Our Team

The Management Team

Lynda M. Kornbleet, President & Founder

Lynda has dedicated her work ethic and knowledge to the insulation industry since 1976. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, she started her woman-owned business in Houston with $2,000, some high school students, an old used linen truck, and the willingness to work hard every day. It was not difficult to compete, “Just do the opposite of everyone else. Show up on time, give the customers a great value for their money, be good for your word, and if a problem occurs, promptly solve it.”

I value all of my clients and consider myself to be in partnership with them in creating an efficient living and working environment. I will use my years of experience to provide you with the most effective applications for your project. My reputation as the ‘unique insulator’ is well known due to my determination in difficult projects to assure the desired results are met. Money is not my primary driving force, but coming from my heart and using healthier more efficient products is something that truly fulfills me.

Lynda is involved in all aspects of her business focusing on special projects, commercial sales and company marketing. She has positioned Payless Insulation as one of the top women-owned contractor businesses.

Elisa D. Dias, Vice President

Elisa joined Payless Insulation in 1989. Elisa is involved in the commercial estimating of insulation and fireproofing. She is the “go-to” person in regards to the service and financial side of the business. Elisa grew up in Portugal. She speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish. She arrived at the United States via Connecticut.

Educated abroad and in the US, Elisa brings her diverse background, work ethic, management and financial skills. She is hands-on and her passion for this business has proven to be key in the success of Payless Insulation.

Larry Harmon, General Manager

Larry joined Payless Insulation in 2007 bringing with him 25 years of sales and sales management experience within various Fortune 500 consumer product companies.

In 2008, he and Lynda teamed up to start a weatherization division for Payless Insulation. In conjunction with HERS and BPI “Building Science” principles, he oversees weatherization projects throughout Texas municipalities along with utility companies.

Neil M. Kornbleet, Austin Texas Manager

Neil prides himself on offering the very best service in Austin and surrounding areas. He not only delivers our product information to our clients, but he strives in assisting in the completion of construction projects on a timely basis, many times executing strategic planning to complete the job early.

Neil has over 30 years in sales, customer service, and management experience that he utilizes every day to ensure our customers are treated with respect and professionalism.

Lane Martin, Commercial and Weatherization Manager

Lane has been with Payless Insulation since 2008. He brings a wealth of construction management experience to his position as Project Manager. He earned his Bachelor of Science Technology degree in Civil Technology – Construction Management from the University of Houston.

 

Lee Kurtas, Vice President of Operations – Houston

Lee joined our Management Team as a Vice President of Operations in October 2020. He came to us with over 25 years in the residential Insulation industry in Sales and Management, and 5 years in the HVAC industry as the current President of High-Performance Home Systems. His focus on
Quality, Integrity, and Customer Relationships was a perfect fit for Payless Insulation’s future growth.
Outside of his role at Payless Lee enjoys time with his wife Lucinda and son Reid, growing his HVAC
business, and, if there’s any time leftover, hunting, and fishing. He also plays indoor soccer.

Robert Garcia, Vice President of Production

Robert joined the Payless Management Team as Vice President of Production in October
2020. He started in the insulation business in 2003 working for his Uncle. He then started his own
insulation business in 2009 as Triple Seal Insulation. His 18 years of Sales and Management experience in the same field as Payless Insulation made him a perfect compliment to our Team.
Aside from working for Payless and still operating Triple Seal Insulation, Robert spends his free time with his wife Vanessa and son Aiden vacationing to El Salvador or in the seats at Minute Maid Park watching the Astros.

The Sales Team

Susana O’Docharty, Residential Consultant

Susana joined Payless Insulation in 2001 and brings her customer service and years of management experience to the realm of insulation and ducts. Having grown up in Venezuela, Susana speaks Spanish fluently. Her management background started at Arbitron TV Ratings where she worked in Dallas and Miami. From there she went on to start an experimental rating service in the New York Tristate area where she remained for 10 years. She ended her stint in Manhattan working in advertising services as well as a freelance photographer.

Susana is a native fifth-generation Texan so she relocated back after 14 years. She returned to her native Texas in 1998 where she recruited for the industrial and rail sectors.

We have strong service and loyalty built into this company, the positive impact that our sustainable and green materials will make to this planet will last a lifetime. We care about people. When we can make a difference in the high cost of utilities, keep families and businesses safe from fire and prevent installation of hazardous materials, we are having a successful day.” She now takes pride in educating the consumer and end users on the difference in choosing cotton and paper products such as the ducts and insulation Payless carries. Her hope is to bring intelligence to the insulation world.

Casey Wilson, Insulation Consultant – Residential / Commercial

Casey has 25 years of experience as an insulation consultant. She has specialized training and certifications in the following areas: Technical Advisor to Engineers, Architects, Designers, Builders, Remodelers and Homeowners, Committee Member American Society of Testing and Materials International, C16 Insulation Standards, ICAA – Insulation Contractors Association of America, Certified Insulator, Spray Polyurethane Foam Chemical Health and Safety Training, The American Chemistry Council, Spray Cellulose Insulation, Building Envelopes GHBA, K13 Thermal and Acoustical Insulation, Texas Residential Code Compliance, Mechanical Code City of Houston, Blower Door and Duct Blasting. Casey made a home here by realizing her architectural dream of building envelopes and insulation as it pertains to hot and humid climates.

Tomas Pratt, Residential Consultant – Austin

In 2019, Tomas joined our Payless Insulation office in Austin to work in sales & estimating. He has over 30 years of experience working in several industries. He started and ran a couple of small businesses for several years and was in charge of sales & operations.

Tomas also worked with a track and a custom builder and has years of project management experience.  He has also participated for several years in leading trainings and teaching. He is a graduate of the University of Houston.

Noel Vargas, Sales – Houston

In November 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, Noel joined the Payless Sales Team. He came to us with a tremendous background in Insulation and Building Science after being an Insulation Installer, Energy Code Compliance Inspector, and Quality Control Inspector at another insulation company. His 14 years of combined experience positioned him to immediately contribute to the already experienced SalesForce.
Outside of work, Noel enjoys cars, music, and hanging out with his family and friends.

Ana M. Machado, Fireproofing Estimator

Ana came to work for us in July 2006. A native of Cuba, she has 8 years of background experience in the fireproofing and insulation industries. With an architecture degree, she is a well-respected part of the Payless Insulation team.

 

Jeremy Chaisson, Estimator

Jeremy joined the Payless Estimating Team in January 2021. He grew up in the family’s insulation business in Louisiana until he moved to Tomball in 2015. Once he settled into his new homestead he took a job as a Project Superintendant overseeing fireproofing and insulation jobs. His practical field experience and Cajun Character make him a welcome addition and a perfect fit here at Payless!

When Jeremy’s not working he spends lots of time with family and friends doing just about anything outdoors.

 

The Customer Service Team

Patrice Carline, Office Administrator

Originally a native of Louisiana, Patrice comes equipped to handle the daily aspects of office administration. She assists in all aspects of the work from talking to customers, scheduling appointments, processing daily paperwork and reports from the field to accounts payable.

Barb Urban, Front Receptionist

Barb was born and raised in Houston, TX and has lived here all her life. She graduated from Waltrip High School. Her favorite place to be is on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about Payless Insulation and our values.

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