Andy Crestodina
Principal/Strategic Director
Barrett Lombardo
Principal/Web Director
Jill Clay
Senior Project Manager
Erin Byrne
Lead Web Developer
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 marketing. Andy employs his extensive knowledge of content marketing, search engine optimization, social media, and usability to develop the most practical and viable web solutions for partners, clients and friends.
In addition to establishing relationships with new clients, Andy leads Orbit's own web marketing efforts. He enjoys sharing his best web marketing advice and frequently speaks at events on web marketing strategy. And also writes regularly for the Orbit blog and monthly newsletter. He is active within the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and with many of Orbit's non-profit clients.
Andy is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he studied Mandarin Chinese and became certified to teach. Also, he has passed the GAIQ Test (Google Analytics Individual Qualification). You can find him in LinkedIn and on Google+.
Interests
Architecture
Scuba Diving
Environmentalism/Sustainability
Piano
Economics
Anything Related to China
Favorite Flicks
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Amelie
DodgeballAccomplishments
Chicago Architecture Foundation Docent, 2001-2008
Certified Treekeeper, 2010
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
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, Flash animation, and front-end development. In addition to her work in interactive design, Erin leads the development and production phases of web projects. Erin joined the Orbit team in October 2004 after graduating from The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Multimedia and Web Design.
Interests
Queen
Chevrolet Corvette
Pontiac GTO
Muscle Cars
Drag Racing
MusicFavorite Flicks
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Resident Evil
Velvet Goldmine
Frozen
The Crazies
The Rocky Horror Picture ShowAccomplishments
Being an Orbiteer for over 6 years.
John Cooney
Web Development Team Leader
Brian Bass
Support Web Developer
Jessica Schoolman
Lead Web Developer
Rene Fiel
Project Manager
John Cooney
Web Development Team Leader •
john@orbitmedia.com
As a Lead Web Developer and Designer for Orbit, John drafts, designs, and builds the public 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 • 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
Shellie Argeanton
Lead Web Designer
Andi Ruggles
Lead Web Developer
Ben Steinbuhler
Project Manager
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 a 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 Ruggles
Lead Web Developer •
andi@orbitmedia.com
Andi Ruggles, 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 Married!!
Learning jQuery Plugins, Programming
WordPress Custom Programming
Ben Steinbuhler
Project Manager • 773.353.8310 •
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
Web Design Team Leader
Amanda Gant
Marketing + Relationship Manager
Paul Weinstein
Web Programmer Analyst
Sam Ward
Web Developer
Nick Haas
Web Design Team Leader • 773.353.8309 •
nick@orbitmedia.com
For the past ten years Nick has fused his design skills with hands-on experience in team management, client relations, and business development. Nick has led creative efforts on behalf of clients such as Digitas, William Morris Endeavor, W-Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Mesirow Financial, American Chartered Bank, Resurrection Health Care, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Random House and Fleet Feet Sports.
With experience in web, mobile, touchscreen, large-format graphics and motion graphics presentation design, Nick brings vital creative and user insight to the Orbit team. He received his BA with a focus in graphic design from DePaul University.
When Nick is not behind the Mac he enjoys performing improv at The Second City, watching classic martial art films and spending time with his family. He also has enjoyed a successful endeavor into photography and digital art: check out his website to learn more.
Interests
Photography
Architecture
Design
Technology
Cooking
Sports
Volunteering
Favorite Flicks
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Inglourious Basterds
The Wrestler
Legend of Christian Hosoi
Scratch
25th Hour
Training Day
Fletch
Accomplishments
Buying a Home
Birth of my daughter Ashley!
Published in Smashing Magazine
Success as an Artist
Amanda Gant
Marketing + Relationship 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 a marketing and relationship manager at Orbit, Amanda manages client needs whether it's new features, upgrades, or 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, email marketing strategies, social media marketing tips & tricks, and tweeting Orbit's latest news and events.
Interests
Traveling
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).
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
Finishing the Chicago Marathon (
barely)
Making Orbit more smiley
Moving across the country on a whim and making it work
Smashing your face with amazing websites
John Berube
Lead Web Developer
Ryan Hathaway
Web Designer
Christa Vrabel
Project Manager
Sarah McCabe
Web Strategist
John Berube
Lead Web Developer •
johnberube@orbitmedia.com
John is a PHP and Javascript developer, with a specialty in open-source Drupal development. He received a BS in engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts in 2003. After working for a year as a mechanical engineer for a submarine company in Connecticut, John decided to move to Chicago with his wife in 2005. Upon arrival, John found work as a Web developer and has been one ever since.
