Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Alex Ispa-Cowan
Senior Software Engineer
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.
Matt Brown
Creative Director
Matt is an award-winning art director, designer and illustrator whose work can be found throughout the United States, Canada and the EU. Whether it’s a nation-wide ad campaign, apparel in NBA, NHL or MLB stadiums, packaging on national retailer shelves or artwork displayed in galleries, chances are you’ve seen a glimpse of Matt somewhere. Throughout his career, 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.
Cisco Arias
Technical Advisor
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.
Sally Bernard
Advisory Board, Business Development
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
Advisory Board Member
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
Advisory Board Member
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
Advisory Board Member
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
Advisory Board, Native American Relations
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.
Dane Henderson
Advisory Board
Dane started his career in the esports and gaming Industry in the early 90's at Westwood Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Midway. Running game tournaments has given him experience promoting and marketing a variety of events that include comedy shows, concerts, and even charity events at The Autism Tree Project. In addition to his work at San Diego State University, he’s also a board member at the Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships, a nonprofit public charity organization dedicated to changing the world for the better through education.
Ilia Bulavintsev
TL. Software Engineer
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.
Rael Enteen
Strategic Advisor
Rael serves as the Vice President of Content at the Washington Commanders NFL team. He is an established digital and social media professional with management skills, extensive sports knowledge and experience as a writer, editor, web producer and content strategist. Demonstrated ability to significantly improve web traffic, social media reach/engagement and content monetization. Real is an experienced international public speaker with stops in London, Dubai, New York and San Francisco.
Andrew Brandt
Technical Advisor
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.
Robin Richards
Advisory Board
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
Advisory Board
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.
Chris Pigozzi
Marketing Team Business Advisor
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™️.