Andy Crestodina
Principal/Strategic Director
Barrett Lombardo
Principal/Web Director
Frank Voznak
Principal/Creative Director
Heather Czyz
Controller & Human Resources Manager
Andy Crestodina
Principal/Strategic Director • 773.353.8301 •
andy@orbitmedia.com
Andy is a Principal and the Strategic Director at Orbit. Andy leads business development for Orbit and connects clients with the firm. Within the company, Andy oversees sales, strategy and client service. Andy employs his extensive knowledge of marketing, interactive media, usability, ecommerce and search engine optimization to develop the most practical and viable web solutions for both current and potential clients.
In addition to establishing relationships with new clients, Andy leads Orbit's web design and production collaboration with agencies throughout Chicago and he is on the Technology Committee and the Green Advisory Board for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Andy is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he studied Mandarin Chinese and became certified to teach.
Andy also writes articles on interactive marketing for The Orbiter, our monthly newsletter.
Interests
Usability/Functional Design
Architecture
Scuba Diving
Environmentalism/Sustainability
Economics
Anything Related to ChinaFavorite Flicks
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Amelie
DodgeballAccomplishments
Being a volunteer docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation since 2001
Barrett Lombardo
Principal/Web Director • 773.353.8303 •
barrett@orbitmedia.com
As a Principal and the Web Director at Orbit, Barrett provides technical analysis, project management support for all projects and oversees the custom strategies and development to match unique client needs. Barrett brings more than a decade of development and management experience to his role as Web Director. With a background in user interface design and illustration, Barrett has also led internal technical initiatives including the development of
Mighty-Site®, the company's proprietary content management tool, and Sputnik, the team's internal task management tool. Barrett holds a BA from the University of Iowa.
Interests
Learning acoustic guitar
Comic books
Good Sci-Fi
Sketching and painting
Gardening
The beach
Favorite Flicks
The Iron Giant
The Royal Tenenbaums
Food, Inc.
Accomplishments
Managing everyone
Frank Voznak
Principal/Creative Director • 773.353.8302 •
frank@orbitmedia.com
Frank is a Principal and the Creative Director at Orbit. Since joining the team in 2004, Frank has played an instrumental role in expanding the company's services to include premier video and print. Within the company, Frank is responsible for overseeing video and design services, as well as managing financials and the firm's infrastructure. With nearly a decade of experience in all facets of visual communication including print, interactive, motion media, exhibit, and interior design, Frank continues to focus his talents on successful execution of the client's vision and message with attention and sensitivity to aesthetics. Previous experience includes art direction at BHI Design, where Frank was additionally responsible for the creation of the New Media department. Frank holds a BFA in Visual Communication from Northern Illinois University.
Interests
Bowling
Aviation
PhotographyFavorite Flicks
Zoolander
Christmas Story
Airplane
Accomplishments
Designing the OMS Space
OMS Video Department Success
Getting married!
Heather Czyz
Controller & Human Resources Manager • 773.353.8312 •
heather@orbitmedia.com
Heather is the Controller and Human Resources Manager for Orbit Media Studios.
Bringing her previous leadership and experience in the dot.com, start-up and restaurant industries to Orbit Media has made Heather an essential financial and organizational asset for the fast growing company.
In her more than five year tenure with the company Heather enjoys the challenge of working with the senior partners to position the expanding company for success, as well as working with project managers and clients to make sure all financial obligations are met.
Heather graduated with a BA in International Business with a minor in Spanish from Bradley University.
Interests
Travel
Gardening
Cooking
Photography
Making Jewelry
Relaxing with my husband
& our pup GuinnessFavorite Flicks
Pulp Fiction
Swingers
Urban Cowboy
Accomplishments
Planned our beautiful wedding
in Mexico after an 82 day engagement
Perfecting banana bread
Jill Clay
Senior Project Manager
Erin Byrne
Lead Web Developer
John Cooney
Lead Web Developer/Designer
Brian Bass
Support Web Developer
Jill Clay
Senior Project Manager • 773.353.8304 •
jill@orbitmedia.com
Since joining Orbit in January 2006 as project manager, Jill has played a significant role in guiding the company's diverse range of projects from development to delivery. As the primary contact between clients and the Orbit team, Jill manages project timetables, addresses the concerns and needs of clients, and ensures that final products reflect the highest level of professionalism possible. Jill brings a background in television production to her role as Orbit project manager. Her previous experience at Harpo Studios and PBS focused on managing crew and cast, increasing viewership, and overseeing editorial production. Jill is a graduate of Ball State University.
Interests
Food! Cooking/Eating/Food Network/Enjoying the great restaurants of Chicago
Reading
Watching & critiquing movies & television
Favorite Flicks
The Shawshank Redemption
Seven
The Little MermaidAccomplishments
Having my baby boy!
Managing projects that increase revenue for clients.
Keeping clients happy!
Erin Byrne
Lead Web Developer • 773.348.4581 x8007 •
erin@orbitmedia.com
As a Lead Web Developer, Erin is an expert in HTML/CSS and Flash development. In addition to her work in interactive design, Erin also lends a hand with the development and production phases of web projects. Erin joined the Orbit team in 2004 after graduating from The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg.
Interests
Queen
Corvettes
Muscle CarsFavorite Flicks
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Resident Evil
Velvet Goldmine
Party MonsterAccomplishments
Being the lead developer on over 30 successful web projects in the past year.
John Cooney
Lead Web Developer/Designer •
john@orbitmedia.com
As a Lead Web Developer and Designer for Orbit, John drafts, designs, and builds the consumer facing side of client websites. John's expertise in back-end programming affords him a unique perspective in designing sites which maintain usability and visual appeal. In addition to his interactive and programming work, John is proficient in print and Flash development. He holds a BA from the University of Virginia.
Interests
Reading/Writing
Watching the White Sox
Looking at artFavorite Flicks
Chinatown
The Big Lebowski
ContemptAccomplishments
Teaching web design at Loyola University
Finishing fifth (unpublished) novel
Finally getting a haircut
Brian Bass
Support Web Developer •
brian@orbitmedia.com
As Orbit's faithful and detail-oriented Flash guru, Brian assists with all facets of Flash development. His work on projects also includes HTML/CSS layout, content entry, proof reading, and optimization of photos and other elements.
Interests
Watching way too much cable news.
World of WarcraftFavorite Flicks
Booty CallAccomplishments
Becoming adept at database-driven flash.
Raising my blood-elf paladin to level 72!
Jessica Schoolman
Lead Web Developer
Rene Fiel
Project Manager
Alex Liokumovich
Web Application Architect
Shellie Argeanton
Lead Web Designer
Jessica Schoolman
Lead Web Developer • 773.353.8314 •
jessica@orbitmedia.com
Web Developer Jessica Schoolman leads the programming and development phases of projects at Orbit. Her skills include PHP, MySQL, HTML/CSS, AJAX, and JavaScript. Jessica graduated of the Illinois Institute of Art in '06, where she earned a BFA in Interactive Media Design.
Jessica is also an excellent photographer.
Interests
Photography
Music/Shows
Reading Web Design Magazines
BowlingFavorite Flicks
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Donnie Darko
Zoolander
The Hangover
Accomplishments
Finally finished watchng the Star Wars Collection
Graduated in December '06 with 'Best in Show' at portfolio show
Rene Fiel
Project Manager • 773.353.8307 •
rene@orbitmedia.com
As Project Manager for Orbit, Rene acts as an intermediary between clients and the production team. Rene employs her extensive background in marketing and client service to ensure that a client's product, purpose, and long-term needs are met with smart and sustainable solutions. Rene has managed projects with both high-end design requirements and various custom programming features, including calendars, membership tools, product catalogs, online video, and Flash. Rene holds a BS in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.
Interests
Skiing
Biking
Reading
Traveling
CampingFavorite Flicks
Contact
Wedding Crashers
Old School
Star Wars
Aspen ExtremeAccomplishments
Landing this fantastic job!
11,166 ft of wicked skiing on Lone Peak, Big Sky, Montana!
Alex Liokumovich
Web Application Architect •
alex@orbitmedia.com
Alex Liokumovich moved to Chicago in 1998 after graduating from Brest State University in Brest, Belarus. He joined Orbit Media Studios in March 2005 as a freelance developer and brought with him some amazing technical skills in PHP, MySQL, AJAX, Javascript, Apache, Unix and server administration for Windows, Mac and Unix. He spends most of his days designing, developing and supporting all parts of Orbit's custom web applications and ecommerce projects.
Interests
Sleep
Kids
Computer Science
Soccer
RelaxingFavorite Flicks
Mallrats
Office Space
The Big LebowskiAccomplishments
Finally put finish on my new fence
McCall Pattern Company Websites
Mighty-Site
Shellie Argeanton
Lead Web Designer •
shellie@orbitmedia.com
Shellie Argeanton plans & designs user-friendly websites, e-commerce shops, business directories, & intranets with her magic design wand. Over the past 10 years, she has developed and refined her design skills through a broad range of mediums and disciplines, including web design, mixed-media/fine art, information architecture, and visual communication. She holds an Masters in Visual Communication from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA in digital art from Bowling Green State University.
