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Ruth founded Speak, Inc. in 1989. Since that time, she has been instrumental in growing the bureau and committing a great deal of time to various meeting industry organizations. Called upon by hotel chains and meeting planner associations to present workshops on speaker trends and the speaker bureau industry, Ruth is also a regular columnist for several meetings industry publications such as Financial & Insurance Conference Planner Magazine and Medical Meetings Magazine. Ruth is a recipient of the prestigious "Member of the Year Award" from the San Diego Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and she has placed many platform speakers for Financial & Insurance Conference Planners Association (FICP). A Manhattan native, Ruth is a graduate of Skidmore College. When not at work, she can be found buried in a good book (historical fiction is a passion), riding horses, playing tennis and chauffeuring her two sons from one sport to the next. Husband John and retrievers Parker and Liberty happily complete the picture. |
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A Connecticut native and graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Rich joined Speak, Inc. in 1991 and now serves as the company's President. He has been closely involved with the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB), and is a Past-President of the organization. Because of his knowledge and expertise in the industry, Rich has been sought after as an expert witness on legal issues involving professional speaking. He has also been involved with various industry associations including: American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) and the International Special Events Society (ISES). He and his wife Heather have fun with their three children, Julia, Jackson and Max. In his spare time, Rich enjoys mountain biking, wind surfing, motorcycling and skiing.. |
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Jeff joined Speak, Inc. in 1995, became Partner in 1996, and with over seventeen years of experience in the industry, still loves what he does. Jeff is a graduate of California State University of Northridge with a B.A. in Radio, Television, Film. At Speak, Inc. he works both in the corporate market, as well as the association market and is actively involved in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Outside of his time in the office, Jeff can be found relaxing at the nearest beach or swinging the clubs on one of Southern California`s amazing golf courses. What brings him the most joy, of course, is spending time with his young daughter, Faith. |
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Tim has been with Speak, Inc. since 1996 and was made Partner in 1999. He is actively involved with Meetings Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), The Special Events Show, and serves as the Speak, Inc. liaison to the National Speakers Association (NSA). Tim is a graduate of the University of San Diego, but also studied abroad in Oxford, England. He and his wife Jennifer stay busy chasing around their two young boys, Kyle and Daniel, and caring for their newest arrival, Sarah. In his spare time he enjoys playing sports, a good game of hold-em and diving into the latest best-seller. He currently operates our Denver office. |
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With nearly two decades of industry experience, Holly has been a partner on the Speak, Inc. team since 1999. A graduate of San Diego State University and an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), she now resides in the Chicago area with her husband Erik and children, Megan and Grant. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading and yoga. |
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Lisa joined Speak, Inc. in 2005 with six successful years working in the speaker bureau industry. She became a Partner in 2010. Lisa is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in Biological Sciences and Secondary Education. She has been in sales since she was 16: shoes, cocktails, jewelry, military items, pistachios, secondary computer parts (her own company) and speakers. She operates our Tucson office. When not working she enjoys golf, yard work, working out at the gym and relaxing in her pool. |
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Tracey is a native of San Diego. As a graduate of San Diego State University, she earned a BS degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing. Tracey began her career as a corporate meeting planner for a large financial company where she spent seven years planning and managed over 40 meetings a year. Her meeting planning experience also includes 12 years working in Destination Management. An active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Tracey has also served on committees for Hospitality Sales & Marketing International (HSMAI) and the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. In her spare time you can find her gardening, reading or spending time with friends and family. Tracey loves cooking and entertaining and enjoying the perfect weather in San Diego |
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Before joining Speak, Inc. in 1998, Lisa held various positions in sports marketing and public relations. She became a Speak, Inc. Partner in 2000. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Colorado, has two children, two cats, two dogs, and enjoys reading, writing, and taxiing the kids to their various activities |
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Leah originally joined Speak, Inc. in 2006 as Production Assistant and Speaker Relations Coordinator. She rejoined the team in 2010 as an Account Manager. Leah is a graduate of San Diego State University and is a Southern California native. In her free time she enjoys doing yoga, reading, and spending time with her husband, John, and daughter, Abigail. |
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With many years of experience in sales, marketing and advertising, Nicole joined the Speak, Inc. team in 2002. She is a graduate of Indiana University and is married with a son and stepson. She enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking with her family and doing yoga. |
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Steve is Speak, Inc.'s financial administrator. He has spent most of his career in book publishing, and in various financial roles with major corporations. He earned his MBA at Dartmouth. Steve's leisure activities include tennis and reading of all sorts. |
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Tony joined the Speak, Inc. team in January 2008 as a Production Assistant and Speaker Relations Coordinator. He has recently been promoted to Director of Administration. After more then twenty years of service, Tony retired from the Marine Corps in 2006. He spent his last 15 years in Military Intelligence conducting briefs and teaching classes for the Marines, Tony found that working with Speak, Inc. would be a great place to build on this experience. When not at work, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife Regina and their daughter Pennelope |
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John co-founded and financed the creation of Speak, Inc. over 20 years ago, and now serves as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Most recently, he co-founded Trius Therapeutics, a San Diego-based company focused on developing next generation anti-microbial drugs and he is their Chief Financial Officer. Previously, he co-founded two other successful Life Science companies. John received a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of San Diego.. |
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Ilene joined the Speak, Inc. team in 2011 as a Production Assistant. She grew up in San Diego and studied Musical Theatre at the University of California Irvine and The University of Arizona. In her free time Ilene enjoys spending time with her son, Aaron; doing yoga; and visiting San Diego landmarks such as Balboa Park and Downtown La Jolla. |
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