Valerie Beaudett, Principal

Valerie Beaudett is the principal of Umbrella PR and handles the ongoing account strategy and daily management of client programs. Valerie started Umbrella PR over 5 years ago and has worked with a variety of technology and clean technology clients including PeopleSoft, McAfee, IronPort Systems, Activant, OuterBay Technologies, Synopsys, GuardianEdge, ActivIdentity, Network General, Mu Dynamics, Altor Networsk, Tripwire, Noetix, Host Analytics, VantagePoint Venture Partners, Informatica and several smaller start up organizations. Prior to starting Umbrella PR, Valerie previously held in-house positions with Hyperion, Ingrian Networks, Netscape Communications and Symantec. With over 15-years of experience, Valerie has developed and executed complete communications programs consisting of messaging and positioning, relentless media relations, strategic customer reference programs, speaker's bureau, and product/corporate launches. Her successes include solid placements in key technology, vertical and business publications, published contributed articles in technology trade publications, high-level placements in top-tier business and clean tech conferences for executives and successful customer reference programs. Valerie holds a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and has attended online PR courses through NYU.   

Kristi Kilpatrick, Vice President

Kristi is a technology PR professional with more than 13 years experience. She has worked in a variety of high tech industries including Social Media, Mobile, Web 2.0, consumer and enterprise software.  Kristi is a strong communications professional with proven skills in marketing strategy, writing, media/analyst relations, and event planning.

She has held account lead positions at SHIFT Communications, Page One PR and Gallagher Public Relations, and has successfully lead the PR programs for companies like gwabbit,  NVIDIA, blueKiwi software, Zemanta, Huddle, DEMO Conference, UpShot, RawSugar, Shimano Corporation and Quantum.  Previously, she was a media planner for powerhouse ad agency Hal Riney and Partners, where she implemented advertising plans for major brand names including Saturn Corporation, Starbucks and First Interstate Bank.  She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

J.C. Miller, Vice President 

J.C. Miller, vice president at Umbrella PR brings more than 15-years of high-tech marketing experience in developing lasting strategic assets through creative market development. J.C.’s background is an unusual mix of creative, business, entrepreneurial and corporate giving him a deep understanding of how to connect strategic goals and operations to drive business success. Prior to his work with Umbrella PR, he served as Director of Marketing at ProactiveNet (later acquired by BMC) and StockMaster.com (later acquired by RedHerring).  J.C. has also held senior level positions at Knight Ridder and Thompson Learning. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Business Communications and Comparative Economics.