Tony Sapienza’s background includes agency, corporate communications and journalism experience. He served as president of Miller/Shandwick Technologies, one of the world’s leading PR firms, and was global technology practice leader for Weber Shandwick Worldwide. He has worked with emerging companies and start-ups, more mature firms and established industry leaders such as Compaq Computer Corp., Sharp Electronics and Hewlett-Packard. In his 11 years with Miller and Weber Shandwick, Tony headed one of the agency’s most successful operations, with clients ranging from enterprise IT to consumer technology. He also launched the agency’s worldwide technology practice that helped clients across geographic markets, in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Tony has provided communications and management counsel and hands-on support in a broad range of areas, including communications strategy development, messaging and positioning, message training, business and trade media relations, investor relations, industry analyst relations and interactive communications.

Paula Slotkin has more than 20 years of experience in planning, managing and implementing communications programs in markets ranging from financial services to computer hardware and software to IT services. Paula has led a number of multi-functional teams, working to increase constituency awareness of businesses and their product/service offerings and management teams. She has managed a broad range of communications functions, including media and analyst relations, investor relations, employee communications, executive communications and product publicity. During her tenure at Computervision, Paula reshaped the public perception of the firm from an also-ran to a vibrant CAD/CAM industry player, leading to the eventual purchase of the company by Parametric Technology Company. In addition to Computervision, Paula has held worldwide marketing communications management positions with MicroTouch and Plaut Consulting and other companies driving into new markets and transitioning their businesses. She previously held senior communications positions with Apollo, DG, Fidelity Investments and the Open Software Foundation.

Ann Dalrymple is a writer, editor, creative director and strategic thinker with more than 20 years of client and agency experience managing corporate communications programs for technology companies, financial service businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She works with clients to develop and deliver communications messages, strategies and programs that promote the technical and business advantages of client products and processes. She joined Topaz from GlassHouse Technologies, where she managed marketing communications and pr. She previously held senior positions at Upstream LLC, the Open Software Foundation, VMark Software, Honeywell, and a number of technology start-ups.

Tom Francoeur has extensive experience in media relations, marketing writing, and marketing campaign development, working in corporate environments and in a client services capacity with marketing communications agencies. In his most recent position, Tom led media relations outreach for Global Insight’s energy consulting group, securing analyst quotes and company coverage in Financial Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and the Associated Press. He also designed and implemented marketing campaigns for a wide variety of Global Insight consulting group studies, products and services. Prior to Global Insight, Tom worked as a public relations account executive with The Portico Group and Collaborative Communications, managing multiple accounts for established and emergency technology companies, including Trellix Corporation, International Data Group, Programming Research, Crossbeam Systems, OneSource Information Services, and ScanSoft, Inc. He has secured coverage for his clients in Business Week, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune Small Business, Business 2.0, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, Mass High Tech, BtoB, Technology Marketing, and Sales & Marketing Management.

Paul Hughes brings over 16 years of public relations and account service experience in the high-tech, IT and industrial B2B space to Topaz Partners. In his public relations role, Paul has directed all facets of public relations for a broad range of high-technology, software, hardware and industrial B2B clients such as Fairchild Semiconductor, Darwin Partners and MARKEM Corporation. During the spin-out of Fairchild from National Semiconductors, Paul orchestrated a PR plan that increased the target audience unaided awareness of Fairchild to number one in the logic semiconductor category over the industry-leader in sales. Paul also conducted media relations for the United States Army at Fort Lewis, Washington, and as a part of Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, were he worked on crisis communications with national and international media. Paul’s advertising agency experience includes account service roles involving integration of the marketing communications mix including planning, public relations, brand-supporting activity, advertising campaign development, collateral creation, direct response campaigns, copy writing, video development, photo shoot coordination, print and online media placement and negotiation, as well as day-to-day interface between the client and the creative department. Paul joined Topaz from Catalyst, a B2B brand consultancy, where he worked as senior account executive and public relations director, covering all aspects of the client relationship. He is a graduate of Worcester State College and the Department of Defense Information School.

Amy Krigman is a seasoned public relations professional with more than a decade of technology and consumer public relations experience. Since joining Topaz Partners in 2002, Amy has managed public relations efforts for a variety of technology and B2B clients including ANSYS, Precise Software, RuleStream and W.A. Wilde Company. Prior to Topaz, she spent over three years at Weber Shandwick Worldwide (formerly Miller/Shandwick Technologies) where she worked with technology companies such as M/A-COM, Segue Software, Solid Data Systems and Tecnomatix Technologies. Amy also worked as a media specialist at Cone, Inc., where she focused exclusively on media relations activities for a variety of brand name consumer accounts. Prior to her public relations career, Amy worked as a news producer at WMUR-TV in New Hampshire.

