About Us
Born on fire-ravaged slopes of Southern California.
"Provider of the Most Effective DIY Solution for Protecting Property Against Mudslides, Soil
Erosion, And Other Land Encroachment Threats."
The idea for EvoGuard's innovative mudslide mitigation product was born on the fire-ravaged slopes of Madera County, California in 2020. As almost 400,000 acres of forest burned, threatening lives and homes, a small South Florida-based company, Sox Erosion Solutions, went to work with government officials focused on one goal - to control mud slides and debris flow (read article). Using an innovative technology -- SOXfence™ -- these goals were meet.
In short, this patented, fire retardant and flood resistant perimeter barrier protected critical access roads, allowing first responders to save lives and extinguish the blaze. The added beneficial consequence to this project is that the hundreds of hillside homes below the access roads were also protected. From this realization, EvoGuard was born - with the premise that individual homeowners could protect their property with the same systems that kept roads open in the aftermath of California's most devastating wildfire.
As wildfires escalate, post-fire conditions become a greater threat. Deforested and unstabilized hillsides create ideal conditions for heavy rains to slide destructive mud and debris onto personal property. EvoGuard understands these risks in this world of natural disasters and extreme weather. Now, homeowners can join the ever-growing community of do-it-yourselfers who seek to protect what they value most. The commercially proven SOXfence™ product can now be purchased as EvoGuard's Extreme Weather Barrier, an easily installed layer of protection to gain peace of mind against post-fire debris flow.
Prepare.
Protect.
Prevail.
EvoGuard recognizes that there are a range of land and property risks driven by extreme weather and is proud of this product's ability to reduce a variety of threats, including costly insurance claims. This multi-use barrier is proven to mitigate damage against mud and debris flow, erosion caused by stormwater, wind-blown sand, snow drifts, topsoil runoff and other land encroachment threats. Evoguard's mission is to empower homeowners to prepare their property, protect the people and possessions they love, and prevail against the ravages of these weather driven events.
Meet the Team
A recognized leader in the development of erosion control solutions.
Founder and CEO
Ryan Leeds
As a recognized leader in the development of erosion control solutions, Ryan G. Leeds has expanded his impact with the creation of EvoGuard, the innovative and easy-to-install product allowing individuals to protect their properties from damaging mudslides, debris flow and other land encroachment threats.
Mr. Leeds, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Evolution Protection (maker of EvoGuard), has a long and distinguished corporate and entrepreneurial career spanning many industries. His most recent foray into direct-to-consumer products is consistent with his creative career path during the last few decades.
He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Sox Erosion Solutions, which provides erosion control systems through its suite of patented, bioengineered living shoreline/hillside technologies. The SOX solutions have been impactful for mitigating erosion in the GOLF, HOA, Government, and other verticals for over two decades. Through his efforts these systems have now been scaled for do-it-yourselfers seeking smaller installations.
Prior to his current endeavors, Mr. Leeds enjoyed 19 years in the securities industry as Managing Director of equity Trading and a partner of Sterne Agee & Leach, one of the oldest financial institutions in the United States. Sterne Agee was acquired by Stifel Financial in 2015. He developed wholesale trading operations for several firms including Program TradingCorp, vFinance and Sterne Agee, and completed the Series 7 (General Securities), Series 55 (Equity Trader) and Series 63 (States Securities Laws) licensing requirements as well as CE certifications in AML, trading compliance, best execution, among others. Ryan attended the University of South Florida 1990-1993 where he studied Accounting and Finance.
Mr. Leeds is a managing member of several portfolio companies, including:
3JAG3 Properties, LLC – Brand Development and Portfolio Asset Management
CBM, LLC – Provides management and oversight for his portfolio hospitality assets.
Empire Social, LLC (FKA Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar) – Three Premium Lifestyle Lounges located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Financial District, and South Miami, Fl
SOX, LLC - Develops, Manufactures and Distributes a patented suite of bioengineered erosion control systems.
Textile Manufacturing Solutions, LLC - Contract manufacturer for large scale geo textiles.
Evolution Protection, LLC – Consumer products focused on DIY erosion and mud slide risk reduction through its EvoGuard product line.
Stonybrook Memorial, LLC – Managing Partnership of The Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Home, Boca Raton, Fl.
and others.
In 2009, Mr. Leeds founded the famous Prime Cigar & Wine Bar in Boca Raton, Prime Cigar & Whiskey Bar in Miami, Prime Cigar at Battleground in NJ and Empire Social of South Miami. These institutions offer staples for serious cigar aficionados and Whiskey advocates. They have all been named “Best of the Best” in numerous 3rd party publications over the past twelve years.
In 2003, Mr. Leeds acted as angel investor and advisor in the formation of Boca Raton Funeral Home assisting his lifelong friend in service to the community. In 2016 Ryan and a group he formed acquired the assets of The Gardens Cemetery of Boca Raton, the nation’s premier cemetery mausoleum. He continues to serve on the Board as an active equity partner of The Gardens.
In 2017 Mr. Leeds was invited to become an invested equity partner of SOX Erosion Solutions. After months of industry due-diligence, Ryan elected to take an active role in the brand development of SOX with his partner, Brian Fischer. To date Ryan and Brian have expanded SOX’s reach into 44 states and 4 countries and continue to grow the brand globally.
Mr. Leeds has a proven track record in the finance and securities industry, as well as his brand building efforts and enjoys continued success with SOX Erosion Solutions, EvoGuard, TMS, CBM, Prime Cigar, Empire Social, 3JAG3, The Gardens Cemetery and Boca Raton Funeral Home, and an ever-growing suite of portfolio investments.
He is the proud father of three beautiful daughters and has been married for 23 years. Ryan serves several charitable organizations including being a founding board member of The Boca Raton Police Foundation, Place of Hope, and Junior Achievement, among others, as a board member or advisory board member.
Driven to develop protective measures against natural disasters.
President
Natasha Vidal
Natasha Vidal, President of Evolution Protection, is tasked with delivering EvoGuard’s Extreme Weather Barrier direct-to-consumers and growing the business with the goal of providing protection to all at-risk homes for mudslides and debris flow. She has a firm belief in the technology and is driven to continue developing emergency protective measures that mitigate the devastating impacts caused by natural disasters and extreme weather events.
Ms. Vidal has years of commercial real estate development experience, from her previous role as Vice President of Operations for a Boca Raton developer, focused primarily on ground up construction of diverse commercial assets. She was also the Senior Research Assistant for the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) in Boca Raton, Florida, where she worked with the City of Dania Beach on its revitalization project, “Oasis.”
Previously, Ms. Vidal had a long career in commercial print and marketing. She has over 10 years of experience in real estate development, urban design, and regional planning industries, as well as over 25 years of experience in marketing and branding.
Ms. Vidal has been an active member of Vistage Florida since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Design, from Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a minor in Environmental Science. Her compassion for the environment led her to serve with the US Department of Agriculture as a biological technician, successfully working to eradicate an invasive plant species adversely affecting South Florida habitats. She is proud to be raising her son in the heart of Boca Raton and loves adventuring to mountains and deserts throughout the country.
Expanding his national network of service providers that mitigate erosion.
National Sales Director
Casey Cittadino
As the National Sales Director at SOX Erosion Solutions, Casey Cittadino brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic skill set to the forefront of the company's expansion and service provider network. Joining the team in early 2019, Casey has been a driving force in not only elevating the company's sales efforts but also in educating partners about the invaluable erosion solutions SOX provides: ShoreSOX, DredgeSOX, and EvoGuard.
Before his role at SOX Erosion Solutions, Casey embarked on a remarkable journey across a variety of startup companies, where he honed his sales and business development prowess. With a career spanning 14 years, his experience ranged from spearheading the introduction of groundbreaking technologies in the construction sector to playing pivotal roles in launching and branding two distinct enterprises within the health and wellness domain. Casey's multifaceted professional journey extends beyond the corporate realm. A true testament to his versatility, he also boasts a commendable career as a professional lacrosse player. Between 2006 and 2014, Casey showcased his exceptional athleticism on the lacrosse field. He played for Denever for seven seasons and played his final two seasons in Charlotte.
Driven by a passion for excellence and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Casey Cittadino continues to make a resounding impact in both the corporate and sports arenas. He enjoys living in west Boca Raton with his beautiful wife of 13 years and managing a youth lacrosse league for his two adoring children.
The go-to source for efficient and enhanced productivity.
Director of Operations
Jake Shay
Jacob Shay is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the field of office administration. With a passion for organizational efficiency and meticulous attention to detail, Mr. Shay has established themselves as a valued asset in various administrative roles.
During his tenure at a West Palm Beach property management company, Mr. Shay played a crucial role in streamlining administrative processes, optimizing workflow, and enhancing overall productivity.
Over the past 10 years, Mr. Shay has honed his skills in office management, demonstrating proficiency in tasks such as scheduling appointments, coordinating meetings, managing correspondence, and maintaining confidential records. His ability to handle multiple responsibilities with poise and prioritize tasks effectively has consistently ensured smooth operations within the organizations he has worked with.
Outside of the office, he enjoys time roller skating and attending musicals.