Leadership

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Depth, knowledge and experience.

The Vortex Companies is guided by an experienced leadership team that continues to provide innovative products and services to municipal, industrial and commercial markets. Our leadership is strictly dedicated to providing proven, trenchless infrastructure solutions to improve the quality of our water and wastewater infrastructure.

THINKING BIG. DELIVERING RESULTS.

The Vortex Companies is guided by an experienced leadership team that continues to provide innovative products and services to municipal, industrial and commercial markets.

Mike Vellano PRESIDENT & CEO / FOUNDER

Mike Vellano

PRESIDENT & CEO / FOUNDER

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike’s primary focus is fulfilling the corporate mission and ensuring Vortex delivers on its promise of delivering the broadest range of service solutions and proven products to customers around the globe. Since the company’s founding in 2015, Mike has strategically guided its growth and maturity in the highly competitive trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation. From its highly experienced and customer-focused services division, to the cutting edge products and technologies division, Vortex is a leader in providing an end-to-end solution to its customers.

Formerly, Mike was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for one of the largest privately held trenchless underground contractors in North America. His primary responsibilities included overseeing sales, marketing, and product development functions for all business entities. He was also in charge of forging strategic business alliances as part of the company’s vision of providing the widest selection of environmentally friendly trenchless underground repair solutions to its customers. During his five-year tenure, Mike used his vision and leadership to help measurably grow the company’s revenue.

From 2001 to 2009, Mike worked for Albany, New York-based Vellano Brothers, where he rose from the ranks from local Branch Manager to Vice President. During his tenure there, he helped streamline operations, grow accounts, and increase sales exponentially. Mike resides in Houston, Texas, along with his wife Lettie, and two daughters.

Matthew Samford CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Matthew Samford

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Matthew Samford is the Vortex Companies Chief Financial Officer and oversees the corporate financial, accounting, and human resources teams charged with managing the company’s day-to-day fiscal operations. Matthew has 18 years of professional accounting and finance experience, and prior to joining the Vortex Companies he served in various leadership positions after leaving Deloitte as an audit manager. In 2016, Matthew joined Vortex as its corporate controller. His construction and Big 4 accounting background quickly proved to be a tremendous asset and he was quickly promoted to EVP of Finance, before his eventual promotion to CFO.

A graduate of Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, Matthew holds both a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in finance. He has been a licensed CPA in the state of Texas since 2005 and lives in The Woodlands, Texas, with his wife and three daughters.

Ryan Graham CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Ryan Graham

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

As Chief Operating Officer, Ryan is focused on syncing Vortex’s Products and Services divisions for greater cross-company efficiency. Ryan is a proven leader with a history of delivering innovative customer solutions. With the company’s unique product and service contracting platform, Ryan works closely with both divisions to optimize internal partnering, cross-selling, and improved customer and technical support.

Previously SVP Services, Ryan has a history of driving the expansion and growth of the company’s extensive line of trenchless products and services. With over 12 years of experience in the trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation and water/wastewater industries, Ryan began his career working for one of the largest privately held trenchless underground contractors in the United States. Since joining Vortex at its inception, Ryan has held various roles across the company, which uniquely qualifies him for the position of COO. Ryan currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife Jessica, and their two children, Jack and Taylor.

Pete Dannenberg CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Pete Dannenberg

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

As the Chief Revenue Officer Pete oversees the Vortex Services and Products sales teams. Pete is responsible for implementing best practices and integrating Vortex Services on a national scale. Pete’s in-depth knowledge of the practical application and sales of specialty technologies in the trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation space has been a tremendous asset to the company’s growth in the water and sewer technologies market.

Pete also served as SVP Technologies for four years, where he was instrumental in the growth of its sewer robotics, UV technologies, training and sales.

Prior to joining Vortex in 2020, Pete worked for several industry-leading sewer technology companies where he held positions of Regional Sales Manager and Lead Field Engineer. This ground-level experience, where he worked closely with contractors, gives him unique insight into their needs and expectations.

Pete is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ram Vela CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Ram Vela

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

As Chief Strategy Officer, Ram works closely with the executive management team to ensure the company’s long-term strategic vision and growth initiatives are aligned across domestic and international markets. Prior to this role, Vela served as the company’s SVP of Corporate Development & Analytics where he oversaw all aspects of the acquisition process, from sourcing and due diligence to closing and integration.

