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, hands-on experience and a variety of premium brands including Keds, Polaroid, Castrol, Dolby, XM, Control4, Microsoft, 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 Discovery Advisory Board. Kim is a winner of the prestigious Alcott Award, PBNs Women to Watch, the 50-yard dash in both 5th and 6th grade, and Worlds 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 has made ODwyers list of Top 100 small private PR firms.

An absolute authority on Disney tween stars and Star Wars legos, Kim is the mom of Abigail (9) and Maxwell (6). 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 and Maisy, a rescue puppy who can eat an entire pillow in a single afternoon and still want dinner. 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 6 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

Working on his sixth year with Caster, Nick has over 10 years of PR experience with extensive contacts in travel, tech, home and consumer media, along with an innate ability to commandeer lifestyle PR and product reviews. Nick has managed such high profile accounts as Paradigm, Life|ware and Microsoft's New American Home, including a wide range of product launches and press events. His humor, communication style and continuous pursuit of knowledge make him an ideal social media strategist, which he applied for clients such as IOGEAR and MartinLogan as well as for Caster. Nick also spent a year working for Warwick, RI based Astonish Results where he received valuable SEO and community management training and experience while leading content development and communications for the multi-million dollar insurance marketing company. 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, local schools and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, RI. He is an experienced public speaker who's bantered about social media and PR at tradeshows, corporate offices, in college classrooms and on educational panels. He spends his free time looking for outdoor adventures, building Lego spaceships, playing with Nerf guns, making sandwiches and staying on top of current events. He also loves cheese and single malt scotches, but not always together.

Katie Short Sylvia, Director of Account Services

Katie returned to the Caster team in 2012 and brings over twelve years of agency and corporate PR, marketing communications and event management experience. She is a savvy and connected PR veteran who brings substantial CE industry knowledge, resources and relationships to the team. From launching brands to spearheading PR strategy, to media planning, event management and social media, she can do it all. Katie was a Product Manager within the medical device/healthcare industry for CareFusion, and also brings travel, tourism and finance marketing experience. She graduated from the University of Rhode Islands College of Business Administration in 2001 with a B.S. in Marketing and received the 2000 Award for Excellence and Leadership in Marketing.

Katie recently moved back to the East Coast after a brief hiatus in California. Chocolate, cheese and wine are the way to her heart and she likes to think it helps her while chasing around her toddler who is as high-energy as she. A loyal Sox and Patriots fan (tear), when not taking in games, she is most likely to be spotted on the restaurant scene in her quest to find the best mac n cheese in town, and checking out the local arts and vintage jewelry.

Rebecca Pelton, Director of Caster Resources

Rebecca (aka Becca) has been an indispensable asset to the Caster team for thirteen 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, and magnets 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. Upon graduating from Roger Williams University with a degree in Communications-Public Relations and a concentration in e-Business, Kelly has immersed herself in all things social media and content development. Excited by the dynamic nature of digital marketing and with a passion for writing, Kelly began her career at the Warwick, RI based Astonish Results, LLC -- a multi-million dollar insurance marketing company. There she worked her way up from intern to Blog & SEO Content Manager, leading a team of six full-time writers who delivered fresh, keyword rich content daily, to over 350+ independent insurance agencies. Kelly further developed her role and responsibilities when she was later entrusted with crafting and seeking placement for high-level industry-specific editorial, corporate marketing copy and case studies on behalf of the emerging tech company.

As an Account Executive Kelly has leveraged her past digital marketing experience to help develop forward-thinking social media strategies and lend SEO advice to Caster clients, while striving to grow her PR-skill set. Loving and learning everything she can about the smart home, A/V and healthcare technology, Kelly is eager to help deliver real results to her Caster clients.

A self-proclaimed coffee addict, Kelly's current obsession is a toss-up between hazelnut mochas and double espresso caramel lattes. Fond of red wine, a good book and peanut butter M&Ms; Kelly can often be spotted at a local pub watching any number of Patriots/Red Sox/Bruins games alongside the hottest buffalo wings available. Long story short, Kelly is a die-hard Johnny Depp enthusiast who believes in the power of a tweet.

Peter Girard, Account Coordinator

Pete joined the Caster Communications crew right at the start of the new year in 2013. As a recent graduate from the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Pete joins the Caster team as an Account Coordinator. Before signing on as the newest member of Caster, Pete worked at Providence-based Clear Channel Communications Inc where he spent a summer as a Promotional Intern. Upon completion of his internship, he was promoted and hired as an Event Supervisor, where he managed small teams to flawlessly execute promotional events based on client and company specifications. Pete is eager to expand his communications and PR repertoire while contributing energy, fresh ideas, and relevant experience.

Pete is a native Rhode Islander and a bit of an adrenaline junkie. From sky-diving out of planes at 14,000 ft, riding around on his motorcycle, to scuba diving 120 ft underwater, Pete enjoys anything active. As a frequent hiker and skier of mountains, biker of trails, and kayaker of rivers, Pete is always looking to try something new and his next adventure.

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 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.

Maisy, Office Eavesdropper

With her satellite sized ears, this Caster pup eagerly awaits the slightest noise alert of a crumpled paper, a toilet flush or a fallen crumb to jump into action...you can even watch her hone her ears to perfectly isolate the sound location. We think she may need to try out as an audio reviewer for some guys who are losing their touch.