Key Personnel

Patrick J. Welch,
President
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Based in the Harrisburg, PA office, Pat is responsible for the management and design of elevator, escalator, and moving walk systems; and dumbwaiters, material lifts, and related people moving systems. He is also experienced in the design and specification of escalators for unique installations and operating conditions.

He is a member of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

In addition, he is a member of the ASME A17.1 Escalator and Moving Walk, Rack and Pinion, and Existing Installation Committees. Pat also is Committee Chair for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 241 and the American Public Transit Association’s Elevator/Escalator for escalator design guidelines, elevator design guidelines, moving walk design guidelines, and maintenance design guidelines.

David P. Hansen, Q.E.I.,
Senior Vice President
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Based in the Philadelphia, PA office, Dave is responsible for all aspects of vertical transportation consulting for the Philadelphia Region. He has expertise in the design, modernization, maintenance, safety, acceptance inspections, and project management for elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, wheel chair lifts, and related people moving equipment.

He holds an associate’s degree from Delaware County Community College and a bachelor of science in business management from Saint Joseph’s University. He is a licensed qualified elevator inspector by the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International.

Dave is a member and former board member of the American Subcontractors Association of the Delaware Valley. He is also a member of the General Building Contractors Association, the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Elevator Contractors.

Robert C. Keller, Q.E.I.,
Vice President
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Based in the New York, NY office, Bob is responsible for developing standards for design and solutions for existing elevator and escalator installations; conducting in-depth safety inspections to meet code and special requirements; and performing construction, investigative, and acceptance inspections. He also assists clients and designers in official code interpretations.

He has more than 20 years of experience and holds a bachelor of science in marketing and a master of business in administration from Farleigh Dickinson University. He also earned a master of professional studies in industrial psychology from the New York Instituted of Technology and is a licensed qualified elevator inspector by the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International.

W. Timothy Eason, III, Q.E.I.,
Vice President
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Based in the Washington, D.C. office, Tim is responsible for project management and all aspects of vertical transportation consulting services, as well as design services for elevators, moving walk systems, and related vertical transportation systems.

He has more than 10 years of experience in the design, modernization, maintenance, and project management for elevators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, material lifts, and related equipment. Tim conducts in-depth safety inspections to assure that code and special requirements are fulfilled, such as the American with Disabilities Act. He also performs construction, investigative, and acceptance inspections.

Tim holds a bachelor of science in structural engineering from Virginia Tech and a master of business administration from the University of West Florida. He is a registered qualified elevator inspector and a member of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International.

Kenneth G. Hamby, Q.E.I.,
Vice President and Principal-in-Charge, Tech Center
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Hamby is responsible for overseeing the design efforts, drawings, and calculations for elevator and escalator projects. The Tech Center is a valuable resource that enables every division of VTX to effectively meet project requirements and exceed client expectations. 

Hamby has extensive experience in the design, modernization, maintenance, and project management of new and existing elevator, escalator, and moving walk systems. He develops standards for elevator and escalator designs, provides solutions for upgrading existing installations, conducts in-depth safety inspections to verify conformance with codes and special requirements, and assists clients and designers with the interpretation of official codes.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the vertical transportation industry. This included developing and managing commercial and technical support services for major suppliers to the industry. His direct industry experience is complimented by his expertise in designing and developing aerospace research systems and hardware for the National Aeronautics Space Administration.

Ken holds a bachelor of science, cum laud, in mechanical engineering technology from Old Dominion University and served on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ A17.1 Escalator and Moving Walk committee.

Anthony J. DeFrancesco, Q.E.I.,
Vice President
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Based in the Phoenix, AZ office, Tony is responsible for providing direct project support on key existing contracts with the City of Phoenix and the development of new business opportunities both locally and in the Southwestern United States. His responsibilities include project management, design solution development, contract document development, performing detailed installation and equipment inspections, reviewing contractual submittals, and evaluating design change orders.

He has more than ten years of experience in design, modernization, maintenance, and project management for new and existing elevator, escalator, and moving walk systems, as well as dumbwaiters, material lifts, and related equipment. Tony conducts in-depth safety inspections to assure that code and special requirements are fulfilled, such as the American with Disabilities Act. He also performs construction, investigative, and acceptance inspections.

Tony holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University. He is a registered qualified elevator inspector (Q.E.I.) and member of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities.

Amy K. Bomberger,
Marketing Director
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Based in the Harrisburg PA office, Amy is responsible for coordinating the firm's overall vertical transportation activities. This includes developing a strategic marketing plan, creating marketing campaigns, and implementing the firm's marketing initiatives.

As the director of marketing, Amy concentrates on VTX's goal of broadening its market focus to include aviation, commercial, education, government, healthcare, and retail facilities as well as transportation.

She holds a bachelor of science in business administration and a minor in marketing from Messiah College. Amy concentrates on expanding VTX’s client base across the country.

Shawn E. Johnson, Q.E.I.
Area Manager
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Based in the firm’s Baltimore office, Shawn is responsible for developing design solutions, supporting contract documents, performing detailed installation and equipment inspections, reviewing contractual submittals, and evaluating design change orders.

Shawn has had numerous noteworthy accomplishments. He was awarded most modernization orders in North America (Kone) in 2006 and largest portfolio growth in Pacific Coast Region (Schindler) in 2003. Johnson has served as District Manager and Regional Modernization Operation Manager on both the east and west coast.

Shawn is a registered qualified elevator inspector (Q.E.I.), as well as a member of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International, American Institute of Architects of Baltimore, Building Owners and Managers Association of Baltimore, and Executives Association of Baltimore, Inc.