Encounter Adds Tim Oppel to Management Team
Newly-Appointed Director of Product Marketing
to Set Product Direction
PORTLAND, Or.(June 29, 2004) – Encounter Collaborative, an innovator in web and audio conferencing solutions, today announced the promotion of Tim Oppel to the position of Director of Product Marketing. Oppel, who has spent the last ten years in sales and telecommunications, will manage the company's product direction, marketing, competitive analysis and product line extensions. Reporting to Ann Murphy, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Oppel will focus his energies on Encounter's audio and web conferencing products, its industry-first Audio Control Panel, the company's new VoIP entry and its sophisticated yet easy to use ShareItNow(TM) technology.
Oppel will be involved in streamlining the delivery of Encounter's current web conferencing products to create greater efficiencies while also increasing customer satisfaction. In addition, he will manage all marketing communications and the development of online help, user guides and training materials.
"We always look ahead with regard to Encounter's long-term strategic direction and growth. As a result we like to recognize, and promote, employees who demonstrate a 'get-it-done' attitude and self-direction," commented Ian Widger, president and CEO of Encounter. "We have every confidence that Tim will excel in this new position and help to strengthen Encounter's technological advantage."
Prior to his promotion, Oppel served as a product manager for Encounter. He began his career in sales, at Winco Foods and Home Express, quickly moving into sales management. At the same time, Oppel discovered that his true passion was technology. Joining Visio Corporation in the role of Technical Sales, Oppel was able to combine his love of selling with technology, working with the Visio Enterprise product line. In 1999, when Visio was purchased by Microsft, Oppel declined a relocation to Redmond. He chose to work for WebSentric, a web conferencing company, in the role of technical sales representative. In 2000, Oppel joined Encounter Collaborative, initially in sales but moving quickly into a role in Customer Care and Technical Support. In 2003, he transitioned to product management.
"While I am very excited about this opportunity, I am also proud to work for a company that recognizes employee potential. As I've grown with Encounter and come to understand the company's goals and direction, I have also identified areas where I can contribute and make a difference," stated Oppel. "My recent designs and the changes I have suggested have been very well received. I know what it's going to take to put ShareItNow(TM) on everyone's roadmap-- and look forward to applying my technical and product knowledge to Encounter's products and services."
About Encounter Collaborative
Encounter Collaborative provides fully integrated audio and web conferencing solutions that enable predictable, reliable and secure virtual meetings. The company's seamless global conferencing services enable users to collaborate spontaneously and in real time. Headquartered in Portland, OR, Encounter develops and markets its Audio Control Panel, the first integrated web page for both audio and web conferencing which offers the functionality of operator-assisted calls without the expense.
Encounter's innovative Web Window and ShareItNow(TM) technology are part of its APEX platform that provides levels of integration and flexibility not found in third party technologies. The platform supports a robust, scaleable and customizable product that works the way customers need conferencing technology to work. For more information, please visit www.encounter.net or call 1.800.290.5900.
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Encounter is a registered trademark of Encounter Collaborative in the
United States and/or other countries. ShareItNow is a registered trademark
of Encounter Collaborative. The names of actual companies and products
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.