At COO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based COO’ operating in the Product Design space. If you think a COO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected].
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Stephan Jacob
Founder & COO of Cotopaxi
Stephan Jacob has been serving as Chief Operating Officer at Cotopaxi since November 2013.
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About Cotopaxi: Cotopaxi is an outdoor brand with a humanitarian mission at its core.
Nitesh Banga
Chief Operating Officer of GlobalLogic
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About GlobalLogic: GlobalLogic is a product development services company that specializes in chip-to-cloud software engineering.
Jon-Ryan Riggins
Co-Founder & COO/CFO of Liquid Death
JR Riggins is a Co-Founder at Liquid Death.
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About Liquid Death: Liquid Death is a non-alcoholic beverage brand that is focused on health and sustainability.
David Model
Chief Operating Officer of Triton Systems
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About Triton Systems: Triton Systems, Inc. (Triton) is an advanced materials, coatings and systems engineering product development firm headquartered near
Joachim Klein
President & COO of ThreeKit
Joachim Klein is the President and COO at ThreeKit. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MS in Engineering (Diplomingenieur) from the Technical University of Berlin.
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About ThreeKit: ThreeKit is a 3D product configuration and visualization platform that enables brands to create and manage beautiful visuals at scale.
Antoine Villata
COO of Planisware
In 2001, with several years as a Planisware consultant in Paris under his belt, Antoine Villata moved to the US to establish Planisware Services in North America, starting operations in both California and New Jersey. Antoine has over 15 years of hands-on experience in the field of project and portfolio management (PPM). His experience includes designing and implementing PPM solutions at several major NPD companies, directing global multi-site and multi-region projects, and partnering with prestigious consulting firms to implement processes and methodologies that increase returns on R&D investments. He uses his cumulative experience on a daily basis in his role of overseeing operations in the US. Antoine received an MS in Innovation Management from Compiegne Technology University (UTC) in France as well as an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Wharton School. On weekends, Antoine enjoys spending time with his wife and two small children and kitesurfing around the Bay Area!
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About Planisware: Project Portfolio Management Software
Billy McGuire
COO & CFO of Teal Drones
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About Teal Drones: Teal Drones is a commercial and government unmanned aerial vehicle technology.
Jim Goodell
Partner & COO of Astro Studios
Jim Goodell is responsible for determining and overseeing the firm’s long-term strategic direction. Jim employs his many years of brand design agency experience while working with many of today’s leading corporations. He enjoys simplifying complex challenges and applying his personal brand of design methodology as he leads the structuring of multidisciplinary programs. He also shapes the studios’ alternative business models and joint ventures.
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About Astro Studios: They create multi-dimensional brand experiences that define popular culture.
Kellan O’Connor
Co-founder, COO of Duro
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About Duro: Duro provides cloud-based SaaS software to help hardware companies manage the design and manufacturing of their custom hardware products.
Cory Sytsma
COO of Assemble
Operations professional with a broad IT background, recognized for excellent analytical and objective problem solving skills, with the initiative and courage to drive change, while building and maintaining consensus.
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About Assemble: Assemble provides software services that deliver delightful customer experiences.
Lawrence Rydzewski
Chief Operating Officer of Berlin Packaging
Lawrence Rydzewski currently serves Berlin Packaging as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Berlin Packaging, Lawrence spent more than three years with Copper and Brass Sales a vice president of finance and operations.
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About Berlin Packaging: Berlin Packaging manufactures and supplies glass, plastic, and metal containers.
Zack Leonard
COO, President and Founder of Gembah
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About Gembah: Gembah provides consumer services intended to empower businesses and product innovation.
Aleksandra Gosiewski
Co-Founder & COO of AlgiKnit
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About AlgiKnit: AlgiKnit is a biomaterials company integrating science and design into textile production.
