Meet the Tribe

Diane Krakora, President and CEO
Work
Diane Krakora founded Amazon Consulting in early 1998 with a vision of helping high technology companies increase sales and profitability by focusing on their need for effective, efficient partnering structures. Diane believes partnering should be an integral part of every high technology company and that through proper engagement and enablement partnerships of all types can return increased sales and profitability.

Over the past several years, through Diane’s leadership, Amazon Consulting has grown in client success and industry awareness and is now considered the premier channel and alliance consulting and management company. Diane leads a team of highly skilled channel and alliance development experts, in four specific competency areas: consulting, partner management, technology and intelligence. Diane maintains an active hand with many client engagements and is a frequent contributor to industry articles and conferences.

Before founding Amazon Consulting, Diane held executive positions in channels, sales and marketing roles at several high technology companies. Diane holds a master's degree in business administration from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in quantitative economics from the University of California at San Diego.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Front for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The audience has so much fun and they look like they have a great time. Sorry Scotty, I want your job (even though I can’t sing or play guitar).

Food or Beverage Passion: I'm a food/wine fanatic. There's nothing better than a fine meal, paired with complex and well balanced wine in the company of good friends. Favorites: Echezeaux and an herb rubbed lamb.

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Excellent!"

Little Unknown Fact: I'm terrified of heights - I get a little dizzy when I look down at my feet.

What do you like to do for fun?: Anything outdoors and sporty: Mountain biking, hiking, trail running, roller blading, golf.

<< back

Beth Vanni, Director of Consulting Practice
Work
Beth brings over 20 years of experience in technology sales and marketing to Amazon Consulting, with a specialty focus on channels and alliances strategies. Beth has led groups in Marketing, Market Development and Sales Operations, responsible for the functional areas of marketing communications, product marketing, program development and administration, promotional & incentive plan development, market development, alliance management and worldwide sales operations.
Beth's experience has involved working in the channel in North America at a management level for several leading commercial and technical distributors, including IngramMicro, Softsel and Merisel. Beth has also built and led an enterprise hardware and software distribution business focused on Sun Microsystems and related technologies (MOCA), created and led a market development team focused on the SMB market at Cisco Systems and lead a team focused on sales operations for global alliances and regional channel strategies at BEA Systems.
Beth offers unique insight into building and refining alliances and channel strategies to optimize companies' customer market penetration goals.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Full time house restorer/"flipper" and interior designer

Food or Beverage Passion: Red Vines and Iced Tea

A saying I'm famous for: "Got It" and "What's the Net Net?"

Little Unknown Fact: Have a background in music and have sung professionally

What do you like to do for fun: First and foremost, playing with my two little boys. Then, if I have any time left over (usually not), listening to or playing music, camping and hiking, sewing, scrapbooking

<< back

Sandra Glaser Cheek, Director of Implementation Practice
Work
Sandra brings over 17 years of experience in high technology sales, business and channel development and channel marketing. Sandra has held executive positions in channel sales, enterprise sales, and partner marketing both as a consultant and employee. As director of channel sales. Sandra directed Adobe’s multi-tier reseller channel sales and marketing strategies and led the channel sales team in over 65% growth. As an independent consultant, Sandra has worked with companies such as Adobe, Intel, Kofax Microsoft and Popstick where designed partner sales, marketing, implementation strategies and plans for new and existing products. Sandra holds a bachelors degree in Business Communication from Florida State University.

Life
Secret Dream Job:Home remodeler/designer

Food or Beverage Passion:A great cup of coffee and truffles – white or black on just about anything

A saying I'm famous for: "You live; you learn."

Little Unknown Fact: I’ve lived on four continents, and in seven different states. I don’t have a quick answer to the question – “where are you from?”

What do you like to do for fun: Spending time with my husband and our three children. In the event that there is free time: cooking elaborate non kid-friendly meals, landscaping & gardening

<< back

Jewel Mlnarik, Product Development Manager
Work
Jewel Mlnarik brings to Amazon Consulting 10 years of world-wide-web technology and design experience and a passion to create intuitive and interactive technology. Jewel focuses on problem-solving and process design: analyzing needs, obstacles and goals to define viable and efficient processes and software solutions.

