Philip Vaughan
President and Founder
Philip founded Vertex in 1988, after developing his expertise in theme park design and production at Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Studios. He worked on Disney's EPCOT Center, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney MGM Studios, and Universal's Wakayama project. Philip also designs and builds sculptures and fine art. His first major commission was for the Hayward Gallery in London, a 48 foot tall kinetic neon tower erected on the roof, which operated for 30 years before being decommissioned for repairs and maintenance. Born in England, Philip is an avid sailor who built his own boat and sailed from England to Florida in the 1970's and never looked back.
Art website: www.philipvaughan.net
Robin Hall
Vice President, Design
As Vice President of Design and Architecture at Knott's Berry Farm theme park for 17 years, and art director at Magic Mountain for 6 years, Robin was instrumental in developing numerous rides and attractions for both parks, as well as master planning area development. He was a major contributor to the city master plan for Valencia, California. He has since been the concept designer or master planner for many independent projects across the world. While generally a snappy dresser, you will not usually find him in a tie, except for corporate photo sessions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinshall
Ben Tripp
Senior Creative Designer
Ben joined Vertex after a long career with Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, and other major corporations. His credits include concept design for Disney's Animal Kingdom, urban design development for Sony Corporation in Berlin and San Francisco, as well as a wide variety of projects for zoos, museums, and entertainment clients worldwide. He is a published author and screenwriter who obviously has a lot to say since he has four more books in development.
Drone Iyangar
Senior Architectural and Urban Designer
Drone holds a master's degree in Architecture from UCLA and a bachelor's degree in architecture from IED in India. He has worked on projects of all sizes all over the world. Drone now heads up the architectural and three-dimensional design division of Vertex and manages all IT matters. He is LEED certified. Drone also deserves significant extra credit for marrying a woman with a gorgeous smile, a sunny attitude, and exceptional cooking skills.
Cris Oprea
Architectural Designer
After immigrating from Romania to California, Cris graduated from the Woodbury School of Architecture in southern California, and is also LEED certified. His architecture experience is only enhanced by the interior design degree (Bachelor in Interior Design from Ion Mincu School of Architecture, Bucharest) and the awards he collected while still living in Romania. Cris is the tallest member of the Vertex group, and so far we have not been able to capture his image on film.
Lisa Welch
Marketing Director
Lisa recently returned to the U.S. after living in London for the past 5 and a half years. While living in London she worked for a real estate developer on the Battersea Power Station, and subsequently for Hyper Entertainment on a wide range of entertainment and real estate projects. Recently completed projects include work for Abbey Road Studios (London) and Capitol Records (New York), MAF Malls in Saudi Arabia, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (London), Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi, and a large theme park project in Rome. This photo was taken on a 'good hair day,' but Lisa usually wears a smile
no matter what her hair is doing.