RIPE - Key Persons
After studying arts and business at Indiana University, Abigail began her career with Hyatt Hotels and eventually worked her way into a Director of Sales role. She has since spent time growing client relationships at Marriott hotels, Vacasa Vacation Rentals, and Act-On Software. Abigail is originally from Kentucky but being the adventurer she is, she has lived in eight states. Abigail currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two dogs. When not enjoying the magnificent outdoors or cuisine of the Pacific Northwest, she can be found training for her first boxing match.
Alejandra lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a career spanning over two decades in IT. Her journey began as a programmer and evolved into roles as a team lead and ultimately into management, where she leveraged her soft skills and leadership abilities. Alejandra is passionate about problem-solving, fostering discussion, and exploring creative alternatives to unearth root causes. Building connections is paramount to her, as she believes it brings out the best in her team. She thrives on meticulous planning and always has a contingency plan, even in her personal life. In her free time, Alejandra unleashes her artistic side through painting. She also enjoys swimming and planning trips with her family, and when she returns, she immediately begins planning her next adventure!
Job Titles:
- Content Marketing Manager
Alexa is passionate about people, places, and stories. She spent her childhood in Californian beachside cities, on isolated ranches in the Southwest, and everywhere in between. As an undergrad, Alexa studied psychology and French in Massachusetts and Aix-en-Provence, France. She later taught French and Spanish while earning her master's from the University of Pennsylvania. Alexa's status as an East Coaster ended to start her marketing career, and she quickly took to communication strategy and audience-building. Living in so many places and among so many people, Alexa has developed a deep appreciation for local communities and connects with Ripe's mission in that way. Most days, you can find Alexa playing volleyball at Sandbar or learning to snowboard at Brighton. She also loves art and is a proud winner of the Hopkins Brewery monthly coaster contest for her depiction of Lord Farquaad.
Job Titles:
- Director of Traveler Supplier Services
Alexandria joined the Ripe team with extensive experience in various management and client service roles. Drawing from her experience, Alexandria continues to deliver guest retention strategies through her stellar telephone skills and expertise in managing client relationships, handling guest concerns, and counseling guests to make the best decisions, among other responsibilities in managing the Ripe Contact Center. Beyond delivering the best customer experiences, Alexandria is an avid fly fisher; she enjoys relaxing with a good book, spending time with her rescue dog Rampage, or cooking up a storm.
Alexis is a full-stack software developer with roughly 7 years of experience across various languages. He is always at the forefront, crafting technological solutions that make a difference. His insatiable curiosity keeps him continuously exploring the latest tech trends. Beyond the digital realm, Alexis is a travel enthusiast, always on the lookout for magical corners in every destination. Adventurer at heart and proud father of 2 wonderful children. Soccer runs in his veins; he not only enjoy playing it but also love watching matches from different leagues from around the world.
With a solid 6 years of industry experience, Daniel is truly passionate about technology. His advanced skills in automation, including languages like C#, Python, and Java, combined with his expertise in manual testing, make him a seasoned Quality Assurance Analyst who's always in the loop with the latest tech trends. Daniel also proudly holds a technical degree as a Systems Analyst. Following the pandemic, Daniel decided to take a leap and relocate to the Mendoza where he now enjoys the stunning mountain views and the serene snowy landscapes of the Andes. When he's not immersed in the tech world, he's a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, and he loves nothing more than fusing his love for travel and exploration with keeping up with the ever-evolving technologies that shape our world.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Sales & Marketing
While living most of his life in Salt Lake City, Eric has developed a passion for the many outdoor activities available at his doorstep. With over 30 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, he has been able to share his passion with visitors and potential travelers alike. After graduating from the University of Utah, a short winter break turned into a career, working in Sales and Marketing for the Park City Ski Area and then for the last 24 years, and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Visit Salt Lake, the area's destination marketing organization. He embraces technology and has been an early adopter of implementing many travel tech solutions and strategies. Eric loves to travel and appreciates the perspective it provides to make us better.
Joining Ripe in 2019, Isabelle is a graduate from Utah State University with a B.A. in Technology Systems. She loves a good challenge and enjoys solving problems that require stepping out of her comfort zone. Between juggling all things operational and accounts receivable at Ripe, Isabelle is an avid traveler. You may find her hiking, backpacking, camping, or even deep-sea fishing. Mexico is her favorite deep-sea fishing spot. When she is relaxing, which is rare, you will find her tackling Sudoku, puzzles, and cleaning projects or hanging with her dogs and spending time on her family ranch in Heber.
Jared's tech journey began after college at Apple where he provided customer support for six years. There he honed his technical expertise, sales acumen, and operational prowess. Jared later found himself gravitating towards the travel industry and moved to Vacasa Vacation Rentals, where he thrived in sales before landing at Ripe. Originally from Oregon and now residing in New York, Jared enjoys outdoor adventures and spending time with his wife and dog. When not exploring nature, he engages with his creative side through music, playing whenever possible. With a wealth of experience and a passion for both the technology and travel industries, Jared is invaluable to the Client Success team.
