Meet the Team

Bob Kirkpatrick is President of The Kirkpatrick Group, Inc. located in Dallas, Texas.

Bob Kirkpatrick grew up in Dallas, Texas, USA. He attended Texas Tech University where he met his wife of 47 years, Valerie, who also works in the business as his partner. He received his degree in Business Management from Austin College. Subsequently, he graduated from the Ohio State University College of Administrative Sciences “Executive Development Program” and later the Robert O. Anderson Management Development Center at the University of New Mexico.

Since 1967 he has been immersed in supporting customers worldwide with their maintenance requirements. This first occurred as Vice President of his family-owned Heavy Construction Equipment Company, Kirkpatrick & O’Donnell in support of their 450 Link Belt Crane rental fleet dispersed worldwide in the Pipeline industry. He later developed the first wire rope pressure lubrication system in 1982 to support the wire rope maintenance of those cranes.

Subsequently, he introduced his systems as well as the Dynagard™ Wire Rope Lubricants developed to support those systems into the world market. Thirty-Eight years later his product line is now used in every industry where wire rope longevity and safety are a major concern. It is safe to say that his company has revolutionized global wire rope maintenance as they approach their 40th year in business.

A distinguished graduate (Magna cum laude) of Texas Tech University earning her Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in Math, Valerie taught sixth grade Mathematics to students with aptitudes ranging from Basics, Regulars, Honors and Accelerated at Bussey Middle School In Garland, Texas. Valerie fulfilled her vision working with kids by developing a workbook for Basic learners that allowed them to work at their own pace and develop self-esteem.

Ambitious and ready for another challenge, Valerie took an Advertising Sales Role with the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In this position she became the top producer representing publications such as the Dallas Business Magazine, Dallas Housing Guide, Dallas Tourist Guide, Dallas Industrial Building Guide, and the Dallas Office Building Guide. Upon making a name for herself in the business arena Valerie was ready yet again for another challenge.

In 1986, Valerie and her entrepreneurial spirit joined with her husband Bob to establish The Kirkpatrick Group. Inc., Original Equipment Manufacturers of Wire Rope Lubrication Systems and Wire Rope Lubricants. They have plants in Rockwall, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma with Warehouse Operations in Plano, Texas and corporate office in Richardson, Texas. Today, The Kirkpatrick Brand is known and used worldwide by many prestigious companies as well as the United States Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Military Sealift Command.

Valerie takes her roles and responsibilities as Managing Partner and Vice President seriously. However, when it is time to unwind you may find her spending time with her grandchildren, on the Golf Course, Boating at Lake Texoma or just relaxing watching her favorite Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel. A woman of faith, Valerie is active in P.E.O. (A Philanthropic Education Organization) and is one of a number of facilitators of the Prodigal Ministry curriculum offered through her Church.

Ryan Kirkpatrick is well suited for his role as V.P. of Strategic Development. He is a man that thinks and plans. He knew at the age of nine that he wanted to play tennis, pursued that dream, and became a number one ranked tennis player in Texas.

His early business acumen led him to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a degree in Finance. After building a successful Real Estate Investment Company, he decided to focus his talents, skills, education, and experience to further expand and continue The Kirkpatrick Group, Inc., brand.

In his role with TKG, Ryan investigates value propositions associated with product or corporate acquisitions, introducing new products to market, and expanding into new markets. He helps to define objectives to gain market share and maximize profitability and executes plans to make those objectives achievable. Partners with leaders across the organization to take advantage of TKG’s core competencies, and to recognize when strategies under consideration do not align with those competencies and represent undue risk.

When Ryan is not working, he enjoys playing tennis and generally any outside activity. His greatest loves are his wife Jessica, daughter Jenna 7 and son Jackson 5.

Jerry Swords brings more than twenty-five years of sales & technical experience to his role as Director of U.S. and International Sales. He started with TKG in September of 2011 and has been instrumental in growing sales both domestically and internationally.

Essential to this role is his ability to develop and maintain relationships within each industry TKG serves. His rapport with distributors like, Stott Industrial Supplies (Australia) and Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling (USA), enables him to stay updated on shifts in the market and create sales plans to effectively navigate those changes.

