Callpod is a creator of consumer electronic products and software that enhance existing technology. Our portfolio of global brands delivers simple, intuitive solutions that have mass-market impact.
Darren Guccione
President & CEO, Co-Founder
Darren is the co-inventor of Callpod technology and started the Company with over 10 years experience in product design, engineering and development. Darren was formerly the Chief Financial Officer and a primary shareholder of Apollo Solutions, Inc., which he and his partners sold to CNET Networks, Inc. in June 2000.
In the early 90's, Darren served Arthur Andersen LLP as a management consultant for publicly owned manufacturing-based companies. Prior to this, Darren lived in China and Taiwan for several years where he coordinated product development for Bell Sports, a world leader in the bicycle accessories market.
Darren holds a Masters of Science in Accountancy with Distinction from the Kellstadt School of Business at DePaul University of Chicago and has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was the recipient of the Morton Thiokol Excellence in Engineering Design Award co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Engineering Program. Darren is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
President & CEO, Co-Founder
Darren is the co-inventor of Callpod technology and started the Company with over 10 years experience in product design, engineering and development. Darren was formerly the Chief Financial Officer and a primary shareholder of Apollo Solutions, Inc., which he and his partners sold to CNET Networks, Inc. in June 2000.
In the early 90's, Darren served Arthur Andersen LLP as a management consultant for publicly owned manufacturing-based companies. Prior to this, Darren lived in China and Taiwan for several years where he coordinated product development for Bell Sports, a world leader in the bicycle accessories market.
Darren holds a Masters of Science in Accountancy with Distinction from the Kellstadt School of Business at DePaul University of Chicago and has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was the recipient of the Morton Thiokol Excellence in Engineering Design Award co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Engineering Program. Darren is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.
Craig Lurey
CTO & Co-Founder
Craig is a co-founder of the Company and leads Callpod's technology roadmap and technology infrastructure. Craig and Darren have been active business partners in a series of successful ventures for over ten years.
Craig was the CTO of JiWire, Inc. (www.jiwire.com), the leading media and technology service provider to the WiFi industry. Craig and his team built JiWire technology from the ground up to deliver web services and security applications to millions of users worldwide.
As a young entrepreneur, Craig started his first company at the age of 14, developing graphics for the sporting goods industry. At the age of 19, when Craig was studying Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University, he started a record label for New Age music and sold his first release in Best Buy and Tower records chains across the United States. After competing on the Iowa State Men's Gymnastics Team, Craig received a grant to study and develop computer graphics for EAI, a leading legal computer animation company. Craig refined his product development skills while he served Motorola, Inc. as a software engineer for four years.
In 1998, Craig spent countless hours in the basement developing what would become CNET ChannelOnline™ (www.channelonline.com), a turnkey e-commerce application for the computer reseller market. Craig's company Apollo Solutions was acquired by CNET Networks Inc. in June 2000. ChannelOnline currently manages the e-commerce and daily operations of thousands of computer resellers companies throughout the U.S.
CTO & Co-Founder
Craig is a co-founder of the Company and leads Callpod's technology roadmap and technology infrastructure. Craig and Darren have been active business partners in a series of successful ventures for over ten years.
Craig was the CTO of JiWire, Inc. (www.jiwire.com), the leading media and technology service provider to the WiFi industry. Craig and his team built JiWire technology from the ground up to deliver web services and security applications to millions of users worldwide.
As a young entrepreneur, Craig started his first company at the age of 14, developing graphics for the sporting goods industry. At the age of 19, when Craig was studying Electrical Engineering at Iowa State University, he started a record label for New Age music and sold his first release in Best Buy and Tower records chains across the United States. After competing on the Iowa State Men's Gymnastics Team, Craig received a grant to study and develop computer graphics for EAI, a leading legal computer animation company. Craig refined his product development skills while he served Motorola, Inc. as a software engineer for four years.
In 1998, Craig spent countless hours in the basement developing what would become CNET ChannelOnline™ (www.channelonline.com), a turnkey e-commerce application for the computer reseller market. Craig's company Apollo Solutions was acquired by CNET Networks Inc. in June 2000. ChannelOnline currently manages the e-commerce and daily operations of thousands of computer resellers companies throughout the U.S.