Prior to the Vortex Companies, Ram owned and managed a small business consulting firm based in Annapolis, MD, Vela Associates LLC. The company targeted clients that were pre-revenue or early in their revenue generation and aided in key areas such as implementing business development strategies, marketing and advertising, and private capital fundraising. Prior to that, Ram was a Senior Analyst at Greenspring Associates (acquired by StepStone Group Inc.), a full-service provider of venture capital solutions.

Ram is a 2010 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. While there, Ram was also a standout varsity football player and Distinguished Graduate Award recipient. Ram lives in Houston with his wife, Jenny, and two children, Blake and Rambo Vela.

Tim Kutz CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Tim Kutz

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Over 25 years of senior leadership experience that includes CIO, EVP, SVP, and Partner positions in $1B – $5B private equity and public companies. Hands-on, collaborative approach to driving large-scale digital and business transformations, operating platform rationalization and modernization, PMI, and high-performance team building. M&A leader for all digital/IT aspects of transactions to/from private equity firms and strategic buyers. Deep automation/AI, Industry 4.0, BI/analytics, cybersecurity, and large-scale program delivery experience for global manufacturing, distribution, and logistics-tech industries.

Quin Breland, ESQ. SVP, SHARED SERVICES

Quin Breland, ESQ.

SVP, SHARED SERVICES

As Senior Vice President of Shared Services, Quin helps bridge the company’s products and service divisions to maximize knowledge, equipment, logistics, and materials to streamline processes and level out resources to be more responsive to the company’s customers. Quin works closely with the executive management team to create an environment that broadens the company’s middle management and sales personnel decision-making authority to keep processes moving forward and products going out the door.

Prior to this role, Quin served as Managing Director of Vortex Europe, where he played an integral role in its early growth. Quin also serves as the company’s General Counsel. Formerly a shareholder with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, he has extensive experience in entity formation and management, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, lending/finance, and construction law. He has represented publicly traded and privately held corporations in complex mergers, stock and asset purchase transactions, corporate financing arrangements, distribution and supply agreements, and other transactional matters.

Quin received his Bachelor of Science in Management (double-major in Finance and Management) magna cum laude from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, and his Juris Doctor cum laude from Tulane University Law School. Quin resides in Houston, Texas with his wife, Martha Claire, and their three daughters.

Matthew Peterson SVP, COATINGS & REHAB MATERIALS

Matthew Peterson

SVP, COATINGS & REHAB MATERIALS

As the Senior Vice President of Coatings and Rehab Materials, Matt oversees the development and formulation manufacturing of Vortex’s industry-leading polymeric and mortar materials used to repair and rehabilitate the most challenging water and wastewater projects. Matt began his career 20 years ago, working for his family’s business, Lusid Technologies, a manufacturer of industrial and automotive coatings and paints.

Matt then founded AFI Paint Supply in 2004, a distributor of industrial coating and paint products. In 2010, Matt started Stag Technologies, a polymerics formulation manufacturing and installation company. Acquired by Vortex in 2018, Stag Technologies was folded into the Company’s growing products division, where he stayed on as the VP/General Manager of the Polymerics group.

Matt’s ability to bring groundbreaking new materials to the market, and commercialize them faster and more efficiently, led him to his latest role at Vortex. Having introduced more than 100 infrastructure repair materials to date, Matt stands above the rest and demonstrates his value to each one of Vortex’s projects. Matt resides in Bluffdale, Utah, with his wife Brittany, and four children.

B.J. Kerstiens SVP, SERVICES

B.J. Kerstiens

SVP, SERVICES

As Senior Vice President of Vortex Services, B.J. is focused on all of the company’s service divisions. Since joining Vortex Companies in 2019, B.J. has drawn on his 20 years of construction experience, (15 of which have been spent in the trenchless infrastructure rehabilitation industry) to drive significant growth and innovation across the organization.

B.J.’s expertise in trenchless rehabilitation, combined with his extensive experience in managing various business units, has been instrumental in identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities. His strategic leadership has fostered a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within Vortex, ensuring that the company not only meets but exceeds industry standards.

Throughout his time at Vortex, B.J. has served in multiple roles, showcasing his ability to adapt and grow within the company. His hands-on experience with the technical and operational aspects of the business, along with his keen understanding of market trends, has enabled him to lead teams that consistently deliver top-tier services to clients. B.J. holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Concrete Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Based in Murfreesboro, TN, B.J. lives with his wife Tamara and their two children, Will and Charlotte.

David Fletcher SVP, STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS

David Fletcher

SVP, STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS

Dave is a 30-year veteran of the trenchless technology industry. He leads Vortex’s long-term strategic partnership and market development strategy for the products division. Working closely with the management team, Dave fills a vital role in the ongoing commercialization and global expansion of the Vortex product line.

