Our Team

The people behind Drive-Drive Power.

One mission: bring the EHA+ to the world's most safety-critical valves. We pair heavy-industrial operating experience with fluid-power engineering, capital discipline, and legal & commercial depth — and we believe successful implementation starts with a conversation. We are based in Mesa, Arizona, and we would genuinely like to meet you.

Jeff Whiteman

Jeff Whiteman

CEO & Cofounder

Third-generation owner, Chairman, President and CEO of Empire Southwest (Empire CAT), the authorized Caterpillar dealer for Arizona, Southeastern California, and Nevada with over 4,000 employees. Has led the Empire organization since 2002.

Chris Zaharis

Chris Zaharis

EVP & Cofounder

More than 25 years in senior leadership at Empire Southwest (Empire CAT), one of the largest Caterpillar dealers in the southwestern United States. BASc in Finance from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

Thomas Afshari

Thomas Afshari

Chief Engineer & Cofounder

Inventor of the EHA+ and named inventor on more than 15 issued and pending patents covering Drive-Drive pump architecture, dynamic synchronization control, integrated cooling, and embedded diagnostics. Over 20 years of work across multidisciplinary engineering.

Working with the team.

For technical briefings, pilot programs, or strategic partnership discussions, reach out to Drive-Drive Power directly.

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