Our Team
We are visionaries behind distinctive brands with convergent, complementary capabilities who have created an innovative ecosystem to change the future of dental medicine.
Our Team
Brett Brocki
Founder
Brett is the original Founder of Nexus Dental Systems. Brett has been in the dental industry since birth. His mother was the former head dental assistant at Fort Bragg and Brett has seen the inside of thousands of dental practices, including civilian, military and hospital practices.
His expertise in business, finance and dental have given him exposure and unrivaled capabilities to truly bring the right picture together for overall health and wellness. Working closely with many practices will achieve the optimum sleep practice with the most thorough care.
Brett has truly developed a multidisciplinary team with the tools to connect the Medical and Dental professionals into one cohesive business unit.
Deepit Anand
Founder
Founder, Investor, and Hedge Fund Manager of Sapphire Group of Funds, over $100M+ AUM Deepit brings wealth of experience running a successful Dental Support Organization (DSO) covering the full spectrum of filing insurance claims, dental supplies, labs, payroll, bookkeeping, 401k setups, digital marketing, website, SEO, PPC etc. This DSO is built on the consolidation theme in healthcare space, picking dental offices at right EBITDA, hub spoke model of 4-5 offices in 20 miles radius, spread out in different states , bring in operational efficiencies, increase revenue and net profitability in each location, package them together and let PE firms already in his connections to buy out the complete portfolio in 8X EBITDA or higher in 4-5yrs timeframe.
Patrick Kircher
Founder
Patrick founded National Dental Systems in 2015 comprising a comprehensive medically necessary dental model including the diagnosis and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, DMSD, and Associated Symptoms.
National Dental Systems merged DreamSleep and TruDenta complementing what DreamSleep had in place with the ACSDD, Medical Reimbursement, and Technology.
Under his guidance, NDS has experienced 100+% year-over-year growth in 2019 and yielded 60% Net Margin leading to a highly profitable and scalable business.
Brett Brocki
Founder
Deepit Anand
Founder
Patrick Kircher
Founder
Patrick founded National Dental Systems in 2015 comprising a comprehensive medically necessary dental model including the diagnosis and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, DMSD, and Associated Symptoms.
National Dental Systems merged DreamSleep and TruDenta complementing what DreamSleep had in place with the ACSDD, Medical Reimbursement, and Technology.
Under his guidance, NDS has experienced 100+% year-over-year growth in 2019 and yielded 60% Net Margin leading to a highly profitable and scalable business.
Joe Harms
CEO
Joe Harms the CEO of Nexus Dental Systems, brings over two decades of expertise in sales, marketing, and business development within the dental and medical industries. His impressive track record includes significant revenue growth and team leadership roles at 3Disc Americas, Acteon North America, Danaher and CareStream Health. At 3Disc Americas, he helped grow revenues upwards to $10 million in revenue in the first full year. At Acteon, he helped double imaging equipment revenue in 2 years. At CareStream Health, he oversaw a salesforce of over 100+ professionals, driving market share for 3D imaging from 8% to 56%. Joe holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Administration from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. Known for his strategic vision, integrity, and ability to inspire teams, Joe is committed to expanding Nexus Dental Systems’ market presence and enhancing its product offerings.
Robert McQueen
Chief of Staff
Robert McQueen is the newly appointed Chief of Staff at Nexus Dental Systems. With a multifaceted background in strategy, operations, and cross-cultural communication, Robert brings over 18 years of experience to this role. His career is marked by a series of high-impact roles and successful ventures, showcasing his exceptional skills in leadership, strategic planning, and complex problem-solving.
Robert’s professional journey began as a Special Operations Officer, where he demonstrated outstanding capabilities in coordinating multifaceted operations and leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments. His military career includes significant achievements such as leading the US response to disasters in Bosnia, coordinating multinational training programs, and engaging with senior diplomats to synchronize complex initiatives.
In the civilian sector, Robert has held several influential positions. As the Field Operations Director at Waves For Water, he provided vision, direction, training, and oversight to field operations across 44 countries. He was pivotal in building the Clean Water Corps from an idea into a fully functioning division, leading humanitarian missions in 21 different countries, and managing disaster relief initiatives worth over a million dollars. His efforts in expanding corporate social responsibility programs with partners like BMW, Tumi, Panerai, and Hurley demonstrate his proficiency in forging and nurturing strategic partnerships.
