Bob Barker
Owner/Partner

Over the course of nearly two decades in higher education, Bob Barker has spearheaded some of the most progressive enrollment initiatives in the field. He has worked as an admissions advisor, enrollment manager, VP/director, senior vice president, regional vice president and more. Bob has also been appointed to the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities by two governors.

During his prolific career with University of Phoenix, he grew the campus’s enrollment from 46,000 to over 100,000 in a short five-year time span. He facilitated the expansion of the institution into Canada and Mexico, in addition to providing instrumental leadership in the development of University of Phoenix’s e-text (now rEsource) initiative – a groundbreaking system for online enrollments. In 2006, Bob founded Barker Educational Services Team (BEST), a leader in enrollment and student acquisition services. Prior to establishing BEST and EDU Interactive, Bob was the Senior Executive VP for UOP and a SR VP for UOPs holding company Apollo Group Inc. He lends not only an unmatched level of higher ed experience to EDU Interactive, but also an unparalleled market insight.

David Castle
Owner/Partner

David has led the award-winning advertising and marketing agency that bears his name since 1987. Over that time, he has hand-picked a tightly-knit team of professionals who focus on stellar client service and creative work that’s a clear expression of sound strategy. This landmark approach happens from the company’s offices in a historic Victorian home – a landmark in San Diego’s Golden Hill District.

Education clients have been a focus of the agency since its inception. Through groundbreaking work for Indiana Wesleyan University, Iowa Central College Online, Alliant International University, University of Phoenix and more, David and his team have created proven methodologies that not only brand institutions, but leverage the power of those brands into more leads and greater enrollments.

Melissa Lopez
Vice President – Client Services

Melissa has drive, focus and attention to detail – all attributes that keep clients happy and projects on schedule. Melissa’s marketing and advertising acumen is complemented by a wealth of experience in the brass tacks of the business – from marketing plan development to client relations to budget allocations to media strategy and beyond.

What’s more, she’s extremely adept at tailoring all of these skills to the very specific needs of EDUcational institutions. Her specific client experience includes work with City University of Seattle Online, Institute for Professional Development, Eastern Nazarene College, Le Toureau University and Vatterott College.

Chelsea Koehnen
Vice President, Strategic Planning

Chelsea is smart, intuitive and very personable. But that could describe just about anyone on our staff. What really makes Chelsea different is her extremely hands-on approach. It’s her way of making sure every execution stays true to the strategy she’s developed – from comprehensive ad campaigns to single-run flyers.

It’s a philosophy that dovetails perfectly with her higher education clients. Both advertising and education are people businesses. Both aim to change how one thinks. Both have the power to transform behaviors. Chelsea’s put this power to work for clients as diverse as Alliant International University, City University, Indiana Wesleyan University, ICC, University of Phoenix and others.

Brad Dierking
Interactive Manager

Brad is an experienced programmer, open source software proponent and avid reader of everything related to web development. As Internet Manager / Programming Director at EDU Interactive, Brad leverages over 9 years of experience in the web development space to solve complex problems not only functionally, but elegantly. Whether the need is to build something custom, integrate with something proprietary or to bridge the gap to something legacy, Brad and his dedicated team consistently deliver solutions that exceed expectations. The word can’t simply is not in their vocabulary.

Prior to joining EDU Interactive, Brad worked as the Lead Programmer for Geary Interactive and as an independent web programming consultant. He has consulted for private companies from California all the way to South Africa in markets that ranged from VOIP Telecommunications to Consumer Loyalty Solutions. Brad studied Computer Science at San Diego State University and continues to stay abreast of all things web-related, because according to Brad, ìIn this business If you are not learning constantly, you are falling behind.

Pete Morton
Director of Strategic Initiatives

When you love your work, it doesn’t feel so much like work. That’s Pete’s philosophy – one that’s evident by the fact that he almost never seems to take a vacation.

Of course, that may be why his career comprises so many notable accomplishments. He’s been in the trenches as an enrollment rep for University of Phoenix, tasked with opening up a new campus in Richmond, VA. During that time, he was the top rep in his region. He has also worked as a Director of Enrollment, developing strategies, training criteria, training programs, enrollment workflow and management interventions.

Pete earned a bachelors degree in the science of foreign service from Georgetown University. If you can get him to stop working for a few minutes, he might tell you about it sometime.

Kirsten Winter
Account Executive

For someone who grew up moving around the world with a military family, it’s no surprise that Kirsten welcomes new places and new challenges.

She brings this enthusiasm to the innovative enrollment methodologies of EDUInteractive, along with extensive advertising and marketing experience. She counts more than a dozen universities among her list of satisfied clients, including Institute for Professional Development (IPD), City University of Seattle Online, Averett University, LA College International and Iowa Central College, just to name a few.

Kirsten earned her degree from San Diego State University. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her traveling, hiking or running a ½ marathon. Told you she liked to go places.

Jill Bruckart
Online Media Specialist

If there’s one thing you can say about Jill, it’s that she’s a fierce competitor. If there’s a second thing you can say about her, it’s that she focuses this quality on creating media plans that dominate the competitive landscape.

A natural athlete and avid volleyball player, Jill’s determination and drive translate directly to her role in the Media Department. With extensive experience servicing accounts such as the Institute for Professional Development (IPD), University of Phoenix (UOP), Albertus Magnus College and several more, she is skilled in online media strategy, and has no problem keeping her eye on the ball, so to speak.

Jill is as giving as she is competitive. She regularly volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other local causes. She earned her degree from UCSB.

Jen Lawrence
Traditional & Online Media Specialist

Having worked with a media giant, Jen’s got a unique perspective on creating effective plans for reaching the smallest of demographic niches.

Formerly in research and sales at Clear Channel Communications, Jen began her career at one of the foremost media companies in the world. This gives her an unrivaled point of view on the entire media landscape – and great insight into how online advertising can power an entire media mix. Jen successfully purchased broadcast media initiatives for various Indiana Wesleyan University campuses in the mid-west and a number of University of Phoenix campuses throughout the US. In addition, she currently manages online media buys and lead generation campaigns for a number of EDU Interactive clients.

Maybritt Haeling
Account Executive

Maybritt’s philosophy can be summed up in five simple words: “Perfect is almost good enough.” She’s meticulous. Hard-working. And exactly the kind of person you want on your team.

Maybritt brings her marketing acumen to EDUInteractive along with a wealth of advertising experience – particularly in education. She has developed new reporting and analytic tools for Albertus Magnus College, University of Phoenix and Vatterott College, just to name a few.

An avid outdoor enthusiast and world traveler, there’s one more thing you should know about Maybritt: Her parents own a Danish bakery in San Francisco, which puts us all one degree away from the best pastries in the West.