Tony Sapienza’s background includes agency, corporate communications and journalism experience. He served as president of Miller/Shandwick Technologies, one of the world’s leading PR firms, and was global technology practice leader for Weber Shandwick Worldwide. He has worked with emerging companies and start-ups, more mature firms and established industry leaders such as Compaq Computer Corp., Sharp Electronics and Hewlett-Packard. In his 11 years with Miller and Weber Shandwick, Tony headed one of the agency’s most successful operations, with clients ranging from enterprise IT to consumer technology. He also launched the agency’s worldwide technology practice that helped clients across geographic markets, in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Tony has provided communications and management counsel and hands-on support in a broad range of areas, including communications strategy development, messaging and positioning, message training, business and trade media relations, investor relations, industry analyst relations and interactive communications.

Paula Slotkin has more than 20 years of experience in planning, managing and implementing communications programs in markets ranging from financial services to computer hardware and software to IT services. Paula has led a number of multi-functional teams, working to increase constituency awareness of businesses and their product/service offerings and management teams. She has managed a broad range of communications functions, including media and analyst relations, investor relations, employee communications, executive communications and product publicity. During her tenure at Computervision, Paula reshaped the public perception of the firm from an also-ran to a vibrant CAD/CAM industry player, leading to the eventual purchase of the company by Parametric Technology Company. In addition to Computervision, Paula has held worldwide marketing communications management positions with MicroTouch and Plaut Consulting and other companies driving into new markets and transitioning their businesses. She previously held senior communications positions with Apollo, DG, Fidelity Investments and the Open Software Foundation.

Ann Dalrymple is a writer, editor, creative director and strategic thinker with more than 20 years of client and agency experience managing corporate communications programs for technology companies, financial service businesses and not-for-profit organizations. She works with clients to develop and deliver communications messages, strategies and programs that promote the technical and business advantages of client products and processes. She joined Topaz from GlassHouse Technologies, where she managed marketing communications and pr. She previously held senior positions at Upstream LLC, the Open Software Foundation, VMark Software, Honeywell, and a number of technology start-ups.

Tom Francoeur has extensive experience in media relations, marketing writing, and marketing campaign development, working in corporate environments and in a client services capacity with marketing communications agencies. In his most recent position, Tom led media relations outreach for Global Insight’s energy consulting group, securing analyst quotes and company coverage in Financial Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and the Associated Press. He also designed and implemented marketing campaigns for a wide variety of Global Insight consulting group studies, products and services. Prior to Global Insight, Tom worked as a public relations account executive with The Portico Group and Collaborative Communications, managing multiple accounts for established and emergency technology companies, including Trellix Corporation, International Data Group, Programming Research, Crossbeam Systems, OneSource Information Services, and ScanSoft, Inc. He has secured coverage for his clients in Business Week, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune Small Business, Business 2.0, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, Mass High Tech, BtoB, Technology Marketing, and Sales & Marketing Management.

Amy Krigman is a seasoned public relations professional with more than a decade of technology and consumer public relations experience. Since joining Topaz Partners in 2002, Amy has managed public relations efforts for a variety of technology and B2B clients including ANSYS, Precise Software, RuleStream and W.A. Wilde Company. Prior to Topaz, she spent over three years at Weber Shandwick Worldwide (formerly Miller/Shandwick Technologies) where she worked with technology companies such as M/A-COM, Segue Software, Solid Data Systems and Tecnomatix Technologies. Amy also worked as a media specialist at Cone, Inc., where she focused exclusively on media relations activities for a variety of brand name consumer accounts. Prior to her public relations career, Amy worked as a news producer at WMUR-TV in New Hampshire.

Wendie Larkin has more than fifteen years experience in marketing, corporate communications, public relations, in technology, manufacturing and public affairs. She has led key initiatives that improved brand identity, public awareness and strategic messaging. Prior to joining Topaz Partners in 2007, Wendie was senior public relations manager at IDG’s NetworkWorld, corporate communications consultant at Cognex Corp and communications and government relations director at NETAAC. Wendie has successfully secured articles in high profile publications such as Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN, FOX TV, Investor’s Business Daily, International Herald Tribune, Agence France Press, London Times, Forbes and Fortune magazines as well as broadcasts on CNN, CNBC, FOX TV and TechTV. She received the Superstar Award for Crisis Communications in 2001.