Before joining Amazon Consulting, Jewel held leadership and management positions in a visionary and rapidly growing software company. There she led development efforts in creating cutting-edge interactive web experiences (software-as-a-service and rich internet applications) while assisting marketing, business development and partner management teams. Jewel went on to consult for a variety of businesses including high-tech and creative agencies where she focused on needs analysis, requirements gathering, system and information architecture, user interface design, database architecture, web scripting and programming. When she founded a web and print media consulting company, she managed virtual teams of consultants, designers, programmers and agencies to design and build partner portals, intranets, work flows and database applications utilizing open source and proprietary technologies such as PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, .NET, Java and Flash.

Jewel’s instinctive business sense, varied hands-on experience and desire to problem-solve allow her to effectively design and coordinate successful technology solutions. Since joining Amazon Consulting, Jewel has worked as Development Lead on a variety of client projects including a "next generation" Partner Portal/Extranet and Developer Collaboration Site for Mercury.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Landscape architect, though I've got to stop killing plants!

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Anything's possible"

What do you like to do for fun?: Sleep, read, drive fast (preferably on deserted roads) and make music/noise.

<< back

Chris Smith, Client Services Manager
Work
Chris Smith started his career as a credit risk manager building complex scorecard models used in evaluating a billion dollar credit portfolio. Transitioning into programming and technology was a natural progression and he has been able to use the knowledge he gained from years of working on the business and finance side to create user-centric web applications. He has had exposure to a variety of programming technologies including Enterprise Java, JSP, struts, PHP, MySQL, Javascript, DHTML, and CSS. He most enjoys implementing good design with an eye toward usability an esthetic appeal.

Chris enjoys encouraging others to think creatively and problem solve complex programming problems. Motivating and teach others to excel and catch the vision of a product or solution is his passion.

Life
Secret Dream: Famous actor who never jumps on couches but always gets the girl

Food or Beverage Passion: Spicy Mexican, spicy Indian, homemade pizza!

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Interesting…BUT STUPID!"

A little unknown fact: I recorded a vocal album in a professional studio when I was 15

What do you like to do for fun?: Take my two boys for donuts on Saturday mornings, romance my wife, and spend too much in the iTunes Music Store

<< back

Sue Redmore, Consulting Manager
Work
Sue Redmore brings to Amazon Consulting over 20 years experience working in the high tech industry in North America and EMEA as a specialist in partner programs and partnering strategy design and development, partner marketing and communications planning and execution.

Sue's partnering experience in the industry covers a wide range of technologies, channel players and partnering models. Consulting projects have included the design and implementation of go-to-market strategies, partner program frameworks, conducting partner program audits and partnering gap analysis, development and execution of partner promotions, support programs, tools & materials, project management of product partner program introductions, events, and recruitment initiatives worldwide. Recent consulting engagements have been completed for clients such as Apple, Symantec, Oracle, Motorola, Cisco, Kofax, Altiris and Zebra.

Before joining Amazon Consulting Sue was an independent channel marketing consultant for 6 years assisting high tech companies to identify, build and maintain profitable sales channels and partner affiliations. Clients included HP, Cisco, 3Com, Sun, Polycom, Nvidia and 3DLabs. Prior to working as a consultant Sue held senior marketing positions at high technology companies in the US and in the UK managing the channel marketing and marketing communications functions. This work included the design and implementation of channel partner strategies, partner programs and support initiatives that resulted in increased sales and development of partner relationships; re-engineering a training center from a loss making operation into a profit center; design and implementation of product, partner program launches and partner events in the US and internationally.

Sue has a BA Honors in Art History & Architecture, Reading University (UK), and is a Certified Business Communicator (CBC) with the Business Marketing Association (USA).

Life
Secret Dream Job: Forensic pathologist or jazz singer/pianist.

Food or Beverage Passion: Cheese addict!

A Saying I'm Famous for: Fascinating!

Little Unknown Fact: As a native of Wales can pronounce the Welsh town of "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch" - yes it really is one word!

What do you like to do for fun?: Painting, playing piano, reading, and getting into the outdoors gardening, cycling and sailing in Monterey Bay.

<< back

Molly Black, Consultant
Work
Molly joins Amazon Consulting with over 12 years experience in partner marketing, marketing programs and alliance/channel development. She brings to the team a wealth of expertise in partner program creation and development, as well a unique view since she has worked both on the vendor side as well as on the partner side of high tech companies.

