NEIL VOGEL
Chief Executive Officer, The About Group
Neil Vogel is CEO of The About Group, assuming that role in April 2013. Before joining the About team, Mr. Vogel helped to build Recognition Media’s business from the ground up, launching, acquiring and growing media and awards properties such as the Webby Awards, Internet Week NY and Europe, the Netted.net daily email, and The Telly Awards. Prior to Recognition Media, Mr. Vogel was part of the senior management team at Alloy Media + Marketing, a digital content and marketing services company focused on the teen and youth market, where he played an integral role in taking the business from start-up to more than $300 million in revenue and $50 million in cash flow in fewer than five years. Mr. Vogel also serves as a venture partner at FirstMark Capital.
JUSTIN SQUEZELLO
Head of Finance, About Group
Before joining About.com in February 2013, Justin was the Chief Financial Officer of Pronto.com where he was responsible for financial planning, accounting, business intelligence, and business operations. Previously, Justin was Vice President of Finance for a group of emerging InterActiveCorp (IAC) businesses. During his tenure, Justin successfully managed the build-out and automation of a revenue forecasting and reporting data center which supported as many as 25 IAC brands, providing unprecedented granular visibility to key performance metrics as well as business efficiency.
Before joining IAC, Justin held finance and operations positions at Ziff Davis Media and Time Inc. where he successfully managed a multitude of initiatives ranging from price elasticity analysis’, campaign level ROI analysis’, building multivariate regression models, and projects aimed at reducing customer aging.
Justin graduated from Marist College with a BA in Advertising.
TRACY RAISER
Senior Vice President, Sales
Tracy Raiser joined About.com in 2008 as vice president of sales, western region. She was named senior vice president of sales in August 2011. As a key member of the About Group’s senior leadership team, Tracy oversees advertising sales, research, sales development, client services and marketing. Before joining About.com, Tracy was an accomplished account director at America Online where she led a team of sales and support staff in the Midwest territory. Previously, Tracy held senior marketing positions at various internet start-ups, and spent several years in sports and event marketing roles. Tracy earned a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing from Northwestern University and holds a B.A. in Communications from Purdue University.
KEVIN DONOVAN
Senior Vice President, Product Development & Guide Operations
As senior vice president of Product Development and Guide Operations, Kevin oversees the system, tools and processes that support About.com’s network of freelance expert Guides and their 3,000,000+ pieces of high quality content. Since joining About.com in 1999 as vice president of development, Kevin has been instrumental in building out the company’s world-class product and services offering. Prior, Kevin had a successful 10-year run at Prodigy Services Company, operating across a wide range of management, marketing, development and technical capacities. Before entering the online world, Kevin enjoyed success in the financial sector where he held a variety of positions. Kevin holds degrees in History and Computer Information Systems.
NICK LAPKO
Vice President, Human Resources, About Group
Nick Lapko joined the About Group as vice president of human resources in November 2008. As an integral member of the About Group’s senior leadership team, he is responsible for providing ongoing counsel, guidance and support to management on a broad range of human resources and business issues including talent acquisition, compensation, employee relations, communications and organizational and operational effectiveness. Previously, Nick served as chief human resources officer of Cardean Learning Group, a privately held online education company. Nick’s additional experience includes a broad range of human resources positions in the technology, software, consumer products, transportation and manufacturing industries with a variety of companies including Prodigy Services Company, ITT Corp., Optum Software, Emery Air Freight, and Mattel Toys. Nick holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.
BRAD SIMON
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Brad has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and technology law. His experience includes senior positions across the video game, online content (film, games and music) and interactive agency industries. Prior to his current role, where he oversees legal issues for the About Group, Brad has served as Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at MTV Networks, Vice President at Take-Two Interactive, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Beyond Oblivion, Vice President and General Counsel at PlayFirst, Senior Director of Legal and Business Affairs at Shockwave.com/AtomFilms, and Senior Counsel at Organic. Brad started his legal career at Thelen. He earned his degrees at Harvard Law School (L.L.M.), UC Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall) (J.D.), University College London (M.S.C.), and Brown University (B.A.). Brad is a trained and experienced mediator who enjoys travel and photography.
WEN-WEI WANG
General Manager, About.com China
Wen-Wei is a 12-year veteran of About.com. He was one of the business’s key technical architects in the United States before locating to Beijing in 2007 to launch About.com China. As vice president, technology in China, he has developed and overseen the About.com China Web site’s editorial content, product development, technology and strategic relationships. Mr. Wang holds a B.S. in computer science from Rochester Institute of Technology and an M.S. in System and Management from New York University.