Biographies

David Rippe    President

David is the founder and president of Celestia International, a strategic marketing communications and creative services firm. David is also a public speaker, author, corporate consultant, entrepreneur and community volunteer.

Specializing in the development of strategic marketing and communications campaigns for dozens of companies, David has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in increased sales for his clients. Some of these clients include IBM, Wendy’s, Microsoft, Sony, Navigant, Xerox, Kendle International, Ingram, 3Com, Cisco and many more.

David also holds the following distinguished roles…

• Executive Director of Barcelona 2004 US
• Executive Director of Social Spectrum
• Founder and President of Celestia International
• Founder of the Clean and Green Campaign
• Founder and Former Board Member of The Environmental Network
• Founder of ECO
• Former Board Member of Rivers Unlimited

In his early career David was head of marketing for a national computer reseller and was the chief architect and implementer of a fast growth strategy that took the organization from 3 to 30 locations, and grew sales from $17 million to $650 million in four years. It was during his tenure here that David graduated from the prestigious IBM President’s Circle, an executive MBA course.

Under a pen name David has written and published several books, including the award-winning The Journals—Book I, In Homage to a Prophet, The Twelve Truths of Spiritual Empowerment. He has two new books to be released in early 2005, The Journals—Book II—Into the Gulf and Sparks from a Philosophical Fire. He recently finished a screenplay entitled Special Interests: An Amusing American Tragedy. He is also working on a business book that encourages a holistic approach to business success, called Spherisales.

Brian Sullivan    Web Master

Brian Sullivan has worked with Celestia for over twelve years having created dozens of interactive CD ROMs and hundreds of web sites. Brian is exceptional in applying sound design techniques to the marketing need of the client. He is an expert in HTML, Dreamweaver, Flash, _JavaScript, Photoshop, Fireworks, Illustrator and a number of other software applications.

James Criste   Marketing Manager

James has been with Celestia for over five years. He manages many of our critical client services including e-newsletters, web site development, viral marketing, web research, search engine optimization and keyword paid placement. James has worked on accounts such as GE Capital IT Solutions, The Future Now, Gazelles, Eyes of An Angel, SelectBooks, Dr. Brian Alman, Cool Sports Pools and many more.

Jon Keel Search    Engine Expert

Jon Keel has developed an international reputation as a performance-based online marketing expert. He co-developed the Xavier University MBA E-Business program where he taught Online Marketing and E-Commerce for over three years. He frequently speaks to national and international audiences about Performance-Based Marketing for online and offline businesses. He has developed several online businesses, including a very popular web-based tool used with Overture.com, a pay-per-click search engine.

Some of his past clients include Valvoline, Kikkoman, Frontgate, Ethicon, H.J. Heinz, Procter & Gamble, and Great American Insurance.

Gary Watson     Senior Copy Writer

Gary Watson is one of those rare copywriters who is highly creative yet easy to work with. He works smoothly and efficiently with clients and graphic artists to produce the best possible outcome. He has a shelf-full of industry awards, among them an Addy, a Clio, a One Show and a Gold Effie (his favorite) presented for outstanding creative that excels in the marketplace.

Gary’s clients have included AT&T, Christian Science Monitor, Comdex, Delta Dental, Harvard University Press, INC. Magazine, Kodak, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Ocean Spray, and Vermont Tourism.

Robert Migliara    Director of Data Intelligence

Robert has twenty years of statistical analysis expertise to a team of 4 statisticians and programmers he directs. His team performs data mining, database analysis, research and programming for some of the nation’s leading consumer based companies and non-profits. Robert and his team have also developed a robust donor-marketing application that quickly and accurately identifies the best approaches to various membership databases. This is an essential tool for direct mail and email campaigns as it ensures an effective marketing spend and a higher return on investment for the client.

Robert’s team has deployed their customer-centric approach expertise to such organizations as Procter & Gamble, Home Shopping Network, Fuse, GE Capital and many others.

Liz Lowery     Graphic Designer

Liz has been a world-class designer for over eight years. Her attention to detail and eye for design are perfectly complemented by her variety of styles. Liz is seasoned at identity systems, logos, posters, direct mail pieces, ads, newsletters, corporate brochures, package design, and web design.

Liz’s clients include Procter & Gamble, Hillshire Farms, Tropicana, Sara Lee, Ethicon, Ross Group, Inc., Bluestar, Systemax, the Cincinnati Reds and many others.

Judy Smyth     Senior Copy Writer

Judy Smyth is an outstanding copywriter with more than 20 years experience in marketing products and services for hundreds of businesses. She provides whatever is required to tell the client’s story brilliantly and to generate

Judy has delivered world-class service for a number of industries including non-profits, health care, consumer goods, manufacturing, financial and professional services, technology, education, and foodservice.

Jim Prues     Director of Video Services

Jim Prues is a long-time associate of Celestia who creates award winning, emotion-tugging, hyphen-using media for some of the biggest names in business and industry. He knows how to sell, educate, motivate and entertain audiences through powerful videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs and the World Wide Web. For over a decade, he’s been uniquely focused on integrating strategy and motion to help companies communicate with their customers, prospects, employees and stakeholders.

Clients include: AT&T, BET, Children’s Hospital, ESPN, Fidelity Investments, FreeStore/Foodbank, General Mills, History Channel, Microsoft, MTV, Sony, South-Western Publishing, Toyota and many others.