Prior to joining Amazon, Molly was an independent consultant for over 5 years, with clients such as Cisco, Autodesk and the map data company, Tele Atlas; her projects were very similar to those at Amazon. For example, she led the team that created a new third-party application built for Cisco’s reseller community to manage their market development funds. Additionally, at Cisco she was responsible for the services e-learning program. While at Tele Atlas, she developed and launched a new partner program complete with a go-to-market strategy for the top-tier partners.

Before joining the ranks of independent consultants, Molly worked for series of high technology companies where she created multi-tier channel programs and produced several partner marketing campaigns to drive engagement, enablement and sales. For instance, while she was the group manager for partner marketing at Ariba, she created the ground-breaking go to market strategy for top partners. Additionally, she was the director of channel marketing at Segue Software and group manager of the channel marketing team at Sun.


Life
Secret Dream Job: Owning a fabulous women’s clothing boutique

Food or Beverage Passion: Lobster

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Get-out!"

Little Unknown Fact: My 5 year old son is obsessed with the fact that my sister is an Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter Pilot. He is constantly coming up with questions for her to answer like "How can you fly a helicopter and rescue people at the same time?"

What do you like to do for fun?: Jogging/exercising, going out on Saturday night dates with my husband and running after my two kids.

<< back

Kelly Brady, Consultant
Work
Kelly Brady is an alliance marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the computer industry. Experience includes strategic alliance/partner marketing involving the development and execution of worldwide go-to-market plans for partners such as IBM, Sun, Red Hat, VERITAS, EMC (formerly Documentum), Unisys, Yahoo!, Ingram Micro and many more. Additional experience includes defining, developing and managing ISV and SI partner programs at BEA and Adobe. Kelly has received Employee Excellence Awards at Hyperion, BEA and Adobe for professional achievement. She held the marketing Chair on the Board of Directors for the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (A.S.A.P.) Silicon Valley NorCal chapter. She has a Bachelor degree in Economics from University of California, Irvine.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Teacher for Special Ed Children

Food or Beverage Passion: Chocolate - of course

A Saying I'm Famous for: "That's life"

Little Unknown Fact: I performed in the Sydney Opera House in Australia

What do you like to do for fun?: Be outdoors and read mystery novels

<< back

Marilyn Dash, Consultant
Work
Marilyn Dash recently joined Amazon Consulting after over 15 years in Management Consulting specializing in Sales and Marketing Technology. Working with companies such as KPMG/Bearing Point and Selling Advantage, with clients such as Visa, Wells Fargo and Franklin Templeton, she honed her skills as a Project Manager and Sales and Marketing Technologist. Prior to her consulting work, she was a sales professional selling technology to Fortune 1000 companies throughout the country. Her unique perspective comes from her understanding of what it takes to be a salesperson and what companies need to be successful.

Marilyn holds a BS degree in Business Administration from University of Maryland and has completed several post graduate courses and programs. She is constantly looking to continue her education through books, seminars and classes.

Life
Secret Dream Job:Sportscaster, in either baseball, football or Formula 1 auto racing.

Food or Beverage Passion: Anything that someone else prepares for me, paired with an appropriate beverage, and a perfect Vodka Martini to start.

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Dude!"

Little Unknown Fact: I was Miss Congeniality in the Miss New Jersey USA Pageant.

What do you like to do for fun?: I am a Professional Air Race Pilot and Aerobatic Competitor. Yes, that means I do those loops and rolls in the sky. And spend my weekends practicing, flying formation and dogfighting with my fellow pilots... or, working on my airplane. And I love it!

I am also a monthly columnist for an Aviation Magazine.

<< back

Ingrid Krivin, Consultant
Work
Ingrid is a seasoned channel sales and marketing executive with over 18 years of deep, proven, global experience in marketing strategy, and channel and alliance enablement, with a focus on internet security, networking/communications and enterprise software technologies. Ingrid has spent much of her career, both from a manufacturer and consultant perspective, focused on determining the ideal mix of indirect and direct distribution structures, and implementing go-to-market plans that include heavy elements of channel and alliances teaming. Ingrid has held the position of General Manager of North American operations for Intuition Channel Associates, a global consulting firm specializing in channels and alliances strategy and partner profitability, where Cisco was a leading client. Prior to that, Ingrid held global leadership roles at Computer Associates in the areas of Partner Readiness, Field Enablement and Worldwide Alliance Programs. Ingrid also has held Director of Strategic Alliances roles with Access360 and Rainbow Technologies. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Ingrid spent over four years with IBM Australia in a marketing management role, followed by a three year role with SCITEC Australia, a network equipment manufacturer focused on unified communications.

