Team
Our skilled experts form a cohesive team
John Clauss, Co-founder and President
John Clauss is a successful entrepreneur with more than fifteen years of strategic consulting and management experience. Under his guidance as co-founder, John helped Marker Seven grow from a start-up to a thriving company with an impressive roster of Fortune 500 clients. As President, John is responsible for long-term strategic direction, ensuring that Marker Seven delivers on our vision of value, high-quality work and exceptional customer service.
Working in Internet technology since 1994, John was the Director of International Business Development at LinkShare Corporation, a pioneer in internet marketing. There, John was responsible for expanding the company’s operations to international markets. Before LinkShare, John worked for the Citibank Internet Group, where he spearheaded the development and marketing of various web-based products for tens of millions of Citibank customers. John also worked in Argentina and Brazil for Merck Pharmaceuticals, launching some of their first web-based management tools.
John holds an MBA from The Thunderbird School of International Management and a BBA in International Business and Economics from James Madison University. In his free time, John enjoys fly fishing, soccer and skiing.
Patrick Ford, CSO and Executive VP Strategy
Patrick brings more than 12 years of business and technology experience to Marker Seven. Patrick is responsible for communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives for Marker Seven and Marker Seven's clients. Internally, Patrick drives decision making that supports organizational growth by sourcing, selling, and managing consulting engagements across multiple industries, refining Marker Seven's methodologies and developing the firms own infrastructure. Externally Patrick focuses on being a trusted adviser, making his expertise and insights available to clients and ensuring that proposed solutions are implemented as designed. Patrick is dedicate to Marker Seven's goals of quality, innovation and sound business practice.
Prior to joining Marker Seven, Patrick was Director of Technology at Clickability, where he helped advance the web services company from early-stage growth to a profitable and viable organization. Patrick successfully serviced high-profile customers and demonstrated his expertise in design, development, deployment and support of enterprise-wide applications. Patrick currently sits on the technology committee of the Web Analytics Association.
Bob Teplitsky, CTO
Bob brings more than fifteen years of experience in programming, software architecture, and project and team management to Marker Seven. Bob ensures quality of technical project management, application design and development, and technical documentation.
Bob has extensive experience in multiple industries including financial, real estate, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance, information technology and nonprofits. Prior to joining Marker Seven, Bob was the Lead Web Engineer at RealNames Corporation. Bob directed the development, design and maintenance of RealNames' e-commerce Web site, which generated millions of dollars in revenue annually. Specializing in database-driven Web application design and development, Bob has developed complex Web applications for many companies including Merrill Lynch Private Client Systems, AT&T Business Billing Systems, San Francisco Health Plan, and New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Companies.
Bob holds a BBA from James Madison University. In his spare time, Bob enjoys watching Sunday night HBO, going to the movies and traveling with his wife.
Scott Abbott, Creative Director
Scott brings seven years of interactive design and creative expertise to Marker Seven. As Creative Director, Scott oversees and manages Marker Seven's design standards, ensuring that each client's Web site looks professional and unique, is easy to use and strongly supports clearly defined brand and business initiatives.
Prior to joining Marker Seven, Scott was Web Art Director at Blue Shield of California, where he was responsible for the visual design of customer-facing account management applications, online marketing campaigns and Blue Shields’ external design partners.
At Kmart.com, Scott was responsible for the management of online stores and marketing campaigns for one of the Internet's largest e-commerce ventures. In addition, Scott was a Creative Manager for PlanetRx.com, the top-rated online pharmacy in 2000, where he directed major redesigns of the company’s multiple web properties. Scott also worked at Netscape's Netcenter, managing production projects. Scott's online career began at Silicon Reef, a Web agency where he was responsible for the production and client management of major sites including PacBell.com, AppliedMaterials.com, the inaugural Webby Awards and the ground-breaking Web soap opera, The Spot (Cool Site of the Year winner).
Scott holds a BA in Journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has completed design coursework at Cooper University.
Max Shure, Director Client Services
With nearly a decade of experience in web design and development, Max brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Marker Seven team. As Director of Client Services, he oversees Marker Seven's project management processes and client relationships. Max ensures that each project is run according to proven Marker Seven processes.
Before joining Marker Seven, Max started Blue Highway, a respected web design agency. His entrepreneurial experience has given him unique insight into developing long-term client relations and the importance of delivering on time and on budget.
Max has a BA in Philosophy from Denison University, and a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute.
