Zavers. The product and market accelerator.
Management Team
Thad Langford - President and Chief Executive Officer
Thad has a long history of building strategic relationships that transform markets. His partnerships in the wireless data business led to industry-leading products and services in music, imaging, multimedia, gaming, location and content. Thad also created and managed a start-up corporate venture fund, Sprint Ventures, which invests in game changing and innovative early stage companies. In his role at Zavers, Thad leverages his leadership and experience in the areas of marketing, product development, strategy, and operations. Thad earned an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BSBA in Marketing from the University of Arizona.
Brian Brinkley - Chief Technology Officer
Brian is a founder of Zavers and the primary architect of the system. He has over 18 years experience in Information Technology Strategy, Management Operations and Consulting for Fortune 500 Companies. As a corporate executive and management consultant, he's led product and enterprise software development, EAI standards and methodology, hardware and data center management, strategic planning and operational process improvement initiatives for, MCI, Nortel, IBM, GTE, Sprint PCS, Ameritech, Sun Microsystems, Ernst & Young, Beechwood Data Systems and Titan Client Server Technologies.
Brian holds a BS in applied mathematics, a BS in computer science and statistics and MBA from the University of Texas.
Holly Valenta - Chief Financial Officer
Holly is an executive with 20 years experience, serving in a variety of roles at Sprint including Assistant Controller of the wireless unit, director of Financial Planning and Analysis, Vice President of Receivables Management and Divisional CFO supporting $10 billion in revenue and $1 billion in expense. She was a CPA in the audit division of Arthur Andersen, and has expertise in retail, manufacturing, SEC engagements and mergers and acquisitions. Holly's previous clients include Hallmark Cards, Collective Brands and Cessna Aircraft.
Holly graduated with High Distinction from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a BS in Business Administration, Accounting emphasis.
Russ Everhart - Vice President, Sales
Russ has a rich record of national retail and manufacturing sales leadership. He has a long track record of creating consumer acquisition, retention and incentives solutions for major consumer brands such as Discover Card, Ford and General Mills — for which he created the first multi-carrier wireless "in-package premium", distributed in over 13 million cereal boxes nationwide. Russ also led the prepaid sales organization at Sprint, delivering sales and revenue increases in major retail channels including Sam's Club, Safeway, SuperValu and QuickTrip.
Russ earned a MSE and a BSB from Emporia State University.
Anita Newton - Chief Marketing Officer
Anita has been successful in a variety of sales and marketing roles and is considered a leader in consumer marketing and new media. She has experience developing innovative plans in online and emerging media such as gaming, mobile, IPTV, branded entertainment and social media. She's built cross-platform marketing programs for Oprah, Heroes and the NFL, and original content for inthemotherhood.com. She ran Sprint's Consumer Marketing team and launched the Instinct, the top selling handset in Sprint’s history. Anita held many sales and marketing roles at Procter & Gamble, receiving the Chairman Award, given to the top one percent of sales performers.
Anita holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and Masters and Bachelors degrees from the University of Kansas.
Matt Madden - Vice President, Business Development
Matt comes to Zavers with a track record of successfully negotiating and growing partnerships. As Director of Corporate Development for Sprint, he completed commercial agreements with Virgin Mobile, Clearwire, Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House. Matt had responsibility for strategic decision support, deal negotiation, investment banker interface, transaction management and due-diligence coordination functions. Matt also helped lead the launch of Sprint's wireless Strategic Partners program, involving partnerships with Virgin Mobile, Qwest, ESPN Mobile, Helio, Embarq and others, which produced unprecedented annual revenue growth.
Matt holds an MBA and a BSBA in Finance and Economics from Rockhurst University.