Our Core Values
Guided by Purpose. Driven by Innovation.
Our core values shape everything we do — from exceptional service and forward-thinking solutions to our commitment to a sustainable future. At the heart of our company are three core values: innovation, customer service, and sustainability. These principles guide our decisions, fuel our growth, and define how we show up for our clients, our communities, and the planet — every single day.
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Innovation
We’re committed to staying at the forefront of kiosk technology, continuously seeking new and inventive solutions to enhance user experiences. Our purpose-built systems combine operational expertise with innovative automation to deliver scalable, full-service solutions that evolve with your needs. We don’t just build products—we engineer platforms that enable growth.
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Customer-Centricity
We prioritize the needs and satisfaction of our customers above all else. Our open architecture and flexible tech stack connect seamlessly with your existing ecosystem—no silos, no retraining, no disruptions. Whether you’re managing deliveries in a multifamily building, meals across a campus, or shift service in a hospital, KO consolidates your systems into one smart, self-service platform.
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Sustainability
We promote environmentally responsible practices in our operations and product development. Our modular design approach means components can be upgraded rather than replaced, reducing waste and extending product lifecycles. By optimizing delivery routes and consolidating services, our systems help reduce carbon footprints while improving operational efficiency.
Our Mission
Passionate Professionals Driving Innovation and Impact
At Kiosk Operators, we’re passionate about ushering in the future of automation and robotics. Our mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the convenience it brings to consumers and businesses alike. With a dedicated focus on innovation, we are redefining the smart kiosk and locker industry, offering a platform that enables the limitless potential of self-service solutions.
From high-volume deployments with national brands to the fast-paced needs of hospitals and housing, Kiosk Operators is transforming self-service through automation that works. Our journey began with large-scale national deployments that established our foundation in real-world operational execution and high-volume automation. These early successes laid the groundwork for the scalable, self-service solutions we provide today.
At KO, we believe that convenience should never come at the cost of reliability. That’s why our kiosks and lockers are purpose-built to meet the needs of property developers, university systems, and foodservice operators—all while integrating with their systems, not against them. We’ve helped operators roll out secure, unattended solutions that simplify access, reduce friction, and improve end-user satisfaction.
Today, KO is more than a product company—we’re a strategic partner enabling scale, speed, and simplicity. Whether it’s delivering meals in hospitals, managing secure deliveries in student housing, or expanding branded food programs nationally, KO helps our clients do more with less friction.
Meet the Experts Behind the Mission
Passionate Professionals Driving Innovation and Impact
At Kiosk Operators, we are passionate about ushering in the future of automation and robotics. Our mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and the convenience it brings to consumers and businesses alike. With a dedicated focus on innovation, we are redefining the smart locker and kiosk industry, offering a platform that enables the limitless potential of self-service solutions.
John Laspia III
John Laspia III is a visionary leader with an impressive career spanning over thirty years, primarily focused on innovation in the retail, hospitality, and technology sectors. He currently serves as the CEO of Kiosk Operators and brings over 20 years of engineering experience designing, manufacturing and deploying over 18 new kiosk concepts with over 17,000 placements across the USA, Mexico, and Europe in a variety of industries. Notably, he recently designed, engineered, and built the first ever production grade frozen food kiosk for a top 5 global consumer packaged goods (CPG) company. This has led to many other entities attempting to copy Mr. Laspia’ s designs, but putting motors inside of freezers has eluded many successful upstarts. Early in his career Mr. Laspia was a pioneer in the first DVD Kiosks, going on to design and build the Blockbuster Kiosk and personally oversaw the deployment globally. Mr. Laspia has built several retail concepts, and has rolled out over 5600 specialty retail stores across multiple sectors for major Fortune 500 Companies. Mr. Laspia played a crucial role in the development and launch of Moviebeam, a major streaming service that serves as a backbone to thousands of hospitality solutions today from hotels to hospitals. Mr. Laspia’ s leadership in automation transcends hospitality to most recently the pharmaceutical world having completed a major transaction in the pharmaceutical kiosk space right alongside Amazon who acquired the Medavail kiosks in the same 2024 time period. As co-founder of Kiosk Operators LLC, Mr. Laspia is leading all projects that blend technology with retail strategies to create disruptive new business models in today’s ever-changing automated world.
John holds a BS in Philosophy from UCLA, and continues to influence the tech space as a leader and innovator. His expertise ranges from developing cutting-edge robotic strategies to orchestrating the successful integration of automation into major business sectors.
Nicole Barrett Lecher
Nicole Barrett Lecher is an accomplished CMO and entrepreneur with a profound impact across multiple industries, particularly in legal services, branding, marketing, and business development. Her strategic vision and leadership have driven numerous companies to significant growth and success. Nicole’s career includes overseeing projects from conception to delivery, managing budgets, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Her legal education and law practice, combined with creativity in branding and marketing, allow her to add substantial value across a broad scope.
