Meet The Earthlings
As the Client Care Guy, I’m your first point of contact, but our entire team is focused on providing solutions to our clients that fit your needs every time. What do you need? How can I help?
Frank Danielson,Client Care Manager
Management
Philip Giles, President
Philip’s near meteoric rise through the Earthling ranks befits a man of his particular skills and professional capabilities. Starting in 2009 as a humble account exec, rising to sales manager, then Vice President, and now with his promotion to President of Modern Earth, Philip continues to lead by example and motivate his team through a combination of persistence, inquisitorial curiosity, and British dry wit.
Client Care
Chris Green, Account Manager
Chris's experience marketing websites goes all the way back to 1997, when the web was just beginning to show signs of commercial viability. When he's not helping to identify and meet small business' website needs, he enjoys snowboarding, climbing and playing Frisbee with his border collie, Loki.
Jeff Knaggs, Account Manager
Jeff has been working online since 2001, with extensive experience in customer service, sales and marketing. In his spare time he likes to be outdoors with his kids - he lives for Manitoba summers and keeps active, making trips to the lake whenever possible.
Frank Danielson, Client Care Manager
If it has a chip, or a circuit, or is connected to a server, it holds Frank’s interest. Frank is fascinated by everything that is computerized – even robots (wonder if he reads Heather’s comic strip?) He also understands how people use technology – because he sees life as a learning opportunity. By understanding how people and computers can fit together (or not), he knows where to look to find solutions when things may not appear to be working. Mr. Fix-It indeed.
Nick Penner, Client Care Specialist
Nick has always been around technology. He’s built computers from the age of 12 and dabbled in all sorts of technologies, learning all there is to know. As with information technology, you are always learning.
Design
Barrett Telfer, Creative Director
Since coming to Modern Earth, Barrett has honed his skills and expanded his talents, earning his promotion to Art Director, continuing to do great design work while managing the entire design department. Outside of work, Barrett is part of the ACC Advisory Panel for the Interactive Media Program, and has been a resource for both RRC (Digital Media Design program and the ATC program at Louis Riel (Website Development). Growing the next generation of talent!
Heather Soiferman, Art Director
Imagine hearing about Caravaggio and Transformers in the same sentence – wild! With a BFA and a hobby site devoted to Cartoon Robots Heather always has something interesting to talk about – and great inspirations for her client focused design work. Her transformation into art director allows her to project manage as well as mentor the junior design team. More than meets the eye!
Heidi Makein, Graphic Designer
Heidi likes to think of herself as a “Renaissance Woman” – she can do it all – web – video – print – content writing – and the secret of her success is her passion and love of what she does. She’s committed to honing her craft – reading design blogs, keeping up with cultural trends, and “all that stuff”.
Nathan Vandervis, Graphic Designer
Nate brings a fresh face to Modern Earth despite his rather large beard. As a recent grad from Red River College's Digital Media Design program, Nate is interested in the evolution of the modern web aesthetic. Nate has produced a radio show from the last six years, and prides himself on his ability to distinguish the Beatles from the Rolling Stones.
Justin Patenaude, Graphic Designer
For what seems like ages, Justin has been talking about making his career in Web Design. Focused on getting as much knowledge as possible, he took the Web Developer course at the Arts & Tech Center right after high school, and then finished the two year Digital Media Design program from Red River. His other interests include music, video games and nature photography.
Development
Michel Gauthier, Senior Software Developer
Michel Got Game! And a wit as sharp as his abilities. He loves video games, which makes for very animated team lunch chats. He's also an Intellivison fanboy without compare and has some great dance moves. Did we mention he is a great videographer? As comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it. Not Shy. Not at all.
Robert Tardiff, Developer, Flash Specialist
Rob was hired specifically to build interactive game modules for an online learning platform – earning him the nickname FlashRob. Now a full time developer, in a room full of quiet focused programmers, he is the most quiet, and perhaps, the most focused. Work softly, and wear big headphones.
Wes Hanney, Software Developer
In another time/space, you would find Wes on the steps of the Parthenon debating philosophy, or up in the lab inventing something, or going boldly where no Earthling has gone before. There is no such thing as a simple “chat about the weather” – Wes loves to explore ideas and push the boundaries of conventional thought. Does the same thing in his web development skills – always looking for the new – better – harder - faster approach to his project, getting it done is job one!
Stirling Netzlaw, Software Developer
Stirling likes to stay plugged in to podcasts, blogs, videos – anything to do with information technology and social media – so he always has something to talk about that is up to date and interesting. He is always looking for the opportunity to connect people to new ideas, and that warmth is part of his customer service ethic – thinking about the real people who will be using the online applications that he will be building for our clients’ website, and putting himself in his most comfortable pair of “user experience shoes”.
Heather Stewart, Software Developer
Crafty like a fox! Heather brings a lot of different talents with her that emphasizes her love of building things from the ground up. She is a craft enthusiast who loves to figure out how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Her attention to detail helps her strive for perfection and customer satisfaction on every website she develops. Want to know how something works? Heather can probably tell you!
Marketing
Emma Sadonick-Carriere, Online Marketing Specialist
Emma is a self-professed social media addict who hasn’t stopped tweeting since Jack Layton said “Hashtag Fail” back in 2011. Having always found an interest in marketing, product placement and what goes on behind the scenes, working on Search Engine Optimization and Online Marketing with Modern Earth is a dream come true!
Administration
Marnie Grimolfson, Office Manager
Marnie has been part of Modern Earth for years, working behind the scenes and in the office as co-owner of the Business Centre. We welcome her to the front office as Office Manager, where her warm smile and infectiously joyful personality welcomes our clients.
Neovation (our sister company)
Dan Belhassen, Founder & CEO
Since 1999, Dan set the pace at Modern Earth, building a team of Earthlings, and developing a wide range of products and services that provided business solutions for the online world. Now settling into the role of CEO, he continues to research and develop new ideas to open exciting and unexplored business vistas.
Susan Hurrell, Marketing & Communications
Susan has worn many hats in her time with Modern Earth - content writer, SEO specialist, social media strategist, email marketing manager, morale officer, marketing & communications director. She's a generalist who specializes in finding the right words and the right strategy to get the message out there in the digital universe.