Wendie Larkin has more than fifteen years experience in marketing, corporate communications, public relations, in technology, manufacturing and public affairs. She has led key initiatives that improved brand identity, public awareness and strategic messaging. Prior to joining Topaz Partners in 2007, Wendie was senior public relations manager at IDG’s NetworkWorld, corporate communications consultant at Cognex Corp and communications and government relations director at NETAAC. Wendie has successfully secured articles in high profile publications such as Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN, FOX TV, Investor’s Business Daily, International Herald Tribune, Agence France Press, London Times, Forbes and Fortune magazines as well as broadcasts on CNN, CNBC, FOX TV and TechTV. She received the Superstar Award for Crisis Communications in 2001.

Kammie Lombardi has over 14 years of public relations and marketing communications experience on both the agency and corporate sides of business. She has held account service positions at B2B agencies, concentrating on developing and executing public relations programs for global corporations. Some of her responsibilities included media relations strategy and outreach, managing press events and tradeshow public relations programs, as well as securing speaking opportunities and writing public relations materials. Kammie comes to Topaz Partners from Catalyst, a B2B brand consultancy in Providence, RI. She also served as an Internet Marketing Specialist for GTECH Corporation, a lottery systems supplier, where she managed internal and external marketing communications for the company's Internet gaming division, as well as provided marketing and software support for GTECH's eCRM offering to lottery customers. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BA in Journalism, Kammie was a reporter and an assistant editor for local newspapers at the start of her career.

Maribel Lopez has more than 12 years experience in public relations in the technology, financial, life sciences and consumer markets as well as extensive analyst relations experience. Maribel has been with Topaz since 2004 and has worked with clients in a wide range of industries, including online marketing, security, IT asset management, web analytics, software configuration, financial services and market analytics. She has garnered media placements for her clients in a variety of media outlets including, New York Times, Investor’s Business Daily, Boston Globe and Information Week.

Prior to joining Topaz Partners, Maribel worked as an independent public relations consultant for several businesses, including Empirix, Senera Corporation, Walleye Technologies and Compellis Pharmaceuticals. Prior to working independently, Maribel served as an account supervisor and senior account executive at Schwartz Communications. At Schwartz Communications, Maribel worked with a variety of clients including Red Hat, ClientLogic, Applix, Zona Financiera, OneCore.com and SmarterKids.com. Maribel managed the Red Hat account and was successful in placing stories in a variety of high-profile publications including Business Week, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily and the Financial Times, as well as broadcast placement on CNN and CNBC. Maribel’s experience in the life sciences market includes working with pharmaceutical companies such as Senetek PLC and Sepracor. She also worked at Ronald Trahan Associates where she managed investor relations for her clients.

Alison joined Topaz Partners in 2006 and has handled speaker opportunities and awards for several Topaz clients in the marketing services, IT security, and wireless areas. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Malinda has a background in public relations and web site development. Prior to joining Topaz Partners in 2008, Malinda assisted the director of media relations at Universal Motown Records. She also worked for Bentley College’s web services as a web developer. A Bentley College graduate, Malinda holds a bachelor of science degree in information design and corporate communications, with a minor in information technology.

Sarah Thomas has background in public relations, marketing and communications. Prior to joining Topaz Partners, Sarah worked for a division of Bertelsmann media worldwide, where she served as a marketing and communications coordinator. She previously worked for West Virginia University’s School of Journalism as both a public relations liaison and an academic advisor. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism, emphasis in public relations from West Virginia University.

Greg Venne has extensive experience in all areas of public relations, corporate communications and marketing services. He has created, directed and managed award-winning communications programs for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, major universities and government agencies. At Topaz Partners, Greg works with clients covering a broad scope of business and consumer technology areas. Most recently, he has focused on client companies in Internet mobility, mobile messaging and technology consulting. Greg joined Topaz Partners after serving as President of Lexington PR Group, a full service communications firm representing technology, consumer and education clients, including Boston University, PTC, Individual.com and APPS.com. Greg has held senior positions with Golin/Harris International and Cone Communications, where he developed, implemented and managed public relations programs for companies including MediaOne, Gillette, Nortel Networks and Kimberly-Clark. He directed worldwide public relations for Polaroid, responsible for two of the companies most successful global product launches. Earlier in his career, Greg served as press secretary in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office and in the Boston Mayor’s Office.

Joanna DiTrapano joined Topaz Partners in 2008. She graduated on the Deans List from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA with a degree in Communications. Joanna is also a member of the Communications Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta. She has a background in public relations, marketing and communications. Prior to joining Topaz , Joanna worked at W.B. Mason, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, and the General Services Administration.