Meet the team behind
Aaron Basch
Aaron Basch earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science, and a master’s degree of education in mathematics from UC San Diego. After working with Math for America as a mathematics teacher for five years, he went back to school to earn his master’s degree of financial engineering from UCLA. Prior to Sparket, Aaron served as the executive director of risk and finance at MotoLease, an alternative vehicle financing company. Mr. Basch is a proven financial operations manager who improves processes and systems through data driven initiatives to increase productivity, revenue, and margin in a fast-paced working environment. Aaron is both a sports and esports fan, he played collegiate level sports and has been top ranked in multiple esports games. He has also built and operated his own ethereum blockchain rigs in his office.
Evan Fisher
Evan Fisher spent 8 years at Google, focusing on product user experience, as part of a startup in Google X, and previously leading a team of finance professionals. Prior to Google, Evan received his MBA from Columbia University with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Finance. He began his career in the energy industry after completing undergrad at USC. Evan’s skillsets lie in product / program management, having driven complex initiatives to completion and leading large teams. He also has a keen mind for statistics and operations. Evan is a huge sports fan and enjoys playing tennis, chess, and basketball in his free time.
Matt Brown
Matt is an award-winning art director, designer and illustrator whose work can be found throughout the United States, Canada and the EU. Matt has cultivated a valued list of clientele that includes: Disney, Activision/Blizzard Entertainment, PetCo, Home Depot, 20th Century Fox, Cartoon Network, Nintendo of America, & numerous professional sports franchises. During football season, Matt enjoys making $1 bets with his dad.
Tory Key
Tory Key has been involved in the revenue generation process for 8+ years. He has worked in many roles involving commercial development and has been in a variety of industries. Working at large corporations and startups gave him a range of valuable skills to apply. He has a proven track record of generating revenue for companies and adding long term value to them. Tory studied sports management and business at James Madison University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He doesn’t only enjoy the business side of sports though. He loves to play pickup soccer and watch it, along with any DC sports teams.
Joseph Oyekunle Olalekan
My names is Joseph Oyekunle, I am a high achieving, strategically-focused, commercially & target driven sales and business management professional who has a track record of success in the iGaming sector across B2B and B2C business model in African, Europe and LATAM. Over the years, I have led and transformed sales teams, driven sales, and have achieved difficult targets through relevant sales experiences with key iGaming platform providers and gaming solutions providers across Europe.
Sophia Kaczeus
Sophia is Sparket‘s resident expert on all things Customer Success and Client Relationship-based. With expertise in industries ranging from travel and tourism, to weddings, and even healthcare, Sophia’s broad experience allows her to adapt to any client‘s needs. Her tenacity and zeal for her craft, partnered with her vivacious personality have allowed her to succeed in growing accounts while forming real and lasting connections with her clients and customers. Sophia’s favorite customers are the ones who challenge her, and she‘s never met a problem that can’t be solved with a flow chart. When she isn’t problem solving account growth, Sophia enjoys serving out a good smack down on the pickleball court or writing a poem.
Alex Ispa-Cowan
Alex is a senior software engineer based out of Puyallup Washington. Alex has been in software development for over 7 years with full stack experience and an expertise in Javascript React. He is passionate about the Sparket mission, helping build it from scratch from an idea to a platform that has served major partners. In his spare time you might find him hiking, biking, snowboarding, or one of his biggest passions: playing guitar.
Cisco Arias
Cisco is a veteran of the silicon beach start-up scene, working on the technical side of start-ups right since 2010. Cisco loves solving problems and circumscribing his architecture with the reactive manifesto. He’s an expert bringing business ideas into software. He previously worked at Docstoc which he helped build into a company that was acquired by Intuit.
Chris Pigozzi
Possessing an unwavering passion for public relations and sports, Chris found a unique and exciting opportunity on board the marketing team at Sparket. Ever vigilant for both professional and social synergies, Chris leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the maintenance and development of The Social Betwork™️.