Prior to joining Vortex, Dave directed sales and all business development for Applied Felts Inc. and MaxLiner USA, both worldwide leaders in cured-in-place pipe liners and resins. Widely known and respected in the industry, his global industry knowledge, salesmanship, and negotiation skills are integral to Vortex’s long-term growth in key strategic market segments. Dave and his wife, Maura, reside in Newtown, Connecticut, and are the parents of four children.

Stefan Röck MANAGING DIRECTOR, VORTEX EUROPE

Stefan Röck

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VORTEX EUROPE

As Managing Director of Vortex Europe, Stefan Röck leads a growing team of technical and sales professionals across the continent. Stefan joined Vortex Europe in 2022, bringing over a decade of experience in sales leadership and team building. His extensive knowledge of trenchless rehabilitation equipment design, manufacturing, sales, and support has been instrumental in driving growth within this highly specialized industry. With deep regional expertise and strong roots in Germany, Stefan is well-positioned to increase demand in the critical German infrastructure rehabilitation market.

Under Stefan’s leadership, Vortex has expanded its international brand portfolio, including Schwalm robotics, ETACAS UV systems, and Picote drain cleaning equipment. He is also tasked with introducing other proven Vortex solutions, such as Schwalm Robots and accessories, GeoKrete^® geopolymer mortar, Structure Guard^® epoxies, I & I^® Guard grout systems, the VeriCure curing monitoring system, and CIPP resins to further strengthen Vortex’s presence in the European market.

Stefan, resides in Dietmannsried, Germany, with his wife Mary and two daughters.

Matt Timberlake PRESIDENT, UNITED FELTS, INC. (A VORTEX COMPANY)

Matt Timberlake

PRESIDENT, UNITED FELTS, INC. (A VORTEX COMPANY)

When Vortex acquired Applied Felts, Inc., Ferratex Solutions, and MaxLiner USA, Matt was tapped as the President of the new entity. Rebranded as United Felts, Inc., Matt is overseeing the reshaping and expansion of the nation’s largest manufacturer of dry and wet-out liners. A 27-year veteran of the underground utility industry, Matt is a third-generation member of the family-owned Ted Berry Company, Inc., where he served as the president until it was acquired by Vortex in 2018.

Over the course of his career, several industry associations have recognized Matt for his contributions to the advancement of trenchless solutions and underground utility repair. These include: the Northeast Trenchless Association Founders Award, the Maine Wastewater Control Association Presidents Award, the Maine Water Environment Association Communications

Award, and the Maine Water Utilities Association with its Jim Doherty Award. Matt currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Christine, and children.

Brooke Malone DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Brooke Malone

DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Brooke Malone, Director of Human Resources, oversees the ongoing development and implementation of the company’s HR functions, strategy, and implementation enterprise wide.

Since joining in 2019, Brooke has built an HR foundation to support Vortex’s aggressive growth strategy, drives strategies to source and retain talent, and has led its teams through unprecedented times. Brooke has over 17 years of talent management, system implementation, and policy and compliance experience in several different industries and companies of all sizes, including Brinker International and National Oilwell/Varco.

Brooke earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) in affiliation with HRCI and SHRM. She lives in Houston with her husband of 14 years, and their Goldendoodle, Boodles.

Leadership

Depth, knowledge and experience.

THINKING BIG. DELIVERING RESULTS.

Latest News

Vortex Companies Acquires PrimeLine Products, Inc.

Vortex Companies Promotes Ram Vela to Chief Strategy Officer to Lead Corporate Growth and Global Transformation

Dan Watson Promoted to Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Vortex International

Vortex Promotes Chuck Parsons and Ryan Helmuth to Key Positions Designed to Strengthen Operations Throughout the Vortex Platform of Businesses

Pete Dannenberg Named Chief Revenue Officer at Vortex Companies

Get… In The Vortex^™

Leadership

Depth, knowledge and experience.

THINKING BIG. DELIVERING RESULTS.

Latest News

Vortex Companies Acquires PrimeLine Products, Inc.

Vortex Companies Promotes Ram Vela to Chief Strategy Officer to Lead Corporate Growth and Global Transformation

Dan Watson Promoted to Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Vortex International

Vortex Promotes Chuck Parsons and Ryan Helmuth to Key Positions Designed to Strengthen Operations Throughout the Vortex Platform of Businesses

Pete Dannenberg Named Chief Revenue Officer at Vortex Companies

Get… In The Vortex™

Get… In The Vortex^™