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OUR TEAMOur team shares a strong passion for achieving what the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE aims to do, namely to introduce a new generation of affordable, safe and desirable vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and that reduce our dependence on oil and stem the effects of climate change. While we are a small group of capable mavericks, we cannot achieve our goals without the incredible relationships and support we currently have and continue to build.
Before bringing her process-driven expertise to the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, Cristin was the Director of Operations for X1 Technologies, helping the desktop search company develop its innovative software and grow from 0 to 40 employees from 2002 to 2006. Before X1, Cristin worked on several ground-breaking startup companies at Idealab, including Energy Innovations, Omnilux, and XBeams. She also managed Idealab's knowledge management and intranet efforts. Cristin was part of the Leadership and Organizational Development group at Times Mirror before it was bought by Tribune Company in 2000. She started her career in Advertising Operations at the Los Angeles Times. Cristin holds a BA in History with a minor in Anthropology from UCLA.
John has a mix of scientific, engineering, business, and political experience. He spent 17 years as a research scientist and Branch Head at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, where he was responsible for numerous innovations in computer architecture, software engineering, information theory, and signal processing. His technical publications include 24 peer-reviewed papers, as well as more than 50 reports and conference papers. He holds a U.S. patent in the field of parallel computing, and he published a general-audience book on computing. John was the Founder and served variously as CEO, CTO, and Vice Chairman of Entropic, Inc., a software company that specialized in speech coding, speech synthesis, and speech recognition technology. Entropic was acquired by Microsoft in late 1999. Since then, John worked as an independent consultant (technology and business development), and he served for a year and a half as Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy. John holds a B.S. in Physics from Yale and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Maryland.
Vanessa joins the PIAXP from MTV where she created and executed convergent sales and marketing packages across all MTV branded screens by partnering with programming, integrated marketing, consumer promotions and other key departments. These sponsor specific programs delivered measurable ROI for advertisers across all major youth categories. Prior to MTV, she spent nine years at CBS where she was the programming executive responsible for NFL-related time on the Network and served as divisional liaison to Viacom's cable networks developing programming, new media and promotional opportunities including; Ricky Martin's Super Bowl Saturday Night, MTV's Super Bowl and March Madness Uncensored, TRL and Rock ‘N Jock at Super Bowl, Nickelodeon Takes Over the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII Halftime shows with MTV. She was also instrumental in all new media efforts for the division including negotiating the agreement to produce and promote NFL.com with partners AOL and Sportsline.com, the re-launch of the official NCAA Sports website and the first ever video streaming of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. She began her career at International Management Group where she developed and sold commercial inventory, programming and sponsorship packages. Vanessa is a graduate of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY with a B.A. in Asian Studies.
Julie Zona comes to the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE team with fifteen years of experience in the automotive industry. With her early years spent working in environmental coordination at Mayco Plastics, then Chrysler Corporation, she soon turned her focus to product development. With a career spanning more than thirteen years at Chrysler, Julie held a variety of positions including roles in manufacturing, vehicle development, product planning/strategy, Dodge marketing, and program management for current and future Chrysler programs. Most recently she worked at Saleen Inc. as the Director of Marketing and Program Planning, with responsibility for planning and overseeing the execution of all current Saleen and Racecraft programs from concept to launch. Julie holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Detroit. She is a native of Michigan, and will represent the X PRIZE team from an office outside of Detroit.
Mark has a 15-year record of achievement in content development, educational publishing, and program management. As Director of Sponsored Programs, he supported Intel Education’s K–12 worldwide philanthropic initiatives, including the Intel Learn Program, a partnership between governments and non-governmental agencies that helps youth in emerging nations develop 21st century skills, focusing on digital literacy, critical thinking, and collaboration. Mark also served as Editorial Director, Middle and High School Education for Scholastic, as VP, Content and Programming for ThinkBox, as VP, Education for Futurekids, and as a public school teacher. He has contributed to numerous publications and presented to audiences on 5 continents. Mark holds a BS in Human Development and Social Policy from Northwestern University, a MA in Teaching from National College of Education, and a MA in Communications Management from USC.
Bethann comes to the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE after spending the past few years as a marketing consultant. In this capacity, she was responsible for the product lines and services of a variety of niche market companies including ChinaSprout, PowerSupportUSA, Rendezvous Entertainment, and The Moving Doctor, among others. She began her career in the music industry, working in music publishing and artist management. In 1994, foreseeing the potential of the Internet as a marketing tool, Bethann succeeded in bringing her clients into the digital age. This pioneering work brought consumer and critical accolades for her clients, which were viewed as industry innovators. Bethann holds a BA in Broadcasting from Pepperdine University and an MBA in eBusiness from the University of Phoenix.
David comes to the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE having worked in the Film and Television industry for the past several years. Most recently working as a Coordinator in the physical production department of Sony Pictures Television, he helped oversee the production of more than twenty TV Movie and Mini-Series (including TNT's "The Company," A&E's "Broken Trail,", and ABC's remake of "Raisin in the Sun"). Prior to his tenure at Sony, David freelanced in the production arena working on a number of well-respected TV programs (scripted, live & reality programming), feature films (both studio and independently funded) as well as music videos and commercials. David holds a BA in Television Production with a minor in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
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