About Tech Cocktail

Frank Gruber (@FrankGruber) is an entrepreneur and new media journalist focused on sharing his Web product expertise and analysis on Web 2.0, social media and emerging technologies in articles and videos online. His works have been featured in TechCrunch, iMediaConnection, ReadWriteWeb Network and on his popular personal tech blog, Somewhat Frank, which he kept religiously from June 2005 till December 2009 when he redirected energies towards building the Tech Cocktail digital media business, which he co-founded in 2006.

Frank has been dubbed by the Washingtpost Post and LATimes as a “digital nomad” for his on the go work anywhere and everywhere lifestyle. Frank has been listed as a blogger every Isreali startup should know by the Isreali publication, The Marker. Frank was named one of 100 DC Tech Titans by Washingtonian Magazine in May 2009 and May 2011. Frank is also one of Forbes Top 20 Most Media Connected in Tech.

Frank co-founded Tech Cocktail in Chicago (Frank’s hometown – Go Cubs!) in 2006 to help better connect and amplify the local technology signal and have some fun doing it. Since 2006, Tech Cocktail has grown to become a media company offering technology news, events and community-powered projects open to technology enthusiasts, entrepreneurs & professionals interested in the latest technology innovations.

Frank has experience bootstrapping on a variety of start-up endeavors. Frank is a co-founder of Shiny Heart Ventures, a technology start-up focused on building community driven products that remind people of the joys of life. Shiny Heart Ventures first product, Thankfulfor.com is an online gratitude journaling community that has been praised by CNN, TechCrunch and CBS News among others. Shiny Heart Ventures is also co-producer of Digital Capital Week (@DCWEEK), a 10 day festival in Washington DC focused on technology, innovation and all things digital in our nation’s capital.

Frank was formerly a product strategist and evangelist for the Aol social networking group, which included such products as AIM, SocialThing, Goowy, Bebo and ICQ with a focus on communications and lifestreaming products. Frank was instrumental in connecting Aol with a number of industry experts, media and start-ups (some of which were acquired by Aol). Frank’s previous team was also responsible for the launch of the widget driven myAOL personalized homepage/startpage product in 2007. Frank departed Aol right before the Aol spinoff January 1, 2010 (as covered by TechCrunch).

Frank currently lives in Washington, D.C. but travels a lot as he circles the globe speaking, hosting events and helping entrepreneurs, startups and technology communities amplify their local technology signal.

You can contact Frank by email at: frank [at] techcocktail dot com

Jen Consalvo (@noreaster) is Co-Founder, COO and Editor of the tech-focused media company, Tech Cocktail, as well as the Founder of Thankfulfor, an online gratitude journal community. She has worked in product development for over a decade, leading large and small teams in a range of product areas such as digital imaging, community & social platforms and personalization. The majority of her career was at AOL, planning and building products used by millions of people globally.

Her deep network across the global technology community enabled her to introduce many entrepreneurs to AOL resulting in interesting new relationships and in some cases, multi-million dollar acquisitions. The most enjoyable part of her role was working together to find areas of potential partnership with these young companies.

Consalvo is also co-producer of Digital Capital Week (@DCWEEK), a week-long festival in Washington DC focused on technology, innovation and all things digital in our nation’s capital. DCWEEK 2011 attracted over ten thousand people.

Jen was named a 2011 Tech Titan by Washingtonian Magazine, was featured in DC Modern Luxury Magazine in “The Smart Set”, in the Washington Post cover story “Digital Nomads Choose Their Tribes” and also in the Huffington Post story “What is Work? Cutting Yourself Free With Heart“. Over the past few years, Jen’s products have been featured in such places as WashingtonPost, TechCrunch, CNET, Mashable and more.

Outside of the tech world, photography, travel and health are her passions.  Jen’s photography has most recently been published in The Washington Post, MetroMix, Flavor: Piedmont Magazine of Virginia and KnoxvilleBiz.com. Her new book, Love Your Photos: A Simple Guide To Photographic Happiness is available now.

You can contact Jen by email at: jen [at] techcocktail dot com

Monika Jansen is a writer and editor who is happiest pounding out blog posts, website content, and other materials for her partners and clients, which are mostly startups, tech companies, and professional services firms.

Monika has more than 12 years of marketing and corporate communications experience at companies as varied as a high-tech start-up (which survived the dot com bubble, but sadly no longer exists), a chef/hospitality placement service, and a small, international arts education non-profit. She was also a personal chef for a while, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.

When she is not hunched over her laptop, she hangs out with her friends and family, sits on the beach with a good book, snowboards, experiments in the kitchen, travels, and laughs as much as possible.

You can find Monika on Twitter @monikacjansen

Mary Ellen Delaney (@MEOS) is an accomplished Digital Media Evangelist with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and extensive experience in cross platform strategy, operations, sales and marketing. She served most recently as a Consultant with Burst Media’s adConductor ad management platform where she focused on building strategic alliances with major media companies and multi-site publishers.

Previously Mary Ellen led an eMedia Solutions Sales Team for Reed Business Information’s Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Vertical. Mary Ellen is a classically trained marketer and has ten years of integrated marketing and media experience with Time Warner (Publishing, Magazines, Cable Programming, Online), also working for AOL Media Networks in a Senior Sales Solutions group where she spearheaded the discovery, development and direction of major online advertising opportunities for AOL Sales.

Prior to her work with AOL, Mary Ellen directed local consumer marketing for MediaOne, AT&T Broadband and Comcast. She led several key areas of focus which included acquisition upgrade marketing, branding and partnership marketing, cross channel online management, and promotional management. Mary Ellen holds a BA from Simmons College, Boston, Mass. Outside of her passion for technology and mentoring, Mary Ellen loves travel, live music events, theatre, the ocean and supporting higher education initiatives.

You can contact Mary Ellen by email at: Maryellen [at] techcocktail dot com.

Julia Labandz Fischer is a Chicago based events planner and designer; known as an artistic visionary for her passion and ability to create a truly memorable occasion. She began her career while living in San Diego, working for Fortune 500 company, Yahoo!, in the Search Marketing Sales Technology division, where she perfected her entrepreneurial skills and sales techniques in the professional world.  During her free time, she volunteered at Urban Kitchen Catering.  It was working there that cemented her love for event planning.  In 2007, Julia studied Food and Beverage Management at Kendall College and obtained in- depth industry knowledge concerning the most efficient ways to conceive, organize and execute special events, corporate receptions, lavish galas and charity functions.  She also acquired insight on maintaining event budgets, site transformation, menu proposals, and creating a custom designed event experience.

As Tech Cocktail’s Event Coordinator, Julia assists in creating events that showcase the technological contributions from up and coming as well as established professionals; offering the latest in community- powered projects, technology news, events, and information. Julia’s devotion to harmonizing her extensive special events knowledge, impeccable style, and attention to detail, ensures that each event will be a successful and worry free affair.

You can contact Julia by email at: julia [at] techcocktail dot com