Executive Team

Pete Ellis's visionary use of technology and innovative marketing strategies has redefined entire industries. In 1994-95 Mr. Ellis launched the first online car-buying and research website, Autobytel.com, using the Internet to introduce a uniquely efficient automotive marketing and transaction platform - and, in turn, to revolutionize the world's largest industry. Autobytel Inc. (Nasdaq: ABTL) went public in 1999 and remains the leading Internet automotive marketing services and car-buying company, generating over a billion dollars in sales each month for its dealer network, while providing a wide range of marketing services to the majority of automakers.

Mr. Ellis left Autobytel after the company's IPO to form Jubilee Investments, with the mission of investing in companies that needed help in crossing over to new technology models and more efficient business/marketing strategies. SpaFinder provided a perfect fit for Mr. Ellis' background as an industry aggregator and Internet pioneer, and in 2001 he assumed the role of CEO as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors, directing SpaFinder's ascension as the largest spa marketing, publishing, and travel agent services company. Under Mr. Ellis, SpaFinder has worked to connect the players that make up the once-disjointed spa market - day and stay spas, spa merchandisers, consumers, marketing partners, and travel agents—in creative, opportunistic ways that introduce new value and efficiencies for all parties.

Mr. Ellis was honored by Advertising Age as one of the top marketers in the U.S. His innovations at Autobytel, meanwhile, have been made part of the Permanent Research Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. He is a frequent, popular speaker at technology and business forums, including the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, and the first computer and Internet conferences in Tokyo and Europe. Mr. Ellis has also been profiled in numerous media outlets, including NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, the Wall Street Journal, theBack to Top New York Times and CNN.

As president of SpaFinder, Inc., Susie Ellis leads the world's most prominent spa marketing, media, and research company - connecting the largest global network of spas to millions of spa consumers worldwide.

Author of the popular Ask Susie column in Luxury SpaFinder Magazine , " Susie's Blog" on Spafinder.com, and the SpaFinder Insider industry e-newsletter, Ms.Ellis is recognized worldwide as the leading authority on the spa industry, the evolving spa consumer, and spa-related health, wellness, beauty, fitness and lifestyle trends. She also leads the company's charitable and community-facing ventures, including SpaFinder's initiative to raise awareness of, and help prevent, melanoma skin cancer.

Ms. Ellis began her career in spa at the Golden Door (California), where she helped build one of the world's most influential spa programs, and later became the first spa director of the Greenhouse Spa at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. She has also served on the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ms. Ellis is a frequent speaker at industry events around the world, and her spa industry insight has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, Time magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Newsweek and in other well known media. She holds a MBA from UCLA. Back to Top

Sallie Fraenkel joined SpaFinder in 2004, bringing more than 20 years of marketing experience and a lifelong interest in health, fitness, and beauty to SpaFinder. Ms. Fraenkel was a 20-year veteran of the pay-television network Showtime Networks, where she founded and developed the company's fast-growing video distribution business. As Showtime's Senior Vice President of Program Enterprises and Distribution, Ms. Fraenkel directed retail and sell-through distribution of approximately 200 titles from Showtime, the Sundance Channel, and third-party acquisitions. Ms. Fraenkel's responsibilities included oversight of all forms of consumer and trade advertising, online and national promotions, network cross-promotions, publicity events, producer-talent relations, and creative development of key art, trailers, and DVD content for Showtime Entertainment. She was also instrumental in creating merchandising and licensing strategies for Showtime's original series, such as Queer as Folk.

Previously, Ms. Fraenkel served as Showtime's Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Program Enterprises & Distribution. She negotiated deals and oversaw distribution of Showtime films, series, and specials to major studios and independents, with an emphasis on maximizing revenues from home video, international, television, and non-theatrical exploitation.

Ms. Fraenkel is a graduate of Penn State University, where she participated in the International Study Program in Television, Radio, Advertising, Journalism & Theatre, a joint venture between Penn State and the University of Manchester (England). In June 2004, she was accorded special recognition as the first recipient of the program's Distinguished Alumni award.
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Neil Kurlander joined SpaFinder in 2002, bringing more than 17 years of extensive legal and corporate management experience to SpaFinder. He spent 10 years with Horsehead Industries, Inc., a privately held Fortune 500 company, where, as Vice President, Corporate Legal Affairs, he played a major role in the consummation of approximately $1 billion worth of corporate financings, mergers and acquisitions, and other commercial transactions. In addition, he has practiced corporate law at some of the largest law firms in New York City.

At SpaFinder, Mr. Kurlander is responsible for all internal and external legal matters, corporate administration, and human resource management, and is also corporate secretary, responsible for all corporate governance matters.

Mr. Kurlander received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in New York, where he was a member of the Hofstra Law Review, and his B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College.

Jack McClunn joined SpaFinder in 2005, bringing 18 years of entrepreneurial experience in accounting, finance and operations.

Prior to joining SpaFinder, Mr. McClunn was a founder and the Director of Finance of ePresence, Inc., a technology consulting and software development firm which during his 8 years there he guided from original business plan to the January 2000 acquisition of the company by Banyan Systems. Mr. McClunn was retained by the publicly held company after the acquisition and served as Vice President of Finance for 2 years before joining SpaFinder.