Prior to joining TKG, Jerry was an entrepreneur in the interior/exterior painting business which he owned and operated for more than five years. His sales experience includes Sales Manager for an Audio/Video Company that marketed to luxury homes in the DFW area. He and his team consistently exceeded sales expectations.

Jerry attended East Texas State University where he studied Photography. He has been married to his lovely wife Teresa since 1985. They have a son, a daughter, and a grandson on the way! Jerry’s favorite activities are spending time with his wife, tooling around in his garden, snow skiing, playing golf, and of course being a grandpa.

Byron Ricks’ many years in business management, innovation and development has been wide and varied. Through his experience and qualifications, he has a sound and thorough understanding of business visioning, establishment, digital marketing, and sales. His entrepreneurial spirit led him into his first business venture as Speaker/Trainer and Managing Partner for Byron Ricks Seminars Group located in Plano, Texas. Byron is the author of the book “Searching for Dad” (Endorsed by The Zig Ziglar Training Corporation).

In this role Byron traveled all fifty states and worked with well-known speakers and trainers such as Zig Ziglar, Mark Victor Hansen and Brian Tracy. His presentations have been enjoyed by staff from Line Management, to C-Suite Executives for Fortune 500 Companies.

Byron’s educational background includes a BBA in Marketing & Real Estate and a Master of Arts in Human Behavior from National University San Diego, California. Byron further formalized his skills in business development & performance management as owner and operator of Comfort Keepers Senior Care & Ricks Creative Consulting - both in Collin County, Texas.

His role as Vice President of Business Development for TKG requires him to work directly with the President to develop and meet company objectives, service and retain current customers, and develop strategies and opportunities to attract new customers that will ultimately drive growth and profitability.

His community work includes serving on the Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy School Board which he Co-founded with Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Good with zero enrollment at start up in 2011.

Today, LPCA educates 1600 students on two campuses in Plano and Mesquite, Texas. As Chairman and President of the Board, Byron worked closely with Dr. Good and his Board Members to secure funding of a thirty-eight-million-dollar bond. LPCA now provides an environment where students from diverse backgrounds and different economic levels can learn together and grow into our future leaders. This is one of his most proud accomplishments.

Megan Wamsley is talented and versatile with a myriad of experiences and skills. Before joining TKG in 2009, Megan was a Project Coordinator for Tellabs, Inc. Dallas, Texas. Her duties and responsibilities included but were not limited to gathering and analyzing data for Corporate Systems Merger, managing portal user accounts, contract entitlements & customer ticket tracking. She diagnosed and resolved customer issues and provided user training to help mitigate future problems.

Her role as Administrative Coordinator with TKG requires her to use her talent and skills to keep the general office functioning efficiently. These duties include - accounts payables & receivables, invoicing, billing, and database management. Megan provides front line support for external customers - internally she supports Finance, Sales and Marketing.
Megan loves to relax at home with her furry children, June Bug, the sweetest dog on the planet and one feisty, but cute as heck cat name Mavis. Often her relaxing involves either a glass of red wine or a tasty IPA. She enjoys socializing with her neighbors under the giant Oak tree next door.

John Webster is the proud father of three adult children. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1971, followed by two years at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he learned among other things, the importance of being “squared away” as you go through life. John worked for the Town of Nahant, Massachusetts, and several other local companies before starting Webster Excavation in 1984. Webster Excavation successfully completed projects in both the public & private sectors before he moved to Texas in 1994.

Upon arrival in the Lone Star State, John took flying lessons and became an accomplished pilot earning his license in 1996. After working several years with Electrical Companies, John began his career with TKG in 2018. Presently, John is the Warehouse Manager where he maintains inventory by identifying, labeling, and placing materials and supplies in stock; recording location of inventory and prepares finished stock for shipment. John plays a key role in ensuring the prompt and secure delivery of our Dynagard ™ Lubricants and Kirkpatrick Wire Rope Lubrication Systems.

A true outdoorsman at heart, John loves camping, fishing, and flying. The only thing he enjoys more than soaring through the air in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk is spending time with his grandchildren Ozzie and Addie.