We're the community for social media leaders at the world's greatest brands
SocialMedia.org is the community for social media leaders at the world’s greatest brands. Members help one another by sharing best practices, actionable advice, and solutions to the issues they can’t talk about anywhere else in our vendor-free environment. If you’re leading social media at a major brand, you belong in this family.
SocialMedia.org a for-profit organization run by GasPedal, a professional community management organization. For more about us, check out:
- Our job openings. We’re always looking for smart, talented folks to join our team.
- Our blog. We’re focused on the big things big brands are doing in social media.
- Our Big Lists. Here you’ll find hundreds of links to the brands and agencies in social media.
Council Team
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The Council Team runs the SocialMedia.org community. They’re a team of talented and experienced community managers who love helping members have amazing conversations and connections. The inspiration for our high-level of member care comes from the superhero support teams at Zappos, Southwest Airlines, and Rackspace – and we add our own mix of friendliness, personality, and humor. Simply: We love thrilling our members. We geek out about this stuff. |
Content Team
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The Content Team is responsible for pretty pictures and clever words. This team supports SocialMedia.org’s online member center, builds and maintains our public websites, develops all marketing materials, and leads our content marketing strategy. See their work every day at SocialMedia.org’s Big List, WordofMouth.org, and Damn, I Wish I’d Thought of That!. |
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Events Team
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We host an amazing series of word of mouth and social media marketing events – and it’s all possible thanks to our Events Team. This team is booking venues, arranging event logistics, running the show, and supporting guest speakers for more than a dozen annual events. See them live in action at the Word of Mouth Crash Course, BlogWell, and Member Meetings. |
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Community Team
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The Community Team is responsible for the growth and health of SocialMedia.org. This team recruits and evaluates new members, gets the right team members involved, and makes sure they’re ready for participation on day one. Learn more about the amazing community they’re building at SocialMedia.org. |
Operations Team
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The Operations Team is the foundation of the company – they’re the ones making sure the other departments can do what they do best. They’re paying and collecting the bills, coordinating meetings, establishing processes, and recruiting more talented people to join us. If you’re curious, see who this team is recruiting right now. |
Bergen Anderson
As VP of Client Services, Bergen makes sure that things get done and people are taken care of. As an oldest child and a perfectionist, she’s quite skilled in her role. Bergen has a theater degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and actively participates in Chicago’s theater scene. This background, plus her previous work experience in real estate and finance, has prepared her to be flexible and creative in any situation.
Bergen lives in Andersonville, on the north side of Chicago, and will speak Swedish with you if you ask her to.
Quick facts about Bergen:
- She is very tall and uses this advantage on the volleyball court whenever possible.
- She plays the guitar, piano, percussion, a little French horn, and has even dabbled with the oboe.
- She once played a unicorn, a fairy princess, and a bird – all in one play.
Laura Berrones
Laura focuses on making people happy in her role as Member Experience Specialist. She aims to provide each member with a stellar experience when becoming a part of the SocialMedia.org family and is available for questions, comments, and concerns — she has big ears for a reason.
Laura studied communications at Purdue University and quickly realized she loved talking to just about anyone about anything. The only other pastime she had an equal affection for was food — you know, eating, cooking, trying new restaurants, and enjoying new flavors. These two strong passions led her through varied roles in the restaurant industry, with the longest focusing on customer satisfaction. It was this role that helped her realize that taking care of folks made her the happiest. She then joined our team to do just that.
Quick facts about Laura:
- She loves lucky pennies and will pick one up at any cost.
- She keeps fortune cookie fortunes in her wallet for tiny bursts of positivity.
- She carried a flip phone until December 2011 and sometimes misses it — weird, huh?
Erin McDaniel
As a Community Manager, Erin strives to ensure members are talking about the most important topics in social media, feeling connected to one another, and having great conversations every day. She’s an instigator, moderator, connector, and concierge.
Erin graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and has a background in social media, marketing, and PR. Most recently, she was the Community Engagement Manager at Sears Holdings Corporation where she helped develop corporate social media guidelines and directed growth and engagement strategies for their primary social media platforms. She lives in Chicago with her husband and enjoys the ever-changing restaurant scene, running along the lake path, and all the awesomeness that is Chicago in the summer.
Quick facts about Erin:
- She started using social media for marketing when it was called “blogger outreach” and “talking with users.”
- Some of her favorite dinner conversations consist of talking about food: the food being eaten, the dish coming up next, and restaurants to try. This is also why she runs several miles every week.
