Meet Zippi's Executive Team

Robert A. Rositano, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer

Robert is a co-founder of “Latitude Venture Partners, LLC” and has over 15 years experience in high technology ventures. Mr. Rositano has successfully raised over $50,000,000 in both private and public transactions and was most recently the co-founder and CEO of an Aspiring Artist Community and website. This community was designed and launched in the vein of American Idol and the growing attraction to reality based TV programming, and was named “America's Biggest, Inc.” This was an online venue where America's next Biggest Star (BAND, SOLO ARTIST, COMEDIAN, etc.) could be discovered during competition for cash and prizes. America's Biggest, Inc. began marketing in early 2005 and shortly thereafter entered into an agreement to be acquired by a publicly traded company SYMBOL: IMSI.OB, becoming part of a Internet Broadcast and online entertainment company. Prior to developing America's Biggest, Inc., Mr. Rositano was the co-founder and CEO of a Silicon Valley internet company, nettaxi.com (a portal and web community). Founded in 1997, nettaxi.com became a publicly traded company in Sept. of 1998, nettaxi achieved a ranking among the top 10 community web sites on the internet, with a stock price of $34 per share and a $700,000,000 market capitalization. As the dot com boom began a downturn, Mr. Rositano and senior management successfully preserved over $7,500,000 in capital, and completed a successful merger with another high tech Silicon Valley company in April 2002. Mr. Rositano has proven to be instrumental in establishing capital raising relationships with venture capital firms, financial and lending institutions, as well as high net worth individuals. In his professional capacity, he has developed strategic partner relationships with (among others) AT&T, Apple Computer, MacMillan Publishing, Hartley Publishers, Jostens Learning Center, Earthlink, and 3COM Corporation.

In 1995, Mr. Rositano co-founded Simply Interactive, Inc. and served as the company's Executive Vice President through 1997 in the areas of imarketing, sales, and product development. Mr. Rositano's focus was interactivity and the development of the Internet the City CD-ROM, an innovative “next-generation” collection of internet, browsing and learning tools. The Internet the City collection received numerous reviews and won the nationally recognized “Joey” Award for best interactive CD-ROM. The development and application of proprietary technology tools that drive the ongoing evolution of the internet propelled the compelling CD-ROM, and allowed it to connect with an online version.

In 1995, Mr. Rositano co-authored one of the first World Wide Web directories to help internet surfers find their way around the Web. The book was designed and positioned to begin integrating advertising partners into the directory, and the rights in the directory were sold to MacMillan Computer Publishing (QUE). The book became a national best seller in its second edition and was marketed under the name Que's Mega Web Directory.

In 1994, Mr. Rositano co-founded a new company targeting beginner level internet users. He co-produced, raised initial seed capital, and directed and launched the first Internet training video “Introduction to the Internet” soon after another derivative product “Internet Made Simple.” Mr. Rositano also established marketing relationships to create further brand recognition through an extensive national representative network, retail distribution outlets, and direct response television promotions with Colorado-based Jones Cable Television and various forms of partner agreements.

In 1992, he was employed by Netcom On-line Communications, Inc. as the senior sales and account manager, making him number three on the employee roster. During his tenure, revenues increased 384.8%, from $1,479,900 for the nine months ended September 30, 1992, to $7,174,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 1993.


Dean Rositano
President

Dean is a co-founder of “Latitude Venture Partners, LLC” and has over 12 years experience in executive management, financial management, Internet architecture, and high technology operations. Mr. Rositano has successfully raised over $50,000,000 in both private and public transactions. His most recent venture was as co-founder and President of an Aspiring Artist Community and Web site. This community was designed and launched in the vein of American Idol and the growing attraction to reality based TV programming and was named “America's Biggest, Inc.” This was an online venue where America's next Biggest Star (BAND, SOLO ARTIST, COMEDIAN, etc.) could be discovered during competition for cash and prizes. America's Biggest, Inc. began marketing in early 2005 and shortly thereafter entered into an agreement to be acquired by a publicly traded company SYMBOL: IMSI.OB, and became part of a Internet Broadcast and online entertainment company.

