Management and Advisors

Management

Dean Macri, Founder and CEO

Dean is founder and CEO of Boston-based Cielo Mobile, a single-source mobile technology and marketing services agency. 

With the evolution of higher-speed cellular networks and multimedia handsets, Dean positioned Cielo in 2004 to become the first company to stream mobile video in the US through applications for Major League Baseball and the NBA.  Today, Cielo, under Dean’s direction, solves the four marketing challenges in mobile: consumer discovery, sustained adoption, mass-market reach, and visibility into carrier-controlled subscribers.

Prior to founding Cielo, Dean held executive positions at two earlier wireless companies; LiveSky, a mobile Field Force Automation and Customer Relationship Management pioneer, and Vast Solutions, an Enterprise Messaging service provider.  He has more than 20 years of experience in technology and consumer-facing applications, holding sales and business-development positions at Business Objects, MultiTrak and CompuServe.

A recognized thought leader in mobile, Dean helps clients build relationships across the mobile channel, utilizing both the highly personal nature of the cell phone and its ability for building “content communities” in which consumers willingly participate.

A frequent industry speaker, Dean moderated a panel at Ad:Tech entitled: “Traditional Gets a Digital Infusion from Mobile” and gave two presentations at Mobile Internet World including “Learning to Profit Through Anywhere Advertising.”  Other speaking engagements include the Mobile Entertainment Summit and Promo mobile webcasts.    

A 1983 graduate of the University of Connecticut in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and Business Finance, Dean resides in Wellesley, Mass. with his wife and focus group – his two sons.

Steven Feldman, Marketing Vice President and Business Development

Steven has expertise in interactive marketing and Customer Relationship Management from prior marketing positions.  He was involved with four software startups with successful exits, including Vality Technology (acquired by Ascential Software), Exchange Applications, which he helped through an IPO, and Onaro Inc, bought by Network Appliance. 

His hands-on style and experience, well suited for start-up firms, traverses all aspects of marketing, public relations and analyst relations. He is a magna cum laude Journalism graduate of Northeastern University and began his high-tech marketing career at Digital Equipment Corp. and Data General.  While living in Boston, he continues to root for New York sports franchises.

Karolee Aspin, Controller

Well suited for start-ups, Karolee brings to Cielo her blend of expertise in finance, HR and operations. She is responsible for all financial, accounting and administrative functions at Cielo. Her previous start-up experience includes Phase Forward, now a 300-person software manufacturer for the pharmaceutical industry. Karolee was Phase Forward’s Controller during its start-up and through two rounds of funding. 

Karolee has also held Controller positions at Prescient Technologies, a Boston-based software start -up and division of Stone & Webster with $5 million in revenue and 40 employees; and Vermeer Technologies, where she reported to Vermeer’s CEO during start-up and through its acquisition by Microsoft in 1996. She holds an MBA from Anna Maria College and a BA from Worcester State College.

Blair Winans, Creative Design Director

Blair is responsible for graphical design of Cielo’s mobile applications.  His marketing experience has focused on building or repositioning brands through design and communications.  Blair has worked for several high-profile creative agencies in Boston, where he accumulated experience with a variety of businesses and organizations such as Dunkin' Donuts, Harvard University, The City of Boston, Hewlett-Packard, and Houghton-Mifflin.  His work has won numerous design awards.

He received his degree in Communications, Advertising and Public Relations from Boston University's School of Communication.

Advisors

David Alschuler

David is the former Senior Vice President of Aberdeen Group’s eBusiness and Enterprise Applications Research practice. David brings to Cielo a proven start-up-to-IPO track record. Previously, David held senior marketing leadership positions at Xchange Applications, developer of marketing software and marketing data warehouse services; Kendall Square Research, manufacturer of parallel processors; and Parametric Corporation.

David brings to Cielo expertise in market positioning, branding, market research and commercialization. He has guided Cielo’s business-development plans, contract negotiations, and partnerships. He holds a Masters degree from Harvard University and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Oberlin College.

John Hession

John has received numerous awards as “best VC lawyer” and “best corporate lawyer.”  He is a partner in the Venture Capital Financings and Emerging Companies practice groups and a member of the Cooley Godward Kronish Business department. He is partner in charge of the Boston office and joined the firm in 2007.

John represents emerging-growth companies, including telecommunications, as well as angels and venture capital funds in the investment process. His practice includes  start-up and public company work and mergers and acquisitions.

A frequent lecturer, John has authored several books and articles on venture capital financings, public offerings, strategic alliances and technology licensing.  He was an adjunct professor at Boston College Law School and Boston University Law School. 

He received his law degree, cum laude, from Boston College Law School, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame.