Isle of Dogs Management Team and Board Members
Kailas J. Rao, PhD - Chairman & CEO
In 1981, a time when personal computer systems were in their infancy, Dr. Rao founded Computers Unlimited of Wisconsin, doing business as Computer Bay, to sell personal computers, hard drives, printers, monitors and software to corporate business customers. Over the next eleven years, he developed a franchised network of 350 stores in 44 states and Canada, with annual network revenues of all the stores of $500 million. Most of the franchises were value-added-resellers (VARS). Computer Bay marketed and distributed for industry leaders such as: IBM, Compaq, Epson, NEC, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and AT&T. He sold the business in 1992.
In 1993, with four partners, Rao established the boutique investment-banking firm GS2. GS2 specialized in asset management, brokerage, mergers and acquisitions, and investment banking for small to medium sized businesses. In 1995, he sold his ownership in GS2, which had grown to more than 60 employees and asset management level of more than $500 million.
Dr. Rao was a founder, Chairman and President of Industar Digital PCS, a digital cellular telecommunications company, established in March 1996. He partnered with Hughes Electronics, division of General Motors (US), Alcatel (France), Uniden (Japan) and Kanamatsu (Japan) with an investment over $100 million. He built wireless infrastructure in Wisconsin and introduced digital technology. He later sold Industar to AT&T Wireless in 2000.
He founded Isle of Dogs in 2005 with his wife Becky to provide the first luxury dog grooming system to pet parents, grooming salons, and retail pet boutiques. Isle of Dogs offers products tailored to various dog skin and coat conditions and colors, just as human shampoos do.
Dr. Rao and his wife have hosted many fund-raising events benefiting charities and the performing arts, in Milwaukee, and provide 28 scholarships in four states for university student. As a member of the fund-raising committee for the Wisconsin Humane Society, Dr. Rao helped raise over ten million dollars for construction of a state-of-the-art facility, which was completed in 1999. The dog adoption wing of the Wisconsin Humane Society is named in honor of the Raos. Dr. Rao serves on various boards of philanthropic organizations as well as businesses.
In the pet industry Kailas serves on the board of the World Pet Association and also the Petco Foundation board.
His interest in Veterinary Medicine, the Humane Society, pet parenting, and the Raos’ own stable of horses and kennel of Brittany show dogs, lead Dr. Rao to the establishment of Isle of Dogs Corp.
Becky Rao - Senior Vice President
Mrs. Rao holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Administrative Leadership. Her professional career includes four years as AA to the Honorable Leo H. Whinery, Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court of Norman OK and Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma. In 1985 she left academia to join her husband Kailas at Computer Bay, moving from Warehouse Manager to Senior Vice President in six years. Mrs. Rao has been involved in dog and horse shows since childhood, and currently owns and operates Rao Farms LLC, a horse farm and professional dog kennel, where she raises Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, and Nationally competitive Brittanys.
Tim Ronan - Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Tim Ronan has been in Consumer Sales Management for over 35 years. His experience ranges from working at Fortune 200 Companies as well as family / privately owned companies. This exposure to the sales and marketing strategies at all levels has provided a vast amount of expertise and knowledge. Tim has been able to enhance the business in a multitude of product categories: Plastics/Housewares, OTC RX, Grocery and Household Chemicals. This expansion of business was achieved at all levels of accounts and distribution channels in the US and Canada. The past ten years have been specifically devoted to developing the business in the Pet Products Industry for companies such as Central Garden & Pet and Jakks Pacific/AKC Product Licenses.
Tim resides in Wauconda, IL, with his Fiancé, Mary Fran. He has two grown sons whom he is extremely proud of and he loves to sail in his spare time.
Monica Rear - Director of International Sales
Ms. Rear has been with the Isle of Dogs Corporation since 2006. She has been in retail sales and customer service all of her professional career. She began her own business right out of high school as a mobile groomer. Her skills and connections in the professional dog show world make her an industry expert when it comes to the care and well being of dogs. She was a distributor of pet products for three years prior to joining the Isle of Dogs Corp. Ms. Rear has clients and colleagues all over the world who respect her knowledge and expertise in quality canine skin and coat care.
Gary Kamin - Director of Operations
Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from UW-Platteville. Kamin has over 30 years experience in multi-channel distribution. He has held positions in Operations and Purchasing in the automotive aftermarket and model train distribution. One of the highlights of his career was receiving the designation of Lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager.
Away from the office Kamin is a Master Level sports official in both basketball and baseball. He also enjoys a round of golf when it fits into his schedule.
Malinda Sveom - Director of Finance
Malinda graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lakeland College with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Accounting and Business, and is currently pursuing her MBA with an emphasis in Accounting at Lakeland College. She comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in the accounting world. Ms. Sveom has worked in the accounting field for the past 20 years, and has experience in public accounting as well as in a manufacturing environment.
Bruce Hall - Board Member
Former President of PETCO
Mr. Bruce Hall is an energetic, passionate, decisive and creative operator with 45 years of progressive, hands-on tactical and strategic contribution in building two premier US retailing brands, Toys 'R' Us and PETCO, respectively. He has deep experience in all aspects of retail operations and customer-facing activities used to drive sales, heighten brand awareness, create exceptional customer satisfaction and loyalty, and increase bottom-line profitability. Bruce's business and personal successes were achieved by leading with integrity and adhering to high ethical standards, treating everyone with respect and putting the customer first.
Peter Sommerhauser - Board Member
Senior Attorney and Shareholder, Corporate Prctice Group, Godfrey and Kahn Attorneys at Law
Mr. Sommerhauser’s experience in corporate law covers a broad range of areas, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, business succession, and the structure of business financing. He provides Isle of Dogs Corp. with business and financial guidance, including but not limited to short and long term planning, personnel management, and corporate structuring. Mr. Sommerhauser has been with Godfrey and Kahn since 1969 and has served on its management committee for 25 years. He has been honored by The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law Category; Who’s Who in American Law; recognized as one of the best merger and acquisition attorneys in Wisconsin by Chambers and Partners in its Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers; listed as a to corporate attorney in Milwaukee Magazine’s “Top 75 Lawyers”.
Eric Butlein - Board Member
Business Executive and Entrepreneur
Eric Butlein has held senior positions in the Information Technology, Banking, Home Technology and Healthcare Industries. He has also been involved in a number of business start-ups and has specific expertise in sales and sales management, marketing, financial management, operations management, and strategic planning. After spending 15 years with IBM, and three years with First Wisconsin Bank, in 1984 Mr. Butlein co-founded Computer People Unlimited, Inc., (CPU), a software consulting company. He served as a Regional Vice President for five years at the Compuware Corporation after they purchased CPU in 1994. Mr. Butlein is currently the Co-Chairman of Health Payment Systems (HSP), a company involved in healthcare claims payments. Mr. Butlein’s expertise in personnel matters, marketing strategies and management has proved invaluable to Isle of Dogs Corp.
Dr. Kanti Prasad - Board Member
Ph. D., Dean and Faculty Member, Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Dr. Prasad has been Dean of the Lubar School of Business since the academic year, 2002-2003. He served as Interim Dean during the 2001-2002 academic year, and was Associate Dean of the School for 20 years, 1978-1998. Dr. Prasad is currently a Professor of Marketing and the Bostrom Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He received his Ph.D. in Marketing from Michigan State University in 1970. Dr. Prasad has a long list of publications to his credit in market research. As leader of the Lubar School of Business, it has been his mission to help create a nationally recognized urban business school known for high quality teaching and research. Dr. Prasad brings much needed methodology and discipline in marketing and branding to the Isle of Dogs Corp.
Dr. Daryl Buss - Board Member
Dean and Faculty Member, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Buss’s principal research interests are related to coronary blood flow to the heart and the consequences of interruption of coronary blood flow. He is a professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and has amassed a large bibliography of research publications in his field. Dr Buss has successfully guided the School of Veterinary to national recognition among Veterinary Schools in America. The School offers a four-year professional degree program leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The School is very adept in raising grants for research, and has recently launched a 100 million dollar capital campaign to build a new, state of the art veterinary facility.
Dr. James Marsden - Board Member
Kansas State University Regent's Distinguished Professor of Food Safety
James Marsden serves as the Associate Director of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center which is located at KSU. His research focus has been on the safety of food for both humans and pets. Dr. Marsden is the author of numerous publications and book chapters on food safety and quality and is the recipient of awards for research and teaching. He has also appeared on numerous television news programs as a food safety expert. Dr. Marsden also sits on the board of the Pet food safety council.
Peter Haensli - Board Member
International Pet Industry Consultant
Mr. Hansli served as the Corporate CEO for Vitakraft in Germany and Switzerland. Vitakraft is a world leading family owned pet food company which was founded in 1837 He was directly responsible for International Sales and Logistics, International Marketing, International strategies and initiatives along with acquisitions and start-ups. Mr. Hansli also was the National Account Manager for Johnson & Johnson where he was the lead of trade marketing and services and a member of two international key account groups.
Marie Audier D'Alessandris - Board Member
L'Oreal USA - Global Markeing VP
Ms. Marie Audier D’Alessandris has ten plus years as a beauty marketing executive within the L’Oreal Group. She has broad multi-cultural expertise in strategic brand management, advertising and new product development. Marie received her Master of Science in Management in 1998 from Reims Management School, Sup de Co program in France.
