Meet the Team

The VPLS team is composed of highly experienced and dedicated IT experts from across the globe.

Leadership

Arman-Khalili-CEO
Arman Khalili

Chief Executive Officer

Ted-Mektrakarn-Founder-CDO
Ted Mektrakarn​
Founder & Chief Digital Officer
John-Minnix-VP
John Minnix

President & Chief Operating Officer

Mo Arab
Mohamed Arab​

VP, Cloud & Managed Services 

Ed-Buck-VP
Ed Buck

VP, Technology & Service Delivery

Jay-Smith-VP
Jay Smith

VP & GM of Data Center Operations

Takahiro-Masuda-VP
Takahiro Masuda

VP, Network Engineering

Savi-Singh-Director
Savi Singh

VP of Finance, Accounting, and HR

Ricky Zheng

VP & General Manager, Hawaii and Pacific Islands

Betty-Kao-HR
Betty Kao

HR Operations Manager

Team Members

Aaron Artea

System Administrator

Air-Pakdeeburee-Web
Air Pakdeeburee

Web Designer

Ake
Ake Sripech

NOC Analyst

Al Legal Counsel
Albert Asatoorian

Inhouse Counsel

Alexander Lee

Associate Engineer for Support Desk

Alexandra-Stone-Marketing
Alex Stone

Marketing Coordinator

Alika Stricker

Associate Engineer for Support Desk

Anthika-Bhincharern-Ops
Anthika Bhincharern

Operations Manager

Anthony-Kessler-Sales
Anthony Kessler

Director of Sales

Antonio-Toscano-DC
Antonio Toscano

Data Center Tech

Bao Nguyen
Bao Nguyen

Network Engineer

Betty-Konadu-DC
Betty Konadu

Data Center Tech

Blake Ferras

Account Executive

Bryan Sagayaga

Field Engineer

Chai Muangsung

Web Developer

Chris-Farrell-Sales
Chris Farrell

Account Executive

Christo Taylor

Office Administrator

Christopher Ortiz Aldana

Data Center Technician

Chris-Murillo-DC
Christopher Murillo

Senior NOC Technician

Daniel-Seah-Sales
Daniel Seah

IT Solutions Manager

Davicia Tauta

Associate Engineer for Support Desk

David-Ashworth-Sales
David Ashworth

Director of Operations, Plano

Diego-De-Alba-DC
Diego de Alba

Data Center Manager, LA2

Donald Lucero

Network Technician

edgar serano
Edgar Serrano

Senior Systems Engineer

El-Dkhissi-DC
El Dkhissi

Data Center Manager, DC1

Fight-Dounghirun-IT
Fight Dounghirun

Assistant SE Manager

Game-Paythaisong-NOC
Game Paythaisong

Associate Systems Engineer

Garrett Wong

Director of Services

Guide-Thaidumrongdej-NOC
Guide Thaidumrongdej

NOC Analyst

Harold-Valenzuela-IT
Harold Valenzuela

Associate Systems Engineer II

Ice-Prungmuang-IT
Ice Prungmuang

Linux Systems Engineer

Isaiah
Isaiah Venegas

Data Center Technician

Jairus Knudsen

Infrastructure Engineer

Jang Lee

Help Desk Lead

Janet Salas

HECO Help Desk Technician

Jennifer Macneil

Inside Sales

Jermaine Morris

Infrastructure Technician I

John Headley

Senior Security Engineer

Joshua Horiuchi

Infrastructure Engineer

Jose Vazquez

Staff Accountant

Junteng-Tan-IT
Junteng Tan

Systems Administrator

Kaina Lingaton

Senior Engineer

Kan-Andelin-Ops
Kan Andelin

Senior Sales Support Administrator

Kate Bisaillon

Senior Sales Administrator

Kawika Miller

HECO Help Desk Technician

Ket-Sangwanna-IT
Ket Sangwanna

Network Engineer

Kevin Alba

Data Center Technician

Kevin-Tsai-Ops
Kevin Tsai

Sales Operations Manager

Kimmie-Nguyen-Accounting
Kimmie Nguyen

Billing Administrator

Kristine Ostrea

Data Center Technician

Kung-Janfak
Kung Janfak

Senior NOC Technician

Leo Huo

Customer Service Representative

Lisa Ly

Marketing Manager

Lucian System Engineer
Lucian Hule

Systems Engineer

Mario Lopez

Senior Systems Engineer

Mark-Mayeda-Sales
Mark Mayeda

Senior Account Manager

Matt Schryver

Director of Business Development

Miguel-Escamilla-DC
Miguel Escamilla

Infrastructure Engineer II

Mike-Smiley-DC
Mike Smiley

Director of Operations, SV7

Mike-Wysocki-Sales
Mike Wysocki

Business Development Manager, Maui

Mohammed Abdulrazzaq

Data Center Technician

Mohsin Bukhari

Data Center Technician

Mond-Pengpipat-Web
Mond Pengpipat

Web Manager

Monica-Hsu-Sales
Monica Hsu

Business Development Manager

Mon-Teeranuntachai-Support
Mon Teeranuntachai

