Counting On Experts For Advice
ASPIRE’s board of directors play a vital role in helping to build the company. The board, comprised of senior publishing executives, top consultants, and experienced investors, governs the company and participates in strategic planning and corporate development. The following executives have agreed to serve on our board:
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Clay B. Hall is Aspire Media LLC’s CEO and has owned, operated, and advised magazine publishing companies for more than 25 years, providing leadership to more than 80 magazine titles, partnering with six different private equity firms. Hall is the former owner/operator of Southwest Art magazine and Vice-President and Group Publisher of Cowles Enthusiast Media’s outdoor recreation group. Hall currently serves on the boards Wiesner Publishing, LLC and The Greater Yellowstone Coalition and has previously served on the boards of World Publications; August Home Publishing; Sports & Fitness Publishing; and Senior Golfer Publishing. Hall is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communications. |
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Peter Derow has held many senior executive positions in media companies, including time spent as president of Newsweek Inc., vice president and director of The Washington Post Company, president of CBS Publishing Group, and president and CEO of Institutional Investor Inc. Peter sits on the boards CACI Inc., Global Spec Inc., MediaMap Inc., Moore Medical Inc., Netscan Inc., Publishers Clearing House Inc., and 101 Communications LLC.
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Don Nicholas is managing director for Mequoda Group and the firm’s lead media strategy consultant. He is the principle founder of Lighthouse Software, MagazineWeek, Blue Dolphin Group, and Mequoda Group. Don has also held senior management positions with Bayland Media Group and Sacramento Magazine. Nicholas received his B.A. in Journalism and Communications Studies from California State University, Sacramento. He studied Film and Television at Rice University in Houston, and Organizational Management at Capella University's Graduate School of Business. |
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Walter Florence is a managing director with Frontenac Company, a Chicago-based private equity fund. Walter’s investing experience and focus is on companies in the business services, publishing and information, and technology services markets. In addition to Aspire Media, Walter currently services on the board of directors of SI International Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) and ypOne Publishing LLC. Prior to joining Frontenac, Mr. Florence was with Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and McKinsey & Company. He graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College and received a master's degree from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, graduating with distinction. |
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Ryan McNally is a partner at Catalyst Investors. He serves on the board of directors of Star Technology Group and oversees Catalyst’s investments through Council Tree Communications. Ryan was previously a Vice President in the Investment Banking Group of Daniels & Associates. Before joining Daniels in 1992, Ryan was in the Media & Entertainment Group of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. He holds an A.B. degree, with honors, from Harvard College. |
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