# Mike Vellano

> Mike Vellano is the Houston-based co-founder, president and CEO of Vortex Companies, founded in 2015. His career connects a family waterworks supply business with a global trenchless infrastructure group offering rehabilitation materials, equipment and field services. His work emphasizes acquisitions, operator training and developing leaders within acquired businesses.

- **Role:** Co-founder, President and CEO at Vortex Companies
- **Organizations:** Vortex Companies, Vellano Investments, Vellano Brothers, YPO
- **Known for:** Co-founded Vortex Companies in 2015 and continues to lead the business., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area award winner., Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, 2019.

## Career timeline

- **2001-2009** — Worked at Vellano Brothers in Albany, New York, advancing from local branch manager to vice president.
- **—** — Served for five years as vice president of sales and marketing at a privately held North American trenchless underground contractor before establishing Vortex.
- **2015** — Founded Vortex, initially focused on trenchless rehabilitation services and bypass pumping.
- **2017** — Partnered with Platform Partners to support organic growth and acquisitions.
- **2019** — Named to Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
- **2020** — Won the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf Coast Area award.
- **2023** — Continued as CEO following Quad-C’s investment in Vortex.
- **2024** — Vortex acquired Applied Felts Inc., including MaxLiner and FerraTex Solutions.
- **2025** — Vortex marked its tenth anniversary.
- **2026** — Continued expansion included Mainlining America and Torrent Drainage Services.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Vortex Companies in 2015 and continues to lead the business.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area award winner.
- Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, 2019.
- Led Vortex through investments from Platform Partners in 2017 and Quad-C in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Vortex announced Brandon Gerber’s promotion to senior vice president, estimating, on October 2.
- **2026-09** — Vortex announced its acquisition of Torrent Drainage Services on September 30, expanding McAllister’s UK field capacity.
- **2026-06** — Vellano announced Brooke Malone’s promotion to senior vice president of human resources; the announcement described a workforce of nearly 2,000.
- **2026-04** — Vortex announced the acquisition of Mainlining America to expand its water-main rehabilitation capabilities.

## Links

- Website: https://vellanoinvestments.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vellano-a8b6775a/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mike-vellano
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16