Our Team

VCI Solutions is comprised of a dynamic group of individuals who posses a tremendous amount of expertise in the media industry. Not only do we continually invest in our products, but we invest in our team, so that we are able to be forward-thinking and agile with the products and services we provide.

Our Orion Business Systems service, support, and training team members have all achieved Orion application certification. In addition, the Support Team, including Support Manager, have all completed the Help Desk Institute (HDI) Certification program.

Meet our Executive Team

Meet our Board of Directors

Executive Team

Sarah Foss President/CEO

Sarah Foss Ms. Foss has a history of propelling organizations toward growth. Prior to joining VCI in 2006, she held various roles with Harris Corporation Broadcast Communications Division including Director of Marketing, Director of Product Marketing for Media Asset Management, and Managing Director responsible for overall operations in Paris, France. Coined as an agent for change and expansion, she also is experienced in leveraging assets and financial backing for strategic, stable growth. With her internet and software start-up experience, Ms. Foss has been a driving force in company expansions. Sarah draws on her television station operation background to ensure a customer-centric focus in all VCI organizational efforts. Foss has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Management/Marketing from Ohio University.

Jamie Meyer Vice President of Product Development

Jamie Meyer relies on his 15+ years of broadcast software experience to develop revolutionary customer-focused solutions within the automation product portfolio. Prior to VCI, Jamie was the Product Manager for Station and Group Products for Pathfire, where he introduced automated processes to store and forward content delivery. Before that, Jamie was with Harris Corporation Broadcast Communications Division and Louth for 10 years, most recently in the position of Senior Manager, Product Marketing where he focused on system design, workflows, and software engineering. Utilizing his experience in life cycle management coupled with his engineering and architectural expertise, Mr. Meyer ensures cohesive systems relevant to client needs are a focal point for the company. Mr. Meyer is a member of the SMPTE S22-10 Metadata Exchange Working Group.

Mary Blair Vice President of Operations

Mary Blair brings 16 years of industry and business systems software experience to her product portfolio, in addition to 2 years of corporate accounting experience in a service industry prior to joining VCI Solutions. Mary has 7 years of station side experience that was developed in the field as a Software trainer and Implementation project leader which is where her career at VCI solutions started. Mary has held multiple positions within the organization including, Customer Support Manager, Implementations Manager, Operations Manager, and Software Development Manager. In addition to Mrs. Blair’s work experience she has received formal training in the areas of Product Management, Requirements Definition, Sandler Sales Training. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and an MBA from Western New England College.

Randall R. Garner Chief Financial Officer

Randall R. Garner Randall is an accomplished professional with 29 years of financial experience; he is responsible for managing the company's finance and accounting functions. Prior to joining VCI he was Corporate Controller of a publicly traded telecommunications start-up in San Diego, CA. Mr. Garner's experience has emphasized all aspects of management consulting & financial compliance, and includes twelve years in public accounting with a local CPA firm in a suburb of Chicago, IL. Randall is a Certified Public Accountant, received a Bachelor of Science degree from De Paul University and a Master of Business Administration in accounting from Loyola University of Chicago.

Deb MacGilvary Vice President of Human Resources

Deb MacGilvary With more than 20 years in the constantly changing world of Human Resources, Ms. MacGilvary has a penchant for enabling organizations to fully utilize the inimitable asset of human resources. Previous to joining VCI in 2006 she had experience in many different industries including production, modular homes, printing, mental health and insurance. She has held director and management roles for both profit and non-profit organizations, allowing her eclectic experiences to develop a more strategic perspective that fully utilizes internal talent. Deb holds a BS in Business Management and Human Resource Administration from Granite State College and an MBA from Plymouth State University.

Board of Directors

W. Lowell Putnam Chairman/Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)

W. Lowell Putnam Son of broadcast Hall of Famer and UHF TV Pioneer, Bill Putnam, Lowell Putnam has spent his entire life in the broadcasting industry. Growing up in the business, Lowell has been a producer, news reporter, and even painted TV towers. After graduation from college, he was actively involved in the development of early generation traffic systems and held senior software development and business analyst positions, including Director of Systems Development for Springfield Television Corporation. Since founding VCI in 1984, Lowell has been viewed as an industry educator. In addition to being called on frequently by industry leaders and trade groups, Lowell has been a regular panelist at the BCFM annual convention and a frequent contributor to key industry trade publications over the years. Mr. Putnam’s station knowledge teamed with his development experience gives him a unique perspective that highlights client needs throughout the entire workflow. Lowell graduated with honors holding a B.A. in Psychology from American International College.

