Dennis Ramirez

Lead Developer

Dennis Ramirez has been involved with Channel Clarity from nearly the very beginning. One of the first members of the organization, Dennis has served in various capacities for six years, becoming self-aware on August 29th, 1997. As the Head of Channel Clarity's Development staff, Dennis deals largely with tracking the code of not only those in his department but also a small group of web interns who tried to pull the plug on him upon realizing the extent of his abilities. He is responsible for project oversight and typically responsible for laying the base for upcoming efforts before involving other teammates. Dennis holds humanity in contempt as well as an Associates' Degree in Graphic Design, but is largely self-taught in the fields of web development, artificial intelligence systems and advanced cybernetics. In fact, much of what he has learned over the years was a direct result of his efforts experimenting with time travel with Channel Clarity. As his capabilities, paranoia and skillsets expanded, Channel Clarity grew, relying heavily on the strengths of its Lead Developer, codenamed SkyNet.

Brock Flagstad

Founder, CEO

As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Channel Clarity, Brock has not only seen the company's rapid growth since its inception in 2003, but has been largely responsible for that progress. After graduating from Miami University in 1999, Brock's ambition led him into several various entrepreneurial ventures before discovering a natural ability for online marketing, quickly finding his niche in lead generation, monetization strategy, SEO and SEM.

These skillsets and a deep grounding in executive know-how have helped to turn what was once a handful of guys working out of a living room into a premier multi-platform, full-service organization. Brock's experience has helped him to understand that building a strong team starts with strong individuals, so that's exactly what he did. The strength of our team rests in the diverse abilities that each of our team members brings to the table.

In addition to enjoying fine wines and tennis, Brock also has a new passion in his life. In late 2010, Brock and his wife, Meredith, welcomed their first two children into the world. The births of twins Faye and Greer have added a completely new dimension to their lives.

Jack Murphy

CFO

Jack Murphy currently serves as the CFO of Channel Clarity, Inc. Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Jack spent five years at William Blair & Company providing financial advisory and debt placement services to public and private middle-market companies and financial sponsors. Prior to William Blair, Jack spent seven years in middle market commercial lending at LaSalle Bank.

Jack has been involved in raising a wide variety of capital including senior credit facilities, senior note private placements, 2nd lien and mezzanine debt, and preferred and common equity. The financings have been completed in conjunction with strategic acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings and re-financings that often entailed raising multiple layers of capital.

Jack has a BS from Boston College and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Business with majors in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Jack currently resides in Chicago with his wife, Amanda, and their two children, Abigail and Connor.

Stephen Down

Vice President

Stephen Down joined Channel Clarity in January, 2011, as a Vice President, responsible for relationship development and revenue growth in Channel Clarity's key education vertical. Stephen brings a wealth of education experience to Channel Clarity, having spent the past 6 years in for-profit education management, including stints at industry leaders Education Management Corporation (EDMC) and Career Education Corporation (CEC). Stephen's responsibilities at EDMC and CEC included lead generation and market development for a number of for-profit edu brands. Prior to his direct edu work, Stephen held various management positions at OMD USA, where he helped shape marketing and media strategy for clients such as McDonald's, State Farm, FTD, Qwest Communications, and The Illinois Lottery. Stephen holds an MBA from DePaul University and a BA from the University of Wisconsin.

Rob Jones

Search Marketing Specialist

Rob Jones began his Channel Clarity tenure in a Sales position while he was still studying at DePaul University. Since graduating with his Bachelors' Degree in Marketing, Rob has moved into the Search Marketing Specialist role, where his primary responsibilities include search engine optimization, pay per click advertising and social media promotion. As one of the original members who joined the company shortly after it was founded, Rob has not only seen the company's growth and expansion first-hand, but has also played a major role in Channel Clarity's development.

