Vortex leadership. Driven to deliver innovative trenchless products, technology, and services.

As CEO and Founder, Mike’s primary focus is fulfilling the corporate mission and ensuring Vortex delivers on its promise of being a turnkey, cost-effective trenchless solutions provider ranging from consulting and project management services to the delivery of products, training, and installation.

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 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 over 16 year 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 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 Bachelors in Accounting and Masters 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.

As the President of Vortex Services, Wes oversees Vortex Companies’ expanding installation and contracting group seeks ways to improve operating efficiencies. He is also charged with integrating Vortex regional services on a national scale.

 Wes began his career as a project foreman, then later project manager, for Roese Contracting Co. in Tampa, Florida. In 2003, he was hired as Vice President for Tampa-based Comanco Environmental Corp., a position he held until 2006. During his time with the company, he streamlined automated equipment control systems and eliminated outside repairs and maintenance.

In 2006, Wes and two other partners started VacVision Environmental and began focusing on CCTV cleaning, inspection, and CIPP lining. Over the next decade, his vision and direction helped fuel consistent company growth by focusing on innovation and client needs. In 2017, VacVision was acquired by the Vortex Companies, where he is now a key member of the executive management team. Wes, and his wife Gena, have been married 10 years and live in Greenville, South Carolina, with their four children.

As President of Vortex Products, Andrew oversees the growth, innovation and strategy of the Products Division. After spending much of his career as a sales executive in the trenchless technology industry, Andrew offers a keen perspective on go-to-market strategies and product marketing for Vortex’s broad platform of technologies. An entrepreneurial spirit, who is obsessed with the Vortex value “Think Big,” Andrew is constantly hunting for the next new product to launch. In a never-ending pursuit to change the way contractors and cities build tomorrow’s infrastructure, Andrew is a firm believer that real innovation always starts on the job and that there is no better place to be than on the job with your customer. 

Prior to his role at Vortex, Andrew was a Regional Business Development Manager for a national utility contractor, where he recorded record sales through the development of previously untapped markets for proprietary sewer rehabilitation technologies. A New York native, Andrew completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland. In 2017 he earned his executive MBA at University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business with a focus in entrepreneurship and global strategy. Andrew currently resides in southern New Jersey with his wife Katie.

As Managing Director of Vortex Companies European Division, Quin oversees the day-to-day and long-term growth strategy as Vortex continues to expand its products and services businesses throughout Europe. Prior to this role, Quin was the company’s General Counsel and head of acquisitions.  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 merger, 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 New Orleans, Munich, Germany, with his wife, Martha Claire, and their two daughters.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Dave Fletcher, a 30-year veteran of the trenchless technology industry leads Vortex’s long-term commercial and expansion strategy for the products division. Working closely with CEO, Mike Vellano, and Products Division President, Andrew Gonnella, Dave fills a vital role in the ongoing commercialization and expansion of the Vortex product line.

Prior to joining Vortex, Dave directed sales and all business development for Applied Felts 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.

Jack joined Vortex Companies two years ago, bringing with him over 25 years of both domestic and international experience in paints, coatings, and resins. As COO, Jack oversees the Vortex Products division where he is shepherding growth through supply chain optimization, manufacturing best practices, new product development, sales and operational planning, and continuous process & system improvement. Prior to Vortex, Jack held several executive management positions; most recently as President of Starlift Services, Inc. a chemical distribution network and services company, where he was responsible for company operations, sales growth, profitability, and overall performance of a network of licensed affiliate sales.

A born leader and excellent manager of both people and the business at hand, Jack is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, with a BS in Economics and General Engineering.  Jack is a combat veteran flying the AH-1 Cobra helicopter.

Very active in the community, Jack is a founding member of Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco, TX, former head football coach of the Tomball Christian Warriors, and Executive Board Member for Lighthouse for Students, an at-risk youth organization.

As Senior Vice President of Sales, Ryan oversees all responsibilities related to managing the planning and personnel driving the sales growth of Vortex’s extensive line of trenchless products and services. Behind Ryan is a team highly motivated and experienced professionals that include business development, sales operations and product managers located in strategic regions of the US. Through this team, Ryan implements critical sales processes to support company growth. Ryan also oversees Vortex’s strategic partnerships across the country, where he helps promote and expand sales through these channels.

With more than a decade 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. Ryan currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife Jessica and their two children, Jack and Taylor.

James Hanna, in-house General Counsel, handles all legal matters for Vortex Companies , its partnerships and strategic alliances. James who brings a wealth of industrial and manufacturing legal and transaction expertise, will also focus on the company’s ongoing M&A strategy in its ongoing efforts to acquire and align Vortex with companies that fit its long-term growth plan.

Prior to joining Vortex, James was previously the General Counsel and VP of Business Development for a Houston-based drilling technology company. He is also a former partner at Vinson & Elkins, as well as Latham & Watkins, where he functioned as lead counsel on a host of corporate transactions involving M&A, leveraged finance, capital markets, venture and growth capital, and joint ventures.

James holds a degree in Political Science from Texas Christian University and received his JD from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Jaclyn is responsible for the long term global brand and corporate marketing strategy. She is also responsible for tailoring the buying journey for a unique experience in the trenchless space for our customers.  Jaclyn brings a blend of marketing, brand building, sales and even operational experience to harness and execute the Vortex message more consistently worldwide.  As the head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, she is responsible for leading Vortex’s vision of restoring communities and transforming the industry through the diversity of our people, dynamic partnerships and the innovative solutions we provide.

Prior to joining, Herrera was hired by The Weir Group’s Oil & Gas Division to head up its global marketing and branding efforts after it entered a new market in the Upstream Land Sector.  Over the course of 10 years, Herrera had multiple roles, including overseeing the company’s marketing communications, branding, wellhead business development, and sales programs. She also led the Artificial Lift product line and led operations for the North America Wellhead manufacturing plant. Before her time in oil and gas she held positions at top Houston Marketing Agencies leading brand strategy and communication programs.

Jaclyn holds a degree in marketing from the University of North Texas. She resides in Houston with her two children.

As Chief Administration Officer, Matt directly oversees the HSE, HR, Fleet and Procurement divisions, where helps develop and implement best practices and processes designed to improve performance from a business unit and individual employee perspective. Matt also works closely with the executive management team to ensure his efforts are fully supported throughout the company.

A lifelong resident of Maine, Timberlake grew up in the underground utility industry as a third generation member of the family owned Ted Berry Company Inc., where he served as its president. In February of 2019, the Vortex Companies acquired the Ted Berry Company, which is now Vortex Services, Northeast Division.

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 Waste Water Control Association Presidents Award, the Maine Water Environment Association Communications Award, and the Maine Water Utilities Association with its Jim Doherty Award. Matt resides in Livermore, Maine, with his wife, Christine, and five children.

As Chief Information Officer for the Vortex Companies, Ram is the company’s top technology executive. In this role, he spearheads all aspects of technology to create and drive scalable solutions through technology, innovation and data analytics. As Vortex looks to elevate its strategy around digitization and technological advancement to deepen engagement both internally and externally, he sits at the forefront of these initiatives. Additionally, Ram collaborates with cross-functional business leaders to create a vision for how technology can serve as a competitive differentiator for Vortex.

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 & advertising and private capital fundraising. Prior to that Ram was a Senior Analyst at Greenspring Associates, 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.