SMG Staff

With more than 15 years of experience in the travel and tourism industries, Carl Ribaudo leads his firm with the hands-on knowledge of a seasoned professional. Focused specifically on marketing analysis and competitive strategy development, he blends a highly skilled background with an acute awareness of current trends to develop effective solutions for his clients. His distinction in the marketing arena has resulted in frequent appearances as a guest speaker for travel symposia, commissions on tourism, and city councils in the western states. Topics he has addressed include a diversity of issues related to the creation of solid branding, strong visibility, and powerful concepts that drive business. Mr. Ribaudo has served clients ranging from ski resorts to casinos…from lodging properties to visitors’ bureaus…from advertising agencies to retail stores. In each case, he designs strategies to help deliver the client’s marketing message with maximum impact and competitive advantage.

In addition to his work with businesses, Mr. Ribaudo served as an adjunct faculty member at Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe, where he taught courses in marketing and advertising. He has also taught a seminar on tourism marketing at the University of Nevada, Reno, and has written white papers on subjects that include “Marketing Strategies for Mature Destinations,” “Company Branding,” “Game Theory and Your Marketing Efforts,” “Marketing Niches as a Strategic Tool,” and “Using a Business Model for Your Destination.”

An active participant in the community both professionally and personally, Mr. Ribaudo is a member of both the board of directors and the executive committee of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce President. He is also a former member of the California Travel Industry Association board of directors.

Strategic Marketing Group
Phone: (530) 541-2462 Ext. 101

After a long career in a variety of sales and marketing positions, Becky joined the Strategic Marketing Group in 1994. Becky’s extensive background in all aspects of marketing brings invaluable “hands on” experience and knowledge to the travel, tourism and recreation industries. Prior to joining SMG, Becky was a sales associate with Swift Newspapers Group and oversaw the sales, promotions and advertising activities for two niche publications. During her tenure, she successfully repositioned the seasonal publications and increased distribution and promotions in key target markets in Northern California.

Prior to the Swift Newspapers Group, Becky was the Marketing and Promotions Coordinator at the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. While at the LTVA, she developed and implemented strategic marketing programs for the South Lake Tahoe visitors bureau including advertising, promotions and special events. She holds a B.A. from Cal State Fullerton with an emphasis in advertising and communications. When she’s not developing competitive marketing strategies, Becky can be found enjoying the outdoors on her mountain bike, sailboat, windsurfer, skis or snowboard.

Strategic Marketing Group
Phone: (530) 541-2462 Ext. 103

In her over 7 years with SMG, Jenn has provided clients with a variety of services, ranging from daily account management to long-term strategic proposals. More recently, she has focused on online marketing, developing comprehensive proposals aimed at developing a competitive Internet brand presence for clients and reaching their target audiences online. She also handles the tactical side, including online media buying, email newsletter development, copywriting and website usability. In addition, she tends to SMG’s online efforts, including its quarterly email newsletter, InSights, as well as its marketing blog, which features commentary on a variety of subjects relevant to travel and tourism professionals. Jenn is also an adjunct faculty in the Business Department at Lake Tahoe Community College.

Jenn came to Strategic Marketing Group with four years of experience in international tourism. Before moving to Lake Tahoe, she lived in France for six years where she worked with Crystal Holidays, Ltd., a British tour operator specializing in ski vacations.

Jenn received her B.A. in Environmental Studies and Economics from Boston University. In her spare time, she enjoys succumbing to wanderlust in all forms, playing in snow, kitchen improv, and all things French.

Strategic Marketing Group
Phone: (530) 541-2462 Ext. 102

Brenda originally joined the Strategic Marketing Group in 1994 to coordinate the Sierra Ski Marketing Council's national trade show efforts. Due to Brenda's dedication and hard work, she has successfully strengthened the awareness of the Reno/Lake Tahoe destination. In addition to coordinating the SSMC trade show efforts, Brenda has spent the last four years working with the Times Mirror Group. During this time, she has been the advertising sales manager for the Lake Tahoe/Reno Mountain Travel Guide which runs in Ski and Skiing magazines.

More recently, Brenda's advertising sales responsibilities have been extended to include the Times Mirror Interactive Group's five web sites - SkiNet, SkiMag, SkiingMag, Myskitrip and Snowboarding-online. Brenda has a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Chico State University. She enjoys a wide variety of winter and summer outdoor activities including biking, skiing, hiking, water sports and snow skiing.

Strategic Marketing Group
Phone: (530) 541-2462 Ext. 204

As Senior Hospitality Industry Consultant of the Strategic Marketing Group, Roger brings an expansive background in marketing and related sales management, providing an extensive scope of strategic and tactical solutions to clients within the tourism driven hospitality sectors. Roger has over 30 years of direct management experience in the travel and tourism industries involving recreational attractions, commercial and resort properties, and public sector tourism organizations at local, regional and state levels. With a significant background in resort accommodations management and having functioned in multiple high profile destinations, Roger brings a broad scope of strategic vision and practical competitive decision making to clients. Roger has served as a director of multiple public and private sector destination marketing organizations, providing strategy and analysis expertise in the formulation of marketing and sales initiatives.

Roger obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Chico. While initially entering law school at the University of Arizona, his decision to focus on the marketing discipline of tourism came in 1970. During off hours Roger operates a small wine grape vineyard management concern in the California North Coast and enjoys alpine skiing and golf.  

Strategic Marketing Group
Phone: (707) 425-9076

Greg Brady has worked as a freelance graphic designer for the past seven years. His experience includes designing a wide range of material for local and regional clients including logos, magazines, brochures annual reports and ad campaigns. Before relocating to northern Nevada, Greg was the regional graphics coordinator for Watson Wyatt, an international consulting firm in San Diego. His responsibilities included creative design and production coordination of communications materials for various clients, including Apple computer, Bank of America and Unocal. Greg received his B.F.A. in Graphic Communication from San Diego State University in 1987.

Greg Brady
Greg Brady Graphics
Phone: (775) 265-4060

Karen has over 10 years of experience in market research and technical writing and editing for the tourism, snowsports and housing industries. She is skilled in both quantitative and qualitative research projects, from developing nationwide surveys to conducting in-depth interviews with key decision makers. Karen is a trained focus group moderator, and has conducted well over 200 traditional and online focus groups with a variety of audiences, from consumers to CEOs. She is an experienced research analyst and writer and specializes in presenting important results in a clear, succinct format that is easy to navigate for a variety of audiences.
 
Before moving to South Lake Tahoe five years ago, Karen lived in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. She enjoys painting, cooking, hiking and exploring in her spare time and is a volunteer with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

Karen M. Johnson
First Tracks Services
Phone: (530) 318-5428

Erin Bernall has been developing and managing successful public relations campaigns in the travel and tourism industry for over 10 years. She has developed and led publicity programs for organizations including the California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns, California Ski Industry Association, Northstar-at-Tahoe ski and summer resort, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, and Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe. Through creative and strategic story development and reputation management, Erin has achieved national media recognition on behalf of her clients. Media highlights include The Today Show, CNN, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, and National Geographic Traveler. Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis, and she holds Accredited Public Relations (APR) credentials from the Public Relations Society of America, a distinction held by fewer than 6,000 communications professionals nationwide. Erin is a professionally trained media spokesperson and crisis communicator, and a published journalist. Her public relations firm is located on the Central Coast in Capitola.

Erin Bernall
Erin Bernall Public Relations
Phone: (831) 479-9290