Mr. McClunn serves on the boards of several companies and charitable organizations, and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Mr. McClunn received his B.S degree from La Salle University and an M.A degree from Monmouth University, and has attended Harvard Business School Executive Education programs focusing on entrepreneurial and financial continuing education.
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Bob Feghali joined SpaFinder in 2008 as its chief information officer, bringing more than 28 years of information technology experience and more than 10 years in e-commerce operations. Mr. Feghali oversees and develops SpaFinder's information technology operations with a primary focus on the various SpaFinder e-commerce businesses.

Mr. Feghali previously served as the vice president of business development and chief information officer for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), where he led re-engineering efforts and built the e-commerce operations, positioning it as one of the prominent wholesaler/retailer for code, standards, and regulations. While at ANSI, Mr. Feghali launched the first search engine for standards in 1997 and the first Electronic Standards Store.

During his 11 years at the Institute, he was also a member of the Information Technology Strategy Implementation Group of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and chaired the group from 2002-2006.

Previously, Mr. Feghali held the position of information technology director at Schlumberger's ATE division, and prior to that he served as the chief information officer at Memtek Products, Inc. - Memorex Computer Supplies.

Mr. Feghali holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management and an MBA from California Coast University.

Steve Kane joined SpaFinder in 2007 to head all corporate and retail sales for SpaFinder Gift Certificates and Gift Cards, which represent the world's largest spa gift card/certificate program. He also oversees sales for SpaFinder Gift Collections and other spa products distributed by SpaFinder and its marketing partners.

Mr. Kane's professional experience includes 20+ years of senior executive sales leadership with a strong focus on account management and client relationships. At Schifter + Partners, he was responsible for the launch and sales of three high-profile fashion accessories brands (LAMB, Harajuku Lovers, and Jill Stuart). Prior to Schifter, he launched the handbag division for luggage manufacturer Olivet International. His earlier positions included Vice President, North America for LeSportsac, Inc. and National Sales Manager for Liz Claiborne Small Handbags and Leather Goods.

Mr. Kane attended Bowling Green University, majoring in Business Administration.
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At SpaFinder, Daniel Lizio-Katzen is utilizing his knowledge in online marketing and technology to expand SpaFinder's position as the leading brand in the spa lifestyle category.

Prior to joining SpaFinder in 2006, Mr. Lizio-Katzen served as the Vice President of U.S. Operations at OctopusTravel.com (a Cendant Company) where he was responsible for managing finance, technology, sales, and marketing. During his tenure he overhauled the company's U.S. affiliate program, initiated multimillion-dollar partnerships with leading travel brands, led the design and development of a new eCommerce platform and increased sales by more than 3,000%.

Prior to OctopusTravel.com, Mr. Lizio-Katzen worked in industries ranging from Finance to Telecom, including positions with CitiGroup's Private Bank, Grand Central Communications, and NorthPoint Communications among others.

Mr. Lizio-Katzen holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Computer Science from New York University.
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Milana Knowles joined SpaFinder in 2006 to head up the marketing and development for SpaFinder's network of 3,500+ global day spa marketing partners.

Prior to joining SpaFinder, Ms. Knowles served as General Manager for Manhattan's Avon Salon & Spa, managing all departments and overseeing all marketing and public relations. In that role, she reorganized the existing business structure while successfully marketing and branding a luxury aspect of the Avon brand. Prior to Avon, she served as a Business and Marketing Consultant for New York's Okeanos, where she created and defined a successful high-end, male-only spa concept. In addition, as Vice President of Development at The Greenhouse Spa, she spearheaded all marketing and branding activities, leading the revitalization of the iconic 42-year-old luxury spa brand. Ms. Knowles started her career as a retail executive in the cosmetic and fragrance industry and first made her transition to the spa industry as the Spa Director for Equinox fitness centers.

Originally from Croatia, Ms. Knowles majored in English and Italian at the University of Liberal Arts in Zagreb. She also attended Universita per Stranieri in Perugia (Italy) and Hexagon University in Reading, U.K. She is a member of several professional organizations, including CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) and ISPA.

With extensive strategic marketing experience, particularly in the leisure and lifestyle arenas, Michelle Fiddler brings a broad creative perspective to SpaFinder's media and lifestyle brands. She joined SpaFinder in 2008 as vice president, brand marketing, and is responsible for overseeing marketing activities for the world's leading spa resource.

Ms. Fiddler began her career in book publishing at HarperCollins Publishers and has held senior marketing positions in magazine publishing, home video, independent film, television, and music, with companies such as BMG, AOL and Live Nation. Most recently she built the country music presence on AOL Music, where she provided marketing consulting to Nashville artists and labels, and oversaw marketing for Mariah Carey at Live Nation Artists.

Ms. Fiddler received her B.A. degree from Brandeis University and is an alumna of the Leadership Music program in Nashville, TN.

Sarah Day joined SpaFinder in 2003, bringing with her 25 years of experience in the publishing industry. As vice president of the company's global publishing group, Ms. Day is responsible for overseeing publishing of Luxury SpaFinder Interactive as well as the annual Global SpaFinder Directory.

Prior to joining SpaFinder, Ms. Day held a number of positions in the publishing industry, including managing editor at Latina Magazine and production director of Time Out New York magazine. She also spent 11 years at Sail Magazine in Boston, serving as copy production editor, editorial production manager, distribution manager, and finally production director, as well as the director of Sail's annual buyers' guide. Ms. Day began her publishing career as editorial production manager of Boston Magazine, at the time the number one city/regional magazine in the country for ad lineage.

Ms. Day is a graduate of Wellesley College and received her master's degree in communications from Boston University.
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