John is detail-oriented and a deconstructionist. He appreciates the elegance of logical constructs and lashes out against that which is illogical. These qualities make him a good programmer, but annoying to watch television with.
Interests
Photography
Camping
Guitar
Running
Bicycling
Favorite Flicks
Children of Men Quest for Fire
Primer
Alone in the Wilderness
The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouAccomplishments
Along with a friend from college, used Drupal to develop a social networking site for environmental organizations:
cleantowns.orgRyan Hathaway
Web Designer •
ryanh@orbitmedia.com
Before Orbit, Ryan, or the "Hath" as he's known around the office, has held internships at Leo Burnett and Kerosene Creative, where he worked anything from TV commercials to interactive banner campaigns. Many freelance gigs and odd jobs later he had his sights set on web design, with a strong interest in user experience, so hit FF, and bing, Orbit.
Ryan holds a degree in Graphic and Interactive Communication from Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fl. He still thinks Chicago "beaches" are fake and brown, but they will have to do.
Interests
Pop Culture
Bike Rides
90's R&B
The InternetFavorite Flicks
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
The Royal Tenebaums
Me You and Everyone We Know
Jurassic Park
Mulholland Drive
I Heart Huckabees
Up!
Accomplishments
Eating the Most Doughnuts in 1 Sitting
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!
Sarah McCabe
Web Strategist • 773.353.8305 •
sarah@orbitmedia.com •
As a member of the strategy team, Sarah works directly with clients to understand the opportunities and challenges with any potential project.
Sarah comes from a web and event marketing background where she spent 4+ years aligning client goals with plans of action. With a solid understanding of what’s possible online, she combines personality and expertise to make sure we know who we’re working with and what we can do for them!
Sarah enjoys building relationships and solving problems. She’s a listener. She believes in the philosophy, “do great work for people you love.” Sarah is originally from Michigan and moved to Chicago after graduating from Hope College with a BA in Communications and English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She now calls Chicago and Orbit her home!
Interests
Delicious coffee & a good book
Pure Michigan
Spending time with family & friends
New restaurants, food & wine
Organizing & planning :)Favorite Flicks
When Harry Met Sally
Wedding Crashers
Say Anything
No Impact Man
The Goonies
Accomplishments
Walked 40 miles & raised 30K w/ her team in the 2010 2-Day Chicago Avon Breast Cancer Walk
Ran the 2011 Chicago Rock & Roll Half Marathon
Lauren Sandherr
Web Project Assistant
Kelley Fogg
Web Support Manager
Kurt Cruse
Lead Web Designer
Chris Brophy
Web Strategist
Lauren Sandherr
Web Project Assistant •
lauren@orbitmedia.com
As Web Project Assistant, or “Lead Miscellaneous” as her co-workers call it, Lauren assists the Project Managers and Marketing Team in any way she can. Doing a little bit of everything, from SEO research to web content entry to quality assurance testing, Lauren gets to learn a whole lot about the spectrum of services that Orbit provides.
Lauren graduated in 2010 from Northwestern University with a BA in Radio/TV/Film & Psychology. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and misses her home city’s one-of-a-kind quirks, but loves living in the endlessly fun (and flat!) Chicago. While not at Orbit, Lauren is either watching (and critiquing) a lot of television or volunteering at her favorite cageless, no-kill cat shelter.
Interests
Writing
Television (watching it, reading/writing about it, making it, etc.)
Knowing an ungodly amount about pop culture and unabashedly spouting it off
Psychology
Geography
Traveling
Animal rights (proudly living free of meat/leather/animal-tested products)
Favorite Flicks
Can I do TV shows?
Friday Night Lights
The Wire
Community
Pushing Daisies
Parks & Recreation
Parenthood
Accomplishments
Graduating Northwestern University cum Laude
Getting a job at Orbit
Having lots of writing/photography published
Surviving college/post-college while working 4 jobs
Placing in the PA State Spelling Bee when I was in 7th grade...yep, still proud 10 years later. Not many good things come out of middle school.
Kelley Fogg
Web Support Manager •
kelley@orbitmedia.com
Kelley happily joined Orbit during the blizzard of February 2011. She brings to Orbit a decade of web support experience, beginning her career in 1999 as a customer support representative for an online start-up, then managing a large client base in the B2B website building & hosting arena. As the Web Support Manager she handles various aspects of client related support. She looks forward to forging long term relationships with all Orbit clients.