Robert B. Apfel Board Member

Bob Apfel’s 31 years of diversified television broadcast experience with Capital Cities/ABC (now Disney) has covered all areas of finance, administration and computer development at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, NY and WPVI-TV, Philadelphia, PA. He was instrumental in developing the sales, accounting, personnel and news archival systems at WPVI-TV. Since 1987 Bob has been a member of the Television Music License Committee, representing the ABC owned stations and currently holds the position of Treasurer. He is also a member of the Executive and Negotiating committees. In this role, he was, and continues to be, instrumental in developing the Per Program license as well as the computer-generated reporting to ASCAP and BMI. He is a past director of the BCFM.

William T. Hanley Board Member

William Hanley, former president and CEO of Millitech, was voted one of the most influential business people of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Business Journal’s 1994 Leader of the Year. Hanley has decades of leadership experience in related industries; He was formerly executive vice-president/ director of the Hanson Group, Ltd. (Ludlow, MA) and president/ CEO of Galileo Corporation (Sturbridge, MA). He is co-founder of the Center for Advanced Fiberoptic Applications (CAFA); and has also held management positions with Times Fiber Communications, Inc. (Wallingford, CT) and Corning, Inc. (Corning, NY). In addition to his new role with VCI, Hanley will continue to contribute as a business consultant and member of Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for several companies in Central, Western Massachusetts and Florida. He holds a BS degree in Glass Science from Alfred University, New York and graduated from Corning Community College, New York.

Charles Jablonski Board Member

Charles Jablonski is a four-time Emmy Award winner and former Vice President for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Jablonski has held leadership reigns – and served as an advisor and consultant – for a number of industry-shaping broadcast and technology companies such as: Vice President of Broadcast and Network Engineering for NBC; President and Chief Executive Officer for Myrio Corporation, and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Network Operations and Engineering for Geocast Network Systems. Jablonski has represented various non-profit and education concerns in Board, Advisory or Senior Management capacities. He is a Past President of The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (of which he is a Fellow), a member of the Engineering Advisory Board of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Chair of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Technology Awards Committee. An author and lecturer on broadcast and business/technology issues, Jablonski has received four Emmy Awards and was featured as one of the “10 To Watch” by Electronic Media (1999). Currently, Jablonski also serves as a member of the: Advisory Board for Omneon Video Networks; Board of Directors and Advisory Board (Chairperson) for Visible World, Inc.; International Broadcasting Convention Council; and Board of Directors for Azcar. Additionally, Jablonski is a consultant to various other media companies, as well as venture capital and equity fund investment firms involved in areas of technology and business.

Kenneth Karaszkiewicz Board Member

Kenneth Karaszkiewicz has 28 years of experience in broadcast industry finance. Most recently, Kenneth has held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Cascade Broadcasting Group. Previously, he held the position of Group Controller at Renaissance Communications Corp, one of the largest operators of independent and Fox-affiliated television stations in the US. Over a six-year period, Kenneth helped Renaissance grow from an entrepreneurial venture into a public company that was sold to Tribune Company for $1.03 billion. Kenneth also held a variety of financial management positions with Westinghouse Broadcasting Company, Group W. Kenneth graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting.

Ed Karlik Board Member

In July 1997, Edward Karlik founded Staightline Communications, which purchased three television stations (WTVX W. Palm Beach (UPN), WLWC Providence (UPN), and WVNY Burlington (ABC). Later, WTVX and WLWC were sold to Paramount Station Group. On a consulting basis, Ed was the project director for building TV2 in Hungary for SBS. He also completed other assignments for SBS including overseeing strategic planning and advertising for their investment in Zurich, Switzerland. From 1963 until 1997, Mr. Karlik was an integral part of many organizations including Renaissance Communications, Chase Communications, and Petry Television. During his tenure with Renaissance, Mr. Karlik‘s role as President/COO enabled him to create an elite group of six stations that were sold to Tribune Company. Edward Karlik’s extensive knowledge of the media industry has resulted in superior products and increased revenues. His recognition of the importance of strategic partnerships has been visible throughout his career.