Team Vertical Motion

Tom

EXECUTIVE COACH / FOUNDER

Tom has closed more than $1.5B in new business throughout his career, has an MBA from Georgia State University, and holds multiple patents for his work in satellite technology innovation. Tom also served in the US Army as a combat medic and satellite controller, and volunteers as a mentor and speaker at Patriot Boot Camp, which helps veterans and military spouses enter the world of entrepreneurship. He lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife of 20+ years and two teenage children.

In August of 2022, Tom was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and given less than two months to live. Six months of multiple hospitalizations, chemotherapy, and a handful of near-death experiences helped Tom to realize that of all the things he has done in his career, inspiring and mentoring others was the most rewarding and energizing for him. 

With a second chance at life, Tom is leaning into these skills. Tom started Vertical Motion to mentor aspiring and emerging executives on how to build their own executive style, executive presence and executive network. With 15+ years experience in VP and C-level executive roles in high-growth environments, Tom has the advantage of having sat in the executive chair himself, and is excited to mentor and energize an entirely new generation of business leaders on how to become the best, most authentic leaders they can be.

Sandra

EXECUTIVE COACH

Sandra Turner Morales brings over 30 years of diverse corporate experience to the table, with a career spanning a wide range of industries, including finance, legal, medical, consumer products and goods, IT, and cybersecurity.

Sandra's journey has taken her through the highest echelons of corporate leadership, where she honed her skills and gained unique insights into the inner workings of C-Suite environments. Her passion lies in demystifying the world of executive recruitment and empowering individuals to take control of their career narratives. 

With a deep understanding of what it takes to excel in competitive industries, Sandra helps professionals, from emerging talents to seasoned executives, reach new heights. Her approach blends strategic networking, personalized coaching, and the art of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with recruiters and decision-makers. 

Sandra's commitment to helping individuals goes beyond the business world. She understands that success is not just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about fulfillment and balance in both career and life. Through her guidance, clients discover a path that aligns with their true passions and values. 

She is excited to walk alongside the Vertical Motion clients as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of professional success.

Jacki

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE CAREER ACCELERATOR

Jacki brings more than 25 years of executive recruiting experience to Vertical Motion. She has both corporate experience as well as entrepreneurship experience.

Currently Jacki works with leaders that are moving to the executive level. She helps with: Personal Branding, Executive presence, career positioning.

Nelson

ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE, EXECUTIVE COACH

Nelson brings more than three decades of proven experience, having led numerous operations, business development, sales, marketing, and technology teams. His core specialties include corporate turnarounds, M&A transactions, business optimization, technology integrations, and high-value business consulting engagements across a range of industries.

His operational expertise includes AI integration, biometrics, MFA, cybersecurity systems integration, blockchain and NFT business implementation, deployment of data centers, advanced KPI data driven business optimization, complex technical solutions selling and capture management of Federal acquisition regulation (FAR) contracts. He has secured large, multi-year DoD contracts; capturing over $2B in strategic program sales in his career. He held prior executive positions at Envistacom, Convoko, Bridgeline Digital, Internap, Rockwell Collins, DataPath, Tandberg Television, and National Oilwell Varco.

Nelson Santini graduated cum laude from the United States Naval Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering followed by a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. He served seven years in the US Navy as a submarine weapons officer on Trident submarines.

Ryan

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Ryan served 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot, leading high-stakes missions and shaping military strategy at the highest levels. After transitioning from the Air Force, he built and ran successful businesses, applying his expertise in leadership, strategy, and execution to drive measurable growth. As co-founder of a defense contracting firm, he secured multimillion-dollar contracts and led initiatives that set new safety standards in military training.


In 2018, Ryan embraced an unconventional lifestyle, leading his company remotely while living aboard a sailboat and exploring over a dozen countries and covering over 10,000 miles in the Atlantic and Caribbean. This experience reinforced his belief in adaptability, strategic vision, and the power of bold decision-making in uncertain environments.

Today, Ryan is responsible for overseeing business operations and ensuring client success, while also mentoring and coaching leaders to turn ambitious visions into reality. With extensive experience in executive leadership and strategic execution, he guides professionals in refining their leadership style, improving operations, and scaling businesses effectively. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and high performance, helping leaders thrive under pressure and navigate conflict as a driver for growth.

Ryan is committed to building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation. He believes that the right combination of strategy, execution, and adaptability empowers leaders to achieve lasting impact in their organizations and beyond.

Nicole

MARKETING & OPERATIONS

Nicole has more than 20 years of marketing experience, including working for startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. Her main focus was conferences, events and tradeshows. She has produced events ranging from 14 attendees up to 27,000 attendees world-wide.

She loves to manage things behind the curtain. Nicole co-founded Vertical Motion and is committed to ushering in a new group of empathetic, authentic and audacious leaders.

Cal

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Cal reaches out into the community and discovers aspiring executives. Cal lives in Chicago and is a recent college graduate with a degree in Finance.

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