Bob Ruffolo
Founder & CEO
Bob is an inbound marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in online marketing and strategy development. Bob has always been on the cutting edge regarding all aspects of online marketing, including: campaign development, web design, search engine optimization, social media marketing, blogging, marketing analysis, CRM management, closed loop reporting.
Since founding IMPACT in 2009, Bob oversaw the company through an accelerated growth period and developed a reputation as one of the top start-up marketing agencies. Under his leadership, IMPACT has grown to 18 employees, became a HubSpot Gold Certified Partner, and been awarded Inbound Marketing Agency Rookie of the Year.
One of Bob’s passions is speaking about anything marketing, especially to business owners, marketing professionals, and students focusing in business and marketing.
Tom DiScipio
Executive Vice President & Co-Owner
Tom is a project management ninja and creative design guru with strong entrepreneurial underpinnings and a love for helping businesses succeed. As the Vice President and Co-Owner of IMPACT, Tom engages in and shares Bob’s vision of building the BEST inbound marketing agency. From a management capacity, Tom also leads and works alongside the design and development team to align formative design strategy with client goals. Because of his passion for business development and the incredible team surrounding him, Tom would say he’s never really worked a day in his life at IMPACT.
Beyond the day-to-day, Tom balances life at IMPACT with extra curriculars that include rockin’ out on guitar and participating in all things automotive (more specifically BMW).
Vin Gaeta
Support Manager
Vin graduated from Quinnipiac University with a BA in Interactive Digital Design. In the Spring, he’ll be receiving a Masters in Communication. His love for design and technology started at a young age playing video games. The passion for video game design transitioned into an affection for website design. Since joining the IMPACT Team as a web developer, Vin has become our Support Manager, using problem solving skills to fix any issues that occur, or to develop new areas on websites. In his free time, Vin enjoys reading and collecting comic books, listening to music, and spending time with his dog, Pepper.
Amy Chudy
Office Manager
As the Office Manager at IMPACT, Amy is responsible for all of our accounting and sales, as well as our day-to-day operations. She attended Western Connecticut State University where her concentration was in Communications and Writing. Amy is the welcoming face you see when you visit IMPACT, and the friendly voice you hear when you call. She is continuously teeming with new ideas. Her love for writing makes it easy to manage routine social media updates and produce website content. By having an organized nature she keeps the office running smoothly by managing tasks such as invoices, contracts and proposals. A passion for creativity fuels her drive for life. When Amy is not at work, she enjoys being outside, yoga, writing and painting.
Jeff Pellicco
Inbound Marketing Consultant
Jeff graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing & eCommerce. His passion for marketing has led him to head up the sales team at IMPACT. When he isn’t networking and closing sales, Jeff keeps active with his Crossfit obsession and mountain biking. But the only thing he loves more than marketing and sales, is his English Bulldog, Lola.
John Bonini
Director of Marketing
As the Marketing Director at IMPACT Branding & Design, John oversees the company’s entire lead generation and branding strategy, utilizing blogging, premium content creation, social media marketing, search engine optimization and video marketing in order to help grow the company and expand its reach.
Under John’s direction, IMPACT has experienced significant growth in its blog subscribers, social media following, as well the company’s overall traffic and lead generation.
In addition to his work at IMPACT, John has also been interviewed and featured in several industry leading publications, including the Wall Street Journal’s SmartMoney, MarketWatch, as well as the HubSpot blog.
Bobby Kane
Sr. Designer & Web Developer
Bobby comes from a design background, but is fascinated by the power of online media. Not just a designer, he immerses himself in all things creative. From furniture design to typography, Bobby’s passion for the arts led him to where he is today. As a Graphic/Information Design graduate from Central Connecticut State University, Bobby offers unique angles to every project. His dedication to the field of design allows him to mix modern trends with design standards – creating logos, websites, and print media that offer fresh perspectives.
