John Schatz

Chief Innovation Officer

Having built multiple companies across technology and product development, John works at the intersection of product, positioning, and revenue, applying that experience to help companies define direction, drive creative problem-solving, remove friction, and create clear paths to growth.

At Riply, he focuses on shaping product strategy, aligning innovation with real-world use, and building and evolving the systems that drive adoption.

Robert Krasne

Chair, Steinman Communications

Bob Krasne is Chairman and Publisher of LNP Media Group, Inc. and the Chairman and CEO of its parent, Steinman Communications, an innovative multi-channel communications company. Bob also serves as co-chair of The Steinman Foundation, a local private philanthropic organization that has given nearly $100 million to groups seeking to improve the quality of life in Lancaster County.

Thomas M. Isaacson

Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Patent Prosecution Vice Chair

Thomas M. Isaacson (Tom) is an experienced intellectual property attorney with deep technical expertise spanning artificial intelligence, cloud computing, blockchain, wireless and radar technologies, speech processing, and mechanical arts.

He advises Fortune 100 companies and startups on patent and trademark prosecution, litigation support, and effective IP strategy, with a focus on emerging and standards-based technologies. Tom has extensive experience with LTE/4G/5G standard essential patents, multimedia standards, fintech, medical devices, drones, and robotics, and has successfully navigated complex §101 abstract idea challenges in patent prosecution.

Prior to private practice, he managed patent portfolios and strategic IP development as in-house counsel for a major internet and phone provider. A recognized thought leader in blockchain innovation, Tom has authored multiple white papers on global patent trends and is named as an inventor on nearly 100 patents.

Adam McGowan

GTM Strategy, Planning & Transformation, CISCO

Adam’s diverse career in finance spans investment banking, corporate finance, and transaction advisory services consulting. He has held senior corporate strategy and transaction advisory roles at Cisco, Capgemini, and C&S. Adam previously served as a Vice President at McNamee Lawrence & Co., a technology-focused investment bank, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions and private financings.

He was also a Senior Financial Analyst at one of the ten largest privately held companies, where he supported the firm’s first debt offering. Throughout his career, Adam has advised senior management teams and boards of directors on M&A strategy and execution. He holds Series 7 and Series 63 licenses, an MBA from Yale, a Master of Engineering from MIT, and a BS from Virginia Tech.

Joel Dearing

CEO, Virtual News Center

As CEO of Virtual News Center, Joel Dearing helped build the model for delivering large-market-quality newscasts to communities of every size.

Before joining Virtual News Center, Dearing held influential programming and leadership roles, including Vice President of Programming & Format Development at Sovereign City Communications, Program Director for multiple successful Clear Channel stations, and Vice President of Programming at Midwest Dimensions, where he guided WPKR and WPCK to record audience levels.

His foundation in radio began on the air and in programming roles at WNDU-FM-AM-TV, where his afternoon show dominated ratings, and at stations including WLMX and KSMG.

John Meyer

CEO, Fed Gov Today

As CEO and Co-founder of Fed Gov Today, John Meyer leads an innovative media company delivering trusted news, insights, and analysis to the federal government community. With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, he has built and grown profitable media brands that serve highly engaged, professional audiences across multiple platforms. John oversees all aspects of the business, including sales, operations, product development, marketing, editorial, and audience development.

He has a strong track record of working with brands to create effective, creative, and multi-platform marketing programs spanning digital, thought leadership, lead generation, radio and podcasts, video, and live and virtual events. His work has earned multiple industry awards for excellence in radio and web content. John is driven by a mission to empower the federal government community with the information, insights, and connections they need to succeed and advance their careers

Drew Hilles

CEO, Pure Nodal

Drew served as Senior Vice President for CBS Broadcasting, managing a combined $200 million operation. Prior to CBS, he was Senior Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia, responsible for overseeing 49 Markets totaling over $400 million in revenue.

Drew also held senior leadership positions with AMFM, Nationwide Communications, and the Journal Broadcast Group.
In 2014, Drew was one of the Executive Founders of Veritone, Inc. Veritone was the World’s first AI Operating System. He
ran Global Sales for 10 years and drove revenue from $0 to more than $250 million, with an IPO in 2016.

Drew is based in Southern California with his wife Stephanie.

