Support

Lamar Russo

Sr Vice President, Sales

North Carolina

My motto is “Don’t lead sheep; herd cats…just make sure they are lions.”

I have 15+ years of experience serving franchise and enterprise level clients. I’m an active listener and a problem solver. I engage every opportunity to address my clients’ PAIN points and help drive marketing results. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have worked with highly talented people at a large company like Coca-Cola, as well as privately owned companies such as Inkbench, Reynolds & Reynolds and GreatAmerica.

At Inkbench, we’re on a mission to make your marketing life simpler and more productive. Imagine all your marketing collateral in one place, available whenever you need it. Create and customize artwork, lock down and protect brand assets, as well as have direct access to printed items. Give your team the resources they need to be lions.

My wife, Amanda, and I have two spirited children, Palmer and Gibson. We enjoy sports, especially college football, basketball, and golf. Throughout the year, you’ll find me coaching youth sports. In the fall, many of our weekends are spent in Athens, GA cheering on the Dawgs!

Mary DeBonis

Director of Marketing

New Jersey

Hands down, marketing is my passion. From my first lemonade stand to the SaaS I am employed with today, I’ve always enjoyed analyzing the features and benefits of each product/service, determining the right target audience(s), best ways to promote it and testing out the right pricing model.

I’ve felt it important to have a career grounded in helping people succeed. I’ve spent most of those years in an industry I adore–franchising, which crossed most verticals. And I’ve had the privilege to market such iconic brands as Coldwell Banker, Ramada and Howard Johnson hotels, Dicks Sporting Goods, and Huntington Learning Center, among others.

At Inkbench, I am honored to work alongside a team of execs who are passionate, caring, and talented. It is truly a team effort. We have each other’s backs and we have our clients’ backs. It’s fun coming to work, even if I’m just walking downstairs to my home office for a Zoom call!

As a franchise community veteran. I understand the nature of the business, the branding and the beauty of it all. One of my roles at Inkbench is to help our dev team customize the platform for the franchisors and franchisees, as well as our enterprise, nonprofit and agency clients so they can better grow their brands safely and be even more successful.

When I’m not marketing our amazing platform, I’m spending time with my family and friends usually hiking, biking or exploring new towns by the Jersey Shore and, of course, always pondering a new marketing strategy!

Doyel Ghosh

Senior Developer

Toronto, Canada

When I thought about what I loved most about Inkbench, it was challenging because there are so many things. I love the genuine spirit of cooperation and shared goals–all revolving around our mission of Customer Delight. I love having a voice. My team listens to my ideas and we work together to make them happen. I love that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. I work full-time on a flexible schedule. And lastly I love the technical challenges and the opportunity to learn something new in every project.

Inkbench is growing fast and improving every day. This is a wonderful journey and I am glad to be a part of it. And that keeps me motivated. In fact, I’d say that my professional mission is to thrive continuously in my career and never stop learning. I also believe in collaboration and am committed to doing my best work.

Before Inkbench I worked in the corporate world for 12 years, namely Citi Hedge Fund Services, and had the opportunity to work on every phase of the software development lifecycle. That prepared me ideally for my current development work with Inkbench.

I believe my best trait is my eagerness to step in when needed and the ability to problem solve quickly and efficiently. A former colleague described my “commitment to quality and tenacity with regard to approaching all sorts of problems was of great benefit to the team as a whole, and to me as her peer.”

Outside Inkbench my life is pretty busy. I am completing my degree in Management and Systems from New York University and I have a 5 year old and a 7 month old, who keep me on my toes. Playing with my daughters and cooking/baking are my relaxation when I am not travelling with my friends and family.

Steve Goodman

Chief Product Officer & Founder

New Jersey

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” This is as true today as when I began my career 30 years ago at Ogilvy & Mather. Start-up life is intense; Big things come from high-performing teams.  My role as a leader is to unleash the strength of the team and to make sure everyone knows that I have their backs at all times. This creates an environment conducive to taking intelligent risks — it has to be when we’re blazing a new trail and doing something no one has done before.

Although I’ve started two successful companies, I consider myself a “reluctant entrepreneur.”  I’ve never wanted to start a business for the sake of starting a business.  I did it because it was the best way to achieve a goal. The common thread through both companies I’ve founded is that they support my passion for bringing technology solutions to marketers and brand stewards at organizations that understand that a strong brand is critical for success. An organization’s brand is one of its most valuable assets and should be nurtured and protected.

My wife Sandy and I have two great kids who are just finishing college and our dog, Buddy.  We are also restoring our 110 year-old house that we’ve lived in for more than 25 years, to its former glory, which has been  a fun and rewarding diversion.  I’m now learning how to restore a forty-year-old car which reminds me every day how much technology has advanced in my lifetime!

George Abraham

Chief Executive Officer

New Jersey / Vermont

My passion is to make the community where I live and work, a better place for my being there.