Ingrid holds a B.A. from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Arts from California State University at Fullerton.

<< back

Tim Lowe, Consultant
Work
Tim brings over 20 years of management experience in identifying and executing core business strategies which include channels as a fundamental element. Tim has expertise in revenue generation, key account development, managing P&L, client retention, and positioning product/service offerings designed to drive market and earnings growth. Tim's channel specific experience includes extensive direct and channel sales management expertise with companies such as Apple, Plumtree, TechData and Compaq Computer Corp. He held the position of Vice President of Sales with TechData where he ran a large division of the global distributor and was responsible for 150+ sales, marketing and operational staff. At BEA systems he ran channel sales and operations management for the Business Interaction Division (Plumtree acquisition) and helped drive the channel program and operations integration of those two companies' VAR and SI communities. Tim also has extensive manufacturing management experience, holding management positions with both R.R. Donnelly and Sons and Texas Instruments Electro-Optical Division

Tim holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia.

<< back

Jay Nelson, Sr. Consultant
Work
Jay Nelson is a technology marketing professional with 15 years of experience in channel marketing, strategic alliances, product marketing and sales. He brings a wide range of experience to client projects, ranging from strategic planning to tactical execution, with software, hardware, telecommunications and IT services organizations. Jay has built channels and strategic relationships as well as consulted with major technology vendors on go-to-market strategies, channel development strategies, new product introductions, sales and marketing tools, and current market assessments. As a member of the Amazon Consulting team, Jay has completed projects for companies such as AMD, Altiris, Expand Networks, Microsoft, and Vulcan Ventures.

Prior to joining Amazon Consulting, Jay held management positions in a variety of software and services companies. Jay was a Vice President with MSI Consulting Group, a WPP company. He also built a channel, developed strategic alliances, and wrote and shopped a Venture Capital-funded business plan as Director, Strategic Alliances and Partnerships for NetMotion Wireless, a wireless software start-up. He has been quoted in industry publications such as CMP's LAN Times.

Jay is an MBA graduate of the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in Information Systems from the University of Calgary.

Life
Secret Dream: Produce records for a living

Food or Beverage Passion: Pretty much anything made with care from fresh ingredients…also, popcorn, great ice cream, sushi, and finding great wines that are inexpensive

A Saying I'm Famous For: "Dude, don't harsh my mellow"

A little Unknown Fact: Late at night, I sometimes sneak away and play music with a number of the top local singer-songwriters

What do you like to do for fun? Play music, bike, coach hockey and baseball

<< back

Nancy Patterson, Consultant
Work
Nancy Patterson comes to Amazon Consulting with twenty years experience in all facets of marketing and sales including: product management, product marketing, alliance partner marketing, channel marketing and channel account management. Additionally, she has extensive experience in channel operations and channel program development for several high tech B2B companies. At Computer Network Technology (now Brocade Communications), she was Alliance Marketing Manager focused on the communication and education of joint solutions through partnerships with EMC, Hitachi Data Systems, and Engenio. Nancy also held a Channel Marketing Management role for a national data storage manufacturer, leading cross functional teams in building and launching channel programs in otherwise direct sales company, led VAR recruitment strategies and was part of a core team focused on channel operations efficiencies. Prior to joining Amazon Consulting, Nancy held a Channel Account Management position with Avaya, managing and supporting regional and national VARs focused on enterprise hardware and software products. At these organizations she not only created company strategies, but also managed the implementation of those plans. Nancy also writes content for marketing purposes, articulates positioning and education content for collateral, web communications, sales tools and presentations.

Nancy has a BS in Business Administration and Marketing Education from the University of Minnesota.

Life
Secret Dream: Restoring turn-of-the-century farmhouses and homestead buildings, AND owning/operating a greenhouse!

Food or Beverage Passion: Asian food and GOOD coffee with sweets

A Saying I'm Famous For: “No problem!”

A little Unknown Fact: I won a talent contest once for singing "I Honestly Love You" by Olivia Newton-John!

What do you like to do for fun? Gardening, watch my kids play baseball, going to new release movies!