Kammie Lombardi has over 14 years of public relations and marketing communications experience on both the agency and corporate sides of business. She has held account service positions at B2B agencies, concentrating on developing and executing public relations programs for global corporations. Some of her responsibilities included media relations strategy and outreach, managing press events and tradeshow public relations programs, as well as securing speaking opportunities and writing public relations materials. Kammie comes to Topaz Partners from Catalyst, a B2B brand consultancy in Providence, RI. She also served as an Internet Marketing Specialist for GTECH Corporation, a lottery systems supplier, where she managed internal and external marketing communications for the company's Internet gaming division, as well as provided marketing and software support for GTECH's eCRM offering to lottery customers. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BA in Journalism, Kammie was a reporter and an assistant editor for local newspapers at the start of her career.

Alison joined Topaz Partners in 2006 and has handled speaker opportunities and awards for several Topaz clients in the marketing services, IT security, and wireless areas. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Sarah Thomas has background in public relations, marketing and communications. Prior to joining Topaz Partners, Sarah worked for a division of Bertelsmann media worldwide, where she served as a marketing and communications coordinator. She previously worked for West Virginia University’s School of Journalism as both a public relations liaison and an academic advisor. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism, emphasis in public relations from West Virginia University.

Greg Venne has extensive experience in all areas of public relations, corporate communications and marketing services. He has created, directed and managed award-winning communications programs for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, major universities and government agencies. At Topaz Partners, Greg works with clients covering a broad scope of business and consumer technology areas. Most recently, he has focused on client companies in Internet mobility, mobile messaging and technology consulting. Greg joined Topaz Partners after serving as President of Lexington PR Group, a full service communications firm representing technology, consumer and education clients, including Boston University, PTC, Individual.com and APPS.com. Greg has held senior positions with Golin/Harris International and Cone Communications, where he developed, implemented and managed public relations programs for companies including MediaOne, Gillette, Nortel Networks and Kimberly-Clark. He directed worldwide public relations for Polaroid, responsible for two of the companies most successful global product launches. Earlier in his career, Greg served as press secretary in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office and in the Boston Mayor’s Office.

Renatta Siewert graduated with honors from Salem State University (SSU) in 2010 with a bachelor of science in communications and English. Prior to joining Topaz Partners in 2010, Renatta worked at the investor relations firm Sharon Merrill Associates. She also worked as a staff writer for the SSU newspaper.

Justin Martell graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2010 with a bachelor of science in communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. Prior to joining Topaz Partners in 2010, Justin worked in marketing at The New England Patriots/New England Revolution assisting in promotions and sales.

Liz O'Donnell has more than 20 years of PR and marketing experience and puts this background and her communications skills to work to help companies and individuals tell their unique stories. In addition to her PR agency work on behalf of both technology and consumer clients, she was the head of marketing for a green building company, where she developed an integrated marketing and communications plan that drove business growth. Liz is also an avid writer -- her byline has appeared in The Boston Globe Magazine, Gatehouse Media News Service, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Skirt, and she'll often blog about topics that spark her interest.

With more than 5 years of public relations experience, Michael adds a fresh perspective to traditional PR and communication methods. Some of his responsibilities include social media research, media outreach, researching/managing tradeshow public relations programs and securing speaking opportunities. Michael Sapienza joined Topaz Partners as a full-time staffer in 2009 after several internships with Topaz while a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations. Since joining Topaz, Michael has worked with clients in mobile, IT management and semiconductor technology, handling media and analyst relations, speaking opportunity research and other program activities. Through modern PR methods, Michael has successfully secured coverage with several prestigious media outlets such as FOX News, MSNBC and Examiner.