 From 2014 until his election, he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 4th Hampden district, which includes his hometown of Westfield.Velis was born in Westfield, Massachusetts to Susan and Jim Velis, one of three children with his brother Adam and sister Jennifer.His uncle, Peter Velis, served as a Hampden Superior Court Judge from 1999–2012 and member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he represented the 5th Hampden district (Southampton, Montgomery, and Westfield) from 1973–1979.