Masters of Business Online

Mark Hill

Managing Partner, Collina Ventures

Mark E. Hill is a Managing Partner of Collina Ventures. Mark co-founded Baker Hill® in 1983. Focusing on the banking industry, the company built software solutions focused on small business lending. In 2005, the company was acquired by Experian®, a global information company.

In addition to his role with Collina, Mark serves on the board of numerous companies, including Interactive Intelligence, Bluelock, Cantaloupe TV,, and T2 Systems.

Previously Mark was an early investor and served on the boards of Pan Testing, which was acquired by Talx and Angel Learning, which was acquired by Blackboard.

Mark serves the local community in a variety of ways. He was inaugural chair of the Techpoint foundation, serves on the Executive Committee of the United Way of Central Indiana, is an Adjunct Professor at the Indiana University School of Informatics, is on the board of CICP and recently joined the Indianapolis board of Teach for America.

He started his career at IBM and holds a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Jim Brown

President, EverEffect

Jim is an expert in business development. Founder and President of the marketing firm Accent Creative Group, Jim developed and implemented marketing initiatives that enabled the firm to double its revenues during each of its first three years in business. Jim's insightful and innovative approach to marketing led to his listing in The 2006 Who's Who of Small Business Marketing. An award-winning Graphic Designer and Creative Director, he led the team that worked with Cummins Inc. to provide art and graphics in support of the 2006 Six Sigma Quality Chairman Awards.

In 2007, Jim founded the Online Marketing Firm - EverEffect. The notion that creative development had to be mixed with strategic planning in order to produce measurable results was at the core of the online start-up. Always an advocate for education, Jim organized the Masters of Business Online to help marketers maintain a competitive advantage online.

Jim sits on the advisory board for the Rainmakers Marketing Group, and is active in the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. Jim is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Susan Delz

Account Development, Ion Interactive

Susan has over 11 years experience working with clients in the online and traditional marketing spaces and specializes in conversion optimization for search, display and email marketing. Her professional focus is helping organizations develop measurable, high-ROI online marketing programs. In her current role at ion interactive Susan is responsible for client development & retention programs.    

Before joining ion interactive, Susan maintained a SMB consultancy focusing on brand development and digital strategies.  And prior to that, she was the Public Relations and Investor Relations Manager for Swiss venture capital company CrossBow Ventures.  Susan started her career with Weber-Shandwick in Miami, managing public relations programs for technology companies and financial institutions. 

Susan speaks regularly at a variety of industry conferences and seminars, and has been on the advisory board of the South Florida Interactive Marketing Association for several years.  She has a BS in Public Relations from the University of Florida, is a world-traveler and an avid Florida football fan.

Jon DiGregory

Founding Partner, Cantaloupe

After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Journalism, Jon DiGregory began a marketing career by joining the traditional advertising agency world exposing him to the art of computer design and animation. Discovering the power of "telling a good story" as a powerful component of his client's marketing strategy, Jon started the first multimedia marketing company in Indianapolis, Indiana that dedicated itself solely to building and delivering online content for the web. This move transitioned Jon away from the comfortable "print" world and jumped him into the then unproven arena of online marketing.

Eight years later, the need for his client's to use online marketing as a tool for carrying on a continual conversation with their online database in a more believable, authentic and inexpensive fashion lead to the creation of Cantaloupe.

Jon sits on the Techpoint Foundation Communications Board, the IUPUI Library Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Indianapolis Communications Committee and the Fishers Arts Council. Outside of Cantaloupe, he is a restaurant owner with his three brothers in Albuquerque, NM and is a partner in his wife's Fishers, IN optometric practice Sweet Obenauf Eye Care.

Raquel Richardson

Principal, Silver Square

Raquel Richardson, founder and Principal of Silver Square, brings to the table 12 years’ experience in business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing strategy and communications for significant clients such as the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Jackson Systems, Watermark Group, Indiana Small Business Development Center, Heaton :: Eadie and Guardian Relocation to name a few. Raquel’s experience covers strategic marketing communication, key messaging and brand strategy management for print and web mediums. Raquel received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Butler University,where she was an adjunct professor for four years.

