Kimberly Lancaster, President/Founder

Kimberly Lancaster is the founder of Caster Communications, a full service public relations firm specializing in consumer electronics, clean technology and sustainable design. Kim opened Caster in 1998 with the goal of bringing integrity, responsibility and creativity to her clients and their industries. A 1991 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Kim then obtained her MA in Business Communications from Emerson College in Boston. Kim has cultivated an esteemed background based on education, industry affiliations and a variety of premium brand accounts at numerous agencies, including her own, over the past 16 years.

In 2008, with a growing client base interested in sustainability  and in the midst of building a new home  Kim began Green Life Smart Life (GLSL). A sustainable home showcase, GLSL was designed to demonstrate the implementation of green building techniques and smart home technologies to achieve LEED® for Homes certification. Kim served as both the designer and general contractor on the project, quickly becoming an expert in the green building and green technology markets. Determined to help other homeowners, builders and integrators in their quest to create sustainable dwellings, Kim has built the GLSL community through an award-winning Blog, numerous media appearances, public open houses and speaking events. Kim is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), CEA, CEDIA, USGBC and currently serves as the Communications/Marketing Chair of the RI Green Building Council.

An absolute authority on princesses and tractors, Kim is the mom of Abigail (6) and Maxwell (3). She is inseparable from her co-dependent West Highland Terrier Mattie (see bios). Kim loves her family time. Her passions include the beach, decorating, wine, organic cooking, eating local food she didn't cook, and her husband Joe and not necessarily in that order.

Lauren Simmen, Account Executive

Lauren joined Caster Communications in May 2006 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University with degrees in marketing communications, advertising and writing. Before coming to Caster, Lauren provided PR services for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and worked closely with the National Wrestling Coaches Association and New England College Wrestling Association. In her tenure at Caster, she has worked hands-on with numerous clients, including those in the technology, local and green market spaces. Immensely detail-oriented, Lauren fully understands all of the logistics and coordination it takes to make events and trade shows a success for her clients.

While some have the need for speed, Lauren's need for adventure often results in pushing herself and a 1,200-pound animal to the extreme. Whether it's eventing through woods or seeing just how high a jump can get before the ground looks really far away, horseback riding is one of her favorite pastimes. In her down time, you can find her deep in the woods hiking with her husband and dog Layla, or watching just about whatever game is on - especially if it involves the New York Mets.

Ashley Daigneault, Account Executive

Ashley joined Caster in September 2006 as an intern and began full time in May 2007 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in politics and writing. While an undergrad, Ashley spent time in Washington, D.C. working at a non-profit public policy office conducting research, building community programs and lobbying Congress. Since joining Caster, Ashley has applied her extensive writing skills to the agency world and has worked on a range of Caster clients including national consumer electronics brands to start-ups in the green and sustainable field.

Ashley is currently pursuing an MBA in sustainable business with a concentration on energy policy. A self-proclaimed organic foodie, Ashley spends her time chasing her yellow lab, enjoying the beautiful Rhode Island coast and traveling to see as much of the world as possible. Ashley is an aspiring photographer and a member of PRSA and Net Impact, a business organization dedicated to furthering responsible and sustainable practices.

Amanda Nickerson, Account Coordinator

Amanda joined the Caster team in December of 2009 after returning to her native Rhode Island after a five year stretch in New Hampshire. With a BS (the only BS at Caster) in Marine Resource Conservation from Plymouth State University, she spent her time in NH working for the Boy Scouts Adventure Program, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests as the Communications Specialist, and at Business NH Magazine as an Advertising Executive. Amanda is currently pursuing an MBA in Organizational and Environmental Sustainability at Antioch University New England. With extensive interest in all things green Amanda is excited to help Caster clients become more sustainable in all aspects of business.

Amanda is a MAC, an on-again off-again Pescetarian, a life-long lover of Rhode Island, and occasionally can be found at Newport Vineyards behind the tasting bar, or in the vineyard passionately talking about the importance of sustainable farming, raptors and owls. This sailor, skier, marine photographer, Red Sox and animal lover has also been known to play a mean game of billiards, Cranium, or Rock Band (although her Mom is the Rock Band master). In her spare moments you can find her being chased down the beach by her Miniature Schnauzer Lily, making gifts out of recycled materials, hanging out with her family, shopping at the farmer's market, and enjoying wine while grilling on the deck with her boyfriend Scott -- even in the rain and snow. She's the first one to tell you that her personality and energy will grow on you...like a fungus!