Lauren Myers
As a Community Manager, Lauren strives to deliver the best customer experience possible for our members. She’s passionate about social media and loves connecting big brands’ social leaders in new and meaningful ways.
Lauren graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station and has a background in customer service, social media, and community management. Most recently, she was the Community Manager with GameSalad, a software development company that allows anyone to be a game developer. She lives in Austin along with her husband, their Boston Terrier, and two cats.
Quick facts about Lauren:
- She was born and raised in New Orleans and can make great jambalaya.
- She had a Top-Chef-owned restaurant cater her wedding.
- She had a very minor brush with fame when she was an extra in the 1993 film, Undercover Blues.
Megan Uithoven
As a Member Experience Specialist, Megan welcomes new members to our community and ensures they know how to use the amazing resources that are available within the Council. She’s passionate about great service — she started training for this role at age 14 waiting tables at the local cafe. After college she interned at Walt Disney World and spent seven years as a project manager in the restoration industry helping people restore their lives after floods and fires.
When not providing world-class care, she loves embarking on urban adventures with her family, attending music festivals, and sipping IPAs.
Quick facts about Megan:
- She was a Girl Scout until she graduated high school. She’s serious about cookies.
- She went to college in Winona, MN and thinks the bluffs in the fall are a must-see. Have a Walnut Burger at the Trempealeau Hotel while you’re there.
Kurt Vanderah
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Kurt is the General Manager of SocialMedia.org and our Chicago office. He works closely with the Councils of SocialMedia.org, advancing the conversation about social media and connecting executives across the Fortune 1000. He takes great pride in the honor of working with leaders of social media efforts at big brands and helping them talk with one another to make social media a more integral and reliable part of doing daily business.
A University of Illinois graduate, Kurt’s first life was in radio, including more than a dozen years at WGN-AM in Chicago. Kurt came to SocialMedia.org in 2008, encouraged by the company’s firm belief that doing good business can be fun. And so far, so good.
Quick facts about Kurt:
- He has seen major league baseball games in 45 stadiums, past and present.
- He loves his job so much, he happily makes the daily 90-minute commute. Each way.
- His favorite travel destination is home, where he can see his wife and two beautiful kids.
Weston Woodward
Weston is one of our Community Managers at SocialMedia.org in the Austin office. He is passionate about facilitating great conversations and developing amazing communities.
After graduating from the University of Texas, Weston headed to the Dominican Republic for a year and now calls the island his second home. Since then, he has had a colorful work history including nonprofit work, Texas politics, and tech.
Quick facts about Weston:
- He speaks Spanish and dances salsa.
- He ran with the bulls and lived.
- He gets a kick out of connecting people.
Bridgette Cude
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As a writer for our SocialMedia.org and WordofMouth.org content team, Bridgette compiles great ideas and case studies into interesting, actionable content. She loves supporting the good guys and encouraging others to join them by teaching them how to earn fans and get them talking.
Bridgette graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in English, some experience teaching high school, and a cool husband. After college, she began writing for a dental marketing company near Fort Worth. But after learning too much about root canals and moving to the Hill Country, she joined our content team.
Quick facts about Bridgette:
- She’s from a tiny town in North Texas that’s still not as small as Cale’s.
- She loves Argentine tango and cafe racers.
- It’s “Cude” like “dude,” but with a “C.”
Cale Johnson
As Editor and VP of Content, Cale leads the content team in their mission to create great content, earn loyal fans, and have reasonably non-broken websites. He’s part copywriter, part editor, and part project manager.
Cale has a degree in journalism from Drake University and got his start covering sports for The Des Moines Register. After two years in Chicago, Cale’s now part of the Austin SocialMedia.org crew. He lives with his wife and their three cats (yes, three — it’s a Brady Bunch scenario), and he’s a big fan of the town’s BBQ, outdoor adventures, and days under 110 degrees.
Quick facts about Cale:
- He rides a Harley (but doesn’t own leather chaps).
- His hometown is smaller than yours.
- He once ate fried butter and lived to tell about it.
Kristen Platt
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As Content Producer for SocialMedia.org, Kristen supports the team by writing, editing, and coordinating content for our blogs, newsletters, and public websites. She also manages the editorial calendar, helps with event marketing, and is even known to break out her graphic design skills now and then.
Kristen is one of the few Chicago natives on the team and will openly brag about her city to anyone who will listen. She received a bachelor’s degree in advertising and design from DePaul University while interning for SocialMedia.org and, because we all got along so well, decided to stick around as a full-time part of our crew.