Nicole is the largest franchisee and Area Developer for LunchboxWax/Radiant Waxing and the founder & owner of The Paint Mixer, where she pioneered a unique entertainment concept. She also played a pivotal role in team sports management and recreation facility development as the Co-Owner of All Seasons Athletic Facilities LLC. Her career also includes associate positions at prestigious law firms in New York and Connecticut, and extensive experience in residential construction and property development. In addition to her primary roles, Nicole has significantly contributed to various other industries. As the Co-Owner of All Seasons Athletic Facilities LLC, she was integral in the development of team sports management and recreational facility development. Nicole’s broad experience also spans residential construction and property development, showcasing her versatility and ability to impact multiple sectors effectively.
Nicole holds a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University, a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Boston University, and a Master’s in Education from University of Bridgeport.
Garren Du
Garren Du is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of extensive experience in technology implementation and management. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, where he oversees significant technology projects and leads a large team of professionals in achieving exceptional operational efficiency and innovation.
Garren has a proven track record in leading substantial digital transformations across various industries. He served as the VP of technology for a healthcare provider, managing a $10 million budget and over 100 onshore and offshore resources. During his tenure, he successfully led the digitization of the healthcare provider’s utilization management, care management, human resources, and financial systems. He was also a part of the management team for a major trade publisher that developed e-publishing strategies in support of Apple’s iPad launch and worked with a leading newspaper to design and architect the “paywall.” Previously, Garren was a director at Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video, where he managed the team supporting 5500+ retail stores, 10+ websites, and four distribution centers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from City University of New York’s Bernard M. Baruch College and several intellectual property patents from the United States and European Union for his research in digital asset and rights management.
George Cardenas
George Cardenas is a highly experienced VP of I.T with over 20 years of expertise in developing and supporting complex infrastructures across various industries, including medical, legal, government, and manufacturing. He has a proven track record of transforming struggling departments into revenue-generating operations and has successfully built some of the most secure and efficient network infrastructures.
George founded Nexzis LLC in 2014, specializing in Cyber Security Forensics and Advanced Network and System Deployments. Throughout his career, George has led significant IT projects, including deploying comprehensive Cisco Meraki Stacks, establishing robust online marketplaces, and implementing secure enterprise systems. His leadership has resulted in substantial online sales growth and enhanced IT security. He is adept at creating and adapting company IT policies, performing employee IT training, and ensuring compliance with stringent IT documentation standards. George’s skill set includes expertise in Active Directory, SQL Server, Office 365, Azure, PowerShell, QuickBooks, Sage ERP, EDI solutions, DAM solutions, SalesForce, Cisco Routers & Switches, Cisco Meraki, Ubiquiti, VPN, LAN, WAN, and more.
Fluent in Spanish, George combines his technical expertise with strategic vision to drive technological innovation and operational excellence in any organization. He is also skilled in cybersecurity, data compliance regulations, network topologies, low voltage cable wiring, telephony, and various e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Walmart, and eBay. George’s extensive technical knowledge and leadership capabilities make him a valuable asset to any team.
Rick Richman
Rick Richman is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in sales and strategic partnerships with deep expertise in transforming disruptive business models into scalable successes. As Head of Sales & Partnerships at Kiosk Operators, he spearheads growth initiatives for next-generation smart lockers and kiosk technology solutions revolutionizing how businesses and consumers experience convenience.
Previously, Rick founded and led Firepie—a pioneering food tech brand delivering high-quality pizza in 15 minutes. There, he drove the development of innovative last-mile logistics, harnessed data analytics, and automated operations to achieve seven-figure revenue growth while building a fast, memorable brand experience. His track record includes raising capital, building top-performing teams, and forging critical partnerships with leading logistics companies.
With extensive experience in enterprise sales and business development, Rick has successfully navigated the complexities of negotiating and closing large-scale deals and partnerships with various Fortune 1000 companies. His comprehensive knowledge of AI, robotics, automation, and evolving business models, brings impactful value to the customers and partners of Kiosk Operators.
Amy Valley
Amy Valley is an influential leader and management consultant with a 25-year track record in the global biopharmaceuticals and medical device industries. As a Founder and Advisory Board Member, Amy continues to lead and innovate in digital customer management and multicultural marketing strategies.
Throughout her career, Amy has been a driving force behind significant business development, new client development, and creative digital and multichannel offerings. Her expertise lies in digital customer management strategies, business process design, and the development and implementation of global strategies. Amy and her team have successfully broadened clients’ scopes with innovative digital strategies and multichannel design, leading them into the next decade with cutting-edge solutions. She has a strong background in biopharmaceutical sales and marketing, medical device sales and marketing, and regulatory affairs, coupled with superior project management and business development skills. Amy’s leadership in the field has made her a sought-after partner and advisor in the industry, shaping the future of digital and customer experience strategies.