Megan Lemoi, Account Coordinator

Megan joined Caster in December 2009 after graduating from Iona College with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. While in school Megan had two internships; one with a PR/Marketing company specializing in telecommunication clients, and the other for the Arena Football Leagues communications department. She was also a member of her school's National PRSSA club and was involved in their National Bateman Competition Team.

Megan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, seeing the latest movies, and listening to her favorite music. You can find her in the gym most nights or baking sweets at home on a Sunday while cheering on her favorite sports team - the New England Patriots.

Rebecca Pelton, Director of Caster Resources

Rebecca (aka Becca) has been an indispensable asset to the Caster team for ten years. She came to Caster as part-time help and as Caster has grown, so have her skills and responsibilities. Rebecca handles all of Caster's accounts payables, accounts receivables, HR and vendors. Rebecca also manages Caster's in-house resources such as our proprietary database, print production, clippings and the Caster website. She is a 1998 graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Psychology. If she doesn't have the answer, she'll find it. If she can't, it simply doesn't exist.

Rebecca rarely finds a moment to slow down. She continues to work even when not at work. In her spare time (like 3 AM), she creates greeting cards and shower invitations for her friends, family and her side business designs-by-becca. She is an avid Red Sox fan, traveler, reader and shopper. Her infectious laugh and smile brighten the office each and every day, but don't be fooled by her sunny demeanor. She knows how to lay the smack down and will squash you with the heel of her pretty little shoe if you forget to fill out your timesheet.

Kate Kiselka, Part-time Social Media Guru

Kate joined Caster in October of 2009 after a decision to end her Master's in Education and switch back into the Communications field. Kate received her Bachelor degree in Communications in 2006 from Rhode Island College. After interning in St. John at Maho Bay Camps, an eco-resort in the Virgin Islands and working at Newport Yachting center after College, Kate decided to switch her career to education and spent a few years teaching at Meeting Street School and also as a Nanny to two wonderful families. Kate also spent her time in college volunteering with many youth organizations. After much thought Kate missed being in the office and was given a great opportunity to work at Caster. Since joining Caster Kate has rediscovered her love for writing and has been blogging non-stop for caster's two blogs.

Kate's love for Eco living extends past her presence at Caster and into her own home. As a new homeowner Kate spends her alone time engulfed in HGTV and is always looking for new ways to green her home. The rest of Kate's time is spent planning her upcoming wedding or surrounded by her five nieces and nephews. Kate can give you a quick answer to any question or a fun fact in the middle of an intense conversation, her opinions on life and any surrounding themes are usually thoughtful and intense just never ask her opinion on where to eat, she will always make you decide.

Patti Lorin, Creative Director

Patti is an award-winning creative director and graphic designer with an innate skill in brand definition and creative expression. As the former Creative Director for Kaleidescape, she established the luxury brand's image and developed every marketing asset for the company. Patti is also responsible for creating the brand identities for Media Center Integrator Alliance, Green Life Smart Life and Axiom Design. Equally as competent in user interface design, Patti designed eSommelier's new 2.0 product interface as well as Kaleidescape's UI for 3rd-party touch panel systems: AMX, Crestron and Pronto.

Patti holds a BS in graphic design, a MBA, a patent in UI development, and over 16 years of professional design experience, primarily in the high-end consumer electronics industry. Patti maintains excellent relationships with her clients that all turn into new referrals. Clients appreciate Patti's ability to take vague, general directions and turn it into designs with stunning visual impact that drive brands forward achieving positive marketing results. Patti lives in California with her 2 children, Matt (11) and Julia (7) and enjoys water and snow skiing, Santa Cruz beaches, Napa Valley wineries, biking, yoga and the whole outdoors.

Mattie, Security/Mooch

Mattie has accompanied Kim to work every day since her first on April 16th, 1999. Mattie is a lively addition to our office and can occasionally (or frequently) be heard on conference calls. When not sleeping in her supine position by Kim's desk, Mattie keeps the UPS and postman on their toes, and eagerly awaits lunchtime.