THE AUSTIN TEAM
Rodney Madsen
GermBlast CEO & Epidemiologist
Rodney Madsen is one of the three founding partners who formed GermBlast in 2009. Rodney’s passion for infection control and prevention stems from challenges his own family has faced due to healthcare-associated infections.
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Rodney is a successful entrepreneur and epidemiologist with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Rodney grew up on the east coast and moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. He then attended Wayland Baptist University and earned a Master’s degree in Business Management and Engineering Technology. He is now pursuing a Doctorate of Public Health at Walden University.
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He is a married father of two who enjoys mountain biking and traveling with his family. Rodney is passionate about serving his community and currently holds a seat on the Parkridge Pregnancy Advisory Council.
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Certifications: T-CHEST, HAZWOPER 24, Certified Biological Responder
Josh Underwood
Chief Operating Officer
Josh graduated from Lubbock Christian High School before attending West Texas A&M where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.
Josh has worked in the Underwood family business since graduating from college and has served as the President of the Lubbock Cotton Exchange.
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He is now married with four children. In his spare time, Josh enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.
Cade Underwood
GermBlast Board Member
Cade grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and graduated from Monterey High School. While studying Organizational Management at Texas Tech University, Cade played football for the Red Raiders. Cade transferred to and graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management.
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For the last 22 years, Cade has been the Assistant Fire Chief for the Woodrow Volunteer Fire Department. Cade is a married father of three children who enjoys spending time with his family and working at the Underwood family ranch. The Underwood family has been in the cotton and ranching business for over 30 years.
Gale Wesley Goldwater
Chief Information Officer
Wes joined the GermBlast team in April 2012. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Wes graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lubbock Christian University in 2004 and an MBA from Texas Tech University in 2007. Wes also earned an Advanced Certificate in Health Organization Management from TTU.
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In addition to his impressive educational background, Wes brings an immeasurable degree of process development expertise and innovation to the GermBlast team.
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Wes’s personal interests involve mountain biking and computer programming.
Certifications: T-CHEST, CSSGB
Christopher Truitt, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer
Dr. Truitt joined the GermBlast team in October of 2010 as the Microbiologist and Biochemist. Dr. Truitt not only embodies the spirit and ingenuity of the sciences, but he also has a deep passion for advancing knowledge. For the past 13 years, Dr. Truitt has taught at Wayland Baptist University and Texas Tech University.
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Dr. Truitt grew up in Lovington, New Mexico. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. After moving to Lubbock, he earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Texas Tech University.
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Dr. Truitt is a married father of two children. Between giving lectures and conducting research, he enjoys running, hiking, swimming, gardening, and doing home improvement projects.
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Certifications: T-CHEST
Christy Haynes
Vice President
Christy joined the GermBlast team in April of 2015. Prior to GermBlast, Christy served as Director of Stewardship and Events for Athletics and the Red Raider Club.
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She was raised in Coleman, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She is currently taking graduate classes at Wayland Baptist University and Texas Tech University.
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Christy has been married for 22 years and has 5 daughters. Her hobbies include trying to keep up with her daughters’ activities and reading.
Mike Motheral
Vice President of Sales – Education
Mike joined the GermBlast team in June of 2013 after spending 37 years in public education where he was a school teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, and superintendent of schools at Sundown ISD.
Mike was raised on a farm in Kress, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University in Secondary Education and specialized in math. He earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration and his principal and superintendent certifications through Texas Tech University.
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Mike is a married father of three and grandfather of six wonderful grandchildren. He enjoys yard work, exercise, reading and various church activities.
Heath Herrington
GermBlast Client Experience/Account Manager
Heath joined the GermBlast team in 2016 as a Service Technician and is now a Client Experience/Account Manager. Before joining the team, Heath worked in the physical therapy realm and was a graduate assistant for the Texas Tech Baseball team.
He was born in Amarillo, Texas. Heath earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas Tech University and continued his education there earning his Master’s in Sports Management, as well.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, sports, church activities, and spending time with his family.
Certifications: CHEST, HAZWOPER 24, HAZWOPER 40
Shelly Stone
Client Experience Manager
Shelly Stone joined the GermBlast team in July of 2015 as the Executive Sales Assistant. Following college, Shelly worked in marketing for one year and then transitioned into education where she spent fifteen years teaching business classes and serving as a school counselor.
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Shelly grew up in a family of educators and lived several places in Texas. She graduated from Abernathy High School and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University.
She also earned a Master of Science in School Counseling from Lubbock Christian University.
Shelly has been married for seventeen years and has three boys. Outside of work she enjoys photography and cheering on her boys in all of their activities.