Quick facts about Kristen:
- She attends, on average, at least one live concert a week.
- She owns over 15 different kinds of wigs (and wears them often).
- She once got fourth place in a Ms. Pac Man arcade tournament.
Peter Wiley
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As the Designer for SocialMedia.org, Peter supports the team by tackling all of the design challenges and odd jobs related to web and print design. His days consist of fixing broken websites, updating page layouts, designing web graphics, and keeping everything looking nice and tidy.
Peter has a degree in sociology from the University of Michigan. He got his first job in graphic design when he started designing and illustrating for the university’s engineering textbooks. Since switching up the scenery with his move to the Austin office, he has found that designing for SocialMedia.org is a lot more interesting than drawing pictures of circuit diagrams.
Quick facts about Peter:
- He owns a handful of vintage synthesizers and makes electronic music in his spare time.
- His favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movie is Total Recall.
- He loves cats but is incredibly allergic to them.
Erica Alatorre
As Event Producer for SocialMedia.org, Erica sweats the details. There’s nothing she likes more than having an event go off without a hitch.
Erica has a marketing degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Right after college she moved to Austin, TX and started working for the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association (TACA). After almost five years at TACA, she was ready for a change and decided SocialMedia.org was the answer.
Quick facts about Erica:
- She has a spoiled dachshund named Holly.
- She always has a nicely stocked inventory of markers and crayons.
- She was born in Corpus Christi, TX. No, she didn’t know Selena.
Jen Bachelder
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Jen leads the event team through challenges of all kinds — the planned, the unexpected, and the half-an-inch-of-snow-in-Austin. She’s the Event Producer, and she’s pretty serious about it.
Before joining SocialMedia.org, Jen earned her graphic design degree from Marietta College. She got her start in the event-world planning at Invisible Records and has since found that her experience planning rock shows is surprisingly applicable to running SocialMedia.org events.
Quick facts about Jen:
- She designs postcards and calendars out of her everyday garbage.
- She’s the kind of Vikings fan that remembers Moss’s rookie season.
- Her hometown is almost as small as Cale’s.
Evette Tan
As our Sales Operations Manager, Evette manages and optimizes all of the tech, tools, and toys we get to work with every day.
Evette got her bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of the Philippines before packing her bags and moving halfway across the world for a master’s degree in marketing communications from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She joined SocialMedia.org as an intern and loved it so much, she never left.
Quick facts about Evette:
- One of her favorite things about living in Chicago is actually the weather.
- She enjoys going on road trips to watch hockey in all sorts of awesome cities.
- She once had a speaking part on a Broadway musical.
Peter Waldheim
Peter Waldheim serves as Senior Strategist for SocialMedia.org, focusing on the social media needs of top global brands operating within large-scale corporate environments. An expert in framing messages, communicating content, and engaging the public, Peter previously served as Interim CEO of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association, Senior Strategist for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Online Operations, and CEO for the Association of Interactive Media.
Peter first became interested in how you can influence public opinion during his involvement in the American civil rights movement during the late 60′s. Since then he has served as a consultant to more than 80 nonprofit organizations, more than two dozen Democratic senators, congressmen, and national political organizations, as well as working with senior marketing executives from many of the world’s most distinguished brands and marketing agencies.
Ryan Ronayne
As a member of SocialMedia.org’s Community Team, Ryan helps keep the community healthy for our members by finding other great brands to join their ranks. He’s a liaison for potential members to the SocialMedia.org community.
Ryan has a degree in marketing communications from Columbia College Chicago. He completed eight internships during his collegiate career, including his favorite at SocialMedia.org. After getting over his sports interest (five internships), he started his career at SocialMedia.org using his communication skills to find other talented social media leaders to join SocialMedia.org. He loves living in Austin and enjoys the local food trucks and sporting events.
Quick facts about Ryan:
- He went 3-0 in the Taco Bell Saucy Sprint mascot races at Minute Maid Park.
- Even though he’s now two inches taller than Ryan, he’ll always call his younger brother “smalls.”
- He volunteers weekly to jog dogs around Town Lake.
Amanda Canada
As the Director of Great Relationships, Amanda maintains extraordinary relationships with the friends of GasPedal. From initial request to resolution, she enjoys talking with everyone and making sure their expectations are met.
