Leadership
Our Principals:
Lisa Vallee-Smith, CEO
Lisa Vallee-Smith, APR, is Airfoil's co-founder and CEO. Lisa's background includes more than two decades of experience in agency public relations. Previously, she was president of a mid-sized PR firm, where she and Janet created a technology practice around a small piece of business for Microsoft. Lisa is responsible for Airfoil's business development, marketing and external communications. She is the principal in charge for two dozen Airfoil accounts relating to online services, healthcare, automotives, and energy.
Janet Tyler, president
Janet Tyler, APR, is co-owner and president of Airfoil and general manager of the agency’s Silicon Valley office. In the mid-1990s, she was instrumental in establishing a PR technology practice that would later evolve into Airfoil Public Relations. Her teams develop strategies for the world’s most renowned technology innovators, as well as for emerging entrepreneurships that consistently advance the technology landscape. She has earned acclaim for her role in helping launch Microsoft Windows and Office products in major markets, for her success in managing analyst relations for PayPal, and for helping to drive eBay Motors to its number-one ranking among all automotive Web sites.
Our Practice Area Managers
Tracey Parry, APR - a founding member of Airfoil - runs the agency's business-to-consumer practice, with extensive experience in accounts related to e-commerce services and online communities. Tracey's professional experience spans work for PR agencies, as well as state government.
Eric Kushner, APR, heads Airfoil’s business-to-business technology practice. He guides public relations strategies for a number of the world’s leading innovators in software technology for business, home and healthcare. Eric’s professional experience involves work on both the agency and client side. He’s been selected by PR News as one of its “15 to Watch” among top young agency execs and was identified by PRWeek as one of the industry’s “Ten Rising Stars.”
Rich Donley, APR, directs Airfoil’s automotive and manufacturing technology practice, developing programs and providing counsel for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers in auto and other industries. His group also works with professional service firms and companies developing and deploying technology in support of manufacturing and service-sector operations. A former automotive writer, Rich has nearly two decades of experience in journalism, public relations and marketing communications, during which he has helped dozens of major automotive suppliers introduce new technologies to the marketplace.
Our Vice President of Operations
Laura Kelleher helps keeps Airfoil going and growing. Her responsibilities include finance, information technology, human resources and general operations for the agency. Laura is an award-winning IT professional and an expert in business strategy development, marketing and training. A true online pioneer, she was pivotal in building the academic Internet and expanding national networking.
Our Director of Editorial Services
Steve Friedman heads our Editorial Services practice. With more than 35 years as a journalist, business writer and executive trainer, Steve develops in-depth written communications, from Web pages to white papers, byline articles to brochures, speeches and publications to scripts and presentations, all in support of our account practice areas. He also provides media, presentation and crisis-communications training for our clients.