MANAGEMENT
At PlattForm, our employees are our greatest asset. And, we think that the people who work here say a lot about the kind of company we are. Perhaps no one speaks more accurately to the type of organization PlattForm is than those who act as mentors, leaders and friends.
PlattForm’s Management is comprised of a team of experts who work to provide guidance, direction and vision. Above all else, they’re people who understand that the greatest objective of all is to serve those who serve you. Take a closer look at a few people you might like to shake hands with.
Michael Platt
Dave Admire
Steve Booth
Brad Gibbs
Tracy Kreikemeier
Mike McHugh
Michael Platt
Title: Chief Executive Officer, Ad Venture Interactive
Joined Company: Day one
Personal Quote:
"There is no success without a successor."
– John C. Maxwell; Author, speaker and leadership expert
Bio:
Michael Platt is the visionary founder of PlattForm Advertising, having started the company in his home in 1989. His determination grew the nearly $200 million business, which works each day to help people improve their lives through education. With the acquisitions of VentureDirect Worldwide, Beauty Schools Directory and several other thriving online businesses, Michael now takes on a larger role providing strategic direction for all divisions of Ad Venture Interactive, the new holding company for all divisions. But at the heart of his job, Michael most loves mentoring dedicated, committed team members. His own dedication and experience serve as a model for success.
Michael is the type of man who wears many hats in his life. Not only has he established a successful business, he is an avid world traveler and a complete sports nut. But above all else, Michael treasures his lovely wife, 4 amazing kids, wonderful daughter-in-law and his grandson (undoubtedly the coolest grandson in the world). Proof positive that Michael knows family is his most precious commodity in life.
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Dave Admire
Title: Chief Executive Officer, PlattForm Advertising
Joined Company: October 1998
Personal Quote:
"My success is actually making someone leaving my room vow to do something that they never dreamed possible, or just perform better than they did when they came in."
– Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi
Bio:
Dave Admire maintains a clear vision of PlattForm's role as the number one agency in the postsecondary marketplace. He works to ensure his clients are on the leading edge of marketing for their schools. In 2008, he stepped into his new role at PlattForm as CEO. In this position, he will continue to ensure the success of the company and its employees. His favorite part of the job comes from helping people reach something in themselves that they didn't know existed.
Dave was born in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but considers his hometown to be Olathe, KS. He loves to spend time with his family and believes family is the cornerstone to success. He is also a KU basketball fan and an avid fly-fisherman. If you can't find him at work or with his family, he's probably on the river.
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Steve Booth
Title: Chief Operations Officer
Joined Company: December 1997
Personal Quote:
"Be strong and courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go."
– Joshua 1:7
Bio:
Steve Booth can attest to the fact that being the Chief Operations Officer for PlattForm is no easy task. Though he's a man of few words, Steve is vital to PlattForm's tremendous success. As the head of the Operations, Human Resources and Business Intelligence groups, Steve makes sure that structure and staffing support the company's growth (from 8 to 300+ in his 10 years). With an educational background in theology and an M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy, it's no wonder that Steve's favorite part of his job is coaching his employees.
But Steve Booth isn't all business. He is the resident Superman fanatic of PlattForm, proudly displaying his memorabilia throughout his office. (The two metal plates in his face, however, make some think that he's vying for the title of the Six Million Dollar Man instead of emulating his favorite hero.) Steve is also a talented musician who loves writing songs and playing the guitar. His greatest love, though, is his family, which includes his wife of 25+ years, Joy, and their 3 sons.
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Brad Gibbs
Title: Chief Growth Officer
Joined Company: August 1999
Personal Quote:
"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them."
– Ann Landers, Advice columnist
Bio:
Brad Gibbs is responsible for making sure PlattForm's services provide clients with the results they deserve. He works closely with clients, ensuring their campaigns are successful. He has provided solutions to thousands of schools, always striving to deliver the best prospects to their doorstep. As CGO, he is constantly looking for new outlets and resources that will ultimately provide clients with additional solutions and lead flow.
A graduate of Fort Hays State, Brad reluctantly admits that his career path was inspired by the Michael J. Fox movie The Secret of My Success. Even so, he loves helping the company grow and improving results for our clients. Brad is also passionate about his family and has a wonderful wife and 2 great kids.
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Tracy Kreikemeier
Title: Chief Marketing Officer
Joined Company: July 2000
Personal Quote:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
– Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States
Bio:
Overseeing the Client Services and PR & Marketing divisions of PlattForm is only part of Tracy Kreikemeier's job. She is very involved in forming strategies for PlattForm clients, and she often travels for client visits. As CMO, she is also responsible for guaranteeing consistent sales and marketing materials. Perhaps most importantly, she works diligently to develop the talents of others. Her favorite part of her job is the people, both her PlattForm coworkers and the company's clients.
It's an understatement to say that Tracy is a people person. She will make great sacrifices for those she cares about, a quality demonstrated by the fact that she has been a bridesmaid 11 times. Although she has been transplanted to Kansas, she is a fierce Husker who loves Nebraska and everything about the state. In her spare time, she loves reading, running, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
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Mike McHugh
Title: Chief Interactive Officer
Joined Company: June 1999
Personal Quote:
"Go, fight, win!"
- Cheerleaders across the continent
Bio:
As CIO, Mike is responsible for the lead generation, revenue and profitability of PlattForm interactive marketing. Though it is a big undertaking, Mike is certainly up to the challenge. In fact, under Mike's direction, the Interactive team at PlattForm has hit record highs and consistently exceeded prior years' results. Mike credits this to the focus and experience of the employees and their ability to form effective partnerships with clients and vendors. Mike continues to push his employees to new heights by learning and teaching new, better ways to do things.
Mike's innovative spirit is what took him up the ranks at PlattForm. Now often under the spell of his BlackBerry, Mike still makes sure to take time to maintain his "die-hard fan" status for KU basketball. Though he sometimes watches the games at home with his cat, Snoop, he also likes to share in the frenetic game-watching atmosphere at the bars. And on that note, Mike would like to share that everyone should feel free to buy him a beer – anytime.
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