Interests
Usability
Design/Typography
Making Artwork
Bicycling
Yoga
Favorite Flicks
Waking Life
Garden State
Good Will Hunting
Shaun of the Dead
Say Anything
Serendipity
Accomplishments
Designing Over 200 Websites!
Regular Yoga Practice
Becoming Mrs. Argeanton
Becoming a Homeowner
Andi Perruzzi
Lead Web Developer
Ben Steinbuhler
Project Manager
Nick Haas
Lead Web Designer
Amanda Gant
Account Manager
Andi Perruzzi
Lead Web Developer •
andi@orbitmedia.com
Andi Perruzzi, an asset to our development team, has honed her skills over the years to develop all types of websites and web features, while sharpening her skills in new and fun areas of interest like Wordpress and jQuery when she has extra time. Andi is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Art, where she studied digital design and production. She is currently involved in programming sites.
Interests
Reading
Video Games (RPGs, MMO's)
Going to MoviesFavorite Flicks
Harry Potter
Ever After
Pride & Prejudice
Definitely, Maybe
Center StageAccomplishments
Getting Engaged
Learning jQuery Plugins, Programming
WordPress!
Ben Steinbuhler
Project Manager • 773.348.4581 x8310 •
ben@orbitmedia.com
As a project manager at Orbit, Ben fuses his computer expertise with a history in management to facilitate efficient project communication and execution. He excels at conveying complex IT issues in an accessible manner, and his familiarity with a wide range of web-based applications positions him as a key liaison between clients and the Orbit team.
Ben holds a BS in management/computer science from Boston College and an MS in computer information systems from Northwestern University.
Interests
Camping
Softball
College Football
YouTubeFavorite Flicks
Last of the Mohicans
Contact
Goodfellas
Out ColdAccomplishments
Moved into my own place
Became an uncle
Threw a runner out at home from centerfield
Nick Haas
Lead Web Designer • 773.353.8309 •
nick@orbitmedia.com
In his 6 years as an interactive art director, Nick fused his design skills with hands-on experience in team management, client relations, and business development, eventually spearheading the conception and success of an entire interactive agency.
With experience in web, touchscreen, print, large-format graphics, and motion graphics presentation design, Nick brings vital creative insight to the Orbit team.
He received his BA in graphic design from DePaul University in 2002.
When Nick's not working in design, he's playing in it: for years, he has enjoyed the hobbies of photography and digital art. Check out his website to learn more.
Interests
Photography
Cooking
BoxingFavorite Flicks
25th Hour
Training Day
The Last Dragon
Fletch
Kill Bill Vol. 1
Top Secret
The Crow
Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo
Scratch
Wrestlemania 1
No Holds Barred
Ball Don't LieAccomplishments
Owning a Home
Baby Ashley!
Being a Famous Chicago Artist
Amanda Gant
Account Manager • 773.353.8308 •
amanda@orbitmedia.com
Amanda Gant is from Valentine, NE (population 2,820) - a town named one of the best wilderness towns by National Geographic. After graduating from University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Marketing, Amanda ventured to the land of Oz (Australia) for some fun and exciting travels before returning to the U.S. - becoming an instant asset to the Orbit family.
As an account manager at Orbit, Amanda manages new features, upgrades, and any other brand new idea clients come up with for their websites - she pulls all the pieces together, finds the right people to execute them, and coordinates success after success with the snap of her fingers. In her spare time, you will find her discussing Google Analytics stats, social media marketing tips & tricks, and tweeting Orbit's latest news and events.
Interests
Traveling x3
Sand Volleyball
Biking
Reading Memoirs
Eating
SnowboardingFavorite Flicks
Anything with Phillip Seymore Hoffman
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Monty Python and The Search for the Holy Grail
Stand by Me
The Notebook
The Music ManAccomplishments
Making it on my niece's list of "who I'd like to be when I grow up".
Made a couple of smart investments (emu farming and gold).
Jeff Hurd
Video Editor
Paul Weinstein
Web Programmer Analyst
Sam Ward
Web Developer
Joey DiFranco
Producer
Jeff Hurd
Video Editor •
jeff@orbitmedia.com
Jeff graduated from DePaul University with a major in Digital Cinema. After college he began freelancing around Chicago as an event shooter & video editor. He worked with several production companies, namely Big Teeth Productions, which happened to be just down the road from Orbit. He ‘gravitated’ towards Orbit’s growing video department taking the position of video editor.
His passions include animation and video editing which just so happens to be what he gets to do all day long at Orbit! His expertise is in the Final Cut Pro Studio as well as the Adobe Creative Suite and also dabbles in 3D modeling & animation.
As a video editor Jeff puts the pieces together. He organizes and makes sense of all video footage shot by the video team.
Interests
Animation
Movies
Music
Canines
MMOsFavorite Flicks
Hook
The Matrix
Back to the Future II
Orbit 2010 Soto VideoAccomplishments
Made a YouTube video that acquired over 1 million views
Raised 2 dogs in a small apartment
Paul Weinstein
Web Programmer Analyst • 773.348.4581 •
paul@orbitmedia.com
In 1985, Paul started down the road to working in the ever-growing computer industry when he learned his first programming language. He has yet to look back, bring his personal understanding of technology into a wide variety of computing environments ranging from public elementary schools and political campaigns to pioneering open source companies and local startups.
Working with Orbit's Web Developers and Application Architect Paul focuses on improving the productivity of Orbit's software development process as well optimizing Orbit's server infrastructure by outlining formal programming and administration approaches for the continuing evolution of Mighty-Site.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Business Administration in General Management, both awarded to him by Elmhurst College.
Interests
Watching baseball
Strolling around Chicago neighborhoods
Sitting outside reading
Favorite Flicks
Dr. Strangelove
Chariots of Fire
Sneakers
Lost in Translation
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Sam Ward
Web Developer •
sam@orbitmedia.com
His programming fingers wreathed in flame, Sam Ward, The Development God, uses supernatural coding abilities to annihilate any web-related obstacle foolish enough to stand in his path. Bugs in code squeal, wilt, and die at a mere glance from his dark and fearsome eyes. Legend has it that Sam is a direct descendent of Iron Maden, Oprah, Tim Berners-Lee, and Fire, but the truth is far more gruesome.
Sam, an Atlanta native with British blood, graduated from The University of Georgia with a degree in Communications in 2007. Tiring of the South, he moved to Chicago soon after, seeking an escape to an urban lifestyle. With few professional connections in the Midwest, Sam carved out a living building freelance websites, creating digital marketing pieces, and tutoring locals in Adobe Creative Suite. After a short stint as the Director of Marketing and Technology with a small company, Sam sought a position where he would be challenged further, inspired to learn and develop his skills, and employ his existing knowledge to build websites that were bigger and more complex than ever before.
In November of 2009, Sam found a home in Orbit. He now works happily alongside the knowledgeable, charismatic, and talented developers of Orbit Media Studios to build The World's Best Websites.
Interests
The Internet
Philosophy
Writing Music
Watching Movies
Fellowship
Favorite Flicks
Adaptation
Symbiopsychotaxiplasm
The Squid and the Whale
I Heart Huckabees
The King of Kong
Accomplishments
Finding a woman who will marry me
Making Orbit more smiley
Moving across the country on a whim and making it work
Smashing your face with amazing websites
Joey DiFranco
Producer •
joey@orbitmedia.com
Joey is a Producer / Director with the video department at Orbit. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in film and TV production, Joey uses his background in art and his passion for video/film to create unique and original projects. His backgound experience includes festival award-winning short films, broadcast work with the Food Network and ABC, as well as a variety of commercial and web video work with clients in Chicago, and around the country.
As a Producer at Orbit, Joey helps bring the project together. He organizes and deploys all the proper techniques to make sure each video is handled and completed correctly.
When not at Orbit, Joey flexes his culinary muscle in the kitchen and dabbles in the various arts of music and painting.
Interests
Cooking
Music
Painting
Camping
TriviaFavorite Flicks
Rushmore
The Empire Strikes Back
Boogie Nights
Ghostbusters
Back to the Future (I, II, & sometimes III)Accomplishments
Recently competed in a virtual cook off for the Red Eye.
Working on finishing a documentary film about a colorado country music band.
Once hiked portions of the Appalachian trail.
John Berube
Web Developer
Ryan Hathaway
Web Designer
Christa Vrabel
Project Manager
Christa Vrabel
Project Manager • 773.353.8317 •
christa@orbitmedia.com
Coming into Orbit Media as a Project Manager, Christa works as the team leader to manage the design and development of her projects while ensuring the client's needs and expectations are met. With experience in e-commerce project management, Christa brings the client's goals and message to the forefront of their site. In addition, Christa focuses on communication, optimizing the user experience, and verifying all functional requirements are implemented successfully.
Christa holds a BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University in Cleveland, as well as a MS in Management Information Systems from Loyola University in Chicago. While in pursuit of her masters, Christa also received certificates in E-commerce and Data Warehousing.
Interests
Dancing
Event Planning
Making Invitations for Friends
Favorite Flicks
Shanghi Noon
The Wedding Singer
Elf
Accomplishments
Ran a Half Marathon
Launched many successful websites!
4043 N Ravenswood Ave Suite 316, Chicago, IL 60613 • 773 348 4581 •