Meet Our Team

Ty Gayeski

Ty Gayeski joined VanTran as President in October 2024, bringing extensive experience in operations, supply chain management, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and sales. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Life Science/Systems Engineering and an MBA from Methodist University, Ty has driven business and cultural transformations throughout his career.

His professional journey began in the U.S. Army, where he led teams across the U.S. and Europe, finishing as a Captain at Joint Special Operations Command. After military service, he ran his own retail and wholesale company for five years. Since 2006, Ty has held leadership roles in the electrical sector at Eaton, ABB, and GE.

With deep knowledge of the electrical distribution and transmission market, Ty is committed to ensuring VanTran delivers industry-leading quality, lead times, and on-time delivery.

J.P. Davis

J.P. grew up in Dallas, Texas, and has spent much of his life traveling and working in several states across the nation. He became President of VanTran in 2016 and now serves as Senior Advisor as of 2024. J.P. holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Engineering and an MBA. Throughout his life, he has worked in design engineering, project management, sales and marketing, quality management, purchasing management, operations management, general management and more, working with high-profile organizations like Honeywell, GE, ABB, Alstom and CG. Our customers can find J.P. overseeing VanTran’s business operations in every aspect.  J.P. is proud of the quality products, efficient deliveries, superior customer service and willingness to find solutions that VanTran consistently provides.

Douglas Getson

Doug grew up in South Florida and moved to Waco to work with VanTran as our Sales and Marketing Director. He joined the VanTran team with experience as OEM electrical power equipment supplier having held roles in engineering, product development, general management, marketing and sales. Doug works hard to expand VanTran’s sales network and brand awareness through social media, trade shows and customer visits. Doug’s work ensures that VanTran customers are served efficiently and reliably, from tendering to order processing through post-product delivery. According to Doug, VanTran is a company where experts work beyond the specification to understand the customer’s needs. Doug is proud of the opportunity to be part of growing an already successful company by increasing its brand awareness and expanding its market coverage.

Jaber Shalabi

Jaber grew up in Amman, Jordan. He had family near Waco and decided to stay after starting a relationship with VanTran. After spending time as a Sales Engineer and Project Coordinator for several months, Jaber worked as a Transformer Design Engineer and Engineering Manager. Before joining the VanTran team, Jaber worked in a power plant as a performance engineer, performing several roles in quality control and facility management assurance. Today, our customers can find Jaber managing all incoming orders and factory support, as well as managing the internal testing department, leading R&D prospects and representing VanTran by engaging in technical conferences. Jaber enjoys building and strengthening relationships with VanTran customers at all times, ensuring above-expected results.

Massimo Nardi

Massimo Nardi is a dynamic and results-driven leader with over 15 years of experience in the energy industry. As VanTran’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Massimo brings a proven track record of driving revenue growth, building performance teams, and a customer-first mindset. His background spans diverse global roles at industry leaders such as GE, Hitachi Energy, and ABB, where he led multimillion-dollar portfolios and P&Ls across North America.

With a deep technical background in power systems and a passion for collaboration, Massimo is known for his ability to connect with diverse stakeholders, mentor future leaders, and promote a transparent, innovative, and performance-based culture. He holds an MBA in International Business from the University of New Hampshire and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University.

Allison Bulkley

Allison Bulkley, VanTran’s HR Manager & Safety Coordinator, has been with VanTran since 2013. Graduating from Baylor with her BBA in Marketing & Management, Allison brings a fresh and high-energy dynamic. Allison’s prior experience includes both sports and collegiate marketing, but she has found great enjoyment in learning about the transformer industry, as well as the technical aspect of our products. With her go-to motto, “teamwork makes the dream work,” Allison is always looking to learn something new and improve business processes, helping in whatever way she can.

Rudy Rodriguez

Rudy Rodriguez joined the VanTran team in March 2025 as the company’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manager. Rudy brings over two decades of combined EHS leadership experience spanning the military, government civil service, metal can manufacturing, and wind energy industries.

Throughout his career, Rudy has led the development and implementation of comprehensive safety programs, conducted high-level risk assessments, and driven regulatory compliance initiatives that strengthened organizational safety cultures and improved operational performance. He is also a certified safety trainer with credentials including OSHA 30, Hazardous Waste Management, Stormwater and Air Quality Compliance, and other key areas of environmental and workplace safety.

Rudy holds a B.S. in Workforce Training and Development from Southern Illinois University. At VanTran, he is responsible for advancing the company’s safety-first culture and environmental stewardship across all operations.