Support Supervisor

Natasha Marron

Marketing Coordinator

Natwar-Darak-IT
Natwar Darak

Senior Network Engineer

nick-mektrakarn-sales
Nick Mektrakarn

Principal Solutions Architect

Nu-Uscharaporn-NOC
Nu Uscharaporn

Associate Systems Engineer

Nut Charoennet

NOC Analyst

Oat Chanthet

Senior Network Engineer

Oat Pornananrat

NOC Analyst

Ohae-Radchalee-Accounting
Ohae Radchalee

Billing Analyst

Oscar Llanos-Rodriguez

Data Center Technician

Pae-Junphan-Accounting
Pae Junphan

Billing Analyst

Panja-Khuanjanthuk-Ops
Panja Khuanjanthuk

Renewals Manager

Parn-Jittarom-IT
Parn Jittarom

System Engineer

Phillip Mueller

Network Engineer

Phuc-Ngo-IT
Phuc Ngo

Associate Systems Engineer I

Pui Paha

Lead Web Developer

Ramiro-Rios-IT
Ramiro Rios

Associate Systems Engineer I

Ricardo Rodriguez

Lead Site Technician at Chappaqua, NY

Rick-Hernandez-IT
Rick Hernandez

Network & System Service Manager

Robert Peden

Associate Systems Engineer I

Ronald Yu

Infrastructure Engineer

Ron-Gaerlan-IT
Ron Gaerlan

Network Engineer II

Rory-Armijo-DC
Rory Armijo

Data Center Manager, EM1

Rowena Condez

Customer Support Center Representative

Santos-Ponce-IT
Santos Ponce

Systems Engineer II

Saravanan-Sadasivam-IT
Saravanan Sadasivam

DevOps Engineer

Satang-Thongkamsopa-NOC
Satang Thongkamsopa

NOC Analyst

Sharon
Sharon Chan

Account Executive

Sina
Sina Fallahi

Chief Facility Engineer

Sun Cho

Associate Project Manager

Ta-Kongnawang-NOC
Ta Kongnawang

NOC Analyst

Tab Vongpratum

Support Supervisor

Tay-Roongrawiwan-IT
Tay Roongrawiwan

Project Manager

Thanachai Dangha

Maintenance & Repair

Tiffany-Vu-IT
Tiffany Vu

Senior Project Manager

Toh-Chainarong-Support
Toh Chainarong

Support Supervisor

Tom-Arakelian-IT
Tom Arakelian

Senior Systems Engineer

Tong-Khemleg-Support
Tong Khemleg

Support Supervisor

Tosh-Kittikeyrechaikun-IT
Tosh Kittikeyrechaikun

Senior Network Engineer

Tyron
Tyron Williams

Data Center Technician

Victor-Yu-IT
Victor Yu

Senior Solutions Architect

Vijjayano Wower

HECO Help Desk Technician

Vince-Tran-DC
Vince Tran

Senior Infrastructure Engineer

Walter-Pronozuk-Sales
Walter Pronozuk

Business Development Manager

Walter Mendez

Data Center Technician

Wendy Perez

Sr. Staff Accountant

Wind Kruaysawast

NOC Analyst

Wilai Sohheng

Maintenance and Repair

Winnie-Sung-Accounting
Winnie Sung

Executive Accountant

Yui-Homthong-Web
Yui Homthong

Web Developer

Ready To Join Our Team?

Learn more about exciting career opportunities with VPLS.

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Arman Khalili is the CEO of VPLS/Evocative and brings with him over 25 years of experience in Internet Infrastructure industry.

Prior to joining the company, Arman served as a Principal at Industry Capital a real assets based private equity firm in San Francisco. He was the founder and CEO of CentralColo also known as Element Critical. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Black Lotus, a leader in DDoS mitigation company, which was acquired by Level 3, and was the Founder/CEO of UnitedLayer, the largest privately held colocation provider in San Francisco. He was the founder of Sirius – one of the first ISPs in Silicon Valley, as well as the Co-founder and CTO of MusicBank, the first music subscription company. He has held numerous senior consulting positions at Level3, AT&T and Apple Computers.

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As Chief Architect & Senior Advisor, Ted Mektrakarn brings over 15 years of experiences in technology development and management. Ted is responsible for the company’s vision, strategic direction, and operational management. Ted carries significant multi-industry knowledge and experience, advancing high-growth technology startups and industry-leading Fortune 500 companies alike. He is known for his ability to take promising technologies and organizations to the next level.