<< back

Monica Richards, Consultant
Work
Monica Richards comes to Amazon Consulting with ten years experience in all facets of product marketing, including channel marketing. She has extensive experience in the high-tech, B2B marketplace. Over the course of her career, Monica has worked as Product Marketing Manager for a provider of high-volume image-capture software, Manager of Channel Programs for Hitachi Data Systems, and Product Specialist for a maker of software developer tools. At these organizations she used her ability to translate complex technical concepts into readable materials such as collateral pieces, presentations and Web copy that clearly articulate product benefits, strengths and market position. She also developed marketing programs to drive sales through the channel, coordinated with partner organizations to increase business through partner referrals, and drove lead traffic with email newsletter sponsorships, advertising and other activities. She has had responsibility for the content and creation of both corporate Web sites and partner Extranets.

Prior to joining Amazon Consulting, Monica was an independent consultant who provided her clients with the full range of marketing services: designing and maintaining Web sites, creating sales tools and presentations, refining company and product messaging and writing and producing collateral.

Monica has a BS in Psychology and a BA in Spanish from Santa Clara University, as well as an MBA with an emphasis in marketing, also earned at Santa Clara University.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Zoologist, preferably in charge of the reptile house

Food or Beverage Passion: Northern Italian cuisine, with a nice glass of red wine

A Saying I'm Famous for: Interesting..

Little Unknown Fact: I was on a synchronized swim team for five years

What do you like to do for fun?: Travel anywhere! I have been to most of the countries in Southern Europe, the Caribbean islands, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico and Canada. When I can't go to exotic destinations, my family and I enjoy day trips to cool local places and events.

« back

Gail Russell, Consultant
Work
Gail brings over 20 years of experience in high tech marketing, sales, channel development and education. Gail has held channel and/or marketing management positions in both small (Qualitas) and large (Lotus Development and IBM Software) software companies plus has the added channel perspective of having worked in the distribution channel, when she led UNIX marketing for Softsel/Merisel. Gail has built channel and alliance relationships, launched products, assessed marketing ROI, planned tactical program execution, as well as integrated channel strategies into overall corporate go-to-market plans. She has followed products through the sales cycle and is experienced in developing product development plans. Gail has experienced the challenges of marketing and sales in the channel from companies with limited resources to large companies looking to refine multi-million dollar budgets. She has a breadth of experience in direct marketing, retail, and distribution plus brings the unique perspective of having been a principal at a Beacon Award winning IBM Business Partner in Southern California, where she ran the training division, distribution relationships and marketing overall.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Own a Bed and Breakfast in New England

Food or Beverage Passion: Chocolate

A Saying I'm Famous for: " Looking forward to it . . ."

Little Unknown Fact: I was in community theatre with my parents for years

What do you like to do for fun?: Walking, movies, concerts, spending time with my family and friends, anything near the ocean

<< back

Mary Lee Shalvoy, Consultant
Work
Mary Lee Shalvoy has been writing professionally for more than 18 years. Since 1984, she has written extensively about the computer industry. As part of the Amazon Consulting team, Mary Lee uses her experiences to write a wide range of marketing materials for our clients, including newsletters. She also conducts market and competitive research.

Mary Lee has extended experience in market research, marketing, and editorial consulting. Her client roster includes 365java.com, Acer America, Ascend/Lucent Technologies, Cahners Publishing, Computer Intelligence, CMP, eVanta Corp., Hewlett-Packard, IDG CSG, IDC Consulting, Interex, and MSI Consulting. During her career, Mary Lee has been a staff member and editorial consultant for several industry trade publications, including Computer Reseller News, Reseller Management and HP World.

Mary Lee has written just about every kind of business material that exists, including but not limited to: press releases, abstracts, articles, letters, brochures, corporate backgrounders, annual reports, newsletters, white papers, speeches, as well as a wide range of research reports and analysis and has conducted all levels of market research.

Mary Lee has worked on various aspects of research and collateral production for Amazon Consulting clients including Mercury Interactive, and Symbol.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Shamu trainer at SeaWorld

Food or Beverage Passion: Anything with sugar in it--especially champagne!

A Saying I'm Famous for: "It's a good thing."

Little Unknown Fact: I was a DJ for my college radio station.

What do you like to do for fun?: Any of these: hang out with my kids and with friends, watch movies, make films, cycle, and anything having to do with the beach or ocean.

