Our Team

Here at ECCoE, we take a lot of pride in pulling together teams of the best of the best, and we have a blast working together. We come from a wide range of industries: engineering (mechanical, electrical, software, etc.- all the engineers!), biotech, defense, chemistry, cybertech, pharmaceutical, even marine biology and oceanography. You name it, one of our team members has probably worked on it.

Every client has a team built specifically for their needs, but here are a few faces you’ll see behind almost every program.

Blair Hough | CEO and Founder

With over 45 years of experience in the engineering world, Blair founded ECCoE so he could work with clients to solve the truly unique challenges. From designing submarines to building artificial hearts, Blair has seen and done it all.

Blair wants to make sure ECCoE always stays fun, and his favorite projects are those that get the team thinking out of the box. You’ll usually see him in Converse and his Aussie hat, and we promise you’ll never meet a bigger Disney fan.

Ian Hough | President

Every company needs someone keeping a close pulse on projects and people, and Ian does that and so much more. Bringing his experience managing large teams of people and working on the deck plates of ships, Ian keeps ECCoE’s programs on time and under budget.

Besides keeping the ECCoE ship on course, Ian keeps a large collection of rare and unique corals and fish, and enjoys camping and hiking with his dog, Oberon.

Yesenia Rivas | CFO

ECCoE wouldn’t be ECCoE without Yesenia- the keeper of contracts and the manager of all things finance in the company. As well as overseeing the accounting and budgets, Yesenia keeps a close eye on contracts and security to make sure everything is being done properly. Her financial and contractual touch can be seen on every project ECCoE undertakes.

John Wilkins | Senior Controls Engineer, Program Director

John was one of ECCoE’s first consultants, and has since become a vital part of the ECCoE family. Our resident code-writer, solver-of-all-things electrical, and avid soccer player, John brings his sharp eye and broad knowledge to every project.

Patrick Ellis | Business Development Associate

Companies need someone to share their story and think about what comes next, and this is where Patrick comes in. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Patrick is the tip of the spear of networking and business development for ECCoE. If you're thinking of doing business with ECCoE, Patrick is the one to call.

Joe Gambino | Senior Engineer, Program Manager

Joe’s background in marine systems engineering has made him a go-to for most of ECCoE’s military and maritime clients. A seasoned project engineer with roots in nuclear engineering at General Dynamics and decades of teaching physics, Joe blends technical expertise with a passion for innovation. He plays a large role in managing several of ECCoE’s programs, keeping a close eye on the budgets and timelines.

Jake Moore | Software and Controls Engineer

With a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and 18 years focused on the Navy's most critical systems, this is the expertise you get with Jake Moore. He's seen every angle of complex naval projects, from working on the floor at Newport News Shipbuilding to logistics (AMSEC) and mastering software development, test, and multi-million dollar program management at NSWCPD. Whether it was modeling and simulation for Columbia Class power converters or managing massive software efforts, he ensures mission-readiness. Outside of ECCoE, you can find him in the yard beekeeping, tinkering with 3D printers, or simply trying to keep up with his daughter and their two energetic herding dogs.

Morgan Ellis | Technical Writing, Marketing

Morgan has been with ECCoE since the beginning, lending her technical writing capabilities to programs. More recently, Morgan has joined the management team to assist in the operational side of the business, marketing and communications.

When she’s not wearing her ECCoE hat, Morgan can usually be found outside with her family, gardening or taking care of the chickens.

Dan Strassberg | Software and Controls Engineer

Dan Strassberg is ECCoE's resident expert in making complex machines work smarter, faster, and more reliably. His core strength is Controls Engineering, specializing in the entire lifecycle of industrial automation—from designing electrical layouts to programming and troubleshooting for mission-critical systems. With experience ranging from designing internal web applications and managing databases to co-owning a successful construction company, he ensures ECCoE’s solutions are both technically effective and grounded in real-world viability.

When he isn't streamlining industrial systems, he's tinkering with robots, or applying his engineering eye to designing roller coasters.