Smiles Included

Susan Hustace (Co-Founder/President Content)has been a serial entrepreneur since 1995 with a focus on animation, digital art, interface design and real estate investment. Over the last three years she helped build and run Robot-Tractor.com, an e-commerce toy store. Her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas and many years of additional training and education, combined with 12 years of entrepreneurial experience will be a valuable asset during the development stages of SmilesIncluded.com. Susan created the SmilesIncluded name and logo design, and helped develop and refine the site concept, mission/goals, organization, specifications, and business strategies. She will be the primary interface with our development team on design and functionality to ensure that the site supports our objective of providing an unparalleled user experience that is both compelling and enjoyable.

Ernest Tarango (Co-Founder/President Marketing)is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Early in his career, he worked for Federal Express, starting off as a box handler and advancing to Dangerous Goods Agent and Team Leader. In 2000, Ernest began working for M Industries, where he used his FedEx experience to service M Industries’ many routes. M Industries owner began teaching Ernest the business. In 2004, when M Industries was sold to Susan Hustace, she saw Ernest’s value to the business and brought him on as a full business partner.“It was a dream come true,” says Ernest, “when I was able to become a partner, and growing our business was always exciting. I look forward to using my entrepreneurial experience to launch our new company, SmilesIncluded. And as I parent, I know the value of talking to other parents, and hearing what they have to say about all the children’s products there are to choose from. That’s what SmilesIncluded is all about.”

Kathy Murray (Sr. Project Manager) brings an impressive skill set to her work at SmilesIncluded. Her 25 years work experience includes a strong background in customer service, marketing, personnel management and finance, as well as excellent communication skills honed as CFO for a prestigious private school in California’s wine country.Her educational background includes coursework in computer science and communication. She is also a parent and grandparent, and brings her hard-won knowledge of what kids like to her job senior projects manager at SmilesIncluded!

Lynn Rosenblum (Industry Advisor)has worked in the toy industry for 20 years. Lynn’s enthusiasm and commitment have established her as the unofficial industry “go to” resource. Her expertise has worked magic for many industry leaders and kid marketers such as Berchet, Brio, Educational Insights, Ertl, Frito Lay, Lionel Trains, Mattel, Overbreak, Playmates Toys, Spinmaster and many others. Lynn offers unsurpassed expertise and experience in marketing, product development, customer service, advertising, packaging evaluation, promotions, inventors, licensing, focus groups, trade showroom development, retail service, education and mentoring.

Christopher Campbell (Sr. Director of Business)is a Consumer Products leader with over 20 years experience in marketing in the toy industry, having served as Vice President of Marketing for Mattel and Tyco, among other companies. In addition to industry leaders Mattel and Tyco, he has worked for such powerhouses as Hasbro and K’NEX, and has successfully turned around lagging brands such as Lincoln Logs, Viewmaster, and Magna Doodle. He is well known in the industry for his marketing successes, his passion for new products, and his innovative and successful consumer research concepts.

Randy Nargi (Sr. Director, Video Content)brings nearly 20 years of marketing expertise to the SmilesIncluded team. As VP of Marketing for Classmates Online, Nargi helped the company reach net income profitability for the first time by repositioning them as a viable online community. In addition to his work as a senior-level marketing executive, Nargi is also a skilled writer, producer, and web designer, and has written and produced dozens of ads for television, radio, and print. His clients have included General Mills, Proctor&Gamble, Bank of America/Seafirst Bank, and Earthbound Farm. With his passion for online start-ups and his diverse marketing and advertising skills, Randy will be a valuable addition to both our Marketing and Video teams.

Lisa McKendall (Public Relations) is a communications professional with more than 20 years experience developing strategic public relations and marketing communications campaigns specializing in branding and consumer products. McKendall Communications has developed and implemented strategic public relations programs for a variety of clients within the toy, kid, and consumer tech industries.

Patrick Nelson (Creative Operations Manager / Producer)will be helping guide SI’s video review production team. Patrick holds an MBA from UNM; he is additionally qualified to spearhead the SI production team by his several years’ entrepreneurial experience. Patrick successfully guided B Sting Entertainment from inception, through initial funding, to successful enterprise. His particular strengths include delivering film and video projects on time and on budget, and creating and disseminating marketing and PR materials. He is skilled at overseeing all aspects of a demanding video production schedule, including staff and budget management.

Laura Davila (Product Search and User Experience Manager)Laura will assure ease-of-use and visitor satisfaction for SmilesIncluded. She is qualified by a Bachelor’s Degree in Bilingual Elementary Education as well as practical experience working with parents and children together in educational settings. She also has several years experience working with very young children in play settings, giving her special insight into the toys and products parents and children most enjoy using.

Rajeev Nirmalakhandan (Interactive and Communications Manager)is a graduate of the prestigious UCLA Film School. Rajeev has written, edited and directed numerous film and video projects, from feature-length productions, to commercials, to award-winning dramatic shorts. He has worked at such powerhouse studios as DreamWorks SKG and Universal Studios, and has proven his ability to create imaginative, engaging videos dealing with a wide range of subjects. His creative vision will be instrumental to achieving the SI review team’s goals.