Robert’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Quiver, an impact analysis platform for non-profit organizations and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Under his leadership, Quiver developed a viable MVP and successfully integrated into the Salesforce marketplace, illustrating Robert’s ability to drive innovation and market penetration.
In his role as Executive Accounts Director at Tempest 22, Robert demonstrated his strategic acumen by advising companies on repositioning strategies and capital acquisition. His ability to identify unique investment opportunities and develop effective fundraising strategies has been a hallmark of his success, attracting significant investor interest and capital injections.
Robert has also been recognized for his leadership in academic and extracurricular activities. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is committed to mentoring young founders and officers and actively contributes to community initiatives.
With his diverse experience, strategic mindset, and proven leadership, Robert is well-equipped to drive Nexus Dental Systems’ growth and success. His appointment as Chief of Staff marks a significant step forward for the organization as it continues to innovate and expand its impact in the dental industry.
Mel Blount
Health & Wellness Spokesman
Mel Blount is a former Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback, a five-time Pro-Bowler and four-time Super Bowl Champion and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. He is considered one of the best all-time cornerbacks, but his athletic accolades are not his entire legacy.
Over the years, Mel has seen many of his brothers suffer from sleep apnea and struggle with treatment. Once he realized the size of the problem, he knew he had to do something and he committed to raising awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea as National Spokesperson for DreamSleep.
Earnest Byner
National Spokesperson
Nominated for the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame, Earnest Byner is a two-time Super Bowl Champion (Redskins 1991 and Ravens 2000) and two-time Pro Bowler (1990 and 1991). During his playing career, Byner earned a number of honors, including being named one of the 70 all-time greatest Redskins in 2002, induction into the Ravens Ring of Honor, the Ed Block Courage Award in 1986, the 1996 NFL Extra Effort Award, the NFLPA Unsung Hero Award in 1997 and the Ravens Man of the Year Award in 1997. After retiring as a player, Byner has served as Baltimore Ravens Director of Player Development, Running Backs Coach for the Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Over the years, Earnest has seen the dangers of sleep apnea affecting his friends, family and fellow players. Since then, he has been committed to raising awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea as National Spokesperson for DreamSleep.
John Peterson, DDS
Dental Sleep Advisor
Dr. Peterson has specialized in treating patients with sleep disorders since 1980. He operates a board-certified, fully-licensed durable medical participating supplier with Medicare. As a medical center of excellence, all providers must satisfy and maintain specific training standards. He brings decades of experience in Oral Appliance Therapy and collaboration with physicians to the Nexus team.
Stan Jones, CDA, DLT.
Instructor & Coach
Stan Jones brings over 28 years of experience coaching dentists and their teams to N3Sleep. He has extensive hands-on experience in the implementation and practical application of Dental Sleep Medicine, and specifically in oral sleep appliances, in the modern dental practice. He is a certified dental assistant and lab tech. As a member of the N3Sleep Consulting Division, he looks forward to meeting your team and working together to streamline and optimize your practice.
Amzi Koury
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
After more than a decade in academia with studies including comparative physiology, biochemistry, and international business, I hung up my lab coat in search of something that would allow me to more fully express my creativity while fulfilling my passion to work globally. And so began my journey into the digital world. Technology is at the core of my marketing planning and strategy, I believe when we can leverage it to streamline workload and processes, we empower ourselves and team to focus on BIG picture topics and taking care of the customer because without them- business doesn’t exist.
Trina Oliver
Director of Commercial Billing
Trina Oliver has over 12 years of experience in different avenues regarding medical processes and procedures. She holds an associate degree in Nuclear Medicine as a CNMT with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Management. She also holds certifications in Phlebotomy and EKG administration. Trina is personally responsible for billing over 500 million dollars in claims specific for different modalities such as Medicare billing & credentialing, Partial hospitalization billing, Dental Sleep Medicine Billing, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
She has a heavy focus and years of experience with training dental offices on increasing collections, lowering outstanding AR and claim submission compliance through her audit ready procedures. Her expertise and what she enjoys most is helping providers increase their allowed amount potential resulting in higher insurance and patient reimbursement with both in and out of network claim billing. This not only helps providers close treatment, but it also allows more patients to access treatment utilizing their medical benefits in a Denal Office.
Trina’s role and focus with Nexus Dental Systems is to oversee the Commercial side of Medical Billing, handling the Credentialing, Onboarding, and medical Billing processes and procedures for each office that enrolls with Nexus Bill. She has streamlined and organized the employee training and roles to allow a seamless process with medical billing taking the stress off the provider and handling items internally through the Nexus Bill program.