<< back

Amanda Sills, Consultant
Work
Amanda Sills is a marketing professional, with more than 10 years of experience in a variety of industries. These have been on both agency and client-side and have spanned publishing, consumer finance, IT and most recently distribution in the European IT security market. She was at RSA Security from 1998 for 5 years, leading to the position of EMEA Marcom's Director. Responsibilities there included lead generation, brand building and channel development. Her experience includes every element of the marketing mix, including conferences, seminars, direct response TV, direct mail, telemarketing and online marketing.

Amanda lives in the UK, and as well as working for Amazon Consulting on international projects she works for a leading European specialist security distributor. Her role there mainly involves working with companies such as Nokia, Check Point, Symantec and NetScreen to help execute and develop their company strategy through the channel.

Amanda has worked on several of Amazon Consulting's international projects including the Verisign Global Program Strategy and the Symbol Program Audit and Competitive Assessment.

« back

Jill Sturges, Consultant
Work
Jill Sturges joins Amazon Consulting with over 14 years of experience in partner marketing, internet marketing, program management and market research. She brings to the team expertise in the development, launch, execution and design of partner websites and e-marketing programs. Prior to joining Amazon Consulting, as an independent consultant, she focused on developing partner extranets for OEMs, resellers, developers and strategic alliance partners. Her clients included Lucent Technologies, Cisco Systems, Verisign, and Brocade Communications.

Prior to her work as a consultant, Jill was the Program Manager for the Small Business Channel for Netscape Communications/America Online. In this position, she developed and managed the strategy, marketing, production and tracking of Netcenter's Small Business site, which generated the most advertising and annual revenue of all of the company's websites. She also managed high-profile partners such as American Express and Fortune and developed co-branded promotions.

Jill also has extensive experience in marketing communications - in both the management of external agencies, and development of in-house advertising campaigns from creative concept to media planning and lead tracking. In a marcom management role at Glenaryre Technologies, a wireless interconnect developer, she managed the creation and distribution of collateral and direct mail projects through a variety of vendors, and also designed, created and maintained the company's first website. She also has served as a media buyer and supervisor, managing priority Fortune 500 accounts, and as a market research analyst in the financial industry.

Jill has worked on a variety of channel marketing related projects with Amazon Consulting including the development and internationalization of Mercury Interactive's "Mercury Confidential" Partner Portal.

Jill has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, where she majored in marketing with emphasis in communication.

Life
Secret Dream Job: Being the host of Trading Spaces

Food or Beverage Passion: McDonald's French Fries & Chocolate Covered Strawberries

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Where do you want to go to dinner?" (I don't cook!)

Little Unknown Fact: I am a 6th generation Californian, born and raised right here in the bay area. But I have also lived in: Arizona, Maryland, Florida, Washington, And Virginia...All these within a 10 year period.

What do you like to do for fun?: Travel, shop, go to movies, hang out with family & friends, and anything in the sun!

<< back

Mary Tate, Consultant
Work
Mary Tate is a sales and marketing professional with over fifteen years of experience in channel and alliance development, marketing programs and business development. At iPass, Mary was the Director of Channel Marketing where she and her team recruited and managed channels as well as built marketing programs to support resellers, ISPs and technology partners. She also was responsible for building the Strategic & Technology Alliances Program which consisted of 70+ security, authentication and wireless technology partners. Prior to iPass, Mary was the Hewlett Packard Global Business Manager for the iPass/Cisco alliance and was a Sales Account Executive for Digital Equipment Corporation where she utilized the channel to reach her quota. Mary holds a BS in Economics from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Life
Secret Dream: Professional ballroom dancer

Food or Beverage Passion: Wine, cheese and Freddie steaks

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Really?"

A Secret Unknown Fact: Played on the Cal Poly bowling team during college

What do you like to do for fun?: Travel, entertaining friends and family, movies, reading, playing with my dog

<< back

Fred Wilmore, Web Developer
Work
Fred Wilmore has worked on the internet since 1999 as a webmaster and computer consultant. Some of his side work includes creating websites and applications for local artists, galleries and musicians using open-source technologies.


Life
Secret Dream Job: A rock star or music producer

Food or Beverage Passion: Indian food, sushi, ice cream, craft beers, and red wine

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Yeah! Yeah!"

