
Meet RAILWise
Our team is second to none.

Our Leadership team
Ray Fritel
CEO
After 21 years working for various companies in engineering and management roles, Ray started Diversified as a Product Development Company in 1996. He hired his first employees in 1998. From that point on has enjoyed continuous growth due to hard working and dedicated employees. With a passion for solving problems and creating relationships Diversified has many returning customers.
Ray’s ability in recruiting and retaining excellent people has been the key to our success.
Outside of work Ray enjoys wood turning, carving, exercising and most of all time with family.
Christopher Fritel
President
As the son of Diversified’s owner and CEO, Christopher has worked for the company on and off since it began in 1996. In late 2017, he rejoined Diversified to focus on learning the family business and is now the president. Early on he was a project manager responsible for LiftWise and digital marketing. He later moved up to VP and was responsible for manufacturing and instituting new processes and systems throughout the company, including Manager Tools and EOS.
Christopher is a graduate of Landmark’s Team, Management, and Leadership Program, where he was trained in creating teams and teamwork with freedom and ease under any circumstance. He has 15 years of experience in teaching and developing curriculum for anatomy, physiology, pathology, and hands-on technique at the Lauterstein Conway Massage School in Austin Texas. He graduated from Austin College in Sherman Texas earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French with minor studies in Spanish and Computer Science.
Outside of work, Christopher enjoys strength training, backpacking, and board games with friends and family. He hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 2006 and now has his sights on hiking 14ers in Colorado.
“My vision for my coworkers and me – Joy and Excellence in the Workplace.”
Marvin Franklin, P.E.
Executive Vice President, Business Development
Marvin has been with Diversified since 1999 and has served as V. P. Engineering for most of that time. Mr. Franklin has over 50 years of engineering experience covering all types of vehicles and drives; hydraulic, hydrostatic and mechanical. Structures and stress analyses have always been a strength of his.
Registered as a professional engineer in the state of Texas, Marvin has always held to the highest degree of professionalism but prides himself on the speed at which design is performed and delivered to the customer.
Hobbies include motorcycle riding, vintage cars and guns. Life joys include family and many children, grandchildren and great grand children. Married for over 50 years to his sweetheart. Personal faith in Jesus Christ has been the moral and professional guidance for his life.
Michelle Perry
Business Manager
Michelle Perry is the Business Manager for Diversified Product Development. She started with the company in March 2022. She oversees the Financial and Human Resource departments. Since high school, she knew finance was where she wanted to be. Michelle brings over 10+ years of experience to the company.
Outside of work, she enjoys being outside in the sun, reading, and gaming. On weekends, she has fun exploring Texas with her husband.
“You do your best work if you do a job that makes you happy”
John Gibel
Director of Engineering
Designing new products while creating relationships with customers is important to John. He can use his extensive background and knowledge of hydraulics, electrical, structural and dielectrics to solve your problem. He has been involved in many of the LineWise products
With over 35 years of experience, 80 new products and a few patents he is always looking for an opportunity to solve the problem that everyone else says can’t be done.
Chase Sobala
Manufacturing Engineer
A Manufacturing Engineer since 2010, with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. Specializes in conceptual design, control systems, PLC programming, logical circuits, and both electrical and hydraulic systems. Has played a key role in developing catenary rail equipment, custom tools, and other specialized products and solutions, earning multiple patents along the way.
Enjoys tackling complex challenges by thinking beyond conventional methods to create innovative and practical solutions. Brings experience in leadership, training, and process improvement, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and functionality.
Personal life includes being a lifelong builder and creator, with a love for playing music, woodworking, snowboarding, and time spent with family and two very fluffy huskies.
Dana Hann
Operations Manager
Dana Hann is the Operations Manager for Diversified Product Development. Dana started with the company in November of 2010 in the Purchasing Department. She now oversees the Purchasing Department and the Operations of the entire Production Team. In addition, Dana oversees any building maintenance and operational procedures. Dana focuses her team on delivering quality products, meeting deadlines and staying on budget.
Outside of work, Dana operates a small ranch just outside of town where she enjoys working with her animals and spending time with family.
Jeff Wilhite
Business Development
Jeff joined Diversified in 2019. He worked as Operations Coordinator for 4 years and is now over Business Development for Railwise, Post Pullers, Baskets, Lift Tables, and Spare Parts.
He enjoys a cigar with friends or just hanging out with his wife and son. He has a passion for people and learning their life stories.
Jeff is happy to help the Special Needs Community when they need it.
Heather Steele
Brand & Marketing Strategist
Heather has been with Diversified since 2008 and oversees all marketing ventures. Her background in content marketing, social media, SEO and email campaigns helps her lead the charge in developing and executing digital marketing strategies. She is also in charge of tradeshows and special company events.
Heather attended Texas A&M University and is a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2002! Whoop!
Outside of work, Heather enjoys exercising, chilling at the lake, being outdoors, watching sports and spending time with her family.
Judy Goble
Purchasing Agent
Judy Goble is a purchasing agent at Diversified Product Development and has been with the company since 2014. She handles quotation support and vendor negotiation to supply parts and materials for the company. Ensuring quality product and on time delivery is her goal. She is dedicated in helping all areas of the company as needed.
Judy enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her 4 fur babies. She enjoys traveling with her husband of 36 years.