Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Chad Mellen
Founder and CEO
Chad has spent over 30 years in the branded luxury and premium accessory and retail industries. He has held CEO, President, CMO, VP Sales and Director roles across a number of iconic American and International consumer brands such as Tumi, Coach and Cross pens. As a senior executive, he has led two successful exits to private equity firms and has experience working across private, public and private equity-owned companies.
Keith Bristol
Chief Digital Officer
Keith has spent over 20 years in the direct-to-consumer ecommerce industries. He has held COO, President, VP of Product and Director roles across a number of ecommerce consumer brands such as eBags, Tumi and UsingMiles. In these roles he has led three startups that became high growth companies or progressed to a successful exit.
Rachel Mellen
Director of Customer Experience
Rachel has spent over 10 years in the medical product, pharmaceutical, and direct to consumer industries. She has held sales support and inside/outside sales roles at Millstone Medical and Siegfried AG. Her focus on customer service in these roles has culminated in managing world class customer service groups for B to C corporations.
Zeke Camusio
Marketing Director (consultant)
Zeke is a serial digital entrepreneur with over 20 years experience running digital strategies for data-driven startups. He founded and later sold Digital Aptitude, a digital marketing agency with over 100 clients. He has been involved in over a dozen startups, and is currently the founder of Data Speaks, a boutique analytics agency that helps ecommerce brands find the hidden profit in their data. Zeke consults with Knack approximately 20 hours per month.
Brianne Huntsman
Social Media/Communications (consultant)
Brianne has a diverse background ranging from design to engineering to marketing. She uses her skillset to advise companies on their organic social media strategy and communications. Her analytical skills applied mainly to ecommerce and B to C clients. Brianne consults with Knack approximately 52 hours per month.
Melody Taylor
Marketing Manager (consultant)
Melody is skilled in copywriting, email creation, social strategy, affiliate strategy and media buying. She has overseen social media and affiliate marketing for Tuesday Morning as well as the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Melody consults with Knack approximately 120 hours per month.
Scott Boulis
Digital Acquisition (consultant)
Scott has a deep understanding of scaling digital acquisition for DTC ecommerce companies. He previously managed the paid social channel for Teespring and Luca + Danni. He is also the founder of I Made Bogey, a DTC golf company. Scott consults with Knack approximately 54 hours per month.
Carol Tseng
Development Director (consultant)
Carol has over 30 years of experience with Asian sourcing. She has overseen Asian sourcing for brands like Samsonite. She was also a Sales Manager for Yamani, OEM for global brands. Carol consults with Knack approximately 60 hours per month.
Larry Lein
Director
Larry has worked in the travel goods industry for over 30 years. He is currently co-founder and CEO of ROAM Luggage, an innovative new travel company. Larry spent most of his career at Tumi Inc. where he was responsible for the sales and marketing functions for many years. After Tumi, he became a principal at Compass Partners International. He started his career as a partner with Kurt Salmon Associates, an international strategy consulting firm focused on fashion-influenced consumer products.
Mark Abrahm
Director
Mark is currently the Managing Partner of New Street Investment Partners, an investment firm focused on opportunities typically outside the criteria of institutional investors. Prior to New Street, Mark formed Forsite Capital, a real estate investment firm which also provided certain advisory services. He was also a founding partner of Gulf Stream Asset Management, a Charlotte, NC-based manager of corporate-credit assets. With approximately $3.5B of assets under management, Gulf Stream was sold to Apollo Global Management in October of 2011.
Bill Daugherty
Director
An entrepreneur and early stage investor, Bill is currently the co-owner and CEO of Seven Stars Bakery, LLC a growing chain of artisanal bake shops and cafes. Prior to Seven Stars, Bill was Executive Chairman of ANC Inc which designs, installs and operates digital signage systems for sports teams and high profile retail and commercial properties. Prior to ANC, Bill was the Founder and co-CEO of Interactive Search Holdings, which grew to become Google's 3rd largest search distribution partner and which he sold in 2004. Previously, Bill served as Sr. Vice President of Business Development for the National Basketball Association.
