Management Board of Directors

John Z. Ferguson Chief Executive Officer John Z. Ferguson is a21's Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company's Board of Directors. John, who previously held senior management positions at leading, international image provider Getty Images, leads the Company's aggressive growth strategy and advances the Company's worldwide digital media platform. At Getty Images, John most recently served as Senior Vice President, Sales – Americas, an executive committee position reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. As a senior executive with responsibility for sales, regional marketing, and acquisition integration, John helped lead Getty's revenue growth to more than $700 million. During his tenure with Getty, he also held a key leadership role driving substantial sales growth for Art.com, Getty's online art delivery subsidiary. In addition to his extensive experience in the digital imaging and art delivery industries, John has also held senior sales and managerial positions at a number of highly regarded international technology and marketing-driven organizations, including Broderbund Software, Inc., Quaker Oats Company, and Coca-Cola USA. He earned an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University, and is also a graduate of Michigan State University. John O. Hallberg CEO, Children's Cancer Research Fund John O. Hallberg is the CEO of Children's Cancer Research Fund, a 501(c)3 organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research based in Minneapolis. Prior to joining Children's Cancer Research Fund, John served as both a consultant and interim President to the Stationery Division of Diversified Graphics, Inc., a Minneapolis-based printing, fulfillment and stationery company. During his tenure there, John assisted in completing the recapitalization of the parent company and in completing a major acquisition, which doubled the size of the stationery division. From 1998 to 2001, John held a senior executive role with Seattle-based Getty Images, a leading provider of stock photography and film footage. John led North American operations for Tony Stone Images, the company's largest brand, and led the launch of their e-commerce web site, which resulted in 40% revenue growth over an 18 month period. He also helped to complete the acquisition and integration of two major competitors. In addition, he led art.com, the company's consumer web site, and helped complete the sale of that business to another industry participant. Hallberg also served as Chief Marketing Officer for Encyclopaedia Britannica, where he led the successful re-launch of that venerable 230 year old brand. Hallberg had an 11 year career at General Mills, Inc, serving in his last 3 years as a Vice President/General Manager of two large business units. He has also provided numerous hours of volunteer service to a number of local human service and arts organizations. John received his BA, magna cum laude, from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and his MBA, with distinction, from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Laura B. Sachar Co-Chairman and Founder, StarVest Partners, L.P. Laura is an early Internet investor and brings a vast network of relationships. She is the link that brought together the Founders of StarVest Partners, L.P., a New York-based venture capital firm. Laura likes to say: "As an entrepreneur, I enjoy working side-by-side with our portfolio companies to build valuable relationships with potential customers, partners and other resources." In addition to being a member of a21's Board, she represents StarVest on the Board of Newgistics and MessageOne and was an active Observer on the Board of Connected Corporation prior to its being acquired by Iron Mountain. Laura has worked with leading visionary entrepreneurs and investors throughout her 14 years of financial merchant banking and venture capital experience. Beginning in the early 1990's, she identified investments in several high performing digital media companies. Laura was responsible for direct venture capital investments at Gabelli Securities, Inc. In January 1992, she founded Sachar Capital, Ltd., a financial advisory firm specializing in digital media. She holds a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University, and an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.