After studying commercial tourism in undergrad followed by a master's degree in business administration, Jason was destined to end up in the travel industry. He began his career at a few large internet startups before spending a year backpacking around the world. In 2008, while working with the Sundance Film Festival, he proposed building a booking engine for their site. From the technology, Ripe was born. When not in his office chair, you can find Jason in his bike saddle, powering past you on the up hills, out traveling the world, or spending time with his wife and two kids.
With over 15 years of software development experience, Juan brings both technical expertise and a strong collaborative spirit to his role at Ripe. His specialization spans a wide array of technologies, including CakePHP 3.9, Laravel 10, Node.js, and Vue.js. What truly motivates Juan though is his dedication to teamwork and collaboration, believing that the collective wisdom of a team surpasses any individual's capabilities. This philosophy has guided his career, shaping the success of the projects he's been involved in. Beyond coding, Juan is a dedicated bassist, recognizing the harmony between creativity and technique in both domains. When not coding or making music, you'll find him indulging in foods and wines, appreciating the craftsmanship that goes into creating something exceptional.
Job Titles:
- Lodging Supply Specialist
- Supplier Manager / Introducing
our Lodging Supply Specialist, Kassi. With a hospitality and fine dining background, Kassi brings a wealth of expertise to her role, assisting hoteliers and suppliers in connecting with our software solutions. She has six years of experience as a Medical Master Aesthetician, aesthetic instructor, and educator, showcasing her attention to detail and commitment to customer service. Outside of work, Kassi enjoys roller-skating with her two dogs and shares her home with a fluffy cat. Their passion for fostering connections and helping others succeed makes her an invaluable asset to our team and a trusted partner for our suppliers. Kassi aims to enhance your lodging supply experience to drive the business forward.
Born and raised in a ski family, Mark fell into the travel technology industry while working on the sales team at MountainReservations.com. After receiving his M.B.A., Mark joined the Ripe team in 2013, when it was simply Sundance Lodging Services. In 2016, he stepped into the role of Executive Director and now runs all of our sales, customer service, market management, and business development operations. On any powder day, you'll find Mark whooping and hollering down the mountain and on sunny days, you'll find him coaching his son's soccer team, watching his daughter act and sing, or crushing Jason at ping pong.
Mike is passionate about problem-solving. He graduated with a degree in graphic design and was able to develop a successful career as a designer before embarking on a journey from Venezuela to Argentina. His career took an unexpected turn when he stumbled into web development, discovering a newfound interest that has since become a central part of his professional journey. Beyond the digital realm, he finds joy in expressing himself through writing, immersing himself in movies, creating music, and embracing the thrill of playing football.
Noah brings over 15 years of Product Management and leadership experience involving strategy, vision, and product development. He has acquired a deep well of skills, lessons, and instincts while working in SaaS, ecommerce, and telehealth spaces. Noah prioritizes creating simple yet compelling customer experiences by tapping into his team's diverse perspectives and backgrounds. He feels most rewarded guiding a team through analyzing a ton of data and testing their way to wins to achieve measurable customer goals. Outside of work, Noah has Type-2 fun competing in 80+ mile mountain bike races, ski touring the Wasatch Mountains near his home, or camping and traveling with his wife and kids. They love seeking out their next favorite taco shop, preferably accessed via dirt roads. Recommendations gladly given.
Sergio is a computer technology expert who embraces the intricacies of high-tech, where everything is seamlessly connected and follows a logical design. His specialization spans the installation and configuration of servers, expertise in networking security, and proficiency in web development. An avid programmer, Sergio relishes taking on daily challenges with enthusiasm and exploring the boundless possibilities of the dynamic digital landscape.
Stephen, originally from New Jersey, relocated to Utah in 2002, embracing a lifestyle enriched by winter sports and outdoor activities. Joining Ripe in April 2023, his innovative mindset and "work smarter, not harder" approach, backed by a wealth of professional skills, have consistently elevated the company's performance beyond expectations. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys time with his partner, their dog, skateboarding, or exploring the digital world via his PC. His passion for life and unwavering commitment inspires those around him, fueling Ripe's dynamic culture and driving the company towards uncharted success.
Steve brings more than 12 years of sales and business development experience to the Ripe team. His experiences in scaling technology, adoption, building relationships, and driving client business, will help the sales/business development team grow our client base. Most recently Steve served as the Executive Director for a local nonprofit (Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports). When not working, he enjoys watching his children play hockey, soccer, and volleyball. When not traveling or at a sporting event, Steve and his family can be found on the water, boating in the summer and on the slopes making turns in the winter.
Tara joins Ripe with extensive experience in the hospitality and technology sectors. Her dynamic professional journey encompasses hospitality, sales, and marketing, resulting in a wealth of diverse expertise. Throughout her career, Tara has consistently demonstrated a passion for communication and building solid relationships. Now, as a Client Success Manager, Tara is excited to leverage her skills to forge meaningful connections and make a significant impact in the industry alongside clients. Beyond work, Tara generously volunteers her graphic design talents to local chambers of commerce, supporting various projects. During her leisure time, she enjoys expressing her artistic side through painting and sculpting as well as exploring nature with her wolf-hybrid fur babies.