Daniel Marzan

Daniel Marzan, VanTran’s Quality Manager, has been with VanTran since September 2019. With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Daniel brings his extensive knowledge of transformers bear for VanTran. As Quality Manager, Daniel maintains the highest quality standards across all internal processes while also ensuring continual quality improvement within the facility. Daniel establishes, maintains and leads projects in conjunction with department managers and supervisors. Daniel goes above and beyond for VanTran by emphasizing the importance of viewing our products through the eyes of the customer.

Paul Eldridge

A native of Midland, Texas, Paul currently resides in Houston as our SW Regional Sales Director. Paul brings more than 25 years of experience in the electrical equipment industry, working with distribution, manufacturing and operations. On a day-to-day basis, Paul is responsible for account development and relationship management with personnel in the electrical industry. Additionally, Paul aids in developing product application solutions and equipment specifications for application-specific designs. In all he does for VanTran, Paul places a heavy emphasis on application solutions and meeting commitments.

Richard Auerweck

Originally from southeast Pennsylvania, and now residing in Holly Springs NC, Richard joined VanTran in 2022 as a Regional Sales Manager supporting our business in the eastern US.  Bringing over 25 years of experience in various aspects of the electricity transmission and distribution industry, Richard has held positions ranging from engineering and manufacturing management roles to marketing and sales.  His strength in understanding the entire technical and commercial project requirements will ensure our customers have the best solution to meet their business needs.

Rob Deveaux

Rob Deveaux joined VanTran as Canada’s Regional Sales Manager in 2025, bringing over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. Spending most of his career with the General Electric Company, Rob has a proven track record of driving sales performance. He has extensive experience in sales leadership, product management, and marketing communication.

With his strong technical background in power systems and power systems automation, Rob is known for his ability to collaborate with key stakeholders to understand their commercial and operational requirements to develop the optimal solution to meet their specific needs. Residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Nipissing University and an Electrical Engineering Technology Diploma from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology.

Evan Smith

Originally from Virginia, Evan resided in numerous areas, including Spain, before joining VanTran and transitioning to Waco, Texas. As our Technical Sales Manager, Evan provides tender design preparation and quotation support, which includes day-to-day sales and marketing in addition to medium- and long-term quotation systems and marketing preparation. Evan’s expertise is comprised of 20 years in technical marketing and sales roles, with 15+ years in the transformer industry. As a valued member of our team, Evan works with open-mindedness and the willingness to adapt to change in all situations.

Jack Wenberg

Jack grew up in Belton, Texas and received his Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. While in college, Jack worked as a host and Radio DJ for the university radio station. Once he graduated, he began his search for a career that will allow him to utilize his interpersonal skills gained from the radio station, and apply his knowledge of fundamentals from his studies in a more technical environment. Jack will be the liaison between VanTran and our customers, both current and potential, to provide comprehensive proposals for bids after reviewing customer specifications.  With his strong communication skills, and technical knowledge from his studies, Jack will prove to be a strong asset to the VanTran sales team.

Clayton Reid

A seventh generation of his family in Houston, Texas, Clayton began at VanTran in June 2023 as an Intern in our Engineering Rotational Program while completing his final semester at Texas A&M University, Graduating with a Degree in Industrial Engineering with a certification in Data Center Operations Engineering in December 2023. While in college, Clayton was President of the Texas A&M Singing Cadets, organizing and performing 70 concerts a year. Clayton chose Sales after spending time in Quality Control, Production, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales as part of the Engineering Rotational Program due to his interpersonal skills, and its technical focus. Clayton strives to provide quick and accurate quotations, and customer support while coordinating with Engineering and Supply Chain Management to ensure our customers receive their products with the highest Quality, and best On-Time delivery possible. As our resident Texas Aggie, Clayton can always be expected to begin his communications with a loud and proud “Howdy!”

Zoe Pillai

Zoe might not be from Texas, but she got here as quickly as she could! Originally from India, Zoe graduated from Baylor University, where she earned a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics. While in school, she was a proud member of Alpha Phi and the Society of Women Engineers, indicative of her belief that the most important part of any organization is the people within. With Zoe, kindness will always be at the other end of the line. As a Sales Engineer, she utilizes her engineering, mathematical, and people skills to provide excellent customer service and technical solutions for our customers, big and small.

Doug Fassler

From the great state of Kentucky, Doug brings a unique blend of hands-on experience, technical expertise, and a personable approach to every project he tackles. Doug’s first experience in the workforce was at a glass factory, where he started working at 16. He was an Engineer’s Apprentice to the Plant Manager and Head of Projects – an experience that instilled in him a deep understanding of operations management and the value of hard work and grit. Doug went on to attend Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he double majored in Finance and Electrical Engineering. While in school, he assisted the Texas Governor in managing and analyzing a $180 million grant program, where he developed a new way to allocate funds to bring the greatest benefit to local businesses and stimulate economic growth. After graduation, Doug brought his innovative thinking and client-focused approach to the transformer industry. Whether it’s developing a customer transformer or working with a fast turnaround time, Doug will consistently deliver with a southern charm, determination, and attention to detail.

