Our Staff
It doesn't take long talking with any one of these individuals to figure out that we're a highly driven and highly talented team. Media Box Studios is made up of a dynamic group of individuals that are as unique as the ideas that they're able to come up with. When we say there's MORE talent here, we're speaking of more capable and experienced individuals who are ahead of the curve and can do a lot MORE with LESS.
Rich Benedetto
President / CEO
Media Box Studios has been an idea on my mind for many years, and in early 2004, when Command Technologies, Inc. (a great company) was acquired by MTC Technologies, the planets aligned and we were presented with an opportunity to formulate Media Box Studios. Armed with a few dollars, five very talented cohorts and a ton of determination, passion, and vision, we started Media Box Studios. We aimed to create a company that was known for quality, creativity, innovation, integrity, and being a fun place to work. I am happy to report that we are well on our way to making these goals reality.
Since then, I find myself reaching back on life experiences from being a Submariner in the Navy to a Multimedia Director for a large company to a coach of various sports teams. It’s amazing what we have learned over the years and how you can apply it, but even more amazing how much more we have to learn. Creating this company has been an enriching challenge for me and has been so unlike how I thought it would be, but yet so rewarding in many ways. From the people that work here and seeing them grow and the projects that are produced, to the clients who are wowed by our exceeding their expectations. But most rewarding of all are the relationships I have formed with our Media Box family, employees and clients.
Interests:
Harley Davidson Junkie
Golf (average golfer on a good day, frustrated on most days)
New York Football Giants
26 time World Champion Yankees
Big Springsteen Fan (The political opinions of the rock star is not endorsed by Media Box Studios or Rich)
Sam Ensogna
COO
Sam's career started with a Macromedia Flash program at Virginia Tech in 1998 where he and a few friends started their own business creating multimedia design and development for local companies. After a year or two of doing flash and website design and development for fun, rent and play money, Sam decided to move back to his home town in Winchester, VA. He started working for a Video Production agency were Sam was brought on to start a website/info-disc design and development department. There Sam experienced multiple roles and responsibilities that helped build his diverse skills, like: key grip, videographer and post production artist. He was then hired as a Multimedia Developer with Command Technologies (CTI) where Rich was his boss. This group produced the highest quality IMI in the market and the clients knew it. CTI was bought out by MTC, a $500-million company, and they were an extremely small group for MTC. After 1 year with MTC, Rich left and started Media Box Studios where Sam works today as the COO. Sam helps forge the culture, processes & operations of MBS and is very proud to be a part of a team of left and right brainers. Sam believes that if you build a work place with a foundation of people that hold the same values of trust, honesty and dedication you will succeed.
Andy Serene
CIO
10+ years experience in system design, implementation and troubleshooting.
Some highlights include:
1999 – Command Technologies, Inc. – Designed and developed a customer collaboration tool for the development of computer based training. The tool facilitated real-time collaboration between customers and developers. It allowed all parties to track progress, review deliverables, and exchange information in order to facilitate the simultaneous writing and development of several computer based training initiatives for customers including Defense Acquisition University and the U.S. Navy.
2002 - Command Technologies, Inc. – Designed, developed, and maintained a corporate MIS and online portal system to integrate existing systems and departments and streamline business workflows. The system provided employees and departmental staff with real-time access to personal and company related information that was collected and shared between major systems. In addition to employee self services, the system provided a way for human resources to fully manage new hires, terminations, benefit elections, training initiatives, and company surveys. All HR processes were moved from paper to the online system and workflows were implemented to involve accounting, payroll, IT, and management when appropriate and encourage collaboration.
2005 - MTC Technologies, Inc. – Designed and implemented a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory infrastructure and migration plan that encompassed the full migration of a dozen Windows 2000 and NT domains spread internationally over 35 sites. The project included the migration of users, computers and servers as well as the development of practices and procedures, naming conventions, group policies, Microsoft Exchange architecture, data replication, and disaster recovery considerations.
2009 - BAE Systems – Coordinated the migration of 2300 users and 1200 computers from the legacy active directory domains of an acquired company to the corporate structure in 2 months time.
Mick Colvin
Art Director / eLearning Project Manager
Mick was already here when we showed up. Nobody knows exactly for how long. He claims he has held positions with other companies, but we’ve never heard of them...and they no longer exist.
JP McAveney
Programming Director
JP graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Computer Science and Economics. Since then, he has worked for the Department of State, Command Technologies, MTC Technologies and now Media Box Studios.
Using their technical expertise, JP and his team guide the technical aspects of our collective creative vision, ensuring that our products meet both industry and client standards.
Bruce Thompson
Creative Director
Bruce came to us from the corporate world where he was the creative lead for an award-winning in-house creative team for a multi-billion dollar international corporation.
His past responsibilities included managing corporate visual identity and branding standards, marketing communications, promotional campaign development, advertising, sales and proposal development, and corporate communications.
Bruce has a strong background in print, advertising, photography and design.
These days, Bruce is busy helping other companies grow their business and compete in their respective markets as part of Media Box's team.
When not at the office, you can find Bruce soaking up as much time on the river or at the beach as possible.
Tim Howes
Creative Director
Tim began working in multimedia over 9 years ago as a humble storyboarder and novice flash developer, producing eLearning for the DoD. Over the years, his eagerness to learn and enthusiasm for art and communication have led him to expand his knowledge of a multitude of industry tools and practices.