Ben La Marcajoins SmilesIncluded as Director of Photography. He began his professional photojournalism career at age seventeen when he received a New Mexico Press Award while working at The Lordsburg Liberal, for the nation’s youngest newspaper publisher, Jason Watkins. He has been a camera operator on feature film “Wicked Lake”, commercial shoots for Hyundai and Bed Head Hair among others, as on music videos and live TV broadcasts of sporting events. His still photography experience includes newspaper photojournalism and marketing. At SI, Ben will be in charge of providing still images to augment and enhance our editorial content.

Marcy Buffington (Sr. Editor) is SmilesIncluded.com’s editor. Her educational background includes Masters Degrees in English and Anthropology, and two years as a Stegner Fellow in Writing at Stanford University. She held the Texas Institute of Letters Dobie-Paisano Fellowship and her work has appeared in numerous literary publications. Her practical experience includes teaching writing at Southwestern University and 10 years as Editor of a consumer-interest automotive publication. She began writing for the toy and baby industries in 2005. She is a homeschooling parent and advocate, and creates curriculum and facilitates classes for educational cooperatives.

Elizabeth Warren (Editor) brings creativity, enthusiasm, and an impressive background in writing to SmilesIncluded. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence with a BA in English, Elizabeth worked as the Marketing Content Manager for Wayport.com, a leading high-speed wireless Internet provider. She also has many years experience as a music educator in public schools, in the private sector, and with special needs children. Elizabeth brings a unique combination of practical skills, education, and work experience to her position as editor at SI.

John Abreu holds an English degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He has wide experience working in customer service, inventory control and cost reduction measures in the semiconductor industry, and in creating text documenting in-house operations. This facility with language and ability to work on a team is combined with John’s life-long enthusiasm for toys and games. John is also a grandparent of two lively young children, who are eager to act as toy-testers and consultants.

Katie Winfrey is a home schooling mother of two. She holds a degree in Anthropology from The University of Kansas. She has designed and implemented curriculum for several educational cooperatives, and has served as instructor for many others. She has experience as an educator of children of all ages, and has a strong retail background in children’s literature. Katie also provides respite care for foster families in need.

Carol Farley has a BA from the University of Kansas in Theatre and Media Arts/Film Studies. She is the recipient of several awards on scholarships for her academic work, and is experienced in creating both text and video content for magazines, trade shows, and special events. As a parent and educator, she has created, organized and facilitated educational activities for large and small groups of children, surrounding topics such as physics, literature, and history. Carol also created and moderates an on-line support group for home school parents in Central Texas, which has grown to include over 400 active members.

Cindy Mantegnahas more than a quarter-century experience working in pediatrics, early child intervention, neonatal intensive care, and acute care, and has special experience in pediatric orthopedics and pediatric developmental evaluation. She is highly skilled in using toys to promote learning and development in very young children. Her extensive work experience is supported by a Master’s Degree in Pediatric Rehabilitation for Physical and Occupational Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She is exceptionally qualified to create reviews of developmental and educational toys for SmilesIncluded.

Theresa Adamsholds a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso, and is a registered and licensed occupational therapist with experience working with young children from birth to age three years. She has worked in both public school and hospital settings, and is skilled at involving families in intervention programs for children with developmental issues. Her expertise in using toys and manipulatives with children in their homes has resulted in positive outcomes for many families facing challenges. She will bring these skills to her job as a reviewer at SmilesIncluded.

Angela Derrickhas worked with children as a physical therapist since 2000. She is highly qualified both in terms of education and practical experience. She holds Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University. She specializes in working with babies and toddlers in their homes, using toys to enhance and promote development. A parent herself, Angela also chooses toys for her daughter that are engaging and encourage developmental progress. She joins SmilesIncluded as a product review editor.

Cory Vasholds MS and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He has many years’ experience providing therapy and assessment for families and young children in need, and currently teaches at New Mexico State University. His background as a therapist gives him unique insight into the needs of children and their families, which will guide him in his role as editor at SmilesIncluded.

Judson Kusyhas been providing family therapy with a focus on early childhood mental health in the Las Cruces, NM area since 2003. His continuing education includes the completion of a postgraduate endorsement in Early Childhood Mental Health in May 2008. His specialty is helping parents learn about and build healthful, joyous parent-child relationships and he will use this focus as an SI reviewer. He’ll also utilize the skills he’s honing as the father of a young son!

Audra Mason holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University, with specialties in Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education.  She has experience using educational products in the field, developing group class curriculum utilizing developmentally appropriate activities.  She has also worked closely with families of children with special needs,  helping them incorporate activities into family life that will help maximize each child’s potential.  She brings this impressive combination of experience and education with her to SmilesIncluded.