Speaker Bios

Mike Balcom-Vetillo

When Mike opened Balcom-Vetillo Design, a full service advertising agency, in 1989, the focus was on printed marketing collateral and advertising. Now, more than half of the agency’s time is spent on web site development and site enhancement. The company’s web expertise has developed from single page text sites to interactive social networking business sites. And as the agency has grown in experience, so too has its ability to serve clients.

The agency’s on-going client base is a diverse mixture of corporations and local businesses. Corporate clients include Chesapeake Pharmaceutical Packaging (New York), Cotton Inc. (N. Carolina), Hawkeye Steel (Iowa), US Cellular, Ajinomoto, Petersen Aluminum, Becker Coatings (all Chicago), AGCO (Batavia), Metalmaster-Roofmaster, SnoGem (both McHenry), Toll Packaging (Gibson City), and many others.

Locally, the agency works with the Kane County Health Department, Ben Gordon Center, Mike Mooney Autogroup, Advanced Family Eyecare, Illinois Association of Public Procurement Officials, Hintzsche Oil, Cady Aquastore, District 428, Ken Spears Construction, Penniall Dental, and many others.

Mike has served as the Corporate Promotion Manager for American Broadcasting Co.’s publishing division, and as senior copywriter for both the Wurlizter Company and DeKalb Ag Research. He holds a degree in Journalism from NIU and lives in rural Paw Paw.

Balcom-Vetillo Design, Inc.
529 East Locust
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-3216
www.Balcom-Vetillo.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/balcomvetillo
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/balcomvetillo
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/balcomvetillodesign

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeKalb-IL/Balcom-Vetillo-Design-Inc/171002338165

Ralph DeStefano

As an intuitive designer, animator and video professional, Ralph De Stefano was bitten by the Internet bug in 1993, when he created his first informational website as a research professional at Northwestern University’s Institute for the Learning Sciences. Since then, he has broadened his capabilities in advertising and marketing, corporate communications, web design and search engine optimization by working with a wide range of clients including Target, Anderson Consulting, Ameritech, AT&T, IBM, Diamond Management and Technology Consultants, Sears, Sentinel Investments, Mesirow Financial, Sterno Group and Cars.com.

Since founding Direct Response Web Solutions in 2002, Ralph has created innovative, engaging and effective lead generating online marketing websites for hundreds of clients in the areas of non-profit organizations, staffing agencies, financial institutions, tourism and hospitality, retail and e-commerce, education, manufacturing and agri-tourism

Locally, Ralph De Stefano has worked with Banner Up Signs, Huskies Den, NIU College of Engineering, NIU College of Education, DeKalb Park District, Moxie, Egyptian Theatre, Ellwood House, Jonamac Orchard, Discover Sycamore, Wiltse’s Greenhouse and Produce, and Povlsen for Mayor.

Ralph is currently a DeKalb Chamber of Commerce board member, and has served on the DeKalb Education Foundation and Wright Elementary PTO boards as well. He worked closely with Lisa Wilcox on the ReNew Our Schools campaign and is always looking for new ways to give back to his adopted hometown.

Direct Response Web Solutions is a:
• Better Business Bureau A+ Rated company
• Better Business Bureau Complaint Free Award recipient for 2006 – 2009
• Top Ten Most Dependable Web Design Firms of the Central Region by Goldline Research.
• Gold Medal Winner Retail Innovation – Gifts & Decorative Accessories Magazine

Website: http://www.drwebsolutions.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ralphdestefano
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphdestefano
Twitter: http://twitter.com/drwebsolutions

Lisa G. Wilcox

Lisa Wilcox opened Web Girl Consulting in May of 2000. Lisa started the firm to transition from a 10 year career in Critical Care Nursing. The focus initially was on small business static web design, usability consulting, and desktop software training. Lisa’s expertise has since grown from static web design to dynamic, interactive web design, database development, custom application development, graphic design and identity, social media and email marketing, as well as Oracle Content Management System.

Lisa’s clientele varies from small businesses and churches to medium-sized corporations and non-profits, municpal and state government agencies and local businesses and politicians. Her clients include: US Chrome Corporate of Connecticut, Texas Branch of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, American Indian Center of Chicago, EarthHeart Aromatheraphy and Forward Motion Motorcross-Eric Gorr.

Locally, Web Girl works with Conexion Communidad, DeKalb Park District, DeKalb Corn Fest, Re:New DeKalb, Ben Gordon Center, DeKalb County Association of Human Resource Managers, DeKalb County Marine Corps League, Clay Campbell - Candidate for DeKalb County State's Attorney, All-Star Heating, and NIU Wrestling just to name a few.

Lisa is very active in her community; she currently sits on the board of directors for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and DeKalb Corn Fest, and has been involved with a number of community projects such as American Legion Post #312, Re:New DeKalb, Communiversity Cares, ReNew our Schools, Huskies on Parade, Chicago Women in Technology, DigitalEve Chicago, UUFD Fair Trade Market. Lisa resides in DeKalb with her husband Edward, son Devon, and daughter Briana.

Web Girl Consulting, Inc.
110 S. First Street, Suite 6
DeKalb, IL 60115

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WebGirlConsulting
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/webgirl
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WebGirl_Lisa