Amanda was born and raised in San Angelo, TX. She graduated from Angelo State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications specializing in Advertising and Public Relations. She has worked at a variety of places that include everything from an advertising agency to a small town newspaper to politics. She recently moved from Washington, D.C. to Austin where she lives with her husband and two dogs.
Quick facts about Amanda:
- She once worked for a Congressman in the United States House of Representatives.
- She adores Snickers and Skittles, her two Chihuahuas.
- She sounds more Texan than George Strait.
Andy Sernovitz
Andy Sernovitz teaches word of mouth marketing.
He’s the New York Times bestselling author of Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking and the fantastic blog “Damn, I Wish I’d Thought of That!”
Andy runs SocialMedia.org, the community for social media leaders at the world’s greatest brands, and WordofMouth.org, where marketers and entrepreneurs learn to be great at word of mouth marketing.
He’s the leader of the word of mouth movement, which teaches companies to earn the respect and recommendation oftheir customers. He’s passionate about marketing ethics and travels the country teaching companies how to be nicer to people.
Andy taught word of mouth marketing at Northwestern University and internet entrepreneurship at the Wharton School of Business, ran a business incubator, and started half a dozen companies. He created the Word of Mouth Marketing Association and the Association for Interactive Marketing.
Quick facts about Andy:
- He has testified before Congress three times.
- He was on the Ali G Show.
- He once sauntered 32 miles around the coast of Manhattan.
Kevin Neuse
Kevin is the VP of Operations for GasPedal, and brings with him more that than 15 years experience at similar high-growth companies. His main responsibilities here are running accounting, human resources, and technology functions — but he takes great pride in just making sure the trains run on time. He has owned his own businesses, including a consulting practice that helped entrepreneurs and startups succeed in business. He continues to help entrepreneurs by mentoring in his spare time.
Kevin is a fifth-generation Texan who met his wife while they were students at Texas A&M. Of their four kids, three are, or will be, Aggies. In keeping with A&M’s spirit of service, Kevin has participated at a leadership level in community-based organizations such as parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs, youth sports associations, the City of Lakeway Parks and Recreation Commission, and others. None were as much fun as coaching his kids’ teams in soccer and basketball. None were more rewarding than serving foster children through board service at Caring Family Network, and now DePelchin Children’s Center.
Quick facts about Kevin:
- He briefly owned the first home run ball hit by a Texas Ranger at Arlington Stadium (Frank Howard, April 21, 1972).
- He plays fantasy football, basketball, and baseball because he loves sports statistics.
- He once managed a steak house and BBQ restaurant, but can’t steam broccoli.
Brian Parks
Brian Parks has almost two decades of leadership experience. As VP of Community for SocialMedia.org, Brian is responsible for the recruitment of new members and partners.
Brian came to SocialMedia.org from a successful background helping technology startups grow revenues and build maturity through sales and business development.
Brian’s experience leading teams of people that talk to people started 20 years ago when he ran a Marble Slab Creamery in high school (His favorite flavor? Coffee and vanilla mixed with heath bar). Focused on the fundamentals of teaching and coaching, Brian emphasizes asking questions and telling stories to help people solve their problems.
Brian Parks has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from Baylor University.
Preston Firestone
Preston has led human resources and recruiting operations for GasPedal and its clients since 1999. He has served in similar positions with a variety of new media companies as well as traditional consulting enterprises. Preston spent five years on the road with The Vanilla Fudge and raises pet mudsharks. Preston isn’t real, but most job applicants don’t read this far.
Anita Niedermeier
Anita’s job is to provide high-quality interaction with members of the telemarketing, spam, and salesperson community. She receives their requests, responds politely, and deletes them. She has led this operation for GasPedal and its clients since 2000. Prior to GasPedal, she sold used doormats and empty toilet paper rolls on eBay. Anita may be a fictional character.
Jenn Esquivel
As the Operations Manager at GasPedal, Jenn works closely with the VP of Ops to ensure that the office runs smoothly. Her primary responsibilities include managing IT assets, HR needs, and helping out with accounting — along with ensuring that the staff has the tools they need to perform at their peak.
Jenn graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in English and comes to GasPedal with a background in publishing. She lives with her husband, son, and two dogs and enjoys spending time outdoors in Austin (except July – September, when it’s just too hot).
Quick facts about Jenn:
- She knows about the dark side of the publishing industry and will tell you all about it.
- She reads 100+ books every year.
- She has lived in most of the major cities in Texas, and Austin is her favorite.
Francie Gremillion
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As a member of SocialMedia.org’s Community Team, Francie helps keep the community healthy for our members by finding other great brands to join their ranks. She’s a liaison for potential members to the SocialMedia.org community.
