Press Release
Canton, MA — August 19, 2025 — 3Phase Elevator announced today it would leverage one of its existing brands, Specialized Elevator (“the Company”), at the national level moving forward. The Company will continue to provide elevator maintenance, repair, and modernization services through its 15 local independent elevator service brands across 30 markets in 20 states as well as Washington D.C.
The 3Phase Elevator brand will remain in use throughout the greater New England area. This rebranding allows the Company to more seamlessly grow with property managers and national customers in multiple markets. The Specialized Elevator brand not only recognizes the Company’s expertise in maintaining a diverse portfolio of more than 23,000 elevators and escalators, but also underscores its focus on customer care and quality service.
“We’re pleased with the reputation we’ve built in each of our local markets, while simultaneously creating national reach to be in even more places for our customers,” said Jim Core, CEO of Specialized Elevator. “The Specialized Elevator brand reflects the hard work and dedication each one of our teammates puts in every day. Our recent leadership additions and investments in technology will only further enhance the experience customers and employees receive from Specialized Elevator.”
Specialized Elevator has nearly tripled its contracted maintenance units in service since Berkshire Partners invested in the Company in 2021. The Company employs more than 450 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) making it the largest OEM-agnostic, independent elevator service provider to do so.
In 2023, the Company appointed Jim Core as CEO, hired Silvi Hernandez as CFO, and promoted Donovan McKeever to COO; in 2024, Prasoon Kejriwal was added as the Company’s CIO. These leadership additions allow the Company to augment its technology, further improve its service quality, and continue to scale nationally with an integrated offering.
“When we founded our local independent elevator company 10 years ago, it was with the goal to provide an unwavering commitment to customers that no matter their equipment type or its age, we could find a flexible solution for them,” said Donovan McKeever, who was the former owner of San Francisco Elevator and has more than 27 years of industry experience, including initially as an IUEC mechanic. “Through each of Specialized Elevator’s local brands, we can continue to deliver on that independent service provider promise, but at a national level with a wide range of expertise across our mechanics, which is a truly differentiated value proposition.”
About Specialized Elevator
Specialized Elevator is a leading national provider of elevator and escalator solutions, specializing in maintenance, modernization, and repair for a portfolio exceeding 23,000 units nationwide across 30 markets and more than 20 states. The company unites the largest independent network of vertical transportation service providers in the U.S., combining local branch expertise with the scale and resources of a national organization. With a shared commitment to technical excellence, safety, and customer service, Specialized Elevator delivers reliable, high-quality solutions powered by the latest technology and industry best practices. Specialized Elevator owns and operates a variety of trusted sub-brands across the nation including 24 Hour Elevator, 3Phase, Advanced Elevators, Elevator Industries, EXCEL, Gable Elevators, Hadfield Elevator, Koch Elevator, Mile High Elevator, Next Level Elevator, San Francisco Elevator, The Elevator Company, Willamette Elevator, and West Virginia Elevator. For more information, visit specializedelevator.com.
About Berkshire Partners
Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm’s private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business & consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology & communications. Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which held its final closing in 2024 with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments. Since inception, Berkshire Partners has made more than 150 private equity investments and has a strong history of collaborating with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. The firm’s public equity group, Stockbridge, founded in 2007, manages a concentrated portfolio seeking attractive long-term investments. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.
Media Contact
Greg Winter
Head of Marketing and Communications
Berkshire Partners
gwinter@berkshirepartners.com
© 2025 Specialized Elevator. All rights reserved.
Anthony Brown is Vice President of Sales – East/Central for Specialized Elevator, responsible for all sales activity for the company for the eastern and central portions of the United States.
He was previously New Talent Network Founder & Chair for Otis Elevator Corp., where he was responsible for refining the onboarding process of new hires, career coaching, mentoring, and developing related resources. Previous to that role, he held various regional sales positions covering the Western and Midwestern U.S.
He holds a B.B.A in Management and Operations from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. with a focus on Business Management & Marketing from Grand Valley State University.
Jeff Sprosty is Vice President of Sales West at Specialized Elevator Services, responsible for all sales activity for the company in the western portion of the United States.
He previously worked in various sales and managerial roles of increasing responsibility over 31 years for Thyssenkrupp Elevator.
He holds a B.A. in Economics from UC Irvine.
Michael LoCicero is Executive VP of East Coast Operations at Specialized Elevator, responsible for all operational activity for the company in the eastern United States.
He was previously President of Solucore Inc., an elevator and escalator industry consulting firm serving the sector out of New York City for nine years.
He is a certified Elevator Inspector for the State of Florida, a qualified elevator inspector by industry trade group NAESA International and a licensed Elevator Agency Director in New York.
Lisa Foley is Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Specialized Elevator, responsible for all staffing-related and human resources functions at the company.
She has held several senior human resources positions throughout her career, including Senior Director of Human Resources for crisis-oriented human services network Community Intervention Services, and Director of Human Resources for the Marriott Sheraton Needham Hotel.
She holds a B.S. in Hotel/Motel Administration & Management from the University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.
Prasoon Kejriwal is Chief Information Officer at Specialized Elevator, responsible for all information technology functions at the company.
He has held several IT leadership positions throughout his career, including Vice President of Business Applications at e-learning provider Curriculum Associates and Director of Application Services at software developer Aspen Technology. He also served as a Sr. Global IT Manager for industrial machinery manufacturer Saint-Gobain Abrasives.
He holds an M.S. in Computer Science from UMass Boston.
Donovan McKeever is Chief Operating Officer of Specialized Elevator, overseeing all operational functions at the company.
He previously served as President and Founder of Specialized Elevator brand San Francisco Elevator, where he oversaw West Coast operations before his promotion to COO in 2024. Prior to his role at San Francisco Elevator, has was General Manager at Ascent Elevator, and has worked in the elevator industry throughout his 27-year career.
Licensed Elevator Mechanic with BA from St. Mary’s College.
Silvana Hernandaz has been the Chief Financial Officer for Specialized Elevator since November 2023, overseeing all finance-related functions at the company.
She previously served as the CFO for security, fire protection and audiovisual solutions provider Pavion and has held senior finance positions at the University of St. Augustine for Heath Services, mobile network provider ORBCOMM, Cinch (FKA Cross Country Home Services).
She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Florida University and a M.B.A. International Business from Florida International University.
Jim Core is Chief Executive Officer of Specialized Elevator, responsible for leading the largest independent network of elevator service providers in the United States. A service and distribution veteran who has overseen the successful consolidation of fifty-three companies, delivered organic growth, and created real company value. His leadership is weighted towards employee empowerment, professional staff development, accountability, and celebrating both individual and collective success. The top focus areas are always the employee, the customer, and the culture.
He previously served as Group President and EVP of Novvia Group, and VP/General Manager for Home Depot Pro Institutional, where he oversaw the integration of the SupplyWorks brand through Home Depot’s addition of Interline Brands, Inc. He landed in this role as the previous leader of SupplyWorks, a $1.2B Jansan distribution company.
He also served as a Captain in the United States Army and holds a B.A. in Economics from Wake Forest University.