Thomas Quinly
Chief Operating Officer of Tupperware Brands
Quinly was named Chief Operating Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation in October 2013. Most recently, he was President of Curtiss-Wright Controls, the Controls Segment of the Corporation, since 2008. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of the Motion Control Embedded Computing Unit, where he was responsible for integrating previous Curtiss-Wright acquisitions in this technology sector and growing the Embedded Computing business through additional acquisitions. Quinly has over 30 years of experience in the defense, aerospace and commercial markets.
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About Tupperware Brands: Tupperware Brands provides housewares products.
Veronica Pierni
Founder & COO of JamHub
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About JamHub: JamHub is a company producing a headphone monitor mix system designed to allow musicians to play without disturbing others.
Richard Nacht
COO of BuildWP
Co-founder Richard Nacht created one of the first online lending platforms, an Inc. 500 company, which he sold to a national lender. He introduced the concept of community blogging to the real estate industry as a high-impact marketing and networking tool and earned status as the subject matter expert to the industry. He co-authored the best-selling blog marketing book Realty Blogging which is still used as the game plan for many industry participants. Richard then focused on the recruiting industry and built one of the earliest career focused social networking platforms, enabling Fortune 500 clients to create a funnel of talent for recruiting purposes. Richard has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from New York Law School, an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and taught social media as an Adjunct Professor at NYU. Richard is responsible for strategic growth, business development, sales and partnership opportunities.
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About BuildWP: BuildWP is a strategic design and development agency.
Jeffrey Kay
Chief Operating Officer of Muss Development LLC
Jeffrey Kay is currently the chief operating officer at Muss Development LLC, a fully integrated real estate company that handles all aspects of the development process, including zoning and approvals, sales and marketing, construction, and management. Previously, he had a distinguished career in public service holding various positions throughout New York City government. Among these were his appointment as the director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations in March 2006, where he helped manage the daily operations of city agencies and coordinate initiatives and special projects that improved the delivery of city services for over four years. He was also a deputy director at the NYC Office of Management and Budget, where he served as a senior member of the management team and was directly responsible for the Department of Education’s $17 billion budget and was the chief budget lobbyist for the City of New York. Mr. Kay is also currently a member of the Panel for Education Policy at the NYC Department of Education. He holds a B.A. from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton and an M.A. in Public Policy from SUNY Albany.
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About Muss Development LLC, NYC Department of Education: Founded in 1906, Muss Development has been building in New York for more than 100 years.
Michael Schwartz
Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Boomtown
Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Boomtown
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About Boomtown: We help enterprises and their partner ecosystems deliver exceptional customer experiences with complete visibility and precise control.
Alexander O’Dell
COO & Co-Founder of Floyd
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About Floyd: Floyd is a direct to consumer furniture brand that changes the way people consume, keep, and enjoy their furniture.
Drew Harding
COO & Founder of Neon Roots
COO & Founder
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About Neon Roots: Neon Roots is a full-service custom design and development shop specializing in responsive web/mobile solutions and custom applications.
Charles Yhap
Chief Operating Officer and CoFounder of CleanRobotics
Charles is an experienced social entrepreneur and has worked in the fields of human rights and environmental protection. He has 10 years of experience and thrives in a mission driven start-up organization.
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About CleanRobotics, CleanRobotics: CleanRobotics makes recycling affordable for businesses, and profitable for recyclers.
Christopher Myers
COO & Founder of Kapsul
Christopher Myers is the Managing Director at Philadelphia Development Group.
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About Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, Kapsul, MAGetc, Philadev, Techstars: Kapsul is reinventing home comfort with beautifully designed products that deliver better performance to both users and the grid.
Mark Holmes
COO of Cozzia USA
Mark Holmes has been serving as COO at Cozzia USA since 2008.
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About Cozzia USA: Cozzia USA designs and manufactures massage chairs, lift chairs, zero gravity chairs, and foot and calf massagers.
Shivani York
COO of InRhythm
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About InRhythm: InRhythm is a technology consulting firm.