Ted’s experience in the industry includes past positions with companies like Brocade Communications thru the acquisition of Foundry Networks, Vivendi Universals – MP3.com and AT&T CERFnet. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the largest Internet exchange system, Coresite’s Any2 Network Exchange.

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John Minnix serves as President and COO for VPLS. John brings over 10 years of technology sales experience to all VPLS group brands and companies, including Account Executive positions at Nortel Networks, Foundry Networks, and Brocade Communications. He is fluent in technologies including ethernet switches, routers, voice solutions, security solutions, cloud computing, and professional services.

John holds a B.A. in History from Emory University and a Masters in Business Administration with a Marketing focus from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is also a Brocade Certified Network Engineer.

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Mohamed Arab serves as the company’s Vice President of Cloud and Managed Services. In this role, he is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, operational management, and technical product innovation. Prior to joining VPLS, Mohamed served as VP of Technology for Hivelocity and Chief Technology Officer for Rack Alley LLC, which he founded, grew, and divested in 2017. He holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and brings to VPLS decades of experience in the area of Internet technologies specifically design, security, support, and sales. 

Mohamed is fluent in three languages and, in his spare time, he enjoys cycling, sailing, and a good ebook.

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Edward Buck is the Vice President of Technology and Service delivery at VPLS. Ed’s executive responsibility includes the design, delivery, maintenance, operations and support of all Evocative services. Prior to joining VPLS, Ed was a VP at UnitedLayer, a San Francisco based Colocation and Hosting Company.

Ed also founded ASPextra in 2003, a company focused on providing scalable and highly available managed hosting solutions. At ASPextra, Ed built a network and service delivery internet infrastructure compromising of multiple, geographically dispersed data centers serving clients in the US, Europe and Asia.

Ed is a regular contributor to a number of open source projects. He received his B.A. from Pomona College.

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A pioneer in data center infrastructure development, VPLS is proud to have Jay Smith as the company’s Vice President of Data Center Operations. Jay has over 20 years of experience in telecommunication and data center management including deep knowledge of voice and data communication, fiber optic connectivity, data center design, colocation, managed services and related technologies.

Prior to joining VPLS, Jay was the co-founder of Cyberverse. Established in 1994, Jay’s leadership over the past 25 years enabled Cyberverse to earn the reputation as one of the most trusted Internet infrastructure services companies in the industry.

Today, Jay is responsible for all VPLS data centers operations across the United States and consults with clients on determining the most appropriate combination of physical data center locations and customized infrastructure solutions to meet their specific needs.

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Takahiro Masuda joined the team in March of 2006 as a NOC Technician and currently holds the position of Vice President of Engineering. His team is responsible for designing, implementing, operating, and optimizing systems and networks in order to provide increased availability, speed, performance, and agility for all company web hosting product lines.

Takahiro has earned a B.S. in Mathematics, specialized in Applied and Computational Mathematics, and a minor in Information and Computer Science.

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Savi Singh has over 10 years of experience in accounting, with five years of experience in the data center and telecommunications industry. He has successfully led financial and accounting operations through numerous acquisitions.

Savi started his career as a Tax Specialist and then broadened his professional expertise by moving into a corporate and startup sector. Prior to joining Evocative, Savi served as a Revenue Manager of 365 Data Centers.

In his free time, he enjoys photography and hiking with his dog.

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Ricky Zheng is the Vice President and General Manager for VPLS operations in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Ricky brings over 20 years of experience delivering technology solutions to the Commercial, State, Local, and Federal government sectors in Hawaii and US affiliated territories located throughout the Pacific region. 

Prior to joining VPLS, Ricky founded ZR Systems Group LLC in 2006, a Hawaii based company focused on providing Managed IT Services, Colocation & Cloud solutions, Equipment Sales, and Consulting services. During that tenure, ZR Systems was placed three times on the Pacific Business News’ Fastest 50 Growing Companies list and consistently placed in the Top 5 in IT Services Firms and Cloud Provider rankings. 

Ricky has a BBA in Management Information Systems and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. When he’s not at work or with his family, Ricky enjoys working with local non-profit and public service organizations to stay involved in the community.

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Betty brings over 30 years of experience in corporate operations, accounting, sales, and human resources to her role as HR Operations Manager at VPLS. Prior to joining VPLS in 2018, Betty oversaw operations for a large Asian food importer on the West Coast. In that role, she was responsible for warehouse management and HR while also serving as the corporate liaison with the FDA. In her earlier career, Betty started the US branch for an Asian automobile parts exporter. She oversaw daily operations and also successfully expanded the business across all US regions.

Betty studied music in college with a major in piano. In her spare time, she volunteers at the local senior center, where she plays piano for the residents. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and trying out new restaurants.