Joe Rinaldi
Sr. Web Developer
Joe is a graphic designer with over 6 years of experience. He first became interested in Design in high school when he was introduced to poster designs by artists such as Paul Cheret and Alfons Mucha. This led him to pursue a degree in Design. In May 2011 he graduated Cum Laude from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelors degree in Graphic Information / Design. Joe is familiar with all aspects of design- from print to web and everything in between. He is constantly reading articles and blogs to stay current on the industry standards.
Michele Smoly
Account Manager
As an Account Manager at IMPACT, Michele is responsible for building relationships with clients. She is passionate about helping you optimize your inbound marketing efforts through blogging, email and social media marketing, and search engine optimization. Michele graduated from Western New England University where she nurtured her love for marketing and communications. When not at work she enjoys watching the Yankees, taking dance classes and traveling.
Erica Dube
Sr. Account Manager
Erica is a recent graduate of Albertus Magnus College with a degree in Promotional Communications and a focus in Marketing. Her experience with event planning and public relations has continuously helped her develop unique marketing ideas throughout her time at IMPACT. Erica’s passion for writing and excellent organizational skills make it simple for her to manage the creative work that comes with managing each client’s account. While she’s not at work Erica enjoys reading, being outside and shoe shopping.
Brittany Balog
Sr. Account Manager
Brittany graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Communications and a business minor.Since becoming an account manager and joining the IMPACT team she has learned the value of an inbound marketing campaign and creating quality relationships in the business world.When Brittany is not at work she enjoys cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, exercising,traveling, beaches and any time she can spend with family and friends.
James Desmond
Account Manager
James graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and has spent the last five years heavily involved in all aspects of inbound marketing for over 20 websites throughout the country. James has a diverse background in Marketing, from working at major corporations such as ESPN and VP Records, to small businesses in Connecticut such as Charlotte Meyer Designs and Flavor For Madison. James joined the IMPACT team in 2012 and currently lives in New Haven, when he is not working on getting his black belt in inbound marketing he is probably outside spending time with his dog, Deziree Desmond.
Ryan Coates
Web Developer
Ryan is a Web Developer with over 3 years of experience in Web Development, he has recently graduated from Endicott College with a Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems. He first became interested in Web Design while interning as a web developer his senior year of college, where he developed a mobile website for a non-profit organization. This led him to pursue a degree in Web Development. Ryan is constantly learning the best practices in Web Development and Design by reading articles and blogs to stay current on the industry standards.
Carolyn Edgecomb
Marketing Manager
Carolyn started at IMPACT as an intern before graduating from Elmira College with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with specializations in both Marketing and Management in 2012. As a marketing manager; she is continuously producing content about nurturing leads, how to effectively interact and engage with fans on social media and how to implement a successful inbound marketing campaign. she is your go to person when it comes to implementing social media, blogging and utilizing local search engine optimization. When Carolyn is not at work, she enjoys traveling and shopping.
Amir Hamdi
Graphic Designer
Amir comes from an all around creative background, using his skills to excel in design, photography, and cinematography. He’s currently getting his BA in Graphic/Information design at Central Connecticut State University. His extreme appreciation and attention to quality and detail allows him to produce well thought out inspired designs, and shoot exceptional photo and video. He mixes all the important principles from each media to influence all his work and broaden his skill set.
Katie Pritchard
Junior Account Manager
Katie is a student at Central Connecticut State University, and will be graduating in May with a BS in Marketing. In 2012 she was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, and is the Promotions Chair of the CCSU Marketing Club. Katie’s organizational skills and attention to detail will help her manage and create effective content for future clients. Outside of IMPACT, Katie enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and baking.
Dan Baum
Blogger
Dan is an aspiring high school student that has been with IMPACT for 3 years. He first became interested in graphic design early in his high school career, and has developed into a social media marketer and a blogging novice. His love for writing makes it easy for him to manage social media platforms and engage with members of the social media world. He intends to continue blogging in the future as a writer for IMPACT.
Dan plans to attend college after graduating Mark T. Sheehan high school in the spring of 2013. He brings a creative and optimistic attitude to all of his work, and is always wanting to learn new things about the world of marketing.