member of IBEW Local Union 479 in Beaumont, Texas. Respect and integrity are most important in his eyes. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and working on the farm.

Joe Sgarlata
Executive Vice President

Joe Sgarlata is a seasoned Executive Vice President with over 35 years of leadership experience in the oil and gas industry. Known for his ability to drive operational excellence, deliver high-quality services, and lead with a servant mindset, Joe has successfully built and scaled companies from the ground up, leading them through complex challenges and ensuring sustainable growth.

Throughout his career, Joe has executed large-scale projects fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. A relationship-driven leader, Joe is committed to fostering long-term partnerships and securing repeat business through trust, exceptional performance, and unwavering integrity.

Beyond the boardroom, Joe is a devoted family man who married his high school sweetheart and takes immense pride in his three children and growing number of grandchildren. His unwavering faith and dedication to his loved ones guide his leadership, reinforcing his belief that professional achievements do not just measure true success, but by the positive impact made in the lives of others.

Justin Wilkerson
Field Services Manager

As Field Services Manager at Rush Resources, Justin Wilkerson brings over 25 years of industrial expertise to every project, including 7 years dedicated to Rush. With a strong background in Instrumentation, Controls, and Automation, he has successfully led projects across nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, as well as in the oil and gas, chemical, refining, and paper industries.

Justin’s experience includes managing a Main Automation Contractor (MAC), overseeing an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) project, inspecting, testing, commissioning, and ensuring quality assurance. Known for his dependability, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence, Justin fosters strong, cohesive teams that deliver outstanding results for Rush clients.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife, Jami, and their three children. An avid outdoorsman and active networker, he is passionate about building relationships and helping others succeed.

Chet Nawagamuwa
Tactical Services Engineer

Chatura “Chet” Nawagamuwa is a Mechanical Engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He manages internal business operations such as Procurement, IT, processes, systems implementation, AR, AP, and other activities associated with day-to-day operations to help streamline business operations.

His career spans 18 years and includes several titles, including Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Project Manager. He has traveled geographically from Sri Lanka to Dubai, Houston, and Norway during his career, with some brief stops in between. His significant accomplishments include being a responsible engineer for the entire on-vessel mooring system for the world’s largest offshore spar-type platform, “Aasta Hansteen” in the harsh North Sea in Norway, and opening a new office branch in Dubai.

Chet’s hobbies include cars, astrophotography (where he enjoys taking photos of the cosmos), and hiking in his free time.

Destiny Phares
Executive Assistant

Destiny Phares serves as the Executive Assistant at Rush Resources, bringing a strong background in business administration and organizational support. She holds a Master of Business Administration and plays a vital role in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across the company.

Destiny specializes in payroll processing and provides essential support to the Human Resources Department, contributing to employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence help drive the success of Rush Resources. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Destiny enjoys traveling, spending quality time with her family, and tending to her small farm. She values hard work, community, and lifelong learning, which shape her career and personal life.

Deborah Weatherton
HR Manager

Deborah brings over four decades of human resources leadership and deep expertise in hiring, talent acquisition, and employee relations. A graduate of the University of Houston–Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Business Administration, she has held key roles, including Supervisor, District Manager, and Employment Manager.

For the past twenty years, Deborah has partnered with industrial services and construction organizations, managing HR operations for chemical plant and refinery turnarounds, staffing large-scale LNG facilities, and other complex projects. Her work focuses on delivering strategic HR solutions that drive performance and support growth across various sectors.

Known for her integrity, respect, and transparency, Deborah is recognized for building high-performing teams and promoting an inclusive workplace culture. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she frequently bridges communication gaps by switching languages to ensure clarity and connection.

Outside of work, Deborah is a proud mother of two grown sons. She enjoys preparing Cuban cuisine for family and friends—her dishes are always a crowd-pleaser, and first-time guests rarely leave without asking for seconds and an invite back. She enjoys travel, especially to beach destinations like Cuba, Hawaii, and Australia, and loves spending time in her garden.

Allie Hill
Recruiter

Allie Hill is a seasoned recruiter with over 13 years of experience in talent acquisition. Allie is known for her strategic approach and deep understanding of hiring needs. Allie has successfully connected top-tier talent with growing organizations across various industries.

Her expertise lies in building lasting relationships, streamlining recruitment processes, and delivering high-impact hiring solutions that align with business goals. With a passion for people and a sharp eye for potential, she brings insight and great energy to every search. She has held key roles, including lead recruiter, staffing, and onboarding each employee for multiple projects in the oil and gas industry.

Outside of work, Allie is a proud mother of 3, a son and two daughters. She enjoys crafting, creating customized shirts, interior decorating, and spending quality time with her kids and husband. She also enjoys traveling to destinations such as Cancun and England.