Kelley holds a BA in Business Administration and more recently graduated with a Masters of Information Technology/Internet Security both from American InterContinental University. She hopes to return to school to further her education in the near future.
Interests
Contacting the Mothership - Still perfecting my tinfoil hat.
Writing - Working (slowly) on a children’s book.
Reading - Favorite authors: Jane Austen, Irvine Welsh, Anchee Min. Favorite book: Fahrenheit 451.
Cyber-Crime - Preventing/stopping, not committing.
Music - Mood dependent, any genre except hardcore rap and most opera. Favorites: The Cure, Rachmaninoff, Crowded House, NIN, Blink 182, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, SR-71, Cat Stevens, Eminem and so much more....
Gaming
Pets and Animal Activism/Rescue
Favorite Flicks
Princess Bride
Alien
Emma
Pretty In Pink (anything John Hughes),
Independence Day (anything Will Smith and/or aliens),
Fargo
...just to name a few
Accomplishments
Contributed to shutting down hundreds of phishing websites and online scams, identifying/reporting credit card thefts and assisting the victims of said crimes.
Sports Editor for my community college’s paper without knowing the difference between a puck and a pigskin.
Discovering eggplant is flammable and generally surviving my accident prone nature with all appendages intact (yes, it is possible to accidentally super-glue one’s lips together).
Kurt Cruse
Lead Web Designer •
kurt@orbitmedia.com •
In between checking in on Gowalla and tweeting about what he's currently eating, Kurt designs super rad websites. Assembling Legos without instructions as a kid, he's always been interested in creative challenges. He studied graphic design back in his BGSU days, but has since moved onto the web where he couldn't be happier. Consistently focused on learning and being involved in the web community, Kurt's personally invested in every project he works on.
His laugh can be heard across a crowded room and he's often in crowded rooms laughing. He gets way too excited when there's an Apple keynote or chance of Lou Malnati's delivery and listens to too much My Morning Jacket. KC is pubs over clubs.
And now, if you'd please sing along, Kurt-so-good, come on baby make it Kurt-so-good, sometimes...
Interests
Good Times
Music/Shows
Eats
Internets
Geek StuffsFavorite Flicks
Tommy Boy
Gladiator
Food Inc.
Thursdays on NBCAccomplishments
My beard
Being the one big city Cruse
Learning the web on my own
Proposing to a waitress with a hollowed out pickle ring (she accepted)
Chris Brophy
Web Strategist • 773-353-8316 •
chris@orbitmedia.com
As a Web Strategist at Orbit, Chris works directly with clients to develop web based strategies. After more than 15 years of marketing, branding, design and usability expertise, Chris has the perfect background for guiding clients toward practical and viable web strategies. By listening, understanding the goals and then aligning project requirements with those goals, Chris is able to work with clients to develop great web marketing by presenting strategies and effective ideas.
Chris holds a degree in Humanities and Fine Arts from St. Norbert College with postgraduate studies at MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design) and Roosevelt University. While not at Orbit, Chris enjoys taking his daughter to the park and winding down on Sundays with ESPN.
Interests
Traveling to places off the beaten path
Running
Football
Baseball
Modern Architecture
Favorite Flicks
Thin Red Line
Blade Runner
Lord of the Rings
A River Runs Through itAccomplishments
My Daughter
Victoria Frey
Project Management Team Leader
Victoria Frey
Project Management Team Leader • 773.353.8313 •
victoria@orbitmedia.com
As the Project Management Team Leader, Victoria works with the the PMs and the other Orbiteers on building and implementing successful websites for clients. With more than ten years of project management experience, she emphasizes open communication and collaboration amongst the team members. Victoria's background in managing large-scale projects provides a solid knowledge base for all aspects of resource planning, communication and delivery services. She has a BS degree in Communication from the University of Miami and an MS degree in Communications from Northwestern.
Interests
Traveling
Reading novels, magazines, newsletters, friend posts, junk mail, etc
Running
Watching How It's Made on the Science channel
Boating
Cooking (and eating)
Wine tastings
Collecting magnets
Favorite Flicks
A Few Good Men
The Godfather
Heat
The Departed
SwingersAccomplishments
On my 3rd passport
Completed grad school
Rafted the Rio Grande
Taught myself to cook
4043 N Ravenswood Ave Suite 316, Chicago, IL 60613 • 773 348 4581 • Google Map Us 
