Founded in October 2009, e*Concepts offers on-site digital advertising opportunities. At no cost, e*Concepts installs iPad tablet computers and/or touch-screen monitors in the lobbies of hotels, luxury apartment buildings, and commercial buildings. Advertising runs on a continuous loop, attracting the attention of guests and tenants of the property as they pass through and conduct business in the lobby. e*Concepts manages the advertising contracts as well as the remote placement and removal of ads from the iPads with no involvement from hotel management or staff. A percentage of advertising revenue is shared with the hotel company on a monthly basis.
e*Concepts is a subsidiary of e*Concierge Live, LLC an Internet-based face-to-face concierge service using the Skype business portal. Guests will be given an iPad 2, or use a touch screen monitor and a remote live concierge will appear to help guests with any of their concierge services or needs. Guests receive a texted, emailed, or printed confirmation within minutes.
Jim Russell – Chairman Of The Board: Jim has over 40 years of financial and business process management experience. Jim’s areas of expertise include assisting de novo companies to succeed Financial Institution management, project management and business process evaluation and restructure, portfolio restructuring, loan management, and business process implementation. Jim has directed four de novo companies to a national foot print and successful revenue and sustainable profitable performance. As a principal with Arthur Andersen Jim led engagements providing financial institution with operations advisory services, development of regulatory risk management programs, implementation of financing programs offered by the government and capital market sources, financial advisory assignments related to the disposition, acquisition or restructure of real estate related assets, Federal Credit programs, management controls, and development of financial modeling tools. He has been a frequent speaker at financial industry-sponsored conferences.
Darren Cummings – CEO and Founding Partner: Darren understands how to deliver exceptional service that exceeds his client’s expectations time and again. Darren graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Communications. He was an Account Executive with Telemundo, a national Spanish language station owned by NBC. With a partner he developed Bith Auto Inc, a personalized automobile buying service, where he doubled sales annually for over five years.
Ryan Williams – President and Founding Partner: Ryan combines a passion for innovation with over fifteen years in the hospitality industry. He understands how to deliver service that delights guests and residents. An experienced leader, Ryan has managed teams at Marriott Hotels, Kimpton Hotels, Choice Hotels and Thompson Hotels as a Front Desk Agent. Ryan also successfully managed hotel accounts in the DC/MD/NOVA for Laz Parking as a City Operations Manager.
Kevin Williams – COO and Founding Partner: Kevin understands operations. With more than twenty years experience in franchising and hospitality management, Kevin knows that the key to a great customer experience is attention to detail. Kevin co-developed a franchise concept from 1992 – 2004 now called 1-800-dryclean, a Service Brands International company. Since then Kevin has worked as a Valet Parking Director with national brands including Kimpton Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Loews Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Thompson Hotels, and Peabody Hotel.
Casey Cummings – CFO: Casey provides the overall strategic financial planning. Casey is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a Master of Arts from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Casey is a Partner at Brookwood Financial Partners, LP where his primary responsibility is establishing and maintaining client relationships. Prior to joining Brookwood Financial Casey was Vice President for an affiliate of Winthrop Financial Associates, and prior to that served as a Financial and Distribution Analyst with Exxon USA. Casey serves on the Board of Governors of the Tower Club in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia.
Meagen Ryan – Vice President of Marketing: With more than 10 years of experience in digital marketing and communications, Ms. Ryan understands how to connect brands to their customers. Most recently as the Director of Strategy for a boutique marketing firm, Ms. Ryan developed and managed national campaigns on behalf of government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Prior to that, she directed sales and marketing for a website development firm. Ms. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
John Lockhart, CFP – Member of the Board and Advisor: John Lockhart has 29 years experience managing investment portfolios. Mr. Lockhart has been with the PNC/Riggs Virginia Wealth Management Group since November 1996. Prior to joining Riggs, he managed a National Municipal Bond Fund and personal investment portfolios for National City Bank-Cleveland. Mr. Lockhart’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. He has also earned the Certified Financial Planning designation (CFP).
Melissa King – Director of Human Resources: Melissa has spent her post-college years in the field of adult education. She has established a vast knowledge base of recruitment and customer service. In her current role as Recruitment and Advisement Manager, her skills, instinct and perseverance have helped her to continually exceed expectations of her role and her employer. Melissa is a graduate of College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She is currently working toward a graduate degree, focusing on Human Resources.
e*Concierge Live 