I also love working at Inkbench, because when I’m contributing to the marketing technology ecosystem, I help make the future happen. I have spent 20+ years in the tech industry as an entrepreneur, founder of a Venture Capital firm and a successful consulting business, Board member, and intermediary.

I am excited to bring my background to Inkbench. I especially enjoy working with my colleagues and helping our users be better at their jobs. When asked about the special talents I bring to this role, I’d have to say dogged tenacity and an ability to see the big picture from smaller parts.  I am as determined to see my clients succeed as I am to see myself succeed. I also know I am memorable. A couple of years ago I was talking on the phone with a very buttoned up prospective client. We finally did a video call and when he saw me, he visibly paused for a few seconds and then said “You are a bit like an animal!” I closed the deal. But seriously, I can toggle between being very professional and buttoned up, to rolling up my sleeves and getting deep into the weeds (and, you know, let my hair down) to get the job done.

I am a mountain biker and skier in NJ and Vermont. If you’re passionate about either, I invite you to join me!

James Green

Chief Relationship Officer

Pennsylvania

My name is James. I love people! Whether it’s hanging out, grabbing a bite, playing sports, or working with others, being with other people makes me happy. What I enjoy more than anything else is helping others: seeing the smile on someone’s face when an obstacle is removed and the gratitude, when clients we supported, are successful. That experience gets me up and excited to go to work in the morning.

I love my job at Inkbench for two reasons: 1. because clients are happier after they’ve joined and rolled out the platform to their teams; and 2, because, when I hit my quota, I get to go skiing with my ski-buddy – who also happens to be our CEO, George Abraham.

I’m a compulsive entrepreneur. I can’t help myself. If I see a new thing that works, I gravitate towards it. People like working with me for my rampant enthusiasm and optimism. I’m also a tech nerd. I can dive into a tiny detail and get geeky or talk about the future of humanity.

I’ve had three careers–as a musician, an entertainment executive and a tech entrepreneur. My diverse life experience is what I bring to the table. I’ve been around long enough that I can pattern match and figure out how to solve whatever’s holding you back.

A little bit of trivia? I took my family sailing for a year: we left NYC, sailed down the Caribbean, across The Atlantic, all the way to the Aegean Sea. If you know of an adventure, please sign me up.

Inkbench Customer Referral Consulting Agreement
This Inkbench Customer Referral Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of the date of agreement submission (the Effective Date”) by and between the “Consultant” and Inkbench Inc, located at PO Box 43693, Montclair, NJ, 07043 (“Inkbench”), together the “Parties”.

RECITALS:

