Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate lovers of Spa, Wellness and Technology. SpaBooker was created by the leader in the spa industry for the spa, salon and wellness industry. We strive to provide excellence in products, our services and our partnerships.
Our Management Team
Pete Ellis -- Chairman & CEO
Pete Ellis has been a leading business innovator with every enterprise he has owned and operated since the mid-1970s. As one of the largest automobile dealers in the western United States, Ellis pioneered one price selling, bringing consumer-oriented policies to the sale of new and used automobiles. His holding company, P.R. Ellis Company, also owned one of the largest after market manufacturing companies for van conversions, and his advertising agency, EIIJ, developed campaigns for leading businesses and political figures, including California Governor Pete Wilson. In 1994-95, using technology and innovative marketing strategies, Ellis launched the first automobile buying and research website, Autobytel. His approach revolutionized an entire industry, for both manufacturers and consumers, and his efficient marketing and transaction platform continues to be the basis for every commercially viable automobile website in existence. After taking Autobytel public in 1999 (NASDAQ: ABTL), Ellis formed Jubilee Investments. In 1999, Jubilee funded an investment in SpaFinder, eventually becoming the majority shareholder, and in 2001 Ellis became chairman and CEO. Under his leadership SpaFinder has become the world’s largest spa marketing and media company, growing from a U.S.-based marketing program to an international platform with joint venture partners in Europe and Asia. Ellis has been honored by Advertising Age as one of the top marketers in the U.S., and his Internet technology innovations have been made part of the Permanent Research Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Daniel Lizio-Katzen -- Managing Director
Daniel Lizio-Katzen joined SpaFinder in January of 2006 tasked with leading the Online Marketing and Technology teams. He now manages SpaFinder’s revolutionary spa software solution, SpaBooker. Utilizing his experience with Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Daniel has lead the SpaBooker team to create a reservations and point-of-sale solution that is breaking new ground in the wellness industry.
Prior to joining SpaFinder, Mr. Lizio-Katzen served as the Vice President of U.S. Operations at OctopusTravel.com (a TravelPort/Blackstone Company) where he was responsible for managing sales, marketing, finance, and technology. During his tenure he overhauled the company’s U.S. affiliate program, initiated multimillion-dollar partnerships with leading travel brands, led the design and development of a new eCommerce platform and grew the U.S. division into a $20+ million dollar yearly business. Before joining OctopusTravel.com, Mr. Lizio-Katzen worked in industries ranging from finance to telecom, including positions with CitiGroup’s Private Bank, Grand Central Communications, and NorthPoint Communications, among others. Mr. Lizio-Katzen holds a B.A. in Political Science from New York University.
Dan Chandre -- Vice President, Operations
Dan Chandre oversees SpaBooker’s Implementation Team, Account Management Team and Customer Service Team. In June of 2007, Dan enthusiastically jumped on the SpaBooker project and has helped to bring the software to the forefront of the spa management solution industry. Dan originally joined SpaFinder in August 2004, bringing with him a wide range of experience in the hospitality industry. Previously, Dan worked for Hyatt Hotels Corporation organizing sales and marketing efforts for new and existing hotels across the globe. Upon arriving at SpaFinder, Dan worked with various departments within the company to gain a breadth of understanding of SpaFinder’s different business verticals and their position in the marketplace. Dan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Consumer Science.
Tracey Solanas -- Vice President, Sales
Ms. Solanas, who is responsible for developing new partners and opening new markets, brings over 14 years of sales and business development leadership to SpaBooker, with a focus on developing early stage technology companies whose solutions automate what was once paper. She joins the company from Satmetrix (formerly known as Informative), where as VP, Channel/Business Development she developed strategic partnerships with interactive advertising agencies that sold the company’s online brand community platform.
Previous to Satmetrix, she was Director of Sales and Channel for Biz360, where she was instrumental in building the direct and indirect sales for this early stage media analysis company. She also served as Regional Sales and Market Director for OpenTable, Inc, the online restaurant reservation software company.
James Bremner -- Senior Director of Marketing
James Bremner oversees all of SpaBooker’s worldwide marketing activities including strategic planning, branding and public relations. Mr. Bremner has been a marketing professional in the beauty industry for over 14 years; as vice president of i-vu USA inc., EMEA marketing manager for Shortcuts and creative and group marketing manager of Integrity Software. He brings to SpaBooker a depth of software experience having marketed everything from early DOS-based beauty and ePOS systems to the latest cloud based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings.
Mr. Bremner was born in the UK and has lived in New York City for the past four years. He graduated with a degree in Economics and Mathematics and is passionate about soccer, motor racing and good food and wine. He is also on the board of several New York-based non-profit organizations.
