South Texas Chapter

Robert Burrell Bio

Robert Burrell, MBA, PMP, USAF retired is the Datacenter Operations Manager for a Fortune 500, international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. In his role, Robert manages critical infrastructure operations for 2-major datacenters in San Antonio, Texas and 27 global communications datacenters/hubs supporting enterprise platforms.

Robert has over 39 years’ experience in tactical communications, power generation platforms, communications infrastructure design, datacenter design, and mechanical systems design and installation. He is a decorated combat veteran who served active duty at several locations in contiguous US, Alaska, Pacific, and European theaters.

Nelson Sigoloff Bio

Nelson Sigoloff
Vice President

Nelson has a degree in business from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and enjoys working in a business environment. However, he has always had a passion for electrical systems, mechanical systems, data center design, commissioning, and operations.

He started out as programmer at what is now Lockheed Martin (formally Martin Marietta). He was on a team that developed a Top Secret system for the U.S. Air Force. Later he was hired by Valero Energy Corporation and was utilized in a number of different positions over the years. He served as a Project Manager, network manager, Network Operations manager, and he was on the data center operations management team. Always trying to improve process, Nelson is a proponent of the ITIL process and became ITIL certified and sat on the Change Advisory Board (CAB) at Valero. He studied data center design and data center operations eventually earning the gated position title of Data Center Engineering Architect at Valero. In that capacity, he has had great opportunities to design new and remodel old Valero data centers in the US, Canada, Aruba, London, and Pembroke Wales.

Nelson is proud to be a veteran and values his experience in the U.S. Army.

Christine Ficke Bio

Christine Ficke
Chapter Events Director

Christine Ficke is currently an Account Manager at Electra Link. Electra Link offers the installation of low voltage cabling, audio visual and security. She has been in the technology industry for over 20 years covering Central Texas.

Her background includes strategic account management for top tier data center accounts, along with partnership and joint technology development with the leading global network and SAN vendors. Prior to that as Account Manager, she worked with enterprise clients, service providers, and network OEMs on data center and equipment efficiency designs.

She helped start the South Texas Chapter of AFCOM and has been on the Board as Director of Events since its inception in 2008.

Trey Evans Bio

Trey Evans
Director at Large

A Fort Worth native turned San Antonio transplant in 2002, Trey is pleased to be serving the local AFCOM chapter that he has enjoyed being a member of for the past ten years. With 15 years of experience in the data center design/build/operate space, Mr. Evans now works for Dell, engaging with clients across multiple verticals and assisting with a varied array of disciplines. When he's not working, you might try looking for Trey on a ski slope or mountain bike trail somewhere.

Matt Rodriguez Bio

Matt Rodriguez
Chapter Membership Director