Shivani York
COO of InRhythm
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About InRhythm: InRhythm is a technology consulting firm.
Terry Becker
Chief Operating Officer of Arcimoto
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About Arcimoto: Arcimoto is an automotive company that focuses on developing the SRK, an ultra-efficient three-wheeled electric vehicle.
Terry Becker
Chief Operating Officer of Arcimoto
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About Arcimoto: Arcimoto is an automotive company that focuses on developing the SRK, an ultra-efficient three-wheeled electric vehicle.
Michiel Ligthart
President & COO of Verific Design Automation
Michiel Ligthart has extensive background in engineering, product marketing, and general management. Prior to joining Verific, Ligthart was VP and GM of west-coast operations for Theseus Logic, a startup in asynchronous logic. Before that, he spent 8 years with Exemplar Logic in engineering and marketing roles. Ligthart started his career with Philips Research Labs in California, and was a visiting scholar at the Center for Integrated Systems at Stanford University. He has an MSEE degree from Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
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About Verific Design Automation: Verific Design Automation provides (System)Verilog, VHDL, and UPF front-ends to leading EDA, FPGA, and semiconductor companies.
Michiel Ligthart
President & COO of Verific Design Automation
Michiel Ligthart has extensive background in engineering, product marketing, and general management. Prior to joining Verific, Ligthart was VP and GM of west-coast operations for Theseus Logic, a startup in asynchronous logic. Before that, he spent 8 years with Exemplar Logic in engineering and marketing roles. Ligthart started his career with Philips Research Labs in California, and was a visiting scholar at the Center for Integrated Systems at Stanford University. He has an MSEE degree from Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
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About Verific Design Automation: Verific Design Automation provides (System)Verilog, VHDL, and UPF front-ends to leading EDA, FPGA, and semiconductor companies.
Jeffrey Markowitz
COO of MakeTime
Jeffrey Markowitz is the COO of MakeTime. He is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience both in investing and building early stage companies. His objective is to provide hands-on operational leadership and knowledge transfer for growing businesses and to develop them to their fullest potential. MakeTime is an online, transactional marketplace where manufacturers connect to buy and sell machine production capacity by the hour. We are revolutionizing manufacturing by changing the way businesses negotiate and transact to produce goods across the world. For entrepreneurs, designers, and Makers we are making it as easy to purchase manufacturing capacity as it is to purchase server bandwidth in the cloud. Prior to MakeTime Jeffrey was a co-Founder and Partner at Charles Rutenberg LLC which is the fastest growing independent residential real estate firm in NYC with over 500 salespeople. At Rutenberg he was responsible for the operational and financial aspects of the business. In 2012 Rutenberg was awarded “New York City’s Best Firms to Work For.” Jeffrey has also spent 25 years investing in public and private equity markets, bridge loans, PIPE’s and private investments, along with active and passive real estate investments in Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, New York City and Puerto Rico. Jeffrey currently sits on the Board of Directors of FaceCake Marketing Technologies, Inc. a leader in augmented retail with a personalized, cross device, targeted marketing platform. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. In his spare time Jeffrey enjoys cycling and tennis.
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About MakeTime: MakeTime is a tech company that makes getting CNC machined parts simple and efficient.
Joana Kelly
COO of Small Planet Digital
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About Small Planet Digital: Web and Mobile Product Strategy, Design and Development
Tracey Hartman
Chief Operating Officer of PaulG Corporation
20+ years experience in management running day to day operations of a multi national company. She holds a BA in Economics from the Ohio State University
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About PaulG Corporation: PaulG Corporation manufactures IP protected consumer products in the following categories: Toys, Apps, Gaming, First Age, Gift.