Danika Henkel
Account Executive
Among other things, Danika worked in the Marketing Communications Department of Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) where she was instrumental in devising and developing the online and digital strategy for RCP. She joined Media Box shortly after to find a balance between her professional career and her personal passion as a Pilates Instructor.
Phil Smith
Project Manager / Senior Multimedia Developer
Phil has been at Media Box Studios since 2005, where he led development on numerous government eLearning products. Prior to Media Box, Phil worked as a multimedia developer on government eLearning products for MTC Technologies and Command Technologies, Inc. He also has experience teaching art, computer graphics, and graphic design for Fairfax County Public Schools and Nexus Learning.
Dana Odonnell
Raleigh Office Administrator
Dana previously worked for the Fauquier County School System for 5 years. After which she was self-employed for many years while raising 2 children. She has since moved to Raleigh, NC and now works for Media Box Studios as an Office Administrator.
Rana Palese
Office Administrator
A self-proclaimed "Graduate of the School of Life," Rana has worked as a bank teller, medical records clerk in Hawaii, pre-school teacher, and Mom. Coming back into the workforce here at The Box in 2007 has been a great experience for Rana and the team. There is always something new and interesting going on here.
Matthew Rhodes
Project Lead / Senior Multimedia Designer
Shortly after attaining a BFA in painting, Matt was hired by a small business as a Multimedia Developer. As such, he was able to apply basic aesthetic principles he had learned during his Fine Arts studies to both the government and commercial sectors.
At Media Box Studios we're all accustomed to wearing many hats, so in addition to being responsible for an ICW's overall progress, Matt also fills needs that arise in the course of development.
Supachai Tamraksa
Multimedia Artist
Supachai is a Thai native who came to the USA "searching for the American dream." After working for a Thai restaurant as a sous chef, Supachai began working with MTC Technologies as a Multimedia Artist. Shortly after he began producing motion graphics for FOX 45 Baltimore. Now Supachai is a vital member of our 3D team creating many of our models, lighting and visual effects.
Mike Polizzi
Senior Multimedia Designer
Mike has been with Media Box Studios for about 3.5 years. Mike has risen through the ranks and is now a Project Lead for government e-learning. Mike attended Full Sail and graduated with degrees in Digital Media and Computer Animation.
Jeremy Batts
Senior Multimedia Designer
Jeremey spent eight years working for industry leading companies in military courseware and training applications before joining us here at Media Box Studios.
Andrew Drayer
Software Engineer
Starting his career as a Media Box intern, Andrew supports the programming team with a background in computer science. Apart from his in-house duties, Andrew also spent a year contracted to Lockheed Martin where he helped build training simulations. Andrew is experienced in Actionscript, C#, and Java programming.
Carter Cross
Senior Multimedia Developer
Carter graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Broadcast Design. He interned with the Media Box crew in high school and has been with the company ever since.
Tim Gragg
Multimedia Gfx Artist
Tim has been professionally developing 2D/3D graphics and animations for over six years now. He specializes in 3D modeling and animation. Tim has developed graphics and animations for several military contracts such as the Virginia Class, MV/CV-22 Osprey, KC-130J, AV8, Defend a Convoy, and Air Missile Defense. In the past, Tim has worked as an intern as well as project lead. Tim assisted in quality assurance of graphics for V-22 and the KC-130J as well as being part of the proposal team for Phase III of the V-22 contract. Tim has been many places and is glad to have found a home here.
Ian Farwell
Multimedia Developer
Ian developed Flash-based CBT for Lockheed Martin in Manassas, VA. Back in Central NY, where he is originally from, Ian worked in the IT department of KS&R, Inc., a Top 50 Honomichl U.S. Market Research firm, programming surveys, developing scripts, managing databases and developing creative solutions for automating processes.
Eric Jarman
Multimedia Graphics Artist
Eric's first job out of school was as a Flash Developer/Internet Marketing intern at Brooks Bell Interactive in downtown Raleigh. After completing his internship, Eric returned to his alma mater to work at the College of Electrical Engineering for WolfTech as an all around Flash and Graphic Artist/Developer. Now after parting ways with North Carolina State University, Eric spends his days developing engaging training software for Media Box Studios.
Chris Monaccio
Multimedia Developer
A recent addition to Media Box Studios and Full Sail University graduate, Chris is a member of our commercial design team. There he assists with the design and development of websites, videos, motion graphics, branding and identity campaigns, and just about anything else coming our way. In his spare time, he can be found tending to his garden, reading about space and physics, or consuming exotic Root Beer and chocolate.
Karen Beatty
Office Administrator
In her short time with Media Box Karen has managed to step right in and help lessen the load of the Human Resources and Accounting tasks.
David Gelwicks
Multimedia Developer
David's experience with e-learning began in 1999 as a multimedia developer for Denver-based eCollege. Following the rise and fall of the dot-com boom David moved on to other careers such as carpentry, construction managment, IT tech, web/graphics freelancer, and traveler. David returned to courseware development with Media Box Studios in the winter of 2008 applying his past experience.
Travis Hile
System Administrator
Travis started working with the Media Box Studios crew as an intern during high school when the group worked at Command Technologies, Inc. He rejoined the crew after obtaining two Associates Degrees; one in Information Technology and the other in Computer Science.
He now works as a Systems Administrator providing IT support to clients.
Carol Cullather
Multimedia Developer
Carol started her career doing design on campus for RIT Student Government and interned for Williams Gerrard Productions before joining Media Box Studios.