Karl Wilt
Chief Financial Officer
Karl is responsible for the Company’s financial management and reporting systems. Karl met Darren Guccione while earning his Masters in Accounting at DePaul University in 1995. Karl was formerly the CFO of The Chicago Reader, one of Chicago’s top newspapers and one of the country’s leading alternative news weekly publications. Prior to that position, Karl served as the General Manager of J & B Signs, Inc., a major outdoor advertising company. Karl is a Certified Public Accountant, has a Masters in Accounting from the Kellstadt School at DePaul University (with Distinction) and a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Chief Financial Officer
Karl is responsible for the Company’s financial management and reporting systems. Karl met Darren Guccione while earning his Masters in Accounting at DePaul University in 1995. Karl was formerly the CFO of The Chicago Reader, one of Chicago’s top newspapers and one of the country’s leading alternative news weekly publications. Prior to that position, Karl served as the General Manager of J & B Signs, Inc., a major outdoor advertising company. Karl is a Certified Public Accountant, has a Masters in Accounting from the Kellstadt School at DePaul University (with Distinction) and a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Lourans Aoraha
Vice President of Engineering
As Callpod's VP of Engineering, Lourans Aoraha drives the engineering team to deliver new products and technology. Lourans has over 22 years of experience with global communication companies such as Motorola and Andrew Corporation. His experience includes hardware development, system engineering, operations and engineering management in cellular infrastructure and telematics.
Vice President of Engineering
As Callpod's VP of Engineering, Lourans Aoraha drives the engineering team to deliver new products and technology. Lourans has over 22 years of experience with global communication companies such as Motorola and Andrew Corporation. His experience includes hardware development, system engineering, operations and engineering management in cellular infrastructure and telematics.
Mark Frigo
Dr. Frigo is Eichenbaum Foundation Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Leadership at DePaul University and is the Director of The Center for Strategy, Execution, and Valuation in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois, an MBA degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and completed postgraduate studies in the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Dr. Frigo received his Ph.D. in Economics and Econometrics. He is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and a CMA (Certified Management Accountant). Dr. Frigo has extensive experience as a management consultant with KPMG Peat Marwick and in the corporate sector where he was responsible for strategic planning. He has helped many organizations to design and execute strategy for maximum value creation. Dr. Frigo is a leading expert in strategy design and execution, including Balanced Scorecard and Return Driven Strategy initiatives. Dr. Frigo is the author of five books and over 60 articles.
Dr. Frigo is Eichenbaum Foundation Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Leadership at DePaul University and is the Director of The Center for Strategy, Execution, and Valuation in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois, an MBA degree in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and completed postgraduate studies in the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Dr. Frigo received his Ph.D. in Economics and Econometrics. He is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and a CMA (Certified Management Accountant). Dr. Frigo has extensive experience as a management consultant with KPMG Peat Marwick and in the corporate sector where he was responsible for strategic planning. He has helped many organizations to design and execute strategy for maximum value creation. Dr. Frigo is a leading expert in strategy design and execution, including Balanced Scorecard and Return Driven Strategy initiatives. Dr. Frigo is the author of five books and over 60 articles.
Michael Lichodziejewski
Michael advises the Company on industrial and graphic design initiatives. Michael and Darren met in 1989 as engineering and design students at the University of Illinois where Michael graduated with a degree in Industrial Design in 1992.
Michael has since been in the consumer products industry for over 13 years inventing, designing and creating some of the world's most memorable and award winning toys. Just a few include Gooey Louie from Pressman (which was featured on the Jay Leno Show) and the wacky bowling game Silly Six Pins which has become one of Hasbro's top preschool games. Michael is an expert in the Suzuki Method for Classical Guitar.
Michael advises the Company on industrial and graphic design initiatives. Michael and Darren met in 1989 as engineering and design students at the University of Illinois where Michael graduated with a degree in Industrial Design in 1992.
Michael has since been in the consumer products industry for over 13 years inventing, designing and creating some of the world's most memorable and award winning toys. Just a few include Gooey Louie from Pressman (which was featured on the Jay Leno Show) and the wacky bowling game Silly Six Pins which has become one of Hasbro's top preschool games. Michael is an expert in the Suzuki Method for Classical Guitar.
Bridge Street Capital Partners, LLC
Bridge Street Capital Partners, LLC manages private equity funds focused on investing in profitable, growth companies based in the Midwest that seek growth capital or face a transition of ownership. The principals of Bridge Street Capital, Bill Kaczynski and John Meilner, strive to provide value to its business owner partners by contributing their expertise in areas such as strategic planning, developing a company's culture and value system, mentoring management teams, and sourcing appropriate forms of capital designed to meet the specific needs of the portfolio company.
Bridge Street Capital Partners, LLC manages private equity funds focused on investing in profitable, growth companies based in the Midwest that seek growth capital or face a transition of ownership. The principals of Bridge Street Capital, Bill Kaczynski and John Meilner, strive to provide value to its business owner partners by contributing their expertise in areas such as strategic planning, developing a company's culture and value system, mentoring management teams, and sourcing appropriate forms of capital designed to meet the specific needs of the portfolio company.
