United Press International

As UPIa s Chief Operating Officer, Nicholas Chiaia oversees the Companya s global business operations, including its financial, legal, sales, marketing, network operations, web development and general administration. Mr. Chiaia has over 20 years experience in business administration, 14 years experience as a civil attorney, and 10 years experience in the news and information media industry. Prior to his tenure at UPI, Mr. Chiaia served in varying executive capacities for Potomac Television Communications, Inc. and Atlantic Video, Inc. Mr. Chiaia was a litigator in California, has served as an Adjunct Law Professor, and continues to maintain a private mediation practice. He is an alumnus of San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco School of Law; and is licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C., New York, and California.

Christopher Ching has been in strategic planning and financial management for publishing, media and entertainment businesses since 1981. Since receiving his MBA degree at New York University, he has worked in book publishing, print brokering and magazine production, radio and television advertising production, events and television production, and technical services for cable news production. Chris is responsible for UPIa s financial planning and business development, as well as overseeing UPI's Middle East operations.

Ms. Avakian has 15 years of experience in media and is responsible for UPIa s business strategy, planning, and domestic implementation. Since her incorporation to UPI in 2004, Avakian has been leading product development and has successfully expanded UPIa s international network partnership into mobile and interactive markets. Prior to joining UPI, Avakian played a principal role in the launch of several franchises in Latin America including top magazines such as Information Technology, Target, Fortune. Earlier in her career, Avakian managed advertising production and corporate ID for a select portfolio of real estate, banking and oil corporations.

Jeff is a former award-winning journalist who covered news in South Florida for more than 20 years, most recently as southeast regional editor for United Press International and, prior to that, as news director at South Florida all-news radio station, WINZ-AM. His industry background provides a solid base from which to develop campaigns that attract media attention. As senior editor, Jeff contributes in all areas of agency representation but his primary focus centers on providing counsel to clients in health care, legal, residential real estate and broadcasting fields. In addition to helping shape attention-grabbing public relations efforts for the South Florida Super Bowl XXXIII Host Committee, Sprint PCS and Miami Children s Hospital Foundation, among others, he has scripted and produced video features and television programs for clients. Jeff holds an MA in Communication from Barry University in Miami Shores, and a bachelor s degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, where he graduated cum laude and was a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma honor society.

Currently residing in Miami, Florida, Carmen Gentile has reported from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the United States. In addition to covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for The Washington Times, he also reported on the 2004 uprising in Haiti. For The Boston Globe, Carmen covered the 2005 protests in Bolivia that prompted the resignation of then-President Jose Mesa. When in South Florida, Carmen contributes to Newsweek magazine and The New York Times and is an energy markets reporter for United Press International. Carmen began his reporting career in Cairo, Egypt, in 1998. From 2000-2002, he worked in Washington, D.C., covering the State Department, White House and Capitol Hill for UPI.

David Allio is an international award-winning photojournalist. His portfolio ranges from sports, editorial and corporate to glamour, fine art and portraiture. Since 1974, his unique images have appeared on album covers, postcards, posters, billboards, display advertising, and in movies, books, catalogs, calendars, magazines and other periodicals. His commercial client list includes several Fortune 500 companies. For three decades, Allio's professional career has been defined by his vivid editorial and feature images. He is currently a contract photographer with the New York Times, Knight Ridder, United Press International (UPI Photo) and Gannett (USA Today). Since 1978, he has been a featured instructor and lecturer at a variety of photographic workshops and seminars. His instructional topics have ranged from traditional darkroom techniques to elements of digital sports photography. His photographic and digital nude figure art images have been exhibited in museums, art galleries and private shows throughout the United States, in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and several European countries. His original Limited Edition Prints and Commissioned Works are prized by private collectors worldwide.

Marcelo Bellizzi has been a journalist, editor and translator for SMI for over five years. Adept in Spanish and English, Bellizzi has an extensive background as a reporter with United Press International, the daily Clarin newspaper, and the magazine Accion Parlamentaria in Argentina.

Bill Matson co-founded Pathways Community Network, a nonprofit organization that supports human services providers with a variety of tools that encourage collaboration, reduce costs and increase impact, so more people find the path to success. Matson has fifteen years of experience in nonprofit administration and project management, and 18 years of media experience, including stints at Cox Broadcasting, Gannett Newspapers, United Press International and Jacor Communications (now Clear Channel Communications). He has been a member of the board of directors of the National Human Services Data Consortium since 2002 and now serves as the NHSDC's president.

Gerry Harrington, responsible for the movement's worldwide strategic alliances and communications, is an award-winning journalist whose experience includes being business editor of United Press International and an executive producer at CNN. He runs a spiritual public relations and marketing-communications firm, New Spirituality Communications, and is a business consultant and a life coach. He prefers working with "cultural creatives" and others who embrace the New Spirituality, while catalyzing new ideas, alternative perspectives and organizational learning and change.