Sharon Henley
Operations Coordinator
Sharon Henley, our Operations Coordinator, has over 22 years in the medical-administrative field. She has excelled in financial counseling, admitting, and other administrative operations for surgical facilities that perform dental and medical procedures. Sharon has spent her last 16 years in a hospital system that serves over 1 million patients annually in a 6 county region.
Dr. Chris P. Farrugia DDS, Dental Advisor and Medical Claims Consultant
Dr. Chris P. Farrugia is a nationally recognized speaker, teacher, and leader in the subjects of digital dentistry and medical billing by dental practices. Dr. Farrugia practices TMD and dental sleep medicine in northwest Florida utilizing advanced technologies such as digital imaging, CAD/CAM, CT, and 3D printing to provide comprehensive, high-quality care. He speaks to and trains dentists nationwide who want to advance their practices with digital (CBCT) imaging, digital restorative dentistry (including all CAD/CAM procedures and materials, CAD/CAM/CT integration, and 3D printing), and to successfully implement dental sleep medicine into their practice. Medical insurance provides benefits for services provided by dentists including exams, radiographs, imaging, and treatment.
These services are routinely under- or uncompensated to dental practitioners. As a nationally recognized expert in medical billing by dental practices, Dr. Farrugia teaches dental practices to access medical benefits for their services so that dentists can be properly compensated for what they know and do.
Lisa Moler
Chief Marketing Officer
Founder of MedMark, Lisa has built a reputation as one of the dynamic forces in the American publishing and marketing industry forged over a career spanning three decades.
After founding MedMark, LLC in 2005, Lisa launched numerous dental specialty publications that include Endodontic Practice, Implant Practice, Orthodontic Practice, and Dental Sleep Practice magazines.
She is an avid pod-caster guesting on multiple shows, and also hosts her own podcasts, DocTalk Dental and most recently, The ZZZ Pack, a podcast dedicated to promoting dental sleep apnea awareness.
As MedMark Media’s Founder/CEO and Publisher, she leads the company’s business strategy, while cultivating business development opportunities, and establishing strategic industry partnerships.
Lee Surkin, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Lee A. Surkin, MD is triple board certified in sleep medicine, cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology and has over 22 years of practice experience. His undergraduate degree in biology was done at Brandeis University followed by a masters degree in human nutrition at Columbia University.
He graduated with his MD from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and did his internal medicine and cardiology training at Yale University.
Dr. Surkin has been in private practice in eastern NC where he founded a cardiology practice followed by a sleep medicine practice followed by a medical weight loss practice and merged all into a multi-specialty group that places a strong emphasis on wellness and prevention. Dr. Surkin also founded a sleep medicine practice in NY where he sees patient utilizing telemedicine.
Dr. Surkin was also one of the first sleep physicians in NC to offer home sleep apnea testing and has been on the cutting edge in offering new and innovative treatments across a broad spectrum of his areas of expertise.
He is a national leader in advancing the recognition of the strong association between sleep disorders and cardiovascular disease and founder of the American Academy of Cardiovascular Sleep Medicine.
Pat Adair
Director of Operations
Pat’s broad range of experiences, from his time in the US
Army, along with two decades spent in a variety of operations, sales, and
client service arenas, have given him valuable insight into the nuances of
piloting complex, successful, “people-first” organizations.
Whether it’s external or internal, building bridges, to establish true
symbiosis between multiple points, is where he finds the most satisfaction in
his role. When he boils it down, helping Nexus help you, help your
patients, is his singular, passionate, responsibility.
Ryan Minor
Chief Technology Officer
Ryan has been building software for over 17 years and has engineered many complex systems and platforms for a wide variety of industries. He has created APIs, mobile applications, IoT applications, and web applications of varying sizes for many industries. He is well-versed in full-stack development, database design & optimization, machine learning, artificial intelligence, internet-of-things, data mining, and systems integrations. He has technology patents and is a forward-thinking technology professional. As Chief Technology Officer of Nexus Dental Systems, Ryan will be creating our technology vision and ensuring industry-leading and innovative features and functionality.
Sara White
National Spokesperson
Sara White was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. It was while attending college in Tennessee that she met her husband, the late Reggie White. They were married twenty years prior to his death in 2004.
