Management Team

Brent Oxley is an entrepreneur who founded HostGator in his college dorm room at Florida Atlantic University. He leads the company's executive team, with a focus on strategy, product development, finance, and HR. Brent has overseen and played an integral part in HostGator's growth from a one-man hosting company into an industry leader with more than 175 employees. Even as CEO, Brent personally works with customers on a day-to-day basis, regardless of how long they have been a HostGator customer or what type of account they might have.

Before founding HostGator, Brent developed popular web sites as an Internet entrepreneur and webmaster. Frustrated with the declining ad rates and seeking a way to further monetize his existing dedicated servers, Brent entered the hosting industry and started HostGator in 2002. In his free time, Brent likes to play paintball and is actively working on obtaining his pilot's license.

As Chief Technical Officer at HostGator, David Collins is responsible for managing the technical side of HostGator, including server security and optimization, application programming, technical problem resolution, and management of the company's technical staff.

Before joining HostGator, David was a student, built custom servers, and was a Server Administrator at Exovian Internet Services. Even though David attended college, he is mostly self-taught. When not working, David enjoys computers, technology, ethical hacking, learning new technology, off-roading, and building miniature skyscrapers with dairy creamers at late-night diners. He is well known at HostGator for not sleeping until he completes the tasks necessary to keep the company's technology running smoothly.

Lance Custen grew up in New York and Vermont and then moved to South Florida, where he met founder and CEO Brent Oxley. As Chief Operating Officer, Lance coordinates day-to-day operations, oversees the company's customer service efforts, and manages affiliates.

Before HostGator, Lance managed four retail stores that specialized in selling T-Mobile and AT&T cellular telephones. He later owned two additional stores and served as the Director of Admissions for Academy High Schools in Boca Raton, FL. Lance views HostGator as a growing family and enjoys computers, technology, and gadgets.

As the Chief Marketing Officer at HostGator, Chad manages the company's affiliate program and advertising campaigns. He also manages the HostGator's SEO hosting company -- SEOhosting.com. Chad is responsible for all new shared web hosting and reseller hosting server setups, among other tasks.

Before joining HostGator in 2005, Chad worked as an email marketing specialist and a web hosting industry consultant who specialized in support and sales operations.

Originally from Indiana, Brandi Banks heads human resources at HostGator. As Director of Human Resources, she is responsible for recruitment, hiring, benefits administration, payroll, and fostering employee growth and development.

Before HostGator, Brandi was an administrative assistant at John Knox Village, an active adult community in Pompano Beach, FL, where she was responsible for organizing and administrating resident activities. In her spare time, Brandi enjoys scrapbooking, camping, and fishing.

Originally from Indiana, Josh Banks is in charge of support and system administration at HostGator. He works closely with the CTO and Director of Human Resources to ensure that HostGator has the technology and team necessary to continue to grow and excel in the web hosting industry.

Before coming to work at HostGator, Josh was a Level III Administrator with Touch Support and a Network Administrator for Procomm Solutions, an Illinois-based cable company. In his free time, Josh likes to play video games, listen to music, and work on electronics.

As the Senior Webmaster at HostGator, Brian Modansky has had a wide variety of roles and responsibilities. He is responsible for the company's web site, onsite SEO, graphic design, affiliate banner development, control panel development, internal systems design, and print advertisements.

Before joining HostGator, Brian was the Head Graphic Designer at UNIM LLC, a Florida-based web hosting and website design provider. At UNIM, Brian was responsible for developing website templates for the company's site builder software. In his free time, Brian enjoys researching and experimenting with new technology.

As Customer Service Manager at HostGator, Douglas Hanna is responsible for customer service, quality assurance, customer feedback management, and customer service operations. He is also responsible for HostGator's corporate communications and public relations efforts.

Before joining HostGator, Douglas was the Vice President of Customer Care at Idologic, a high-end reseller and dedicated web hosting company. While at Idologic, Douglas also started Service Untitled, a blog that focuses on customer service and the customer service experience. Douglas has written more than 600 posts for Service Untitled and has also interviewed senior executives from leading companies such as Dell, HP, and Best Buy. When he isn't working, Douglas enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, and playing the piano. He is also a diehard Duke Blue Devils fan.

Patrick Pelanne started as a chat technician at HostGator in March 2007 and less than two years later, started serving as the company's Deputy CTO. As Deputy CTO, Patrick is responsible for handling server upgrades and migrations, software development, and other day-to-day technical responsibilities including assisting with the recruitment, hiring, and management of HostGator's growing system administration team.

Before starting at HostGator, Patrick was IT Director at The Achilles Group, a national human resources firm headquartered in Houston. He also worked as an independent IT consultant, where he helped small and mid-sized businesses grow and scale their IT infrastructure. When he isn't working, Patrick enjoys playing World of Warcraft, following the UFC, and spending time with his family.