The Tangence Team

Manish Mehta

Manish Mehta, President is one of those Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who can't do anything else but start companies to exploit business opportunities. In this entrepreneurial mode, Manish has sold a company to Verity (NASDAQ:VRTY), raised over $30 Million in venture capital from premier VCs, and been at the helm of one of those dot com startups that did not change the world.

Manish is currently busy applying all of these experiences to turn Tangence into a truly transformative marketing services company. Six lifetimes ago, Manish earned his computer credentials from institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (B.S.), University of Wisconsin, Madison (M.S., Ph.D.) and IBM (first job).

Michelle Netten

Michelle Netten, Senior Client Services Manager has over 15 years’ experience in marketing communications on both the agency and client side. She has worked as the Director of Marketing Communications at Secure Computing, Senior Marketing Programs Manager at Websense, and has had a successful run with her own independent marketing communications consultancy. An accomplished writer, published author, and seasoned project manager, Michelle is well versed in all aspects of the marketing communications mix. When she is not writing fiction for clients she uses her time to produce engaging content for children’s books.

Gil Roberts

Gil Roberts, Director Business Development has 15 years' experience in technology and marketing sales. He has worked with F1000 companies to early stage startups in both direct sales and partner management roles. For the past 10 years he has been actively involved in the web marketing space. He started as a Sales Manager with Netline, a marketing publisher and lead-gen company, was one of the first staff members at PodTech, a venture-funded social media startup, was a founding member of Connected Social Media, a video agency and offshoot of PodTech and the founder of My Social Markets, a marketing services company focused on improving the digital marketing and lead-gen efforts of small to medium sized technology VARs. When not enjoying time with his kids, Gil would love to be camping, fishing, skiing, running or playing golf. In other words, he reads a lot about these activities in magazines.

Brian Fortune

Brian Fortune, VP Business Development has over 30 years of marketing and sales experience across a diverse range of industries including pharmaceuticals, industrial controls and technology. Sometimes described as a gamekeeper turned poacher, Brian has worked extensively on the client side as well as the agency environment. A Silicon Valley veteran, Brian has been involved with many of the Valley’s leading communications agencies. He was CMO at Coakley Heagerty and P3M, and a Managing Partner at CKS Partners. Most recently Brian was Senior Director of International Services at Global Fluency and was instrumental in driving business development for the CMO Council and BPM Forum. His previous experience also includes senior positions in Europe with such companies as Digital Equipment and Honeywell. Brian describes himself as a gentleman golfer, in other words he would be a lot better if only he had the talent.

Christine Okubo

Christine Okubo, Senior Client Services Manager has over 13 years marketing communications experience in both agency and corporate environments. Before joining Tangence, she has lead the creative services team as Director of Marketing Communications at Business Objects (SAP) where she was responsible for global advertising, corporate branding, collateral writing, design and production, software packaging, multimedia, and managing all of the company's creative agencies. Prior to that, she worked at Pagliaro/Kuhlman, a Silicon Valley agency where she managed key technology and transportation accounts including Fujitsu Microelectronics, the Information and Communication division of Boeing, Asyst Technologies, AT&T GIS, SCO, and Consolidated Freightways among others. Christine has also worked as an independent consultant, most recently leading the creative and branding redesign for Ingres Corporation. In addition to her relevant work experience, Christine attributes wrangling her two small children, a Dalmatian, and husband to her ability to consistently provide excellent service to her clients.

Chris Ardito

Chris Ardito, VP Client Services has over 20 years' experience in agency and client services with a focus on branding and integrated marketing. As founder of two successful marketing agencies in the SF Bay Area, she has worked with an impressive lineup of Silicon Valley enterprises like Hewlett Packard, Xerox International Partners, PG&E, BrassRing Systems, On Command/LodgeNet, Visa, Inc. and SenSage. Other clients include startup ventures from high tech and clean tech, to food and wine.

Chris combines core expertise in creative strategy, client services and business development with a knack for seeing the bigger picture to help clients leverage opportunity into new levels of business success. With a high degree of energy, leadership and resourcefulness, she thrives on creative problem-solving and is known for pulling the occasional rabbit out of a hat when necessary. Of course, no animals are ever harmed as a result of great client service.

Irene O’Brien

Irene O’Brien, Client Services Manager, has over 15 years experience in marketing and advertising. Having worked primarily on the agency side, she has provided clients with in-depth project management skills and top-notch strategic guidance. Her client experience includes Cisco, Ingres, Synopsys, Virtual PBX, Intacct, and Postini. Irene has helped companies build rebranding programs starting with a logo to an entire marketing program. Her agency background includes Saatchi & Saatchi and Hal Riney & Partners where she worked on global accounts such as Hewlett-Packard and Saturn. When she’s not managing her husband and 3 kids, Irene enjoys yoga, hiking and the occasional lunch with friends.

Patti Glover

Patti Glover, Client Services Manager, brings 18 years of account management, creative design leadership, and strategic thinking to the Tangence team. She has worked at Landor, Chiat /Day, marchFirst, and Gensler. Patti also has several years of marcom experience working with Apple.

This combined focus has enabled Patti to guide diverse projects from developing and introducing the first Apple Stores, creating signage program for Westfield San Francisco and managing the brand and website launch for AltaMed. Patti excels at building meaningful customer experiences and has a natural ability to turn opportunities into success stories. She has a passion for facilitating teams and is a seasoned, versatile manager – always relying on her sense of humor for balance.