Leadership

After earning a degree in Finance from Texas A&M University, James Frank began an eleven-year career in banking. In 2000, he left banking and led the acquisition of BW Fabricators, a custom fabrication business with 15 employees. New opportunities continued with the acquisition of a sheet metal and machine shop in 2004 and Transland, an aerial dispersal equipment company, in 2007. Sharp Iron Group was formed in 2010, and Delta T Thermal Solutions was added in 2022. Today, Sharp Iron Group thrives under James’ leadership, with over 150 professional craftsmen and women manufacturing products in the USA that are in use across the globe.

James has also served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2012.  His primary focus has been on reforming the Department of Family and Protective Services, including improving efficiency and accountability in the Department. He has also focused on Health and Human Services, including improvements to the state’s Medicaid program. In addition to his professional and legislative work, James remains a respected and involved community leader.  He has served on advisory boards of business and community groups, is a director for other local industries, is active in his church, and works with others to provide financing to entrepreneurs in the area.

James and his wife Alisha married in 1989 and have six sons, with the family continuing to grow today with the addition of daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Michael Stanford is a seasoned manufacturing veteran with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He joined Sharp Iron Manufacturing as President and partner in 2014, and in 2024, he took on the additional role of Chief Operating Officer for the group. Before joining Sharp Iron, Michael spent over 15 years in the aerospace sector, working for Pratt & Whitney. During his tenure, he led successful initiatives across various facets of the turbine engine supply chain, from the repair and overhaul of business aviation components to the major overhaul of commercial jet engines. Michael has extensive experience in quality systems, operations and supply chain management, and financial oversight.

Michael holds a BBA in Management from Midwestern State University. He is also a dedicated board member and trustee for several area non-profit organizations, as well as a Life Group teacher at his church. In 2013, he was recognized as one of Wichita Falls' '20 Under 40' by the Wichita Falls Times Record News. Michael is married to his high school sweetheart, Francie, who is a public-school administrator. His daughter, Madeline, followed in her mom’s footsteps and now teaches 2nd grade. His son, Riley, will soon graduate with a business degree from Tarleton State University.

Roberto Rodriguez began his career at Transland in 1985, steadily advancing through various positions of increasing responsibility. Following the company's acquisition and relocation from California to Texas in 2007, Roberto and his family also made the move. In 2011, he was promoted to General Manager, and by 2014, he had ascended to the role of President. Roberto became a partner in Transland in 2017. Under his leadership, the company has navigated several major product development cycles and significant acquisitions, including CP Nozzles and Satloc.

Roberto attended Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CECYT #5 and completed several semesters of Business Administration. Before joining Transland, he worked as a cost analyst for Sprint S.A. de C.V. Roberto has also served on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, is a graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls, and volunteers for the Zavala Hispanic Initiative. He and his wife, Martha, have three children: Robert Brian, Stephanie, and Andrew, as well as one grandchild

Scott Poenitzsch is a seasoned manufacturing professional who joined Sharp Iron Group in 2022 to lead the newly formed Delta T Thermal Solutions. This division is renowned for manufacturing globally recognized industrial heat exchangers, including PLATECOIL®, ECONOCOIL®, and MAXCHANGER®. Before joining Delta T Thermal Solutions, Scott held leadership positions in both publicly traded and privately held manufacturing companies. His previous roles include VP & General Manager for Tranter, Inc., VP of Operations for Trienda Corp., and VP of Manufacturing Services for Gardner Denver, Inc. Scott's extensive experience in global manufacturing operations is key to Delta T's success.

Scott holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, an AAS in Metals Processing from Waukesha Technical College, and an MBA from Lakeland College. Outside of his professional career, Scott and his wife, Linda, own and operate Horseshoe Bend Cellars Vineyard & Winery, a full-service facility in Iowa Park, TX, that produces premium award-winning wines. They have four children: Ashley, a cancer research doctor; Tyler, an HVAC engineer; Adrianna, a pharmacist; and Gabriele, the General Manager of the family winery.

Cindy Press is a seasoned accounting professional with over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, tax compliance, and public accounting. She has served as Controller of Sharp Iron Group for the past 15+ years, overseeing financial operations, compliance and reporting, and strategic planning.

Cindy began her career in the oil and gas industry, spending 7 years with a diversified energy company, where she managed tax compliance for U.S. and Canadian retirement plans and prepared corporate tax filings for multiple subsidiaries. She then spent 11 years in public accounting, specializing in tax preparation and financial reporting for clients in oil and gas, agriculture, trusts, and non-profits.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and became a CPA in 1990, licensed in both Oklahoma and Texas. Cindy and her husband, Bryan, have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Kristi Smith joined Sharp Iron Group in 2021 and has been serving as the Human Resources Manager since 2023. In her role, Kristi is responsible for the strategic alignment of people and resources across the group. Her team handles everything from recruitment and onboarding to payroll, employment policy, and benefits administration. Kristi's primary focus is on fostering positive employee engagement and culture. She believes that maintaining a focus on employee experience, development, and overall well-being is what makes Sharp Iron Group not just a great place to work, but a place to call home.

Kristi holds a BBA in Human Resources Management from Midwestern State University. After graduation, she began her Human Resources career in the Healthcare industry, working in various roles from HR Assistant to Benefits Manager at corporate offices. She brings extensive knowledge and experience in recruiting, onboarding, benefits administration, and maintaining employee relations.

In her spare time, Kristi enjoys spending time with her four children: Wyatt, a Petroleum Engineer with ExxonMobil in Houston; Maddi, a Radiology Tech at HCA Houston Healthcare; and Andrew and Reed, who are both in high school.