Diana Brainerd President Diana Brainerd has an extensive background in corporate communications, financial analysis and investor relations. She has provided strategic communications advice to hundreds of companies worldwide and across diverse industries. Her communications expertise encompasses such areas as initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, key message development, expectations management, crisis communications, corporate positioning, management transitions, changes in control, strategic investments and alliances, divestitures, downsizings, debtholder relations, investment community marketing, corporate spin-offs, media relations and emerging markets issues. Prior to founding Brainerd in 1994, Ms. Brainerd was a securities analyst at a major New York City bank, a financial corporate officer at a leading media, entertainment and telecommunications company, and an investor relations counselor. Ms. Brainerd attended the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration, the University of California at Los Angeles, the Rhode Island School of Design and Phillips Andover Academy. Jeanne-Marie Baron Managing Director Jeanne-Marie Baron has provided strategic insight and communications counsel and services to global corporations, major consumer brands and non-profit organizations. Her background includes creating and managing strategic consumer and viral marketing programs for large consumer marketers and driving national consumer branding campaigns for the likes of Intel, Nabisco, Kraft Foods and Microsoft. Her wide-ranging experience includes putting Altoids on the map, turning Intel into a consumer brand and placing stories and op-eds in major media outlets. A convert to PR from academia, Jeanne-Marie holds a bachelor’s degree cum laude in English and art history from Boston University, master’s degrees in child development and English from Columbia University and NYU respectively, and is one step away from her doctorate in English Literature at NYU. Michele Clarke Managing Director Michele Clarke is a nationally recognized expert in integrated strategic communications that span the corporate, financial, regulatory, internal communications and marketing disciplines. She has deep expertise in management transitions, category rehabilitations, crisis communications, issues management, partner loyalty and preference programs, and media management. Her financial communications expertise includes leading investor-focused communications efforts for three of the most successful IPOs in Nasdaq history – Netscape Communications, Rambus Inc. and NeuStar. Michele's programs have created leadership for a broad range of clients, spanning prominent executives, non-profits, start-ups and global conglomerates. Prior to joining Brainerd in 2002, she was a senior agency executive at three top-10 PR firms, an in-house global strategic communications manager and a leading business and technology journalist and editorial manager. Michele specializes in programs that create leadership by setting the agenda, informed by a comprehensive perception-analysis and positioning/messaging methodology that produces focused, effective programs that guarantee results. Her market knowledge spans financial services, technology, media, telecommunications and consumer electronics. Her 13-year editorial career spanned the electronics, graphics and animation, OEM, Internet and MIS/Information Technology (IT) markets. She has been instrumental in developing Brainerd's real-time response, media analysis and proactive positioning programs. Michele speaks on integrated communications and media management strategies at national conferences. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America's Counselors Academy and has served as a judge of the organization's prestigious Silver Anvil Awards since 2001. She is a veteran of Northeastern University's BS Journalism program. Anthony Herrling Managing Director Anthony Herrling is an expert in media relations and crisis communications, who has provided strategic counsel on corporate reputation and positioning to US and international clients, with a concentration on media companies, during two decades with communication agencies. Areas of specialization include Mergers and Acquisitions, Chapter 11 restructurings, employee engagement, IPOs, Stock Exchange Listings, litigation support and the development of crisis communication websites. At Brainerd, Mr. Herrling plays a lead role in programs for publishing and cable television clients. His earlier experience as a corporate investor relations officer and business journalist enhances his guidance on corporate and financial communication. His campaigns have been honored with a Bronze SABRE Award for Best Website, a Beacon Award, and nominations for Gold SABRE and CIPRA awards. His book The Prentice Hall Guide to Media Relations is part of the Advanced Business Communication series from the world’s leading educational publisher. Before agency assignments, Mr. Herrling was manager of investor relations at Capital Cities /ABC Inc., and a reporter and editor with Broadcasting and Cable Magazine. He holds an A.B. from Columbia University’s Columbia College Jeff Majtyka Managing Director Jeff Majtyka is an expert in financial public relations. A 12-year veteran of leading independent agencies and a former journalist, Jeff manages integrated strategic communications programs serving domestic and international clients across a wide range of industries. He has broad experience counseling clients on communications efforts surrounding capital markets activities, M&A transactions and crisis and reputation management issues. He also frequently applies his specialty in executive presentation training in preparing management teams for IPO roadshows, and has written and managed the design of dozens of corporate annual reports. Prior to joining Brainerd in 1997, Jeff served for four years at Morgen-Walke Associates, departing as a senior practice leader. He was also instrumental in the formation of the firm's transactions and crisis