Libsyn provides the most advanced podcast hosting platform and ecosystem for podcasters to create, distribute and monetize content worldwide.
Liberated Syndication Inc. (Libsyn) is a world leading podcast hosting platform that has been equipping creators with hosting, distribution, and monetization services since 2004. This legacy syncs with our founding vision to provide the most advanced podcast hosting platform and ecosystem for podcasters to create, distribute and monetize content worldwide. In 2021 Libsyn hosted millions of media files from 75,000+ podcasts, delivering billions of downloads. Libsyn’s family of brands includes Libsyn, Libsyn Glow, Libsyn Studio, Pair Networks and Libsyn’s Advertisecast Marketplace, the industry’s leader in connecting advertisers to podcasters. These brands work together to give podcasters a comprehensive toolkit for sharing their passion, telling their stories, and changing the world.
Leadership Team
To facilitate our vision, Libsyn has established a team of experts, who work together as thought-leaders in the podcasting ecosystem. Each member brings a special brand of experience and knowledge to the table that measurably furthers our mission. Libsyn’s team continues to grow as the marketplace demands greater and greater stewardship through the dynamic podcasting macrocosm.
Bradley Tirpak
President and Chief Product Officer, Libsyn
Bradley Tirpak served as Chairman of Libsyn’s Board from August, 2020 through November, 2021 and as a director of the Company since October 2019. As a professional investor with more than 25 years of investing experience, Brad has deep knowledge and expertise in public market equity markets, capital allocation, and corporate governance. He also has a long history of serving on the boards of publicly traded companies and delivering value to shareholders. Previously, Brad served as a portfolio manager at Credit Suisse First Boston, Caxton Associates, Sigma Capital Management, and Chilton Investment Company. He served as director at Birner Dental Management Services, Inc., a dental service organization, from December 2017 to January 2019, and as a director of Full House Resorts, Inc., a publicly traded hospitality and gaming company, from December 2014 to February 2021. Brad earned a BSME from Tufts University and an MBA from Georgetown University.
John W. Gibbons
Chief Executive Officer, Libsyn
John W. Gibbons has been at the forefront of the podcast and digital media industries throughout his career. He most recently served as CEO of Pocket Casts, an industry-revered podcast app that was backed by a consortium of investors, including NPR, WNYC, WBEZ, and the BBC, and was acquired by Automattic, the parent company
of WordPress.com, in 2021. Prior to Pocket Casts, John spent over a decade with Amazon.com and its subsidiary, The Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com); following
his tenure at Amazon.com, he served as VP of International for Sizmek, a global ad server, preceding its acquisition by Amazon.com. A VC-backed Founder and CEO
of a digital-first video company, John also helped launch and grow Atom Tickets,
an award-winning movie ticket e-commerce app, and has served as an advisor to Podchaser, an industry-leading podcast-discovery database, since its inception.
Laurie Sims
Chief Operating Officer, Libsyn
With more than 20 years of experience in private and public companies at various phases of the business cycle, Laurie Sims focuses on change leadership, business transformation, and crisis management. Specializing in technology, operations, corporate contracts, financial stability and team motivation, she demonstrates leadership and documented success in Internet, software and technology roles ranging from hands-on implementation to executive management experience in operations, development, marketing, sales, support and product teams.
Laurie’s strategic responsibilities at Libsyn include development and execution of market expansion, customer acquisition and key industry partnerships. Her career brings with it a legacy working with dynamic organizations to transform hardware, software, and technology into marketable products and services.
Jonathan Charak
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Libsyn
Builder of businesses and motivated support teams, Jonathan Cherak is a highly skilled and respected finance and operations executive who partners with CEOs to positively impact all facets of business operations. A skilled and straightforward communicator and mentor with a team-focused approach, he creates value for all stakeholders, maintaining the highest level of integrity. In the past, Jonathan led three companies to high ROI exits and co-founded two companies.
He is equally comfortable working in the accounting trenches as with communicating and creating value at the highest levels, working with fellow executive team members, Board members, investors and all other key stakeholders. Jonathan received a BS in Accounting from Indiana University and the Kelley School of Business.
Elsie Escobar
Libsyn Community Manager, Libsyn | Podcasting Hall Of Famer
Elsie Escobar is Libsyn’s Community Manager and co-host/producer of The Feed:
The Official Libsyn Podcast. She is a 15 year veteran in the podcasting industry and inductee to the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. Elsie is also is Co-founder of She Podcasts, a podcasting community for women + non-binary that has more than 20k members with a corresponding podcast and conference.
A podcasting advocate, pundit and mentor to primarily women podcaster leaders, Elsie drives dialogue in the podcasting industry focusing on society and culture as well as the power for podcasts to drive social change. Elsie earned her BFA from Loyola Marymount University and her MFA at the National Theater Conservatory.
Rob Walch
VP of Podcast Relations, Libsyn | Podcasting Hall Of Famer
Prior to joining Libsyn in 2007, Rob Walch was President and founder of podCast411, Inc. He is co-author of the book Tricks of the Podcasting Masters, 2006, an editors’ pick as a Top 10 Reference book for 2006 by Amazon.com. Rob was listed as the 5th most influential person in podcasting according to the book Podcasting for Dummies, Wiley Press 2005.
