Imel Wheat

Chief Strategy & Development Officer

With more than a decade of experience spanning restoration operations, regional leadership, acquisition integration, and business development, Imel Wheat serves as Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Kustom US. In this role, he helps drive enterprise strategy, development, acquisition integration, and field adoption while continuing to support and lead Kustom’s East Operations Team. Drawing on his extensive operational experience, Imel works across the organization to translate strategic priorities into execution, strengthen performance, and ensure Kustom’s divisions are positioned to deliver consistently against customer and growth goals.

Imel began his restoration career in the field with Fenix Restoration, Kustom’s first acquisition, and has grown alongside the organization through progressively broader leadership roles. Since joining Kustom in 2016, he has served as Project Manager, General Manager, Vice President of Western Washington, Vice President of M&A Integration, and Senior Vice President of Operations. His experience building and leading divisions, developing operational leaders, and guiding acquired businesses through integration gives him a unique perspective on how enterprise strategy translates to performance in the field.

Imel earned his bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Montana State University. His combination of field experience, operational leadership, and acquisition integration expertise enables him to connect strategy with execution and support Kustom’s continued growth and development nationwide.

Outside of work, Imel spends as much time outdoors as possible. He’s an avid skier and biker, and if it involves the mountains, he’s in.