Erika Lugo
Brand and Multimedia Manager
Erika joined the GermBlast team in September of 2018 and has over 10 years experience working in Graphic Design and Marketing.
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A native of Lubbock, Texas, Erika graduated from Texas Tech University in 2003 with a Bachelors in Telecommunications/Electronic Media and Technical Writing and an Associates Degree in Graphic Design from Westwood Art College in Dallas, Tx.
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Erika spends extra time on freelance work and enjoys spending time with her grandmother.
Lauren Adams
Art Director
Lauren joined the GermBlast team in May of 2020. Prior to joining GermBlast, she spent 3 years as an art director at various ad agencies as well as the Texas Tech University College of Education.
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Lauren grew up in West Texas and earned her B.A. Degree in Advertising from Texas Tech University in 2014. She then went on to attend portfolio school at The Creative Circus in Atlanta, Georgia from 2014-2016. Most recently, Lauren worked at the FCB Chicago ad agency.
Her personal interests include traveling, planning trips, hanging out with her dog, Huxley, and doing fun personal design projects for friends and family.
April Schoor
Client Experience/Project Manager
April joined the GermBlast team in February of 2019. Prior to Germblast, April worked in the farming and ranching industry around the Lubbock/Slaton area.
She is a graduate of Lubbock Christian University and received her Non-Profit Management certification from The University of Texas. April is a knowledgeable marketing professional with 19 years experience in developing, implementing and managing business and public relations strategies.
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April and her husband, Chad, have six amazing children: Kate, Kaegan, Kasen, Justin, Avery, and Ryan. She attends Church on the Rock in Lubbock with her family. She has also served as a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals and as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Lubbock Area Aggie Moms. She enjoys gardening, reading, and is currently learning to play the piano.
Mark Corkery
Client Solutions
Mark joined the GermBlast team in February of 2020. Prior to joining GermBlast, he spent 30 years in medical sales calling on the hospitals in West Texas.
Mark grew up in West Texas and earned his B.S. Degree in Education from West Texas State University in 1979.
Mark's personal interests include playing golf, attending Texas Tech athletic events and doing family events with his six grandchildren.
Nidal Halimeh
Biological Response Supervisor / Field Epidemiologist
Nidal joined the GermBlast team in 2015 as a Service Technician and is currently part of the GermBlast Research Team. Before joining the team, Nidal worked in the medical device industry.
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Nidal was born in Lubbock, Texas, and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and maintaining a vegetable garden with his wife.
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Certifications: T-CHEST, HAZWOPER 24, Certified Biological Responder, Certified Mold Assessor
Steve Burleson
Client Solutions - Lubbock
Wes joined the GermBlast team in April 2012. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Wes graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lubbock Christian University in 2004 and an MBA from Texas Tech University in 2007. Wes also earned an Advanced Certificate in Health Organization Management from TTU.
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In addition to his impressive educational background, Wes brings an immeasurable degree of process development expertise and innovation to the GermBlast team.
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Wes’s personal interests involve mountain biking and computer programming.
Certifications: T-CHEST, CSSGB
Phil Cotham
Client Solutions - Dallas /Ft. Worth
Phil joined the GermBlast team in June of 2017. Prior to joining GermBlast, he spent 35 years in the Lockney school system as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent.
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Phil grew up in Brownfield and graduated from Brownfield High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from West Texas State University in 1981 and his Master of Education degree from Sul Ross State University in 1989.
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In his spare time, Phil enjoys exercise, golf, fishing, listening to music, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Yassiel Ibarra
Area Operations Manager | Dallas & El Paso
When it comes to patient care and service, Yassiel is beyond dedicated. Not only does Yassiel excel in delivering a thorough, precise GermBlast infection control service, but also she goes above and beyond client expectations to ensure everyone she interacts with is educated and able to protect themselves and their communities from infection.
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“What excites me about my job is knowing I help people fight disease and infection in their everyday lives by providing a safer and healthier environment for individuals and families,” says Yassiel.
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Yassiel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Sciences with concentrations in Nutrition, Human Developmental Family Studies, and Health Professions from Texas Tech University.
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“It’s an unbelievable feeling knowing that I get to help people fight the diseases and infections that are always around us. My biggest hope is that we, GermBlast, will continue to grow and help as many people as possible by "Keeping the Fight Outside the Body."
Brandon Sisomphou
Area Operations - Lubbock
Brandon joined the GermBlast team November of 2018.
Prior to GermBlast he ran his own business, worked in sales, management and customer service.
Brandon attended West Texas A&M University where he studied Business Management.
Brandon enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and puppy. When time allows, he likes to travel, fish, play basketball, attend sporting events and rooting for the Red Raiders.