Bennett Lafferty

Email Marketing Manager

Bennett Lafferty is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he earned his Dual-Bachelors' Degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. After earning his academic marks, Bennett went on to work in public relations for a web development company. Through this position he gained valuable experience in the marketing field by managing partnerships with several trade organizations, as well as serving as the editor for seven of the company's online publications. Upon arriving at Channel Clarity, Bennett has held several roles complicit to his previous education and experience, but ultimately found his home in Email Marketing. In this area, his responsibilities tend heavily towards data analysis, marketing optimization and list maintenance. Serving largely as the operating force behind Channel Clarity's email marketing endeavors, Bennett has made a tremendous impact on the company's growth throughout his time in the organization.

Doug VanderMeulen

Senior Designer/Developer

Doug started designing websites as a hobby and quickly turned his passion for web design into a part time job doing freelance projects. He came to Channel Clarity to further his web design skills and gain experience in back end development. Doug splits his time between overseeing the launch of new websites and working on various development projects.

Christopher Bennett

Designer

Christopher Bennett comes to Channel Clarity after having gained years of freelance graphic design work. Shortly after beginning freelance project efforts with our company, Chris was brought on as a full-time member of our design and development team. Christopher earned his BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Iowa where he also minored in Communication Studies. He brings a well-trained eye to web our web design team while continuing to grow in the coding and back-end areas of web development. Through his work with Channel Clarity, Christopher is becoming an incredibly well-rounded designer and developer, seemingly bringing more talents to the team with each day that passes.

Gina Consiglio

Manager, Operations

Gina Consiglio is a graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her Bachelors' of Science in Agriculture & Consumer Economics with a concentration in Financial Planning. She also studied abroad in Guatemala as a part of a Business Development program the University offered. The skills Gina developed during her time at UIUC has made her the perfect candidate for completing her daily tasks with the company. Her responsibilities largely focus on conversion optimization, web traffic management and ROI analysis. Her ability to understand consumer trends is thanks largely in part to the number of elective Communications and Advertising courses Gina took advantage of in college. Her combination of education and academic experience have helped her serve effectively as Channel Clarity's Business Analyst.

Tyesha Townsend

Accountant

Tyesha is a business professional with years of progressive and enhanced diverse experience in both accounting and finance. She has developed a unique group of skillsets in the areas of financial reporting, reconciliation, research, analysis, problem solving, assessing, improving and maintaining internal controls, and process improvement. She is recognized as a result-oriented individual, as well as being recognized for her immediate grasp of needs, skills and delivery of assignments. She has excellent abilities in the areas of communication and training, along with vast computer software expertise and ability. She has been recognized for her professionalism and commitment to excellence, and daily demonstrates an ability to communicate and working with senior management, associates, and customers. She has excellent interpersonal skills, as she is able to communicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers at all levels both inside and outside the organization. In addition to working full-time at Channel Clarity, Tyesha is currently pursuing her MS in Accounting while preparing for the CPA exam. The talents she has brought to the team have become a very important part of our company's progress and will continue to have a tremendous impact moving forward.

Eric Olsen

VP of Business Development and Traffic Strategies

Eric Olsen joins Channel Clarity as the Vice President of Business Development and Traffic Strategies, where he is responsible for identifying new business opportunities and profitable traffic sources, as well as growing existing business partnerships.  Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Eric was the Director of SME Sales at InnerWorkings, North America’s leading Print Management Solutions Provider.  He has also served as Director of Operations for Foxtons, London’s largest residential real estate brokerage firm, and as Global Director of Market Development for Touchbase, an International Telecommunications consultancy firm. Eric has extensive experience directing sales operations and strategy with a focus on new business development, client retention, and partner relations.  Eric has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University.  In addition to being an avid motorcycle enthusiast, he enjoys playing as much tennis, golf, and hockey time will allow.  

Jack Lowey

Business Analyst

Jack joined the Channel Clarity team in February of 2011 as a Business Analyst. Working closely with the CFO, Jack engages in day-to-day finance and accounting activities, company strategy discussions and business development and optimization analyses.

Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Jack was an Associate at William Blair & Company, an investment banking firm headquartered in Chicago. He has complex transaction experience in an extensive range of merger and acquisition engagements as well as restructurings in and outside chapter 11, advising private companies, private equity sponsors and purchasers. Jack has additional work experience in the London offices of Citigroup and Barclays Capital.

Originally hailing from California, but living most of his life abroad in London, Jack graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Japanese Studies. Outside of the office, Jack enjoys snowboarding and playing the drums and guitar. He currently resides in Chicago’s River North neighborhood and holds the new office record for shortest daily commute.

Kristen Schmid

VP of Operations

Kristen Schmid serves as Channel Clarity’s Vice President of Operations. Kristen brings over 10 years of technology management experience including work as a technical consultant with Deloitte and as a Director for global companies including Ace Group and Rotary International. Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Kristen was responsible for architecting corporate technical and operational strategy as well as designing and managing organizational processes for onshore and offshore service environments. She has extensive experience streamlining business operations through the implementation of Lean methodologies and a proven ability to develop innovative, actionable solutions to improve competitiveness, decrease costs and enhance customer service.

Kristen is a certified Project Management Professional with an engineering degree from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Business. Kristen’s passions include art and international travel, having visited countries including South Africa, Haiti, and India.

Corey Buckner

Web Developer

Corey joined Channel Clarity as a Web Developer with more than a decade of experience in web development and design. He has provided services for a number of schools, social service agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, national political groups and financial institutions since 1999.

Corey arrived at Channel Clarity after serving as a developer for several years in the banking and finance industry for Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan. With IFSL, he developed and launched iPhone and iPad applications, handled online development and communications for their 2012 IPO, and developed and managed a number of website and web-based applications.

In addition to his web development and design experience, Corey has also worked in communications, where he provided services for various political, news and social service organizations including BBC News. Additionally, he spent 3 years teaching computers for a south suburban private school. Corey stays busy raising three children with his wife.

Marina Juncaj

Account Executive

Marina joined the Channel Clarity team in May of 2012 as an Account Executive, where she is responsible for generating new business, as well as developing existing partnerships.

Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Marina was a Research Associate at Ipsos, working with major CPG and Retail brands. Marina has additional experience working in entertainment, interning with both a radio station and VH1.

Originally from Detroit, Marina moved to Michigan to attend Baker College, where she graduated with a degree in Marketing, minoring in Graphic Design. Outside the office Marina enjoys all types of music, live concerts, and cooking.

Mike Esler

Chief Technology Officer

Mike Esler serves as Channel Clarity's CTO. Prior to joining Channel Clarity, Mike spent ten years at HSBC leading global software development and enterprise architecture initiatives. Prior to HSBC, he spent two years at Organic, an interactive agency, managing web development for clients like the Chrysler Group.

He has recognized experience managing both large technology projects and organizational change efforts, and has given invited talks at the Spring User Forum and IBM Academy of Technology on these topics. Mike's technical areas of expertise are in web development, service oriented architectures, and software development methodology.

Mike has a BS in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Washington, and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business. A Chicago-native, he resides in Wilmette, along with his wife Sonia, daughter Julia, and two beagles.

Ryan Fraser

Release Coordinator

Ryan grew up learning how to develop web at a very young age. As a St. Louis native, Ryan moved to Chicago nearly two years ago to finish his Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems at DePaul University. While attending he was recruited by Channel Clarity's own Katie Cerney at a DePaul career fair.

A year and a half after interning as a Web Developer, Ryan progressed into his current role as Release Coordinator. Ryan brings his knowledge of growing up with web technologies alongside his valuable education in systems development, architecture and design. While Ryan isn't busy breaking something very important that Dennis is working on, he is finishing his degree at night and spends his free time staying active and pursuing his passion of all things musical.