Prayas Soni

Prayas is originally from Ahmedabad, India, but was drawn to Waco for its welcoming, small-town feel. Prayas joined the sales team in July 2025 and has quickly immersed himself in the transformer industry,  learning the ins and outs of business operations to better help our customers. He is excited to work with the rest of the sales team to continue to grow in key sales strategies and ensure smooth project execution. Before VanTran, Prayas gained broad experience across industries, including automotive repair, auto insurance, and asset protection. Known for his dedication, Prayas consistently goes the extra mile for VanTran’s customers, offering customized solutions and ensuring they feel supported from the first quote to final delivery. Outside of work, Prayas is a huge soccer fan (Glory Glory Man. United!), and he brings that same spirit and hustle to everything he does. He’s excited to keep growing with the sales team and help Vantran keep scoring big wins.

Abdullah Al Fathah

Originally from Bangladesh, Abdullah moved to the United States to pursue higher education, where he earned his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Lamar University. His ambition to build a career in the power and transformer industry led him to Waco, Texas, where he joined the VanTran sales team. Before joining VanTran, Abdullah built a well-rounded background in technical sales and engineering. He has led sales efforts, managed teams, and provided technical support for energy solutions ranging from electrical infrastructure to automation systems. His experience spans everything from hands-on engineering to high-level customer engagement, making him a versatile asset in solving complex challenges. With his background in sales and engineering, Abdullah brings a strong foundation to contribute to the sales team.

Erica Clendenin

Erica grew up in Corpus Christi, TX, and moved to Waco in 2010. With over 20 years of experience as a customer service representative and manager and over ten years with VanTran, Erica has worked in our customer service, inside sales, production scheduling, purchasing, and shipping departments. VanTran customers know Erica as the front line of support. Her main goal is to take care of our customer’s needs and to help them find solutions to their problems and questions. Erica maintains the daily production schedule and updates it accordingly, based on the current load, customers’ required ship dates, and material availability. Erica also helps to purchase material for customer transformers and handles all outbound shipping. Erica’s favorite part about working for VanTran is the people, and she works to treat each customer as she would want to be treated.

Cory Childs

Cory Childs, VanTran’s Marketing & Customer Service Manager, started with the company in March 2020 to fill a new role as the company continues to grow. Cory received his BBA in Business Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. With a background in Event Coordinating and Marketing, Cory became a great asset to the team by bringing his business-to-consumer mindset to a primarily business-to-business industry. Cory can be seen managing VanTran’s online presence and creating digital/print materials as well as project management for our clients. His goal is to create a brand and image that exemplifies VanTran’s quality and world-class customer service any way he can.

Maddie Martinez

Maddie was born and raised in Waco, Texas, and is proud to call it home. She recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Marketing with minors in Sports Business and Leadership. During her time in school, Maddie was actively involved with the American Marketing Association, the Sports Business Association, and the Women in Business organization. She also launched her own business, gaining firsthand experience in the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. With her skills in marketing, she is excited to grow alongside VanTran and support the company’s ongoing growth and goals.

Benjamin Stevens

Originally from Texas, Benjamin Stevens joined VanTran in April 2021 as a Staff Accountant & HR Specialist and was promoted to Controller in 2024. With a strong background in financial analysis and governmental auditing, Benjamin brings a meticulous approach to managing the company’s accounting operations.

Benjamin holds a degree in Finance & Accounting from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), reflecting his deep expertise and dedication to the field. His previous experience includes key roles such as Senior Accountant at Baylor University and Acting Controller at McLane Advanced Technologies, where he oversaw daily accounting operations.

In his role as Controller, Benjamin’s focus is on delivering accurate financial insights and ensuring the smooth operation of VanTran’s accounting functions. His leadership, coupled with his dedication to excellence, make him a vital asset to our team as we continue to grow.

Stacie Jenkins

Born and raised in Waco, Texas, Stacie brings over 15 years of customer service experience to VanTran. She has honed her skills through roles at several companies, including serving as a Senior Customer Support Representative and QuickBooks Integration Expert at AxisCare Home Care Software. Stacie looks forward to supporting the growth of VanTran’s brand and enhancing the customer experience alongside the customer service team. With her strong background in customer service, she is dedicated to helping in any way she can and will be a valuable addition to the VanTran team.