latakoo
[ LAT – uh – KOO ] noun
An end-to-end solution for the fastest, most secure transfer and delivery of large files. latakoo specializes in video and other digital media files, but will soon enable the quick transfer of many other forms of data; latakoo Clients include the world’s largest broadcaster, television stations, production companies, and marketing firms. Based in Austin, Texas, latakoo serves companies around the world.
meet the team
Paul has worked with video and big data files for his entire career and he understands the complexities of sharing those files. His experience in the broadcasting and cable industry and the contacts he nurtured through the years helped him to establish latakoo inside some of the biggest broadcasting companies. Paul has won numerous awards, including Emmys for investigative journalism. He has a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas and a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Jade has experience in all facets of broadcasting, including management, communications, and technology. Jade understands video workflow: codecs, formats, editing, transfer. She has managed news staff, coordinated crews while traveling the world, run operations, scheduled teams, and assisted in crafting budgets. Jade launched & managed the ground-up building of a news bureau for a national network. Jade has a BA from Florida State University.
Thomas plays a leading role in bringing new features to latakoo’s software. He has a proven track record of success when it comes to building a stronger and scalable suite of technology. Prior to joining the team he was a software engineer for DoorDash, has written advanced cybersecurity software and designed and built a global platform supporting millions of users for gambling giant Aristocrat. Thomas proudly served in the U.S. Navy, where he won awards for the software he wrote – which went above and beyond his daily duties.
Jacob oversees latakoo’s day-to-day accounting and finance activities and leads strategic initiatives related to pricing, fundraising, and special projects. Jacob holds a Ph.D. in International Macroeconomics from Western University and has significant experience in transfer pricing and tax compliance from PwC and MNP. Prior to joining latakoo, Jacob also served as Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado Denver where he conducted research and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Macroeconomic Theory and Financial Economics. Jacob lives in Calgary, AB with his wife and two daughters.
Joe leads the day-to-day operations of latakoo’s technology team. He also builds and handles latakoo’s advanced compression, conveyance, and management technologies. Joe’s resume in technology includes wide ranging experience in areas from database design to software development for video encoding and application design and creation of systems across the web and enterprise platforms. He has led application development teams at video companies and content delivery networks and has been the senior software engineer on numerous critical projects for businesses and military contractors. Joe has worked in almost every type of programming, technology and development role. His talents and consummate diligence have made it possible for latakoo’s apps and web interface to do what others find nearly impossible.
Richard is latakoo’s resident research scientist. Richard’s Ph.D. efforts in Electrical Engineering are at the cutting edge of digital signal processing and information theory. Richard has developed technology that enables simultaneous compression and encryption of data, which allows latakoo to provide speedy and secure information transmission over our platform. Richard has degrees in Physics and Engineering and research experience in quantum optics, wireless power transfer, adaptive signal representation and image processing.
Vova has more than six years of experience in commercial software development. He is the main developer of latakoo HUB and DMZ systems, automating the movement of video files from the cloud to asset management systems. Vova has developed systems for several companies, including the British Financial Exchange, where he worked with large data sets. Vova has MSc-IT from National University “Lviv Polytechnics” in Ukraine.
Bob has diverse software experience that, prior to working at latakoo, he applied to data mining for modeling real estate markets and development. Bob has over 20 years of experience managing software teams and has been involved in both prototyping, deployment, and product management. Bob is a US Army veteran who’s service involved management of the Patriot Missile System and associated maintenance vehicles.
Dani has experience across a wide range of software stacks, picking up tasks on Pilot, Flight Desktop, cloud processing, and more. His passion for code and computer systems runs deep, first programming at the age of 8 and now spending his free time contributing to open source and hobbyist hardware projects. Dani has a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Irvine.
David joined latakoo as a Software Engineer, bringing experience from his previous role at Qualia. David’s genuine passion for web development goes beyond just coding; he’s keenly focused on creating software that makes people’s lives easier and more efficient. This is underscored by his past endeavors, such as the automated formal proof checker he developed during his academic years. At latakoo, David channels his drive and commitment into crafting top-notch web solutions that prioritize user satisfaction and ease of use. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from Princeton University.
David has worked in broadcast operations and with multiple industry suppliers, giving him knowledge of both environments. Having worked on award winning international coverage across world changing events, he has great experience of news workflows and the pressures of working in editorial businesses where every second counts. David brings dedication, organization and strategic skills to the team, driving commercial and partnership activities for the business to realize its growth potential. David lives in the UK with his wife and kids and enjoys cycling and learning to play the guitar.
Harley is a newsroom veteran who understands the needs of latakoo’s clients and how vital it is to provide advice and solutions when the clock is ticking. A former newspaper journalist who transitioned to online media and then television, Harley relied on latakoo’s technology as an assignment editor at the NBC station in Austin. Harley grew up in England, but now lives in Austin with his wife and his dog.
Hafiz is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with experience in multiple industries over the years. He has a passion for volunteering and serves on non-profit boards for several organizations within the arts as well as in business and with gender issues. When not volunteering, he loves attending shows, and socializing in general.
Tony is a 29 year veteran of broadcast and digital news and 11-time Emmy Award winner. He’s worked in markets spanning four states and seven television stations. In 2020, the Ohio Associated Press awarded him “Best Photographer” for the fourth time in an 18 year period. Tony has led organizations like the Ohio Valley NATAS as President, participated on the board of the KNPA, and ONPA and was the first Multimedia Journalist for Scripps Broadcasting based in Cincinnati. While working with latakoo, Mirones helped bring home four national Telly Awards in 2022.
Ryan directs the setup of new accounts and interacts daily with latakoo clients, making sure the latakoo system is working for everyone. As an artist with a keen eye for detail, she designed our management console. She has a deep understanding of how users interface with the latakoo platform and participates daily in the evolution of the design and user interface of latakoo services. Ryan has a BA in Studio Art from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
Greta keeps the latakoo executive team running efficiently as executive assistant. With more than 20 years of experience in managing clients and complex schedules, Greta brings those skills and more to the latakoo team. Greta enjoys solving problems for clients who reach out to latakoo support. While she has no formal tech training, Greta says she’s proof of how easy latakoo is to learn. An avid volunteer, Greta enjoys spending time with her twin teenage boys.
Christine Kornegay
Christine is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years of financial and operational experience, including all areas of accounting and tax, strategic planning and forecasting, SEC reporting and technical accounting, as well as acquisition and integration planning with public companies in the wireless communications and high-tech industries. She most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller for MetroPCS during T-Mobile’s acquisition of the company at an $8 billion valuation, including a $1.5 billion cash payment to shareholders.
Jeff Eller
Jeff is the CEO and founder of crisis management firm, Jeff Eller Group. He is the former chairman of Public Strategies, which was acquired by WPP. Later, Public Strategies merged with Hill+Knowlton. Eller, who joined Public Strategies in 1994 and previously led the company’s campaigns group, was promoted to president and CEO in 2006, and chairman in 2009. Before joining Public Strategies, Eller served in the Clinton White House as deputy assistant to the president and director of media affairs and oversaw all regional and specialty media relations, as well as radio and television services. He has been involved in numerous congressional and Senate campaigns, and worked for two members of Congress.
Ben Werdmuller
Ben is Director of Investments at Matter, based in Silicon Valley. Matter invests in early stage media ventures. He is also the co-founder of Known, a software platform that creates a private, social space for internal teams. He is latakoo’s first Chief Technology Officer and has been building web applications since 1994. Prior to latakoo, he co-founded Elgg, an award-winning enterprise social networking platform used by organizations including Harvard University, the Australian government, Oxfam and the World Bank, as well as schools and non-profits around the world.