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.
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Nicole Barrett Lecher, COO
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. Connect with her on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-barrett-lecher-778639b4
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Garren Du, SVP of Software Engineering
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.
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George Cardenas, VP of IT
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 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.
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Stefano Cazzaniga, CFO
Stefano is a distinguished CFO with extensive expertise in transforming organizations into innovation leaders. His academic background in food science and strategic business management has laid a strong foundation for his professional achievements in multinational corporations and startups across Europe and the USA. Stefano holds a Master Degree in Food Science and Technology from Università del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, Italy, and an Executive MBA from STOGEA Bologna, Italy. Throughout his career, Stefano has spearheaded advancements in food science and technology, leading companies to become market leaders through groundbreaking innovation and strategic market positioning. His proficiency extends to Mergers & Acquisitions, playing pivotal roles in high-stakes negotiations and transactions. Stefano's leadership qualities were honed to excel in culturally diverse environments, making him an invaluable asset to any organization aiming for national and international acclaim. Beyond his professional life, Stefano is deeply invested in his community and sustainability, dedicating efforts to ensure a positive impact on the planet.
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Amy Valley, Advisory Board Member
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.