General Manager
Peter Aczel has over a decade of experience as a leader in delivering Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions. Prior to joining Vontas, he worked at Kapsch TrafficCom North America, where he most recently held the position of Vice-President and General Manager, focusing on solution delivery, operations, and customer management. Over the course of his career, he built his organisation from the ground up into a market leader in the electronic toll collection and ITS sectors, delivering numerous major projects across the United States and Canada.
As an experienced and respected leader in transportation technology, Peter has collaborated with clients across North America, delivering integrated technology solutions. He is passionate about working closely with his team to support customers through innovative systems and a commitment to operational excellence. Before entering the transportation industry, Peter was involved in delivering large infrastructure projects in Central Europe.
Peter studied at the University of Economics in his hometown of Vienna, Austria. In his free time, he enjoys studying history and watching or playing sports, including football and golf.
Richard serves as Vice-President of Sales at Vontas. With over 17 years of experience leading sales teams to achieve revenue growth, he brings a proven ability to drive results. In his role, Richard focuses on aligning Vontas’ innovative transit solutions with the evolving needs of transit agencies across North America. His leadership plays a pivotal role in strengthening customer relationships and expanding the company’s market presence.
Vice President, Operations
Naomi Schellenberg is the Vice-President, Operations at Vontas, where she will concentrate on driving effective execution within the Operations team, specifically in system implementation, production operations, and customer care and support. She will also lead key initiatives that align with Vontas’ strategic goals, including delivering adaptable, modular solutions that integrate seamlessly with mission-critical agency software, and strengthening Vontas’ position as a trusted technology partner for transit agencies.
Naomi joins Vontas in the company’s Calgary, AB office. Outside of her professional life, Naomi is an avid ice hockey player and outdoor enthusiast, spending her free time skiing and camping. She is also actively involved in her community, volunteering with her son’s hockey teams and her daughter’s dance studio. Naomi’s dedication to mentoring students through the Women in Science and Engineering Club at the University of Calgary further demonstrates her commitment to leadership and personal development.
Karley Wahl, PHR, is the Human Resources Business Partner for Vontas, where she serves as a trusted advisor across all aspects of HR, including employee relations and initiatives, organisational design, compliance, strategic/resource planning, and career/professional development.
With over 10 years of experience in private sector human resources, her background spans diverse settings such as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Internal Medicine, BRL Human Resources and Payroll Consulting, and KASA Practice Solutions.
Karley earned her BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Business Management Development (BMD). She furthered her commitment to the human resources profession through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Karley lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and exploring the outdoors—whether hiking trails or kayaking when the weather allows—along with painting, gardening, and training at the gym. An Iowa native, she is especially close to her nieces and nephews in Iowa City.
Paul Comfort is the Senior Vice-President, Chief Customer Officer at Vontas, and also serves as Executive Director of the North American Transit Alliance.
He is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller The Future of Public Transportation and host of the world’s leading public transportation CEO podcast, Transit Unplugged, which is heard in 99 countries and counting. Paul is a longtime industry veteran and the former CEO of one of the United States’ top transit systems, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. He has also served as an elected County Commissioner and County Administrator, and is the recipient of the transportation industry’s highest individual honour—the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) President’s Award.
Zac is the Vice-President, Product Management at Vontas, where he oversees product management, product documentation, and our New Product Initiatives teams. He focuses on bringing innovative new products to market based on evolving industry trends and customer needs.
Zac holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University. He lives in Medina, Minnesota, with his family and, in his free time, enjoys mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and anything outdoors.
Hans is the Vice-President, Development Operations at Vontas, where he oversees software development, hardware and on-board solutions, quality assurance, and more.
Bryan brings more than 20 years of experience in advanced corporate accounting across a range of industries, from construction to technology to lease financing to telecommunications. During that time, he has also built expertise in strategic planning, forecasting, and modelling.
Bryan’s six children keep him busy through involvement in numerous activities and organisations, including basketball, dance, and autism awareness.
Kris Hoy
Kris is the Director of Marketing for Vontas. Previously, she led the Marketing team at Equivant, a technology provider for the justice industry, focusing on marketing strategy, brand development, content marketing, inbound/outbound demand generation, and digital experience.
Prior to joining Equivant, Kris was responsible for marketing revenue generation, go-to-market strategies, and digital marketing at Enghouse Interactive, an interaction management contact centre technology company, and at Trapeze Group, a provider of intelligent transportation software solutions to transit agencies.
Kris lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and volunteers for Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue in her free time. She uses her marketing expertise to help the organisation with its website, social media, email marketing, and more.