RISMEDIA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Video Content Specialist
Aidan Whalen joined RISMedia in 2019 and produces consumer-focused media, specifically on luxury branded content. He specializes in video and shoots as well as directs our RISMedia Headliners series. Aidan also helped produce RISMedia's live-streamed events in 2021. Aidan graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2018 with a B.A.in Communication and Media Arts.
FUN FACT: After work, Aidan coaches high school lacrosse and in 2021, helped lead his team to its first Connecticut state championship since 2013.
Andrew King is a former newspaper journalist with 15 years experience on award-winning projects in New York and New Jersey, his home state. Currently he serves as the Public Relations Director for Bastion Elevate, a full-service marketing firm based in California.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Vice President, Sales
of Sales, Anne Kraft, joined RISMedia in 2009, bringing over 10 years of experience in providing marketing and tech solutions to agents and brokers. In addition to helping top brokerages with content and engagement solutions, Anne also works with corporate marketing partners, providing campaign strategies to help them communicate their value to RISMedia's readership. Anne earned a B.S. in Communications from LaSalle University.
FUN FACT: Anne was a member of the inaugural NWFL Women's Professional Football league, and is now an avid golfer.
Job Titles:
- Contributing Editor
- Journalist and Former News Editor
Barbara Pronin is a contributing editor to RISMedia.
Barbara Pronin is an award-winning journalist and former news editor based in Orange County, California. A confirmed observer of the human condition, she is also the author of six mysteries and two non-fiction books.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Vice President, Online Editorial
Recently promoted to Vice President, Online Editorial, Beth McGuire oversees the editorial direction and content of RISMedia's websites, and its daily, weekly and monthly newsletters. Through her two decades with the company, she has also contributed her range of editorial and creative skills to the company's publications, content marketing platforms, events and more.
FUN FACT: Whenever time permits, Beth enjoys spending time with her family at their lake house in Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Vice President of Client Experience
As the Vice President of Client Experience, Brett Johnson is responsible for overseeing RISMedia's Client Experience Department. In addition, he also helps manage the company's ACE Enterprise clients, helps coordinate company events, and dabbles in sales and accounting when necessary. Brett started with the company back in 2014.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
, Colleen Featherston, has been with RISMedia since 2019. Colleen helps promote and manage RISMedia's ACESocial Enterprise clients. She is also an integral member of the team that coordinates RISMedia's annual virtual and networking events.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Director, Client Experience and Events
Darcy Sledge serves as Director of Client Experience and Events. She has deep experience in real estate, marketing, strategic planning, sales and finance. Darcy utilizes her skills and experience to act as a strategic partner with media clients, making sure that campaign goals are met and exceeded. She holds a BA from Colby College and an MBA from the University of Houston.
FUN FACT: Darcy loves to travel, and has visited many interesting places. She enjoys water sports, working in the garden and serving the community through several non-profit organizations.
Job Titles:
- President of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
Diane Hartley is the president of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, a premier independent authority in training and designation for real estate agents working in the upper-tier residential market. Hartley brings her passion for luxury marketing and more than 20 years of experience growing and leading businesses to her role as president of the Institute.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Software Engineer
Hema Yemmireddy has over 10 years of experience in full-stack web development. Her responsibilities include design, development and testing of the RISMedia API services and their integration, client onboarding, building new modules and maintenance of the existing RISMedia products. She works closely with the client operations and the content teams to ensure a seamless experience for the company's clients. She joined the technology team at RISMedia in 2018.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Designer
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
Janet Yung-Balbin is RISMedia's Designer. In her role, she designs marketing materials for the company's events and products as well as Real Estate Magazine. Janet also designs and codes HTML email campaigns and newsletters, and the company's website. Janet graduated from SUNY Purchase College with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design.
FUN FACT: When Janet isn't creating graphics, she likes to stare at her red-eared slider turtle, CC, for inspiration and enjoys crafting turtle projects.
Job Titles:
- COO
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- President
As President & COO Jay leads the firm's efforts in developing new products, expanding existing strategic relationships, and managing the transformation of RISMedia's operations. Jay comes from Remedy Partners, a transformational value-based healthcare, where he held multiple positions during the company's significant growth up until its acquisition by New Mountain Capital and Signify Health.
FUN FACT: There is nothing fun about Jay and there certainly aren't any facts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Online Editor
- Senior Content Editor
As an Senior Content Editor, Jesse is responsible for creating both long and short-form content across RISMedia platforms, including pursuing new angles and investigative pieces on real estate industry news. Prior to joining RISMedia, Jesse wrote for community news organizations around Connecticut, including Shore Publishing and TriCorner News, as well as working in research for ESPN.
FUN FACT: Jesse hitchhiked a good portion of the contiguous United States in his youth. Today he enjoys noise music, cooking and most video games.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
John E. Featherson launched RISMedia in 1980, and it has since become the leader in real estate information, servicing more than 500,000 of the residential real estate industry's most productive and successful agents, brokers, MLS leaders and related service professionals. Among his many accomplishments, Featherston is the co-author of the widely respected book, "POWER TEAMS - The Complete Guide to Building and Managing a Winning Real Estate Agent Team," which helps fuel the growth of real estate teams throughout the residential real estate industry. During his more than 46-year career in both the relocation and real estate industries, Featherston has worked with virtually every major real estate organization, assisting them in achieving success and meeting their objectives. From CEOs of multi-billion dollar Wall Street organizations, to the owners of national, regional or local real estate brokerage, service-related firms, or even individual real estate sales associates just starting their careers, Featherston enjoys and takes great satisfaction in helping people who are earning their living within the real estate industry succeed. A strong defender and dedicated advocate of organized real estate and defender of homeownership as an invaluable tool to create wealth and strengthen the long-term viability of our economy, Featherston is often sought after for his perspectives and advice. A thought leader and frequent speaker, Featherston was selected and awarded the RE/MAX "On the Shoulders of Giants" Award, recognizing his longtime support of the real estate industry.
