Tom K.

About Tom K.

I would consider myself a \"builder,\" focused on business transformation. Am a two-time private company CEO; have been Chief Digital Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, and Board member, focusing on helping organizations create value for their stakeholders. I am both an entrepreneur and an intrapreneur, building companies from scratch and/or building divisions within companies. I have also been a turnaround specialist, who I believe have the same DNA as entrepreneurs. Currently, Chief of Staff at Kellen, an association management company. Co-founded and was CEO of e-billing company Transactis for seven years, which raised $70M from investors such as banks Wells Fargo, PNC, Capital One, Fifth Third and TD and venture capital firm Safeguard Scientifics. Sold to Mastercard in May \'19. First employee/CEO of Bid4Assets, where helped raise $10M and build their online auction business. Recognized as \"Best Business Idea\" by the Washington Business Journal. Chief Digital Officer for Cygnus Business Media, where I helped to create and transform the company\'s digital strategy and to increase digital revenue, leading up to the company\'s sale. For efforts, was inducted into the Media Industry News (MIN) Digital Hall of Fame. At USATODAY.com/Gannett, where was Chief Revenue Officer, created and launched the site\'s new e-commerce initiative, creating a new $20M revenue stream.At American University\'s Kogod School of Business, taught MBAs as well as undergrads, including entrepreneurship (for profit and nonprofit), strategy, organizational behavior, introduction to business, and corporate social responsibility. Served as Program Director for Kogod\'s Executive Education program, and experiential coordinator for all strategy capstone courses, bringing companies to campus to work with seniors and MBAs for semester-long, experiential consulting projects. I am the co-founder, Board member, and former Executive Director for CONNECTdmv, a social venture working to close the opportunity and access gaps for students and families of color at DMV-based independent schools. The 501(c)3’s mission is to “empower students, create opportunity, build understanding, and activate change.”Pre-Internet and business school, I was a television producer in New York for 10 years, including working in sports television and producing commercials for Ogilvy & Mather - including award-winning Super Bowl spot for American Express - and launching the east coast office of an LA-based television production company.BA from Stanford University. MBA from Harvard.

Experience

1. Chief of Staff

   Kellen

   Sep 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Focused on business development, corporate marketing, people and culture, and professional development. • Kellen is one of the world’s largest providers of management and services to professional and trade organizations. Founded in 1964, as an association management company (AMC) we support Board leaders with the operational framework and strategic guidance to better serve their organization’s mission and vision. Services include public affairs, marketing, membership, conferences, education, and strategic communication. • Offices are Washington DC, Chicago, Brussels, and Beijing.

Education

• Stanford University

  BA, Broadcast Communications-Journalism / Political Science

• Harvard Business School

  MBA, Business

Skills

• Management
• Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Strategic Partnerships
• Content Management
• Mobile Marketing
• Online Marketing
• Content Development
• Sem
• Publishing
• Executive Management
• Business Development
• Business Planning
• Digital Marketing
• Web Analytics
• Integrated Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Program Management
• Leadership
• Advertising
• Marketing Communications
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Product Development
• Product Marketing
• New Business Development
• Market Research
• Content Strategy
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Sales
• Email Marketing
• Start-Ups
• Creative Direction
• Digital Media
• Social Media
• Digital Strategy
• SEO
• Online Advertising