About Ruby Lane, Inc.

Tom Johnson: Founder, President & CEO, Ruby Lane, Inc.

Tom is responsible for the overall management, interface and design of Ruby Lane. IBM recruited him right out of school to work in their high-end computer graphics division in Kingston, NY. Three years later, he served as the Technical Liaison at IBM Japan in Tokyo. While there he was able to dramatically streamline the customer service procedure and problem solving process, shortening the timeline from 18 months to only a few weeks. During his six years in Japan, Tom worked closely on-site with clients such as Nissan, Sony, Toyota, and Honda. After leaving Japan, he spent a year working in Germany, London, and Detroit on the Ford account for IBM. When his division was relocated, he moved to California to a newly formed company that created email software. There he served as project manager for the Windows product line where he managed the internationalization of all product lines, which included 26 Unix versions, Mac, and Windows in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. After the company was sold, he worked as an independent internationalization consultant for a variety of technology groups within Platinum Technology, until founding Ruby Lane in 1998. Tom graduated with top honors from the University of Minnesota, with a B.S. in Computer Science, with a Minor degree in Mathematics and Music.

Karen Frishman: Director of Marketing.

Karen has a unique combination of talents. She has 10 years of marketing experience with Patagonia, where she developed and managed their Consumer Affairs Department, followed by serving as Director of Advertising, Public Relations and Promotions. She then served as the Product Line Director for Patagonia's Performancewear line, with an additional emphasis on researching new markets. Karen then served as Director of Apparel Marketing for the U.S. Office of the Japanese-based Mizuno Corporation, where she oversaw marketing and development of each product as well as development of all apparel-related sales and marketing materials. Before joining Ruby Lane as a full time Director, Karen launched and ran her own successful marketing firm Marketlink, which provided marketing services to small businesses for 8 years. She has a B.S. in Advertising Design from the University of Maryland. Having lived in Europe and traveled extensively, she is multi-lingual and is able to apply her business skills with a global perspective.

Palmer Pekarek: Director of Communications and Product Development.

Palmer is responsible for Ruby Lane's communications and product development. He is recognized for his talents in synergizing communications and marketing strategies in the management of corporate brands. Palmer's media expertise and online communications ability have been integral in the successful branding and rebranding of several nonprofit and for-profit organizations over the past decade. Prior to joining Ruby Lane, Palmer was responsible for brand management, crisis communications, and public relations and marketing for Colorado's Community First Foundation. He has a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations and a M.S. in Communications Management from Colorado State University, and a M.P.A. in State and Local Government from the University of Colorado. Palmer is accredited through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is the immediate past president of PRSA- Colorado.

Jeanne Skelton: Director of Customer Support and Human Resources.

Jeanne manages many of the major accounting aspects of Ruby Lane and sets the overall direction for Ruby Lane Customer Support. She has over 20 years of experience in the customer service field for IBM, and brings a wealth of knowledge of Order Backlog Management, Personnel, and Finance and Accounting to Ruby Lane. She has won numerous top Customer Service awards for her superior job performance and achievements. She has a B.S. from the University of Arizona.

Rob Spear: Customer Support Manager.

Rob is responsible for the ongoing management of Ruby Lane's customer support specialists and shop reviewers who do a great job of helping Ruby Lane's shop owners and visitors with questions about the site. He attended William Patterson College, with a major in Computer Science. In addition to solid technical skills, Rob has many years of experience in high-level customer support and project management roles in the financial sector. In 2001 he decided to focus on his family's antique & vintage lighting business, and in 2007 became a Ruby Lane shop owner. His knowledge and understanding of Antique Lighting adds another perspective to the the Ruby Lane Customer Support Team.

Zenna Inness: Customer Support Specialist.

Zenna is an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers with a specialty in Antiques and Residential Contents. She is dedicated to helping Ruby Lane meet its goal of providing a quality shopping experience. As part of the Customer Support staff, Zenna leads our team of skilled shop reviewers who vet the site for authenticity and factual presentation. She was raised in a family of antiques collectors and has a personal passion for American vernacular furniture and early photography. A professional antiques dealer since 1986, she found her skills as an appraiser to be increasingly in demand and in 1996 founded an independent appraisal practice. She has since provided auction houses, antiques dealers and individuals with consultation, identification, authentication and general appraisal services. In 2000, she joined Ruby Lane as a shop owner which gives her an in-depth and ongoing understanding of the on-line marketplace.

Experienced, Professional Customer Support Team

Ruby Lane's well-honed team of highly-skilled Customer Support representatives is made up of seasoned industry professionals, many with years of online sales experience -- something you won't find on every site. Many members of the Ruby Lane staff including its Customer Support team, are artists or collectors themselves and currently, or have previously maintained shops on Ruby Lane. This allows them to understand the many needs of both buyers and sellers as well as the unique categories of items being sold. Our team provides real customer support solutions, based on first hand experience. Our team members are not all U.S.-based, which affords them the ability to understand the needs of the international online community as well.

Further information about RubyLane.com

If you are from the press, an advertiser, potential partner, or are looking for even more detailed information about Ruby Lane, please see our online Media Kit.

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