Tom Forsythe
Chief Operating Officer of Innovative Commercial Environments
Tom retired from a Fortune 500 company, MetLife, after 36 years of experience. During the last 15 years of his career at MetLife he worked in the capacity of a Compliance Director overseeing the sales agencies in the Western territory. He joined ICE in December of 2014 to manage the explosive growth ICE has experienced. Tom is responsible for managing the financial stability of ICE, improving vendor relations and managing the project managers, designers, accounting, legal and HR sectors of the company. Tom mentors and educates the staff on fiscal responsibility, community service and promotes business and design education.
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About Innovative Commercial Environments: Innovative Commercial Environments is a dealership company for office and hospitality furniture.
David Parnes
COO of OTHR
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About : OTHR is using 3D Printing to revolutionize the way consumer products are conceived, manufactured and purchased.
Renae Alsobrook
Chief Operating Officer of argodesign
Renae Alsobrook, COO of argodesign, has spent more than 20 years helping innovation companies reach their aspirations through effective leadership, business management and marketing expertise. Her work with companies large and small in the tech arena includes nearly ten years at Dell Computer, where she developed new models of demand generation and brand management through thoughtful customer segmentation. As a non-profit leader, she has expanded the reach of community organizations with a welcoming approach to volunteer recruitment, fundraising and program development. In her role at argodesign, Renae delights in working with the product design world’s biggest thinkers, enjoying their energy and optimism, and paving the way for their exciting ideas to blossom.
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About argodesign: We love design – for the technology, for the simple joy of craft, and ultimately for the experiences we create.
Andrew Bane
COO of VetSource
Andrew Bane currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of VetSource. As a member of the founding team of VetSource, Bane has been intimately involved in shaping the strategic direction of VetSource and has held many positions in the company since its inception in 2005.
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About VetSource: VetSource is a pharmaceuticals company providing pet care medication and vaccination services.
John Harlan
Chief Operating Officer, Partner of Technology Kitchen
John joined TK in 2009 and leads their manufacturing and sustaining engineering operations as well as their mechanical engineering team. He is a key contributor in the areas of program management and business strategy. John also brings his cross-discipline systems engineering experience to bear against complex design challenges. John’s experience encompasses over 30 years of broad-based engineering that includes detailed design and analysis, design for manufacturing, sustaining engineering, failure analysis, product and project management, cross-functional engineering team management, and quality and reliability engineering. His versatile skill set includes strong analytical decision-making and design optimization capabilities, broad technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering disciplines, and a strong ability to help customers develop practical product requirements out of general objectives. Prior to joining TK, he served as the Director of Engineering for Metrosol; Product Quality Engineer for Dell; Product Engineering Manager for Eaton Semiconductor Equipment; and Senior Engineering Specialist for General Dynamics Fort Worth. John holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and completed the Competitive Business Leadership program at the University of Texas School of Business. He is an instrument-rated pilot and aerobatic competitor and judge, an EAA Technical Counselor in aircraft construction, and an officer of the Breakaway Airport Association. The first product created by TK, an Aircraft Engine Power Monitor, was John’s concept, and is still in use today.
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About Technology Kitchen: Technology Kitchen develops innovative electronic products for a wide variety of applications using the latest technologies.
Julian Pscheid
COO / CTO of EMERGE – Digital Product Agency
Along with setting the technical direction for the company, Julian leads a team of interactive producers and developers, ensuring that each client realizes all the benefits of Emerge’s high-quality, holistic service offerings. Throughout his career he’s had opportunities to work on every aspect of the interactive medium, a breadth of experience that’s left him with a deep understanding of—and a passion for—all things digital. Julian combines strategic thinking with technical craftsmanship, and has a particular knack for developing processes that translate into creative solutions to the business challenges of Emerge’s clients.
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About EMERGE – Digital Product Agency: High-value digital experiences for your customers.
Daniel Bodenstein
Co-Founder and COO of Boulder Engineering Studio
Before starting BES, Dan served as the Director of Product Development and Manufacturing for a small boot-strapped startup called Clear Corporation, Inc. Before that, he was also the sole recipient of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society US Navy Engineering Internship with Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in college. Dan’s strong background in harsh-environment designs and testing is one of the many unique values he contributes to our team.