Elan Blutinger

Strategic Advisor

A serial entrepreneur and investor, Mr. Blutinger is Managing Director of Alpine Consolidated, LLC, a merchant bank he co-founded in 1996. Through Alpine, he has founded, built, and led initial public offerings for multiple public technology, media, and travel companies in the United States and the UK. His experience includes:

-Lead Director, and Chairman of each of the Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee for Great Wolf Resorts, a family entertainment resorts company, which was acquired by Apollo Global Management in 2012;

-Founder and a Director of ResortQuest International, a provider of full-service vacation rentals in the US, which was acquired by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2010;

-Director and Chairman of the Compensation Committee for Hotels.com, and Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board in connection with the sale of that company to IAC/InteractiveCorp. in 2003; and

-Co-Founder and Lead Director of Travel Services International, which he founded, led to a successful initial public offering, and later sold to Airtours PLC in 2000.

-Mr. Blutinger also served as Lead Director, Member of the Board, and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee for Online Travel Corporation PLC; Chairman of the Board and CEO of Espresoh Tech, an EU-based, software product development company, from April 2019 until the sale of the company in December 2021; and Founder and Chairman of the Board of AudioNow Holdings, a global mobile distribution platform for in-language media, from 2010 until its acquisition in 2018.

-Chairman of the board of Luxurban Hotels a publicly traded hotel chain where he led the restructuring of the company’s board on behalf of shareholders from 2024 to 2025.
Mr. Blutinger earned a BA in International Relations from the American University, a MA in Political Economy from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor from the American University’s Washington College of Law. He is a member of the Advisory Board of American University’s Washington College of Law’s Business Law and a member of the East Carolina University Advisory Board for the Study of Sustainable Tourism at ECU’s School of Business.

Taryn Vanderford

TV Anchor/Reporter

Taryn Vanderford is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who’s been with Nebraska 10/11 since 2010, serving various roles. Most recently, she anchors and produces 10/11 First at Four, and co-anchors Pure Nebraska with her husband, Jon, at 9 a.m. Taryn also provides a daily report in the 5 p.m. newscast.

For seven years, Taryn and Jon lived in Knoxville, Tennessee where Taryn worked as a producer, writer and researcher for the following national shows: A&E’s “America’s Castles”, HGTV’s “Country at Home”, “Country Style” and “Restore America”, and the DIY Network’s “Weekend Decorating” and “DIY Basics.”

Taryn and her team were pleased to win a Telly Award for their work on the HGTV show “Country Style.” A highlight for Taryn included field producing a segment with her family here in Nebraska for the TV special “Thanksgiving Across America” on the Food Network. During her career, Taryn has been a radio announcer for country stations WIVK and WOKI in Knoxville and for KFOR, 96KX and KFRX in Lincoln. She also served as an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Cara Chatellier

Chief Marketing Officer

Cara Chatellier is the founder of Bubbly Creative, a marketing agency she launched in 2020 after a career spanning corporate marketing, sales, and digital strategy.

Cara began her career at Brandeis University in a hybrid sales and marketing role, then moved to Madrid to build her expertise as a digital marketing freelancer before scaling her work into an agency.

Known for translating complex offerings into clear, compelling stories, she specializes in positioning emerging technology brands for trust, traction, and long-term growth. Cara brings a relationship-driven, audience-first approach to Riply, helping shape a brand that resonates with broadcasters, creators, and media leaders alike.

Jen Austin

President

Jen Austin has spent her career behind the mic and inside the newsroom. She’s been heard on more than 100 stations across the U.S., from Dallas-Fort Worth to Buffalo, Boise, and Atlantic City, hosting top-rated shows in Classic Rock, Classic Hits, Pop, and Country formats, and achieved consistent high ratings as a top talent in more than 50 Townsquare markets.

Jen also serves as EVP of Content for Virtual News Center, leading a national team of anchors delivering daily newscasts to local stations coast to coast. She’s been a host, producer, music director, news and sports anchor, traffic reporter, manager, executive, and trusted on-air voice.

After decades in radio, Jen saw the same challenges everywhere: smaller staffs, tighter budgets, and growing pressure to keep content accurate and local. Riply is her answer: a way to help stations stay human, timely, and connected, without breaking the flow.

Rob Sanchez​

COO, Nashville Public Radio

Robert is a media executive with over three decades of experience leading large newsrooms in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington, DC for companies like CBSRadio (now Audacy) and iHeartMedia.

He currently splits his time between DC and Nashville, where he’s the Chief Operating Officer at Nashville Public Radio. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro DC Community Center and as Treasurer of the Outreach Committee at The Community Church of Washington, DC.