practice. Jeff began his career as a journalist covering the securities and banking industries. He holds a BA and an MBA from the College of William & Mary. Christian Plunkett Managing Director Christian Plunkett has over two decades of experience in counseling companies on investor relations and corporate communications issues. He has advised senior management teams on communications strategies related to industry positioning, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, restructuring programs, crisis situations and financial forecasting. Mr. Plunkett has been instrumental in developing Brainerd’s specialized programs for initial public offerings, as well as the firm’s presentation training seminars and executive financial communications workshops. A past speaker at PRSA and NIRI national conferences, he has moderated events pertaining to Regulation FD, IR program planning and shareholder class action lawsuits. He launched the annual Media & Entertainment industry roundtable at NIRI’s national conference. His industry commentary has been published in IR Update, PR Tactics and Investor Relations Business. Mr. Plunkett began his career at Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co. Inc., where he was a corporate relations associate and registered representative (Series 7 and 63). He later held account management positions at the Abernathy MacGregor Group and Morgen-Walke Associates. Mr. Plunkett received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Rowan University. Michael Smargiassi Managing Director Michael Smargiassi has extensive experience in the creation and management of investor relations and financial communications programs, including investor marketing events, investor days, annual meetings, annual reports and special events. Mr. Smargiassi has counseled clients in support of a broad range of transactions, including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, capital markets transactions and corporate restructurings. In addition to client work, Mr. Smargiassi draws on his strong technology background to also manage Brainerd's information systems. Prior to joining Brainerd, Mr. Smargiassi held positions in the Municipal Bond and Fixed Income Departments of Bloomberg Financial Markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from The College of New Jersey. Jenna Focarino Associate Managing Director Jenna J. Focarino has over 20 years experience providing media relations counsel and support for clients in diverse industries. Ms. Focarino specializes in financial services, counseling clients through M&A transactions, the IPO process, and management transitions. Ms. Focarino has developed and managed public relations programs for publicly and privately held companies including Thomson, Deutsche Telekom, Enel, Swisscom, Wit Capital and National Grid. Prior to joining Brainerd she was Media Director at Miller DeMartine Group representing Thomas H. Lee Partners, PricewaterhouseCoopers Transaction Services, Apprise Media and H&Q Asia. Previously Ms. Focarino was a Director at Citigate Dewe Rogerson where she developed that firm’s financial communications practice. Ms. Focarino started her career at Morgen-Walke Associates. She majored in Broadcasting at Brooklyn College. Jennifer Gery Associate Managing Director Jennifer Gery has over a dozen years of media relations experience with particular expertise in corporate positioning and issues management. Ms. Gery represents Brainerd clients in advertising, broadcasting, education, technology, real estate and private equity. For these companies, she has helped build positive business and financial community perception with strategic communications programs for corporate developments including new service offerings, IPOs and mergers and acquisitions, executive management changes and corporate realignment. Ms. Gery previously managed media and investor communications for IMAX Corporation, and is an alumna of public relations agencies Morgen-Walke, Manning, Selvage & Lee and Stanton-Crenshaw Communications. Early in her career, she specialized in technology public relations, managing media outreach and product launches for divisions of IBM Global Services and Nextel. Ms. Gery holds a B.A. in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed New York University’s financial analysis program. She is a member of PRSA, PCNY and the MoMA. Joseph LoBello Associate Managing Director Joseph LoBello supports Brainerd clients with media relations and financial communications counsel. Mr. LoBello has extensive experience providing strategic guidance on investor relations issues, crisis communications, and financial transactions including support for leadership changes, initial and secondary offerings, mergers and acquisitions, private placements, passive and active investments, and exits and divestitures. Prior to joining Brainerd, Mr. LoBello served with Stanton Crenshaw Communications, where he was responsible for media relations, strategic planning, and brand management for several financial services companies and their portfolio companies. Mr. LoBello earlier served as a Public Relations Manager at Thompson Financial; he began his career working with New York State Senator Norman J. Levy. Mr. LoBello graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and received his Master of Arts in Government and Politics from St. John’s University. Raymond Yeung Associate Managing Director Ray Yeung is a member of Brainerd’s media relations team, specializing in corporate and consumer communications campaigns for entertainment, media, technology, computer animation and business services clients. Mr. Yeung’s areas of expertise include program planning, message development, industry analyst and media relations and product/service and tour launches. Before joining Brainerd, Mr. Yeung was with Hill and Knowlton’s corporate and technology practice in New York. He earlier served as Communications Manager, Industries and Web with Oracle Corporation in Australia and New Zealand, where he helped develop marketing strategies