About Us

Extensive international experience in building and leading start-up, high-growth and turnaround businesses equips Mark Bashforth to continue Ovation’s tradition of delivering superior value to its clients. He brings more than 20 years of business transformation and technology commercialization expertise in software for oil & gas. As CEO, his extensive experience in serving the energy industry and managing rapid-growth organizations is valuable in driving Ovation’s vision and global growth strategy. He has a passion for creating winning teams to boost company success, and he applies his leadership skills to build and motivate sales, marketing and support teams on a global level.

Previously CEO of the reservoir management specialist Ikon Science, Mark transformed the business from a traditional software sales organization into a profitable SaaS (software-as-a-service) company providing innovative cloud solutions. He has also held numerous global executive roles at several internationally-known technology companies including Roxar, Jason/CGG, USSI and FEI, where he improved their overall revenue growth and market share.  His expertise covers software & technology, turnaround management, start-up operations, market growth, and sales, marketing and board communications. At Ovation, Mark is dedicated to service excellence and is enthusiastic about helping clients solve complex challenges in data management and digital transformation of their assets.

Ovation’s Executive Chairman is Gregory Servos, who previously held positions as President and CEO, COO and Operations Manager and other areas of responsibility within the company during the past 35 years. Previously, Gregory was Operations Manager at Energy Laser Systems Inc., a predecessor to Ovation Data that specialized in transferring digital information to an archiving media for future prosperity.

Gregory is one of several original employees of Ovation Data, which was founded in 1989. He has helped develop Ovation into a highly respected multi-national company and a recognized world leader in digital information services. He has consulted for numerous organizations, companies, and government entities on their plans for preserving their historical information. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and has completed courses in Rice University’s Executive Education program. He serves on the board of several multi-national companies and is a strong supporter of the theatre.

Andy is responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of Ovation worldwide. He has more than 25 years of experience in various financial roles, including planning & analysis, reporting (management, board of directors, and investor). Andy enjoys his interaction with all the departments with Ovation, and appreciates the ability to form a unique perspective of the business as a whole.
Prior to joining Ovation, Andy held financial positions at Descartes Labs, Zilliant, Omni Water Solutions, Entorian Technologies, Freescale Semiconductor, Cirrus Logic, and Intersil. He earned an MBA from the UCF College of Business.

As Ovation’s CFO, Philip leads the finance, HR, legal, and operational functions. His experience in enhancing technology companies and growing them into successful businesses contributes significant expertise to the execution of Ovation’s global market development strategies. Philip has broad international experience in finance, sales & marketing, and product strategy, including venture capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and international business expansion. He has been involved in both large organizations and small-medium sized businesses and has a passion for helping companies reach the next level.
Philip’s 30 years of senior leadership experience include roles in several B2B technology companies such as CEO of Descartes Labs; CFO of Austin-based Zilliant; CEO, COO and CFO at FuelQuest; President and CEO of Visual Numerics Inc.; COO and CFO of Brightmail Inc.; and other senior financial management positions. He earned a Bachelor of Science (Computer Engineering) from Auburn University and an MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester.

Sam Loree has more than 30 years of experience in technology leadership, global operations, and sales strategy ranging from seismic data acquisition, land, marine, transition zone, data processing, and research & development. As Ovation’s Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Sam is responsible for leading the sales team and expanding Ovation’s presence in new market segments. He is also developing new channels, and contributing to the company’s overall growth efforts and business strategies. Sam’s sales and technology expertise help him lead client engagement efforts and empower clients’ success in digitally transforming their businesses. 
Previously, Sam served as former CEO for Beceip Inc. America where he enhanced the company’s business model and petroleum analysis of oil and gas potential in Colombian basins and along the Gulf Coast. He also co-founded Quantum Geophysical, which was later acquired by Geokinetics, and he has held several senior roles at leading technology companies such as HGS, Schlumberger, Paradigm, Roxar, and Emerson.

Kami Keim is the Director of Product Development at Ovation Data. Her expertise is in geophysical and geological data management and technology which are areas that drive her insatiable need for continuous learning. She specializes in solving complex customer problems, helping define and scope projects that meet clients’ needs, and applying her insight to inform Ovation’s new product development approach.

A professional in digital innovation and data management, Kami’s deep experience spans over 27 years within the energy sector and includes organizations such as Schlumberger, Equinor and Spinnaker Exploration. She has held leading roles in transforming information management strategies and was the custodian of one of the largest databases in the Gulf of Mexico. Kami holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology/Earth Science from the University of Texas.

Frank Chen brings more than 25 years of experience in Reservoir Characterization. Recently, he served as Assistant Director of the University of Houston’s Rock Physics Laboratory, where his research focused on Unconventional Reservoir Development and CO2 Sequestration Monitoring. Previously, Frank worked as geophysical team lead at Fugro-Jason, CGG and Schlumberger, and has a solid track record of consistently delivering timely, high-quality prospects and new well locations.

Frank’s extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary geoscience teams benefits Ovation’s continuing efforts in technology innovation. His strengths include multidisciplinary workflow improvement, skill assessment, and on-the-job training for junior geoscientists. Frank also has strong project management experience gained during many complex international geoscience projects.

Mark Wildig presides over Information Technology at Ovation, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the film, television, music, and advertising industries. Prior to joining the company in 2012, he held previous positions including founder and Chief Technology Officer of Smoke and Mirrors, a full-service post-production company where he designed global technical installations. He was also CTO at Rushes Postproduction, a post-production and visual effects company; Studio Engineer at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); and founder of Sohonet, a community-of-interest network for the television, film and media production community.

Mark’s broad expertise includes digital asset management; broadcast engineering; editing; transcoding; computer animation; digital and streaming media; and film, television and video production. He completed a five-year, city and guilds apprenticeship in ratio, TV, and electronics, and spent three years in BBC studio engineer training (degree-equivalent). Mark’s international experience, executive management skills and team leadership are invaluable in ensuring excellence in Ovation’s IT infrastructure and operations.

Jasmine Tran brings more than 12 years’ experience in strategic marketing, public relations and partnership outreach. She effectively uses her international experience and multi-cultural sensibilities to raise industry awareness, influence client satisfaction, and elevate Ovation’s thought leadership in software technology. Jasmine designs strategic campaigns that build brand and deliver results through digital marketing, social media, advertising and events. She develops creative content and selects channels to best fit each market segment in order to create new opportunities, serve client needs, and impact software revenue.

Prior to joining Ovation, Jasmine held various positions within CGG GeoSoftware. A key member on the Global Strategic Marketing team, she pioneered marketing implementation plans and successfully transitioned the company’s value proposition and messaging from a scientific-centric perspective to a business value perspective. Initially providing marketing support for North and South America from Houston, she later managed marketing strategy and operations for Europe and Africa from The Netherlands. Jasmine holds a Master of Arts in International Relations.

Since joining Ovation in 2002, James has worked in both the data management and transcription departments of the UK office, and has a thorough knowledge of seismic data, transcription methods and data management principles and best practices. James facilitates, plans and coordinates resources globally to deliver high-quality products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations. He is responsible for daily operations, including project set up, operator training and supervision, hardware maintenance, quality control, and client liaison. His position affords him the ability to implement real change by developing and enhancing software and by introducing new technology.

James holds PRINCE2® Practitioner Project Management Certification in applying global best practices in a range of different project environments and scenarios to successfully deliver projects of any size and complexity on time, to scope and within budget. He also earned Chartered Manager status from the Chartered Management Institute that recognizes exceptional management and leadership skills and commitment to professional development, demonstrating the value of a professional approach for measurable impact.