Kyle Lacy

CEO, Brandswag

Kyle Lacy oversees a company called Brandswag, which focuses on design, branding and social media education. With offices in Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, Brandswag helps business owners connect with their customers and sustain profitability by presenting consistent images and messages in the marketplace. Kyle's blog has been featured on Wall Street Journal’s website and Read Write Web’s daily blog journal. He was also recently voted the top Generation Y marketing blog on the Internet by Viralogy.com and is ranked in the top 100 Social media blogs in the world.

Kris Dougherty

Deliverability Specialist, Delivra

Kris leads the deliverability and support efforts that ensure client success. In addition to this, he also manages day-to-day email marketing operations to maximize the application for every client.

Kris is an experienced email marketing professional with over 15 years experience in the technology sector. He serves as Delivra’s resident expert in all things email marketing-email design | deliverability | authentication | best practices-working everyday with clients and staff to support successful email marketing efforts. Kris’s success has been centered on web-based technology, deliverability best practices, and permission-based marketing.

Kris is active in the email marketing community providing insight and expertise to clients, partners, and the community as a whole through speaking engagements, blogging, and editorial. His primary goal is to ensure that email marketers are communicating effectively in a way that not only works, but also abides by all regulations set forth within the industry.

Chris Lucas

Marketing Specialist, FormSpring

Chris is the Marketing Specialist and Product Evangelist. He manages many of FormSpring's marketing efforts with a special interest in discovering how social and online marketing can help FormSpring grow. With a background in PR, communications, and marketing, he has experience in working for a wide variety of industries including Sporting Goods Manufacturing, Bio/Pharma Marketing and High Tech PR. A Purdue graduate, Chris loves watching college sports, enjoys playing ice hockey, and most importantly can't wait till his son laces up his first pair of hockey skates!

Jeremy Dearringer

Founder, Slingshot SEO

Jeremy Dearringer is a Co-founder and the Director of SEO (search engine optimization) research and development at Slingshot SEO. Jeremy and his partners began reverse engineering search algorithms in 1997 with a strong focus on the most popular search engine at the time, Yahoo. Jeremy and his now business partners used their knowledge of SEO to build ad revenue generating websites, real estate websites, and help the family business experience explosive growth during a recession.

This foundation of knowledge and passion for search led the partners to form Slingshot SEO in 2006. His company now provides the latest in search engine optimization strategies to companies around the country with a strong focus on Indiana business.

In just three years Slingshot SEO has had the privilege of working with companies such as Interactive Intelligence, Finish Line, ChaCha, Community Health Network and over 80 other clients. Jeremy has been called upon to give SEO presentations for industry associations and seminars including the NTMA (national tooling and machining association), Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Kelley School of Business, MAPP (Manufacturer's Association for Plastics Processors) and more.

Jacob Leffler

Principal, The Basement

After graduating from Ball State University, Jacob collected a myriad of experience in video production, radio production, media management and advertising. Obtaining a solid foundation in traditional media exposed Jacob early to the reach and potential of the Internet very early in its public life.

Applying an increasingly digital-centric and thorough marketing approach to organizations from tech-based start ups to Fortune 500 organizations has earned these companies significant revenue growth and earned Jacob’s companies numerous designations, including a spot on the Fortune 500/5000 list, national sales leadership recognition and numerous Addy awards. Jacob formed his first full-service interactive media company in 2003 and has helped grow and manage two different digital media firms to triple digit growth, most recently with The Basement Design + Motion.

In his third straight private company launch, Jacob has led The Basement Design + Motion to profitability after seven months of operations and a robust 600% growth rate for 2008. The Basement touts clients that include leaders in the advertising, healthcare/life science, QSR, collegiate sports, and commercial real estate industries, just to name a few. Jacob will tell you success is inevitable with the partners and staff he is blessed to work with at The Basement, which is a testament to the Midwestern work ethic.