Rob has consulted on podcasting for eBay, Jack Welch, Tim Ferriss, Senator Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, Dr. Mark Hyman, Noah Shanok (Stitcher), and the Sacramento Kings/Monarchs, to name just a few. He is also on the editorial board
and a columnist for the Podcast Business Journal. Rob was Chair of the Education
and Outreach Committee for the Association of Downloadable Media and on the committee for the IAB Podcast Metric Guidelines. Rob received his BS in Engineering from the University of Dayton and his MBA from the University of Connecticut.
Rob Greenlee
VP of Content and Partnerships | Podcasting Hall Of Famer
Libsyn and Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace
Prior to his career at Libsyn, Rob Greenlee served as VP, Podcaster Relations at Voxnest’s Spreaker. Starting on radio in 1999, he began podcasting in 2004 with the first nationally syndicated radio show “WebTalk World Radio Show”. He also worked as Voxnest’s Head of Partnerships and Spreaker’s Head of Content. Other past positions include EVP/CTO at PodcastOne.com, Business/Content Manager of Podcasts at Microsoft Zune and Xbox Live Marketplace.
Rob currently co-hosts the “New Media Show”, a weekly audio and video podcast that streams LIVE on NewMediaShow.com/live, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch every Saturday morning at 9am PST/Noon EST. Rob earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with Concentration in Marketing (BBA ‘86) from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington State.
Rich Romano
VP, Marketing, Brand & Communications, Libsyn
Rich Romano is a marketing and retail leader with decades of expertise in mentoring individuals and building collaborative, high performance teams in eCommerce, Brand Management, Brand Development & Campaigns, Marketing Operations, CRM, Loyalty, Acquisition and Retention.
His skills have been honed and lauded at companies including Bluehost, HostGator, Network Solutions, Register.com, Web.com, Southeastern Grocers and Winn-Dixie Stores. Beyond his many years in Marketing, Rich has been an operator for multi-million dollar businesses as well as a merchant, who has developed and run categories, delivering $100+ million in profit. Rich earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida.
Andy Rogers
Senior Director of Partnerships, Libsyn
Andy Rogers is a senior marketing professional with 15+ years of diverse B2B and B2C experience at leading entertainment companies like ESPN, iHeartRadio, Food Network and Viacom/CBS. An innovative problem-solver, he has a solid history translating business objectives into brand strategies using a creative and analytical approach.
Andy also demonstrates unique expertise in handling marketing campaigns, analysis, testing and business development. He is measurably adept at brand promotion and advertising sales, with singular audience growth strategies and execution, as well as a proven flare for data analytics. Andy earned his BA from the University of Connecticut.
Trevr Smithlin
AdvertiseCast Founder and Chief Innovation Officer
Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace
A seasoned software/internet entrepreneur and marketer, Trevr developed the initial vision for the AdvertiseCast Marketplace based on a passion for the podcast space as a consumer. Now joining forces with Libsyn as CIO (Chief Innovation Officer), he is responsible for overseeing new strategies, building out and leading the publisher team, and also brings a solid background in online marketing, product design and technology to the table as the visionary for the AdvertiseCast platform. Trevr earned his BS at UW Oshkosh.
Dave Hanley AdvertiseCast Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace
Dave Hanley is responsible for sales and business development at AdvertiseCast Marketplace, the podcast advertising division of Libsyn. Prior to entering the podcast industry, Dave co-founded several successful enterprise SaaS businesses in the insurance and risk management sector. He co-founded AdvertiseCast in 2017 based on his passion for consuming great podcasts and the company quickly became a leader in the space as the first and largest online podcast advertising marketplace. Dave received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada.
Matt Riffle
Chief Technology Officer, Libsyn’s Pair Networks
After finishing his degree in Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh, Matt Riffle moved a few miles down the road (and across one river, because it’s Pittsburgh) to Pair Networks, where he’s spent the ensuing 24+ years helping to build and grow the Web Hosting industry. Starting as a support technician, he’s subsequently served as a systems administrator, a network administrator, a software developer, a security engineer and has worn many other hats. He has been the leader of the company’s technical operations since 2004.
Melea Strimple
Chief Operating Officer, Libsyn's Pair Networks
Melea Strimple joined Libsyn’s Pair Networks as Chief Operating Officer in 2000.
Her early years were spent building and launching support teams for scalable 24/7 operations to advance the company’s roadmap for expanding products and services, all while building a top-notch customer service reputation. Melea has continued to grow and manage teams spanning from technical support and sales to marketing and HR. As the COO, she is responsible for day-to-day operations while leading teams in new initiatives that support business growth.
Before joining Pair, Melea got her start at a regional internet service provider, quickly rising in the ranks to COO. Her skills in building effective teams, developing successful systems and processes, while driving company growth has resulted in recognition and promotion throughout her career.