Francie graduated with a degree in communications from St. Edward’s University. In her free time, Francie enjoys volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas, where she interned while in school. She also enjoys hanging out with her cat and absorbing the Austin culture.
Quick facts about Francie:
- She was the college mascot while at St. Edward’s and swears she could beat Ryan in the Taco Bell Saucy Sprint.
- Ironically, she studied abroad in France.
- She aspires to own a zoo.
Travis Kenney
As a Community Evangelist, Travis is on a mission to find generous, ethical, and kind social media leaders at the world’s greatest brands and invite them to join the SocialMedia.org community.
Travis is a native Austinite and loves all the city has to offer. He married his high school sweetheart and spends time away from work hiking, biking, going to his kids’ soccer and flag football games, and spending time with family and friends — preferably outdoors. (Except when it’s hot.)
Quick facts about Travis:
- He is a fifth-generation Texan, and his family was one of the first 300 families to settle in Texas.
- His favorite quote is from Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
- He’s been to a taping of The Johnny Carson Show and once danced with Conan O’Brien and an elderly woman before a taping of Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Evan Perkins
As a Community Evangelist for SocialMedia.org, Evan loves connecting with social media leaders at the world’s greatest brands. He is passionate about great conversations and spends his time sharing the story of SocialMedia.org with potential members of our community.
Before coming to SocialMedia.org, Evan was involved in enterprise tech sales. He also spent a season of his life as a pastor at an inner-city church called Scum of the Earth. When he’s not making friends with potential new members, Evan loves riding his bike, touring breweries and whiskey distilleries, and spending time with his much better half, Lauren.
Evan has an undergraduate degree in business administration from Baylor University and a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary.
Quick facts about Evan:
- He once built a boat for his girlfriend (it didn’t sink; they’re now married).
- He is a huge coffee snob.
- One time, while swimming about 50 miles off the coast, he witnessed a fin emerge from the water and absolutely panicked as he awaited his imminent death by shark. It turned out to be a dolphin, but he hasn’t tried swimming in the ocean since.
Don Vanderslice
As a Community Evangelist for SocialMedia.org, Don is a connector and a storyteller. He’s passionate about sharing the SocialMedia.org experience with others. He helps social media leaders at the world’s biggest brands understand what our community is all about and invites them to be a part of it.
After spending the first years of his professional life working with high school students, Don started a church in downtown Austin. It wasn’t a very normal one (in a good way), and with a number of artists and musicians as members, the church became home to an alternative art gallery, a volunteer-run bike space, a music venue, and art studios. Somewhere along the way, Don caught the digital bug, began work at a web start-up, had a blast, played some ping-pong, and then joined forces with SocialMedia.org.
Quick facts about Don:
- Don loves hip-hop, running, Flannery O’Connor, the NBA, and bicycles.
- He once hung out with Mother Theresa, and he’s also hung out with Rakim of Eric B. & Rakim.
- He’s got a super cool wife and two kids who, like their mom, are super cool.
Rebecca Schneider
As Operations Team Administrator, Rebecca supports our Chicago office, handles a wide range of support projects, and ensures everything runs smoothly and everyone has what they need to make our members happy.
Rebecca was born and raised in beautiful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Allegheny College with a bachelor’s degree in English. After graduation, Rebecca traveled to Washington, D.C. where she worked in political advertising for two election cycles. Hungry for something new, she moved to Chicago where she found a home at GasPedal. She really loves her family, American steakhouses, and epic Sci-Fi and fantasy.
Quick facts about Rebecca:
- She knows many fun facts about Pittsburgh’s history, culture, and geography.
- She used to be a lifeguard and firmly insists that you don’t run or engage in horseplay.
- She loves Batgirl and always has.
Michelle Walsh
As the Operations Team Administrator, Michelle does whatever is needed to help make our Austin office run smoothly. This involves helping with various accounting, purchasing, and customer service functions. She loves to make people happy, so if she can help you, she will!
Michelle grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied marketing at Penn State. She moved to Austin three years ago with her fiancé to escape the cold, and she couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out. She is also mildly obsessed with her little dog, Darcy, and will show you pictures any chance she gets.
Quick facts about Michelle:
- Michelle can sing you “Happy Birthday” in Polish. (Sto Lat!)
- She loves baking, although, she can never find enough time to make everything she wants.
- She grew up in the Northeast but has a Southern accent.