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About Boulder Engineering Studio: Boulder Engineering Studio is a mechanical, electrical and software design firm that transforms your ideas into reality.
Brad Johnson
CFO & COO of Grio
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About Grio: Grio is a software consulting firm located in San Francisco. We specialize in web and mobile app development.
Josh Brown
Founder and COO of Spirit Hoops, Inc.
Josh Brown is the founder and COO at Spirit Hoops.
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About Spirit Hoops, Inc.: Unique consumer product
Thomas White
COO/Co-Founder of Duet Technology
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About Duet Technology: New patent-pending hair clipper design that uses an autonomous system to cool the device.
Thomas White
COO/Co-Founder of Duet Technology
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About Duet Technology: New patent-pending hair clipper design that uses an autonomous system to cool the device.
Jonathan Lambert
Founder & COO of August Security
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About August Security: August Security focuses on product design, funding, strategy, content, UX design & sale for security & investigation products and services.
Terri Harwood
COO of BillingTree
Terri Harwood is the chief operating officer of North American Bancard Holdings, LLC (NAB), a multi-faceted payment solutions provider dedicated to delivering the latest payments technology with the highest level of customer service. A highly qualified member of the mobile payment industry, Harwood brings over twenty years of experience and knowledge to North American Bancard. With a historical focus on creating optimal service experiences for customers, Harwood leads the successful development and execution of NAB’s operations and logistics expansion strategies, business development, as well as customer communications and service to create an optimum customer experience. Harwood’s efforts have also cultivated a work environment that inspires creativity and personal growth for each and every employee at NAB. A member of the Electronic Transaction Association, Harwood joins NAB from Global Payments where she served as senior vice president of service operations, strategic relationships and business development. Prior to Global Payments, Harwood served eleven years at First Data Merchant Services, where she was instrumental in executing on the alliance bank strategy that helped shape many highly successful and long-standing relationships. She is an award-winning member of the payments industry, having received multiple awards for her work. Harwood attended the Hagerstown Business College in Hagerstown, Md.
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About BillingTree: BillingTree is a payment technology company that helps organizations get paid using a variety of payment channels.
Miriam Kim
Co-Founder and COO of Perfect Company
Miriam Kim is a Co-Founder and COO at Perfect Company.
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About Perfect Company: Perfect Company is a producer of smart products for smart homes.
Nevin Caldwell
Chief Operating Officer of Panolam Surface Systems
Caldwell is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Flanders Corporation. Nevin most recently served as Vice President of Operations for the Americas of Exide Technologies, a global leader in manufacturing and recycling of lead acid batteries and charger systems. Nevin was employed with Duracell Batteries for nineteen years, serving in many different roles within the organization but lastly as Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Technical Operations. Nevin is accustomed to working with private equity firms and has served as President and Chief Operating Officer for two different portfolio companies. Nevin brings a wealth of diverse global experiences from both private equity and public manufacturing companies. Nevin is a graduate of The University of Tennessee (Chattanooga) and holds a MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He also holds a BA in Chemistry from The University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
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About Panolam Surface Systems: Panolam Surface Systems has been providing the largest selection of integrated surface products for over 70 years.
Timothy Wolfe
COO & Senior Digital Analyst of Decision Data Corp
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About Decision Data Corp: Real-time intelligent feedback loops and scoring systems for enterprise websites and new media applications.
Luca Agea
Co-Founder | COO of OMAST
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About OMAST: we design and build lifestyle products, starting with bicycles, watches and motorcycles.
Sean Elstins
COO of Fyresite
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About Fyresite: We are a group of programmers and designers that help companies make great products.
Sean Elstins
COO of Fyresite
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About Fyresite: We are a group of programmers and designers that help companies make great products.