Ilia Bulavintsev
Sparket’s resident tech geek has extensive experience in software development including as a Sr. Software Developer at Alibaba group. Ilia uses his expertise in Golang to create robust and secure backend systems. He loves building products that make users’ lives easier and adds fun to their day.
Sally Bernard
Sally is a Tasmanian born, Australian native, who landed in Las Vegas over two decades ago and has never looked back. Since then she has built an abundant network of trusted business relationships, and the fortunate opportunity to master gaming technology sales during her corporate tenures with gaming giants such as IGT and Konami. In her free time, Sally is creating/collecting NFTs, investing in Crypto and dabbling in 3D printing. She now owns and operates 2 businesses, and is on the Sparket Advisory Board for Business Development.
Loren Gill
Loren Gill is the Founder and CEO of LD2G Enterprises, LLC and the leader of multiple businesses including hospitality & gaming consulting and advisory services, business development partnerships, and equestrian related ventures. Prior to launching his own entrepreneurial enterprises, Gill served as the Chief Executive Officer for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians – a federally recognized tribe located in Highland, California and spent 25 years, in various locations across the United States in the gaming and hospitality industry.
Michelle Gerson
An accomplished Marketing Leader with entrepreneurial experience, Michelle has 12+ years in driving high-impact B2B and B2P demand generation marketing programs for tech companies like FloQast, MomentFeed, CHD Expert, and Hydropoint, and consumer brands like Sprint, IBM, Cambro Manufacturing, Volvo CE, Diageo, Equis Staffing, and others. She has a proven track record in driving sales and organizational growth among client businesses by introducing programs that generate and close leads, both domestically and globally, in multiple languages via multiple channels. Michelle has been honored as a Top 50 Women Leaders in SaaS by the Software Report.
Marcus Yoder
Marcus has top executive-level experience including Chief Commercial Officer for a gaming technology company, COO and co-founder of social media startup; executive director-level roles for software companies; and senior manager for Big Four consulting firm. Expertise in leading companies into new global markets. Highly customer-focused as a senior business strategist—driving corporate revenue, building strategic alliances, innovating marketing and product campaigns, and negotiation/diplomacy with government entities and key stakeholders.
Blue Quisquis
Highly accredited Strategic Advisor, CIO, and Economic Self-Sufficiency Advocate with over 20+ years of collective experience. Blue holds a strong leadership background in diverse fields, including Technology, Entertainment, Food, Indian Gaming, Native American Cannabis and Hemp, Economic Development, and Education, and my actionable efforts all stem from my rooted passion for instilling positive community transformations that future generations can benefit from. Due to career commitments and large certificate inventory involving management, commissioning, innovative technology, surveillance, and entrepreneurship, he has received awards and has been on several media interviews such as the Indian Country Today Media Network and the Robin Swan Show.
Robin Richards
Robin is a serial entrepreneur, startup investor, and philanthropist. His impressive career includes founding Lexi International Teleservices, founding president and BOD MP3.com, CEO Vivendi Universal Net USA, and founder of 6 other campanies. He advises Sparket and their founders on entrepreneurial matters.
John Wholihan
John was one of Sparket’s initial advisors. As the Director of Marketing at Kentucky Downs, John has experience improving casino marketing, operations, guest service, incremental revenue, and EBITDA. He has more than 15 years of Las Vegas, Tribal, destination, and local property experience. He serves as an advisor to Sparket.
Monica Perches
Passionate about excellent customer service. Leading teams by example, approachable and ready to lead any team in a positive direction for a productive work environment. Above all, my greatest accomplishment outside of my professional career has been the family I have made and the wonderful children I was so fortunate to stay at home and raise. Monica strives to help hard-working moms that are on their career path, excel in all their endeavors no matter what the goal is.
Andrew Brandt
Andy is a results-focused Technology Leader with proven history of facilitating successful product development efforts and getting products to market. Over 20 years of software development experience, with a particular expertise in developing enterprise systems and real-time transactional platforms. As a technology executive, been involved in IPOs for three separate software companies.