Since her husband’s death, Sara has been committed to raising awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea. She continues this mission as National Spokesperson for DreamSleep.
Anthony Griggs
National Spokesperson
Anthony Griggs played as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (1982–1985) and Cleveland Browns (1986–1988). Prior to joining the NFL, he played college ball with Ohio State and Villanova.
Since retirement, he has been involved in raising awareness of the dangers of sleep apnea as National Spokesperson for DreamSleep.
Eddie Mason
National Spokesperson
Eight-year NFL veteran linebacker who played with the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins. Voted Special Teams MVP in 1995 and recipient of the NFL Unsung Hero Award in 2001. Eddie is a certified trainer and Life Transition Coach for the NFL, helping retired NFL players transition back into everyday life after their careers. Eddie is the author of “Training for the Tough Game of Life”, the Co-Founder of GAME CHANGERS ACADEMY and Commissioner and Developer of i9 Sports. Eddie is also Prime Skills Linebacker U Head Coach.
D. Michael Lacey, M.D.
Medical & Research Consultant
Dr. Michael Lacey is a Neurologist who sub-specializes in Sleep Medicine. After graduating from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville he later earned a medical degree from the Eastern Virginia Medical School. He remained at Eastern Virginia to complete two years of Internal Medicine training and then a 3 year neurology residency- and was selected Chief Resident in Neurology his final year. He then completed a fellowship at Emory University, specializing in Neuromuscular Disorders and Epilepsy. He received extensive training in Sleep Medicine in his Neurology residency and in his first several years of practice. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both Neurology and Sleep Medicine, by the American Board of Sleep Medicine, and holds the position of Medical Director of the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine, teaching physicians, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and sleep technicians the basics, diagnosis, treatment and current trends in Sleep Medicine. He maintains a private practice in the specialties of Neurology and Sleep Medicine, and participates extensively in clinical research in the areas of Sleep Medicine and Neurology as Medical Director of Neurotrials Research, Inc, and has participated in over 300 clinical trials in the areas of Sleep Medicine and Neurology. Professional memberships include the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Academy of Neurology, the Medical Association of Georgia, and the the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals.
Jeff Barts
National Sales Director
Jeff grew up in Fayetteville, NC in a military family. Fascinated with science, he became a Graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington with a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Originally on the premed/pre-pharmacy track, Jeff got an opportunity in sales prior to graduation and never looked back.
Now residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Jeff spent the last 12 years in the Finance industry. Feeling exhausted, tired, and overworked he was looking for answers. After a visit to a dentist, Jeff was diagnosed with sleep apnea and tested with an AHI 15. He was fitted with an Oral Appliance and was so impressed by the results he decided OAT was his way to help give back and save the lives of others by spreading the word about this silent killer.
As the National Sales Director, you’ll find Jeff immersed in helping our dentists save lives. He oversees multiple projects across the dental sleep platform to include VIP accounts, HERO program, college athletic screening initiatives and community outreach programs. He is very passionate about helping our veterans by interfacing with VA locations nationwide. Helping make dental care more accessible for veterans is a passion of his and the company.
Ross Ford
Director of Special Projects
“I used to accept that waking up every hour from 11pm to 6am was normal. I believed it was just a part of my unique sleep cycle until a friend convinced me that there was nothing normal or healthy about it.”
– Brett Brocki, Founder
Brett's Story
My diagnosis with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was a wake up call for me. Like the more than 22 million Americans struggling with OSA, I was not presented with options, but prescribed a CPAP machine. And like the 83% of all CPAP users, I could not keep the machine on for more than 4 hours a night.
My CPAP machines are incredibly difficult to use on a consistent basis. There is a reason one-third to 50% of all CPAP users abandon their machines or never even bother to fill their prescriptions. OSA patients are at an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes but they would rather remain tired, groggy, and at risk than use a CPAP. This is not ok!
My personal quest to alleviate my OSA led me to an important discovery; oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is FDA approved and typically well-tolerated with more than 80% of users reporting wearing their appliance every night. The treatment shows the same results as CPAP for combating grogginess, restlessness, high blood pressure, and cardiac morbidity.
I know that oral appliance therapy has saved my life. I have a plan to make it widely available to the more than 90 million Americans currently suffering through an undiagnosed case of OSA and disrupt an $8 billion industry.
Million Americans Struggling with OSA
% of All CPAP Users Abandon Their Machine