and the delivery of integrated marketing communications programs for the region, as well as managing both the external and internal Oracle Web sites. Mr. Yeung is a graduate of Fordham University’s School of Business Administration in New York and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Marketing. Denise Roche Senior Vice President Denise Roche has extensive experience designing and executing results-oriented investor communications programs for public companies across a variety of sectors including business/financial services, media, software, technology and telecom. For more than 10 years, she has worked with companies to expand their following on Wall Street and to effectively manage the communication demands of quarterly reporting, IPO and secondary offerings, mergers and acquisitions, crisis situations and industry developments. Prior to joining Brainerd, Ms. Roche was a Senior Vice President and founding member of The Ruth Group, a New York based investor relations firm, where she helped establish and grow the firm’s business services and technology practice. Before that, Ms. Roche held positions at Edelman Financial Worldwide, the investor relations division of the world’s fifth largest PR firm. She began her career at an investor relations boutique specializing in emerging markets. Ms. Roche holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and psychology from New York University’s College of Arts and Science. Corey Kinger Vice President Corey Kinger joined Brainerd in 2002 and has provided investor relations counsel and support to clients across a variety of industries. Her areas of expertise include financial writing, presentation messaging and development, investor events planning and coordination, industry research, and investor targeting and marketing. Ms. Kinger's experience also includes crisis communications, IPO and M&A programs, and Wall Street perception studies. She has worked with companies in multiple industries and sectors, including newspaper publishing, cable and broadcasting, Internet services and interactive entertainment, satellite technology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, semiconductor equipment, and business and consumer services. Prior to joining Brainerd, she held positions at Pioneer Investments, Boston University’s Office of Public Relations, and Business Wire. Ms. Kinger graduated with honors from Boston University’s College of Communication, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. Scott Cianciulli Assistant Vice President Scott Cianciulli has worked with clients that span a wide array of sectors, including technology, consumer electronics, radio, satellite, entertainment, etc. His responsibilities include media/project management, program execution, and real-time news monitoring. He has experience with product launches, implements BtoB and BtoC campaigns, and works with national and local media. Mr. Cianciulli is a graduate of Marist College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations, with a Business cognate. Bill Douglass Assistant Vice President Bill Douglass has an extensive background in corporate and financial communications, as well as media relations. Prior to joining Brainerd he served as Deputy Director, Financial/Corporate Communications at the Investor Relations Group, and earlier with P&F Communications. His areas of expertise include biotechnology, technology and the entertainment industry. Earlier in his career, Mr. Douglass was an administrator with a non-profit group, ORBIS, serving on-board the organization’s DC-10 aircraft, “the world’s only flying eye hospital,” in over twenty countries. A lifelong traveler, he has worked in or visited fifty-five countries. Mr. Douglass holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies from the University of Houston. Notably, he won the first Shell Economist Writing Prize, with an essay on “The World In 2050,” besting over 3,000 entries from seventy-five countries to win the $20,000 first prize in a contest co-sponsored by the Economist magazine and Royal Dutch/Shell. Brad Edwards Assistant Vice President Brad Edwards has over five years of investor relations experience and has implemented programs for clients spanning a diverse industry set including traditional and new media, post-secondary education, pharmaceutical, internet services, satellite technology, consumer goods, and special purpose acquisition companies. Mr. Edwards provides an assortment of investor relations services including financial writing and content creation, presentation messaging and development, investor events planning and coordination, and investor targeting and marketing support functions. His areas of expertise also include peer and industry evaluation and monitoring, infrastructure management and the generation of valuation analyses, institutional ownership and other quantitative reports. Mr. Edwards received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Connecticut College and completed the Fordham University MBA program with a dual concentration in Finance and Marketing. Nancy Zakhary Assistant Vice President Nancy Zakhary focuses primarily on news research, database building and management, and composition of news releases. She is also instrumental in monitoring and updating events such as trade shows, conventions, research group conferences and investment banking conferences. Ms. Zakhary specializes in developing and executing consumer focused public relations campaigns, she is a graduate of F.I.T. and holds a BS in International Trade and Marketing from F.I.T. Giovanni Garcia Chief Financial Officer Giovanni Garcia is responsible for Brainerd’s financial operations and management, overseeing the firm’s accounting as well as benefits and employment policies. Before joining Brainerd, Mr. Garcia was an accountant with the certified public accounting firm Ash and Parsont, and previously served as an auditor for Rocklin Lipsky Stoller & Company. Mr. Garcia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Accounting from New York University.