Our Team

Bobby Riggs was born and raised in Charleston SC. He graduated in 1971 with a BS in Marketing from the University of South Carolina. Go Cocks! Happily married to his beautiful wife and father to their son and daughter. Bobby’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, golfing, and all sports played by the Gamecocks. He loves his family and so enjoyed coaching his kids as they grew up from an early age to high school.He was employed as a salesman in 1971 for a metal fabrication company covering the eastern U.S. So, his customers were mostly in the manufacturing sector of textiles and the tire industry. In 1978, he founded Custom Equipment Company as a Distributor and Manufacture’s representative for all industries. Thus, he enjoys creating products that benefit our customers throughout the US and beyond.

Born in Asheville, NC, Brian moved to Charleston, SC at the age of twenty-six. A change of scenery, from the mountains to the ocean, it was yet another life choice Brian will never regret. He served in administrative and management roles for a few years before joining the Custom Equipment family in November of 2020.Responsible for all Administrative decisions and Operational leadership as well as determining and executing the Company’s Vision. He does Inside Sales, Warehouse Oversight and Office Administration. Brian also assists the team in many other areas and fields. He also facilitates and attends most of the Industry Conferences and Leadership Panels. He finds joy in learning and adapting to this new industry as he continues to grow to better understand it. Currently a resident of Hanahan, SC. He loves traveling and spending time with friends as, what he refers to himself as, an extreme extrovert. He believes that these personality traits make him a great asset to the team and to every customer and vendor that he has the opportunity to work with.

Heather was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She moved to South Carolina when she was three years old. After graduating from Stratford High School, she went on to graduate from Trident Technical College where she studied bookkeeping. She began working with Custom Equipment Company in June 2012. Heather is responsible for oversight of company operations. She handles all Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and some Human Resources. She currently lives in Summerville, SC with her husband and their three children. They also have two Boxers, Sophie and Penny and a Yorkie, Oliver. In her spare time she enjoys running and coaching her children’s soccer teams. She also loves to craft and make shirts.

Robbie Lewis is a 1996 Graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Business. Upon graduating, he began his sales career with Ferguson Enterprises working his way from inside sales to outside sales. He was responsible for starting and promoting a new business development unit with the newly formed underground utilities division in Bluffton, SC. Leaving this position in 2004, he set off to pursue an opportunity with a smaller family owned business called Custom Equipment Company, which is where he remains today. Robbie has continued his passion for business development through business to business relationships which he considers ‘Partnerships’. He brings value to his customers by providing a supply chain that not only delivers high quality products, but reliable delivery as well. He has built a strong knowledge and emphasis in our industry fields. These include returnable packaging, ergonomics, storage solutions and material handling as a whole. He likes to be the “GO TO GUY” when someone needs help with any new projects or problems they are having. He looks forward to bringing value to you through comprehensive analysis, consultation and solutions. Outside of his professional life, he has been happily married since 2004. He adores his wife and 2 wonderful children. Both are in grade school and fill up their remaining time outside school. However, when Robbie has time he likes to golf, hunt, serve in his community and attend USC football games. Go Cocks!

Jacob Kirshner brings the fast-paced energy, tenacity, and negotiation expertise of New York City to Charleston’s thriving sales market. A natural people person with a passion for building genuine connections, Jacob specializes in understanding customer needs and providing tailored solutions that drive results. Known for his “hunter” mentality and high-energy approach, he thrives on turning prospects into long-term partners. Having relocated to the Lowcountry for a change of pace, Jacob is eager to leverage his relationship-building skills to help businesses grow in South Carolina. Outside of work, you can find him exploring downtown Charleston, playing pickleball, or enjoying the local food scene.