Kimberly Lancaster, President/Founder

Kim opened Caster in January 1998 at the age of 27 with an SBA loan and four credit cards. Her work ethic and enthusiasm for this business are core values she instills in her team every day. Kim's dedication to her clients is unsurpassed and her team shares her belief system. Now 13 years in business and with her agency firmly established; she prides herself on Caster's stellar reputation, growing client base and list of accomplishments. Kim is available to all clients for strategy, troubleshooting and brainstorming, while still managing a few accounts including Control4 and Runco, running the agency and supporting her team. A 1991 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Kim went on to attain her MA in Business Communications from Emerson College in Boston in 1993.

Kim has cultivated an esteemed background in public relations based on education, industry affiliations and a variety of premium brands including Keds, Nynex, Polaroid, Castrol, XM, Control4, Microsoft, Cisco and so many more over the past 15 years. Kim is an active member of the WBENC (Caster is a certified minority business), PRSA, CEA and CEDIA, where she sits on the Sustainable Lifestyles' Board. Kim is a winner of the prestigious Alcott Award, PBN's Women to Watch, the 50-yard dash in both 5th and 6th grade, and World's Greatest Mom honoree; the agency Blog has been rated AllTop for repeatedly making the top 5 list of top searched stories in a single day, and Caster made O'Dwyer's list of Top 100 small private PR firms in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008.

An absolute authority on Katie Kazoo and Star Wars Legos, Kim is the mom of Abigail (8) and Maxwell (5). She misses Mattie, her Westie and Caster co-pilot for 12 years, every single day. But is fortunate to have the ever-adoring, slightly neurotic affection of Molly, a cute if not a little less smart version of Mattie. Kim loves her family time. Her passions include the beach, decorating, wine, cooking, eating food she didn't cook, and her husband Joe & and not necessarily in that order. Kim learned to ski 5 years ago and is pleased with her downhill performance but does not think she will ever qualify for the Olympics. If, however, brownie baking (sea salted chocolate caramel anyone?) ever becomes an Olympic sport she feels she could be a contender.

Nicholas Brown, Director of Account Services

A five-year veteran of Caster, Nick spent the past year as Community Manager for Warwick-based Astonish Results, where he managed a blogging/multimedia-heavy social networking and SEO programs while consulting and creating a library of educational materials for insurance industry clientele. Returning to our team in October 2010, Nick has managed such high profile accounts as Life|ware and Microsoft's New American Home. Nick has extensive contacts with travel, tech, home and consumer media along with an innate ability to commandeer lifestyle PR. Nick has managed a wide range of product launches and press events, and leads the team for booking national television. Nick received his BA in Public Relations from Boston University - College of Communication in 2002.

Nick is also a devoted dad and Rhode Islander, an active volunteer in youth sports and a public speaker who's bantered about social media at tradeshows, corporate offices, in college classrooms and on educational panels. He spends his free time looking for outdoor adventures, playing with Nerf guns, building sandwiches and trying to make the world a funnier place.

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, daughter Natalie and dog Layla, or watching just about whatever game is on - especially if it involves the New York Mets.

Rebecca Pelton, Director of Caster Resources

Rebecca (aka Becca) has been an indispensable asset to the Caster team for over 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 is busy making new creations (greeting cards, coasters, magnets, and earrings just to name some of her items) for her etsy shop Designs by Becca. She is an avid Red Sox fan, traveler, reader and shopper and can shake you up the best espresso martini you have ever tasted. 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.

Kelly Ahern, Account Executive

Kelly joined the Caster Communications family in January 2012. Since graduating from Roger Williams Univeristy with a degree in Communications-Public Relations and a concentration in e-Business, Kelly has launched herself head first into the professional world. Prior to joining the Caster team, Kelly provided event management and fundraising support for The American Cancer Society of Rhode Island as well as worked her way up from intern to Blog & SEO Content Manager at the Warwick-based Astonish Results. With a love for writing, branding and social media Kelly is excited to immerse herself in everything tech and deliver real results to her Caster clients.

Kelly is a self-proclaimed coffee addict, with a current obsession for hazelnut mochas. As an avid reader, Johnny Depp fan and lover of all things fashion, Kelly also loves spending her free time perusing the Rhode Island streets for unique local, fare.

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.

Lisa Maughan, contract marketing manager

A contractor for AEP Retail Energy, an affiliate of American Electric Power that was created in 2009 as a competitive retail electric supply and former marketing manager at Life|ware, a home automation company built on the Microsoft Media Center platform, Lisa has applied her extensive marketing and PR background to helping specialty companies build cohesive marketing programs. A graduate from Utah State University with her Bachelors in Marketing, Lisa contracts for Caster from her office in Columbus, Ohio.

Lisa has been married to her best friend Keith Maughan for 12 years and spends most of her time chasing her three-year old son Parker (who makes Lance Armstrong look tired) around. Lisa enjoys spending time her family and friends, volunteering for church organizations, eating fabulous food, reading good books, wearing anything by Michael Kors and watching The Apprentice on NBC.

DeAnn Zebelean, contractor

With nineteen years of marketing strategy, positioning, and branding experience, DeAnn has worked for companies such as Caster Communications, Control4, Megahertz, Verve Living Systems, Card Access and numerous start-ups in the technology, consumer electronics, HAN, retail, and resort industries. From launching companies and products to dealing with post merger branding issues and public relations, her experience allows her to develop strategic imperatives that are not only actionable and measurable but that get results.

When she is not working, DeAnn stays busy with her husband, three children, and her dog Zebi. She enjoys snow skiing, hiking, mountain biking, trying new restaurants, wine tasting, and golfing. But she also enjoys spending quiet moments in her garden and curled up with a good book.

Mattie, Security/Mooch

Mattie accompanied Kim to work every day for 12 years. She stole the hearts of everyone she met with her fuzzy little face, her welcoming personality and her snoring. From the conference calls her barking interrupted to the meetings disrupted as she barged out her doggie door to chase a squirrel that dare trespass into the office courtyard, Mattie gave us a reason to smile every day. She is loved. She is missed.

Molly, Productivity Coordinator

Joining the Caster dog crew in June of 2010, Molly brings new distractions and laugh-out-loud moments to our office. Whether she's joyously greeting the staff or barking protectively at newcomers, turning on the Weebles' slide during phone calls or chasing skateboarders on our walkway, Molly is always there to grab your attention and give you an ankle lick or nuzzle your hand. Cheerios and dog treats are always welcome.