Executive Team
Brian Cowley, CEO
Brian joined CompareNetworks in 2011 with an extensive 25 years of experience in database marketing, media sales, business & corporate development and executive management. Most recently he served as General Manager, North America for Velti who acquired AdInfuse in 2009, where he was President and CEO. Prior to AdInfuse, Brian was Vice President of Mobile Advertising at InfoSpace. Previous to this he ran the sponsorship & services group at eBay, a $140M business unit. Brian spent over ten years in the internet search and advertising business, primarily as co-founder and Senior Vice President of Sales & Business Development at LookSmart, a company he helped grow from a start up to a multi-billion dollar publicly traded company. He began working in digital media in 1995, working at Netscape. He championed the “destinations” service which later became the foundation to Netscape’s NetCenter. The first ten years of his career was focused in database & direct marketing working for Dun & Bradstreet & Equifax. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Bo Purtic, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Revenue Officer
Bo oversees the CompareNetworks’ vertical markets, focusing on accelerating revenue growth and new product development. He has worked at CompareNetworks for over six years in sales, operations management, business and corporate development across several business units. Most recently, Bo served as the General Manager, New Markets, where he was instrumental in launching new growth opportunities and successfully managed the acquisition and integration of International Scientific Communications, Inc. and its assets. Bo has over 20 years of experience in research and development, medical device and publishing industries. Prior to joining CompareNetworks, he worked in the biotechnology sector, serving in leadership positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and XOMA Ltd. Bo holds a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, an MBA in General Management from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Biology from The University of California at Berkeley. He is an active member of several scientific and medical societies.
Paul Gatti, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Chief Scientist
Paul co-founded the company and has led the company from an idea to a leading B2B online media company. Since the launch of Biocompare in 1999, Paul has grown CompareNetworks by innovating in current markets and developing services in new markets. By focusing on buyers and sellers, CompareNetworks has leadership positions in various B2B markets. Prior to founding CompareNetworks, Paul worked as a post-doctoral fellow at University of California, San Francisco and received a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University.
Andy Miller, Chief Technology Officer
Andy leads CompareNetworks' technology teams and is responsible for the architecture and leadership of the company’s web development and information technology strategies. With over 10 years of experience building cutting edge web sites, Andy’s specialties include data-driven web application architecture, offshore development strategies, search engine optimization, and e-mail deployment and list management systems. Prior to cofounding CompareNetworks, Andy was a staff research associate at the University of California, San Francisco. Andy holds a B.A. in molecular biology and biochemistry from Wesleyan University.
Mike Okimoto, Ph.D., Chief Content Officer
Mike Okimoto is a co-founder of CompareNetworks and is responsible for the development and implementation of both editorial and data content for the CN verticals. Since 1999 Mike has been closely involved with the evolution of the CN business model and has helped to develop the overall business strategy for the company. His early efforts were focused on the development of product taxonomies and new products to help CN customers reach their target audiences and marketing goals. In his current role, Mike is tasked with managing day to day operations including media fulfillment and deployment as well as customer reporting.
Ken Coffee, Vice President of Operations
Ken came to CompareNetworks in 2012 as VP of Operations responsible for revenue management, client performance, workflow optimization, and strategic new business initiatives. He has over 20 years of experience working with fast-growing digital marketing and technology companies in finance, operations, and revenue management. Most recently, Ken served as Director of Revenue Management for global mobile marketing firm, Velti. While at Velti, he was part of the management team that the built out of the US presence. Prior to this, he was Director of Operations for digital agency Organic, and Director of Finance for Verio’s Enterprise Hosting business. Ken also co-founded Godengo, the largest provider of content management systems for magazines, and served as their CFO. Ken started his career at Nextel Communications where he was part of the team that launched Nextel’s first commercial service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Chico.
Board of Directors
Stephen Semprevivo, MBA, Board Member
Stephen Semprevivo is an entrepreneur and seasoned executive. Semprevivo was most recently president of Experian Interactive Media, one of the largest Internet marketers in the world. Additionally, he serves as president of LowerMyBills.com, ClassesUSA.com and the Experian Interactive Innovation Center. Prior to working for Experian Interactive Media, Semprevivo was chief executive officer of Korn/Ferry Futurestep, and chief administrative officer of Korn/Ferry International's (KFI - NYSE). Semprevivo was president and chief operating officer of GetSmart.com, before moving to Korn/Ferry. Prior to Getsmart Semprevivo was vice president of Marketing and Business Development at Cendant Corporation. Semprevivo has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Harvard College.
Tim Dibble, Board Member
Tim is a founder and Managing General Partner of Alta Communications, a Private Equity Firm headquartered in Boston, MA. In that capacity, he sits on the board of numerous traditional and online media as well as communications companies. He began his career in 1986 at the Bank of Boston in the Acquisition Finance Division, structuring and monitoring the performance of management buyouts in cash flow industries. Tim received a degree in Economics from Wesleyan University 1986. He currently is Chairman of the Board of both Year Up (yearup.org) and The Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay and is on the Development Committee of Right to Play.
Jim Casella, Board Member
Jim Casella is founder of Case Interactive Media (CIM) affiliated with Austin Ventures, where he also serves as CEO-in-Residence for their Growth/Private Equity practice. Jim has extensive leadership experience which includes serving as Vice Chairman of Reed Business (Reed Elsevier's business-to-business division), CEO of US operation for Reed Business Information, Chief Operating Officer at IDG, President and CEO of PennNet (now PennEnergy), President of ABC Consumer Magazines (a division of Capital Cities/ABC), and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HBJ Media Systems at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Jim has also served on the board or directors of two formerly listed NASDAQ companies - IDG Books and Ask Jeeves, and is currently on the board of Infomedia India LTD, and Jigsaw Data Corporation. Jim received his BA cum laude from Boston College in 1970.