Prior to America's Biggest, Inc. Mr. Rositano was the co-founder and President of Silicon Valley based nettaxi.com. Dean was credited for the development and deployment of the nettaxi.com portal and community. He was also responsible for the managing the dramatic growth of the primary nettaxi.com site back-end (hosting and security) infrastructure as nettaxi.com grew to among the top 10 internet portals on the World Wide Web in 1999 through 2001. Mr. Rositano played a significant role in completing the successful merger of nettaxi.com with a high-tech Silicon Valley company in April 2002.

In 1995, Mr. Rositano co-founded Simply Interactive, Inc. and served as Executive Vice President of Technology for Simply Interactive through 1997. During his tenure Mr. Rositano is credited for assembling a 20+ person digital production studio comprised of some of the top 3D animators and graphic artists in the country. He also co-produced the award winning CD-ROM “Internet the City” on three platforms; Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and the Apple Macintosh. Other duties included a complete redirection and design of the company's software Web Activator, including a development plan for a GUI (graphical user interface), architecture enhancements, security, and a Windows NT version. Mr. Rositano also developed CD-ROM based training tools and presentations for the sales and marketing of Web Activator.

In 1994, Mr. Rositano co-founded Digital Data Express, Inc. At Digital Data, Mr. Rositano co-authored and produced the first instructional video solution for end users as well as the Internet and World Wide Web Yellow Page Directory. The directory was created in CD-ROM and hard copy formats. Mr. Rositano provided strategic direction and layout to help position the book for advertising content then assisted in the sale of the rights to MacMillan Computer Publishing (QUE). Que Publishing renamed the product Que's Mega Web Directory and released it in January 1996. Due to the success of the product, MacMillan contracted the Digital Data Express, Inc. and Mr. Rositano to complete a second version of this directory, and this was released in the fourth quarter of 1996.


Christina Temple
Controller/Acting CFO

Christina Temple is a financial executive with more than 10 years experience in technology and other industries at all phases of their growth. As CFO at Latitude Venture Partners, she is responsible for the overall financial management and planning of the Company. Christina handles the financial and accounting duties for all of the current portfolio companies. Mrs. Temple is responsible for all of the budgeting and forecast activities for all of the portfolio companies as well as any acquisition targets.

Prior to Latitude Venture Partners, Mrs. Temple spent seven years as the Controller of ProdEx Technologies, an International Software Company based in Saratoga, CA. Christina was an integral part of the management team that grew the company to international status, opening and managing offices with 100+ employees in 3 countries. Ms. Temple holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA.


F. Paul Trapani III
Vice President, Web Services

Paul Trapani is currently Vice President of Web Development. For the last 12 years, Mr. Trapani has played a significant role in building all of the Rositano's online marketing. His dedication has been a key ingredient in the successful development, design, and management of the websites, including website design and application development, developing interactive CD-ROM products, managing affiliate programs, and trade shows. Mr. Trapani has also been a key manager in outsourcing development or production to meet crucial deadlines, and has successfully managed the relationships with many key development partners simultaneously.

In 2002 Mr. Trapani reprogrammed what is now known as the eBay® Tour CD-ROM for integration with an online eBay seller solution. He worked with eBay Developer Resources and created a new online companion called the eBay Lister Wizard, which takes users from CD-ROM to the Internet for posting auctions within minutes. Mr. Trapani also integrated with product suppliers to assist sellers in sourcing products to sell on eBay for a profit margin. As part of this project, Mr. Trapani managed the entire development of six new e-commerce generating sites in short 6-month period, and has been maintaining them ever since.

In 2000, Mr. Trapani managed the design and reprogramming of an interactive multimedia CD-ROM for a new relationship with eBay, Inc. that taught people how to use various aspects of the Internet. This project produced the "eBay Tour" CD-ROM that teaches users the ins and outs of buying and selling on eBay. This CD-ROM also drove customers from the CD-ROM to a website of auction communities where users could meet and converse with other eBay beginners while getting tips and resources for selling and making money.

 
Contact Us
 
Toll Free
1-877-GO-ZIPPI
 
Local/International
1-408-884-2020
 
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (PST)
 
Zippi Networks, Inc.
Customer Service Dept.
2880 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Suite 101
San Jose, CA 95128