John Voket has been an RISMedia Contributing Editor for almost two decades. He is an award-winning community journalist, photographer, broadcaster, podcaster, designer and webcast producer-and a multi-instrumentalist/singer who enjoys playing, performing, and attending live music events.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Software Engineer
Kal Salim has over 25 years of professional programming and software engineering experience and extensive background in software engineering with applications ranging from Windows and Linux-based applications to web development. He is a part of the technology team whose role and responsibilities include software architect and design, software development, operational tasks, and maintenance of various applications and systems.
Job Titles:
- Head of Sales
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
With more than 23 years of experience in advertising sales at RISMedia, Kara Stripay leads the sales team and services more than 30 executive clients advertising across RISMedia's products and events. Her industry-leading clientele spans several sectors within the real estate industry including coaching, technology, marketing and large national brokerage firms. Kara received her B.S. in Marketing and Advertising from the University of Connecticut.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based, award-winning journalist who has been writing for major publications for close to 20 years on topics as diverse as real estate, travel and Broadway. He started his career with the Associated Press and has held high editorial positions at publications aimed at healthcare, sports and technology. When not busy writing, he can be found playing with his two daughters, Jordan and Cassidy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Vice President of Creative & Marketing
As Senior Vice President of Creative & Marketing, Kelli McKenna is responsible for overseeing all corporate creative and marketing initiatives. Kelli joined RISMedia in 2003 and has guided the creative direction of RISMedia's print and digital products, live and virtual events, and marketing campaigns. Kelli graduated from Rhode Island College with a B.A. in Public & Professional Communication.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Web Designer
Kevin Kirwan is RISMedia's Senior Web Designer. With over 20 years of experience in website, mobile app, content management systems and interactive user-interface design, Kevin specializes in the use of Adobe Software, standards-based HTML and CSS creating SEO-friendly websites and interactive campaigns. Kevin has been with RISMedia since 2011.
FUN FACT: When Kevin isn't writing a Fun Fact for his bio, he enjoys writing Fun Facts for other people's bios.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Representative
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
Kristen acts as a liaison and provides product/services information to clients. She also helps with the company's ACE Enterprise clients, RISMedia's webinars and events. Kristen's background includes 26 years as an Executive Assistant for Fortune 500 Companies. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a BA in Psychology.
FUN FACT: Kristen enjoys taking her yearly trip to Block Island in the summer. She also enjoys listening to all different kinds of music and spending time with family.
Lesley Grand has been an RISMedia Contributing Editor for almost two decades. She is an award-winning television and print journalist and has worked at PBS, CNBC and CNN reporting on business, finance and real estate. She recently went back to grad school where she added documentary filmmaking to her freelance projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Artist
- Digital Content Specialist
As a Digital Content Specialist, Liz Ruggiero's main focus is creating consumer-focused content, including videos and infographics, designed for social media platforms. She also produces the company's virtual event-based video content. Liz Graduated from Manhattanville College with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies, with minors in Music and Photography.
FUN FACT: Liz is an artist who enjoys experimenting with different types of media, from drawing and painting to graphic design and photography.
Job Titles:
- Executive Editor
- Executive Vice President
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
Maria Patterson has more than 30 years of experience in executive positions within B2B publishing, 18 of which have been spent as RISMedia's Executive Editor, overseeing the creation and direction of RISMedia's award-winning print and digital content, as well as providing strategic planning for RISMedia events. A graduate of NYU's journalism school, she previously served as editor-in-chief at Miller Freeman in NYC.
Job Titles:
- VP, Technology & Innovation, Stellar MLS
Job Titles:
- CEO and Owner of Delta Media Group
Michael Minard is CEO and owner of Delta Media Group, a leading and trusted technology partner for many of real estate's top brands, and 100% family-owned and operated.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Managing Editor, Blog / Social Media
As Managing Editor, Social Media & Blog, Paige oversees RISMedia's social media editorial and creative strategy, as well as managing content for the Housecall Blog, ACESocial and other editorial projects. She also helps develop marketing materials, email campaigns and articles for Real Estate magazine. Paige graduated from CCSU with a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations.
FUN FACT: Outside of the office, Paige enjoys cruising the beach in her Jeep and watching endless reruns of Gilmore Girls.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Senior Managing Editor
As RISMedia's Senior Managing Editor, Paige Tepping oversees the monthly editorial and layout for Real Estate magazine, working with clients to bring their stories to life. She also contributes to both the writing and editing of the magazine's content. Paige has been with RISMedia since 2007.
FUN FACT: Paige appeared on an episode of celebrity chef Bobby Flay's "3 Days to Open" TV show. Flay was serving up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup in Stamford, Connecticut, as he helped launch the city's Melt Mobile food truck.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Head of Product
Peter Di Salvo joined RISMedia in 2011 and enjoys the challenge of merging people with technology. Peter has played a role in every software solution offering since that time. He loves stats and data and like others, wears many hats-you might even hear from him about a webinar.