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Ralph O'Dell
CEO
As president and CEO, Ralph defines and executes the overall vision for n-tara inc., setting the pace for strategic direction and overall company performance, including its two divisions: n-tara interactive and n-tara works. Since 2003, Ralph has guided n-tara’s transformation from a regional visual communications start-up into a world-class leader in interactive marketing strategies and technology solutions. And the results have been profitable—the company has enjoyed a 25% annual compound growth rate for each of the past seven years.
Prior to taking the helm at n-tara, Ralph held C-level positions in various Fortune 500 companies and founded several successful start-up ventures. He is a veteran of the international entrepreneurial business community with broad experience in global operations, sales, marketing and business development.
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Neil Owen
Founder and COO
As a founding principal and chief operating officer, Neil has helped build n-tara inc. into an internationally recognized leader in rich Internet content and application development. Neil is responsible for executing the company’s strategic plan and leading development efforts for n-tara’s award-winning agency division, n-tara interactive. Under Neil’s direction, the division has earned a 400% increase in revenue over the past four years.
Prior to n-tara’s inception, Neil held multiple instructional and curriculum development posts in higher education, including assignments at Purdue University and East Tennessee State University, where he directed and co-founded the ETSU Advanced Visualization Laboratory. Earlier in his career, Neil launched several advanced technology initiatives resulting in significantly reduced cost and dramatically improved quality. In 1989 he received GE’s “Managerial Design Award” for one of these initiatives.
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Jeff Morris
Founder and CTO
As an original founding partner and chief technology officer, Jeff has been instrumental in evolving n-tara inc. into an award-winning visual communications firm. In addition to managing all of the company’s strategic technology implementation, Jeff is responsible for directing n-tara works, the company’s software and product division. Under Jeff’s direction, n-tara works currently offers four software products and platforms and is praised by key industry analysts as providing “…some of the most innovative products capable of causing a paradigm shift in the RIA industry.”
With over 12 years of experience in related fields—including roles as product designer, animator, visualization expert, and professor of technology at the University of New Mexico and East Tennessee State University—Jeff contributes a significant body of technical knowledge to both the n-tara interactive and n-tara works teams. At ETSU, Jeff co-founded the internationally recognized Advanced Visualization Lab and designed the curriculum development of courses in digital video, 3-D animation and compositing.
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H. E. “Buddy” Fontaine
Chief Financial Officer
As chief financial officer, Buddy manages all financial and HR aspects for n-tara inc., n-tara interactive and n-tara works, including contract negotiation, financial planning, budgeting and accounting. Buddy began his tenure with n-tara in 2006, bringing a substantial and successful range of experiences from multiple industries, including manufacturing, retail and real estate development.
Early in his career, Buddy served as national contractor manager for the women’s division of Levi Strauss & Co. Since 1987, he has been involved in nine unique start-up business ventures, including Southeastern Apparel Finishing, which he founded and grew into a multi-plant operation with over 500 employees and $16 million in annual sales. His entrepreneurship also includes founding Golftenn, a real estate and golf course development company that developed The Ridges Golf & Country Club, a highly successful golf and residential community.
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Jason Powell
Chief Information Officer
As Chief Information Officer for n-tara, Jason is responsible for leading technology initiatives that support client solutions, as well as managing the operational technology infrastructure of the company.
Prior to joining n-tara, Jason held senior level business management and technology management roles with Bell Helicopter, Remington Arms Company, and United Coal Company. With more than 17 years of hand-on experience in strategic planning, business unit development, project and program management, and system engineering strategies, Jason is well-equipped to analyze critical business requirements, identify potential opportunities, and develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for n-tara’s clients.
A Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Jason is a graduate of Penn State University and obtained his Master’s Degree from Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management.
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Thomas Eorgan
SVP, Marketing
As SVP of marketing for n-tara interactive, Thomas is responsible for leading the company’s marketing and communication strategy and analyst relations. He also combines his hands-on experience in digital media with broad business know-how to strategize solutions for n-tara interactive’s customers. Thomas has been instrumental in spearheading client solutions that incorporate guided selling, persona-driven design and social media campaigns.
Thomas joined n-tara in 2002 after an eight-year tenure in consumer marketing and promotion with Country Music Television, where he implemented multiple national campaigns to drive awareness, ratings and ad revenues. Thomas is a graduate of Florida State University’s Masters in Communication program and frequently speaks on a variety of communication topics, including social media marketing, technology trends and online marketing strategies.
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Shane McCown
VP of Operations
As vice president of operations for n-tara interactive, Shane leads the talented production team and ensures that project quotations, plans and technical solutions are delivered on-time, on-budget and matched to customer goals.
Shane received his B.S. in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Animation, Multimedia and Illustration from East Tennessee State University. Joining n-tara in 1999 as a 3-D animator, Shane quickly leveraged his knowledge of the production process to become n-tara’s primary Project Manager. As the company’s reach and breadth of capabilities expanded, Shane served as Director of Technical Solutions and was subsequently promoted to his current role as VP of Operations in 2006. Shane’s work, both in a production and management capacity, has included projects for a number of n-tara’s marquee clients, and he and his team have been recognized with numerous Regional and National ADDY awards as well as the International Horizon Interactive Awards for design excellence.
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Joshua Hathaway
Art Director
Joshua Hathaway’s extensive background in advertising, branding, design and production led to his current position as art director at n-tara interactive. From brainstorming and conception to design and animation, Joshua collaborates throughout the design process with clients, project managers, copywriters and developers to deliver not only stunning results but also proven returns on client investments. His unique ability to visualize ideas and bring them to life in any medium consistently exceeds clients’ expectations. Joshua’s creative talents have lead the company’s production teams to win numerous awards, recognition and acclaim year after year.
Prior to joining n-tara in 2004, Joshua was creative director/principal at Conexus: one part advertising and branding agency, one part creative think tank. An accomplished illustrator, Joshua has designed, produced and managed various media projects in his career, including print collateral, signage, screen printing, and branding.
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