Leadership Team
Richard Gerstein - Chief Executive Officer
Richard previously served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Worldwide Marketing for the Personal Systems Group (PSG) at HP. Prior to HP, Richard served as President of Marketing at Sears Holding Corporation. In these roles, Richard identified the need to improve how companies and their customers engage, leading to the creation of ZigMail.
Throughout the rest of his career, Richard has held positions with Procter&Gamble, led start-up organizations as well as lived and worked around the world.
In his free time, Richard enjoys his family, the outdoors, and any chance to travel.
Michael has been at the center of technology innovation for decades, founding Sssh Technology, a company that transforms cell phones into emergency-alert devices, and pioneering digital media company VerveLife, where he served as President and COO. Michael also served as General Counsel at ManaJIT.com. Michael also served as a litigation associate at Novack and Macey (Chicago).
Michael is a Lecturer at University of Chicago Law School with a focus on early-stage companies.
Michael earned his B.Phil from Miami University (summa cum laude), a M.Sc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a J.D. from the University of Chicago (1990).
In his free time, Michael is a champion offshore sailor, participating in races such as the Chicago to Mackinac Race, San Francisco's Big Boat Series and China's China Cup.
Orin Fink - Chief Technology Officer
Orin brings more than 15 years of experience building custom business applications and driving product innovation for high-growth companies. In his role at ZigMail, Orin focuses on the systems architecture, development operations and technical application design.
As Senior Technology Architect & Managing Partner at Chicago-based digital design agency Thirdwave, Orin has built remarkable web assets and contributed to an outstanding customer experience for clients such as: OnStar, Covisint, Compuware, Hewitt Associates, A.T. Kearney, AIGA | the professional association for design, American Medical Association, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Precious Moments, the Gatorade brand at The Quaker Oats Company, National Association of Realtors, ResortQuest and McDonald's Corp.
Orin is praised for his technical aptitude, problem solving skills and integrity gained while training as a Naval nuclear engineer.
Orin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
In his free time, Orin enjoys snowboarding, grilling out and helping to support Black Ink Farms, the family owned Angus ranch in South Dakota.
Jeff Janda - Chief Operations Officer
Jeff brings more than 20 years of experience in business strategy, development and operations for high-growth companies. In his role at ZigMail, Jeff focuses on technical strategy and operations.
A successful entrepreneur, Jeff co-founded Thirdwave, a Chicago-based digital design agency emanating from an advertising agency where he was CFO. As Managing Partner, Jeff focuses on Thirdwave's business strategy, project management, accounting/finance, legal, human resources and business development. He has contributed to successful implementations for clients such as: Bridgestone-Firestone, Physiotherapy Associates, Babbaco, The Adler School of Professional Psychology, Salco, Lake Forest Hospital and Dunlee (a division of Philips Medical).
Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Finance from Drake University. He earned distinction as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in 1998 and received an M.B.A from Loyola University Chicago with an emphasis in Corporate Finance.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys rehabbing his 118 year old house and spending time with his kids.
Eric Wagner - Chief Design Officer
A web design pioneer, Eric was profiled in the book "Web Art," and his website design for Tanagram earned Site of the Day honors from Macromedia.
Prior to ZigMail, he served as design director for 10 years at Tanagram, guiding projects across multiple media that were recognized with awards in competitions such as The New York Art Director's Club, Type Director's Club, Communication Arts Magazine's Design and Interactive Annuals, Graphis Interactive, ID Magazine, the American Institute of Graphic Arts Annual, and the American Center for Design's ACD 100 Show. His work has benefited organizations such as: American Girl; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Central Intelligence Agency; CFA Institute; Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs; Chicago Public Radio; Delta Porter-Cable; Maria Pinto (fashion design); Niketown; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Tufts University; 3Com and Wonderlic.
Eric has a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois. He lectures on branding and design to both designers and non-designers.
In his free time, Eric enjoys traveling, drawing and playing with his dog, Biff.