Chris Bross

Online Marketing Director, EverEffect

Chris Bross is the Online Marketing Director at EverEffect. In this role, Chris leads all aspects of EverEffect’s Search Engine Optimization core business and processes. Chris is no stranger to the Search Engine Marketing industry having over 15 years of direct Internet experience. Chris has directed Internet marketing campaigns at several Fortune 500 companies such as, Archer Daniels Midland, Caterpillar, John Deere and United Healthcare.

Chris’ journey began in design and development, then moving into project management and now fully committed to Internet search marketing. He brings to the table an expertise directing and implementing online experiences to promote businesses, products and services in both the B2B and consumer arenas. Chris is a professional leader who strives to deliver strong and sometimes unique ways to connect Internet marketing campaigns with various stakeholders to meet and exceed expectations.

John Nichols

President, Visual Blaze

John Nichols is the President of Visual Blaze in Fishers, Indiana. John started his career as a Science teacher, incorporating innovative technologies into his classroom at a time when most teachers were just beginning to use word processing tools. Since then John expanded his educational use of technologies at both public and private universities, assisting with large scale implementation of new tools and methods for technology integration. In the Fall of 2009, he will be awarded a PhD from Purdue University in Instructional Design.

When Visual Blaze opened its doors in 2004, John assembled a strategic team of creative, talented individuals from around the globe to launch Indiana's premier digital solutions firm. His client base includes Fortune 500 companies and small businesses across the nation. Providing services to pharmaceutical companies, restaurants, local government agencies, non profit organizations, law firms, event and catering companies among others John has launched several small businesses that extend his vision for innovation. Clients seek out John and his team of professionals when they are seeking opportunities to capture an audience using new and innovative models of web-based communication.

Troy Burk

President/Founder, Right On Interactive

Troy is a marketing technology veteran having spent the past 13 years helping clients more effectively utilize customer data and technology to solve business challenges. Troy has worked in the CRM, email marketing, and e-procurement industries and is regarded as a strategic database marketer and an e-mail marketing subject matter expert. Troy has helped hundreds of clients with their email marketing and CRM initiatives by effectively leveraging software solutions to drive measurable business results.

Troy is a frequent speaker on the topics of marketing automation, database marketing, and customer lifecycle management. Prior to starting Right On Interactive, Troy worked for ExactTarget for five years as Central Director of Sales.

David Castor

Attorney, Alerding Castor Hewitt

David Castor concentrates his practice on advising and serving Indiana businesses and their owners through their legal matters. Mr. Castor's practice is focused largely on representing Internet and software based technology companies in licensing transactions, but he also has key experience in areas such as contract drafting and negotiation, mergers & acquisitions, business formation and entity selection, trademarks, and stockholder and LLC membership issues. Mr. Castor holds a B.S. in Management from Purdue University, an M.B.A. (with concentration in Finance) from Butler University, and a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. He and his wife, Sarah, have two young boys, Tobias and Joshua.

James Paden

Founder, Vibrant Solutions

James Paden is an e-commerce and conversion expert with over eight years of e-commerce development and marketing experience. He is the founder of Vibrant Solutions where he works with organizations to build and improve e-commerce websites. He specializes in conversion optimization, which is a mixture of design, testing and behavioral targeting that eliminates purchasing fears and streamlines the sales process.  His clients range from small businesses to Internet Retailer Top 500 websites.

Prior to Vibrant Solutions, James served as the Director of Technology for AffordableStyle.com where he oversaw the development of a network of high-performing e-commerce properties such as SunglassWarehouse.com and HandbagHeaven.com.   James is also a life-long entrepreneur and runs several internet-based businesses such as the Xemion Web Design Firm Directory and a network of small e-commerce websites. 

Chris Rozzi

Usability Analyst, NineTwelve (Design Division of Apparatus)

Chris leads NineTwelve’s usability analysis and development on projects. He has merged 18 years of design experience with a certification as a Usability Analyst. He really thrives on organizing information, and aligning user experience with website and business objectives.

Previous to NineTwelve, Chris spent 16 years with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, where he designed informational graphics for many award-winning exhibits and projects. He also managed the museum’s graphics and signage operations. His design experience spans many disciplines, including identity and branding, print, exhibit and environmental design, and 3-D animation.