Little Unknown Fact: I had a childhood ambition to be a comic book artist and finally published my own comic book in 1999.

What do you like to do for fun?: DJing, karaoke, dancing, kung-fu, not all at the same time.

<< back

John Wilkinson, Consultant
Work
Skilled in channels and marketing, John helps solutions companies build profitable go-to-market strategies through direct, partner and alliance channels. John brings a real-world understanding of channel development opportunities from his 20 years of accomplishments with solution providers, resellers, distributors and software developers. John was previously was the Vice President of Channel Strategies and Marketing at Meridian Technology Marketing, a Boston-based consultancy. At Thoughtwav and Meridian, he has designed and led channel development and alliance projects for high-technology leaders and start-ups alike, including IBM, Lotus, Symbol Technologies, Hitachi, MessageLabs and Verizon Wireless.

Before entering consulting, John accumulated broad practical experience in business development, strategic account selling, and channel strategy and development. He earned his stripes through a range of sales, marketing and channel management roles at the reseller and VAR level, with distributor Merisel and with IBM/Lotus. He has a BA from Washington and Lee University.

<< back

Bob Winter, Consultant
Work
Bob Winter is a senior manager with extensive experience in Go-To-Market planning and execution for technology companies who are building, diversifying or consolidating their channels of distribution. Bob most recently held the position of Director of Development for CMP's IPED division (Institute for Partner Education and Development) division where he developed and delivered channel program analysis and recommendations to clients including HP, Microsoft, EMC, Seagate, NetApp. While there, he also developed consulting practice areas including channel readiness, benchmark analysis, routes to market and partner enablement. Prior to that, Bob spent 6 years at EMC Corporation as Director of Worldwide Market Intelligence, where his team created go-to-market plans for channel diversification and global expansion as well as guiding the due diligence for EMC's mergers and acquisitions. In his consulting career, Bob spent 3 years as Managing Director at Reality Research & Consulting, a business unit of CMP/United Business Media, where he lead that group's development of their market entry strategy practice for technology companies. Prior to that, Bob was President and Co-Founder for three years at Venture Forward LLC, a high-tech marketing and business development consulting firm affiliated with The Chasm Group. Bob holds a B.A. degree from the College of Journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Life
Secret Dream Job:Alex Trebek's replacement

Food or Beverage Passion: Roasted Whole Sea Bass or Homemade German Sausage

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Yikes!"

Little Unknown Fact: I toured with Ace Frehley from KISS

What do you like to do for fun?: Golf, Tennis, Travel, Reading History, Hanging with my chicks (2 daughters)

<< back

Cecilia Valdes, Consultant
Work
Cecilia Valdes has been a marketing professional for over ten years. Her experience includes client and partner program development and event management in a variety of industries. She has managed and implemented MDF programs, delivered marketing tools for demand creation, developed web-based and e-newsletter communication, organized partner education series, and managed joint marketing initiatives.

Prior to joining Amazon Consulting, Cecilia was an independent consultant providing clients with marketing services including the design and maintenance of web sites, the creation of presentations, the coordination of events, and the delivery of complete program management. She also managed a customer visit center for a major networking corporation.

Cecilia has a Bachelor degree in Marketing from California State University, Northridge.

Life
Secret Dream Job: A chef.

Food or Beverage Passion: Chocolate

A Saying I'm Famous for: "Really"

Little Unknown Fact: I used to teach ballroom dancing.

What do you like to do for fun?: Spend time with friends and volunteer in community events.

<< back

Seema Kohli, Consultant
Work
Seema Kohli is a seasoned channel marketing and programs professional with over 16 years of global experience. Her specialty focus is channel marketing, channel program development and partner enablement strategies. Seema's channel career has offered her experience supporting many countries including North America, UK, Ireland, Central/Northern/Southern Europe, China and India. Seema held various positions in her 10 year career at Sun Microsystems including Senior Manager of Global Partner Enablement, Director of Learning Services Communications and Marketing, Senior Manager of Global Customer Insights, EMEA Channels Manager and Senior Channel Marketing Program Manager. Seema also held the position of Sr. Channel Marketing Program Manager at NETg Int'l. where she successfully designed and deployed revenue generating programs for international channel partners and distributors. Seema has a degree in Computer Science from Liverpool College in the United Kingdom.

Life

Secret Dream Job: Philanthropic Evangelist

<< back