Digital Trends CEO and leadership

Dan is the co-founder and CTO of Digital Trends. He heads up IT, software development along with Ad Ops. Past employers include Microsoft and RealNetworks.

Chris Carlson is a Chief Operating Officer at Digital Trends and Member Board Of Directors at InVivo Biosystems (Formerly NemaMetrix) and is based in Portland, Oregon. He has worked as Founder - Portfolio Manager at CAESIUM CAPITAL LIMITED, Co-Founder - Board Director - Chief Operating Officer at MusicQubed, and Portfolio Manager at UBS O'Connor. Chris attended Vanderbilt University.

With 25+ years of experience in advertising and marketing, Bob Gruters has a unique perspective on how we use media to inform, entertain, and improve humanity. He has worked for agency giants such as Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi, publishing giants such as Hearst & Conde Nast, and global out-of-home advertising firms like JC Decaux & Gannett. His media and marketing experience spans various companies across Viacom, Sony, and Univision. In 2013, Bob was tapped to launch Sean Combs' music platform REVOLT (considered to be one of the most successful platform launches in recent US history). And for 4 years he helped lead the massive and rapid growth at Facebook & Instagram focused on the Entertainment, Technology, Telecom, and Restaurant industries (including a highly successful Multicultural initiative).

Currently Bob is the Chief Revenue Officer at Digital Trends, a prominent and highly respected digital publisher. He joins a talented executive leadership and lauded editorial team that is creating brand safe, premium content that helps connect Fortune 500 marketers to the rapidly growing affluent, educated HENRY audience. Bob has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University where he met his wife, Barbara. He is the very proud father of Evan, Grace, Matthew & Ryan and resides in Westfield & Monmouth Beach, NJ.

Over 20 years of progressive hands-on experience in the IT industry. Committed to achieve superior IT control and activities by creatively developing and implementing strategies and related programs. Demonstrated versatility with a proven track record in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Kelly Dachtler brings more than 20 years of experience in brand development, design and management. He currently serves as Chief Brand Officer for Digital Trends; the largest independent tech media company on earth, and as an advisor to multiple startups united by the common purpose of improving human wellbeing through innovation and design. Prior to his current roles, he co-founded The Clymb, and led its path from a seed concept into the fastest growing sporting goods company in history, before being acquired by Auspient in 2015. During his tenure as CEO, the company had cumulative revenues in excess of $250M, and raised more than $25M in venture capital. Prior to The Clymb, Kelly was a brand and design executive and consultant, serving global companies including Target, adidas, Liz Claiborne, and Wolverine World Wide. He was a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and was named to Sporting Goods Business 40 under 40. He served as a startup mentor for the Nike+ / Techstars accelerator, and has served as an advisor to numerous startup and growth stage companies.

Dan is the co-founder and CTO of Digital Trends. He heads up IT, software development along with Ad Ops. Past employers include Microsoft and RealNetworks.