Inkbench is engaged in the business of generating revenue (“Revenue”) through subscription fees with respect to its image creation platform and brand collaboration and protection tool from paying customers, plus other services it provides to customers (the “Services”). Inkbench, from time-to-time, engages consultants to make customer referrals to Inkbench. Pursuant to this Agreement, Inkbench desires to provide, and Consultant desires to receive, compensation (“Commissions”) based upon Revenue received by Inkbench with respect to Qualified Prospects referred by Consultant who become customers (each a “Customer” as defined in Section 3). Consultant acknowledges that Inkbench may have opportunities presented to it by multiple consultants which Inkbench must manage in an organized fashion. Pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant will identify potential customers (“Prospects”) to Inkbench in the manner provided in Section 4 and Inkbench will accordingly advise Consultant if a Prospect is a Qualified Prospect, as defined in Section 2, thus with the potential for the Prospect to become a Customer. Following approval as a Qualified Prospect, Consultant will introduce the Qualified Prospect to Inkbench as provided in Section 4 (a “Referral”).  Once a Prospect becomes a Customer, this Agreement provides for the payment by Inkbench of Commissions to Consultant, as well as various ancillary provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Prospect. A Prospect is any business that Consultant has a relationship with and has reason to believe would be interested in the Inkbench Services, and that an introduction by Consultant of the Prospect and Inkbench to each other may lead to such Prospect becoming a Customer of Inkbench.
2. Qualified Prospect.
   1. Qualified Prospect means any Prospect that meets the requirements of this Section 2 and which Consultant will introduce to Inkbench for purposes of evaluating the Inkbench Services under Section 4, and Inkbench meets with or otherwise has discussions or dialogue with after such introduction with respect to the Services.
   2. Qualified Prospect Exclusions. A Prospect identified by Consultant to Inkbench does not qualify as a Qualified Prospect if (i) such person or entity is a pre-existing Customer of Inkbench that has engaged Inkbench with respect to its Services in the prior twelve (12) months; (ii) such person or entity is a Qualified Prospect of another Inkbench consultant at the time of  Consultant’s identification of the Prospect to Inkbench; (iii) Inkbench or another consultant is already involved in active discussions with the Prospect regarding the Inkbench Services; (iv) a Lead Registration Form or other method, as provided in Section 4, has previously been submitted for the Prospect by a third party to Inkbench; or (v) Inkbench does not wish to provide its Services to such Prospect for any reason in its sole discretion.
3. Customer. A Customer by definition under this Agreement is a Qualified Prospect of Consultant from which Inkbench has received and accepted an order to currently provide its Services or is deriving or has previously derived Revenue with respect to its Services. Inkbench has the right to accept or refuse any or all orders in its sole discretion from any person or entity whether they be Prospects or Qualified Prospects, or Customers from which they previously derived, or are currently deriving, Revenue. Consultant will not receive any Commissions for orders rejected by Inkbench, whether by Qualified Prospects of Consultant, Customers of Inkbench referred by the Consultant pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise. Inkbench will promptly inform Consultant regarding the acceptance or refusal of any business of a Qualified Prospect or Customer derived by the Consultant and will also inform the Consultant if any such business is not performed. Inkbench will also inform Consultant if Inkbench will only accept an order to a smaller extent than the Consultant would expect under normal circumstances.
4. Method of Identification and Introduction. When Consultant has a Prospect for the Service that it would like to confirm as a Qualified Prospect so it may then make an appropriate introduction to Inkbench, (i) Consultant will notify Inkbench of the opportunity using the Lead Registration Form (“LRF”), as attached in Appendix A, or such other method as may be specified by Inkbench; (ii) Inkbench will then approve the Prospect as a Qualified Prospect and notify Consultant within fourteen (14) days of Consultant’s notification of the opportunity to Inkbench per (i) above or otherwise inform the Consultant why it is not a Qualified Prospect as per Section 2; (iii) Consultant will then, as applicable, actively introduce Inkbench’s designated sales contact to the Qualified Prospect, which, at a minimum, means introduction to an executive with the Qualified Prospect who has expressed interest in the Inkbench Services and arrange an initial meeting or call with that executive (a “Referral”); and (iv) Consultant will make the introduction as provided in (iii) above within thirty (30) days of Inkbench’s approval and notification of the Prospect as a Qualified Prospect, otherwise the Prospect will cease to be a Qualified Prospect of the Consultant under this Agreement. Once Inkbench introduces a Qualified Prospect to Inkbench pursuant to (iii) above, all subsequent contact with that person or entity with respect to the Inkbench Services is at the direction of Inkbench.
5. Information and Confidentiality. Consultant will use its best efforts to provide Inkbench with information useful in its evaluation of a Prospect, and will not disclose the possible interest of the Prospect in utilizing the Inkbench Services to any other person or entity. Each of Consultant and Inkbench understands that the other Party has disclosed or may disclose confidential and proprietary information relating to such Party’s respective business, and business, financial, customer and product development plans (“Confidential Information”). Each of Consultant and Inkbench agrees (i) to hold the Confidential Information of the other Party in strict confidence and to take reasonable precautions to protect such Confidential Information (with at least the same level of precautions that such Party employs with respect to its own confidential materials), and (ii) not to divulge any such Confidential Information to any third party, except to its respective affiliates and its and their respective authorized representatives, agents, independent contractors, consultants, attorneys, accountants and financial advisors, or as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of this Agreement, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the disclosing Party or as may be required to be disclosed by order of a court, administrative agency or governmental body, or by any rule, law or regulation, or by subpoena or any other legal or administrative process, or as requested by any regulator or self-regulatory organization, or to enforce this Agreement, or to prosecute or defend any actual or threatened claim, suit, action or proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that Confidential Information shall not include information which (1) is known by the non-disclosing Party prior to its disclosure by the disclosing Party and is not subject to any other confidentiality obligation, (2) is or becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement, (3) is received from a third party without a breach of any confidentiality obligation known to the non-disclosing Party, or (4) is disclosed with the disclosing Party’s prior written consent. This Section 2 shall continue in full force and effect during the term of the Agreement and for a period of three years following the termination of the Agreement.
6. Referral Commissions.
   1. Commission payments. Inkbench will make payments to Consultant equal to twenty percent (20%) of Revenue (the “Commission”) with respect to each Customer of Consultant following the procedure set forth in (b) below.
   2. “Revenue” means Net Subscription Fees actually paid by the Customer to Inkbench for its initial 12 month subscription to the Inkbench Services plus, for the same initial 12 month period, any additional sales, renewals, support services, training, professional services, Inkbench customer conference registrations, third party plugins or services where Inkbench acts as a reseller.
   3. Commission payments procedure. Inkbench will pay Consultant on a quarterly basis its Commission with respect to payments made during a given quarter by each Customer referred by Consultant to Inkbench for the Services. The quarterly Commission payment will be made by the thirtieth (30^th) day of the month following the calendar quarter for which the respective Customer payment was received by Inkbench. Coinciding with such Commission payment, Inkbench will provide Consultant with a statement reflecting the basis for the calculation of the Commission.
   4. Customer statement. Inkbench will provide a quarterly statement of the Customer activities of each Customer of Consultant reflecting (i) orders received, (ii) orders accepted, (iii) Services provided, and (iv) amounts received with respect to the Services provided.
   5. General Terms and Conditions for Commissions. Consultant will submit a completed W-9 form to Inkbench prior to payment of any Commissions. Amounts related to contingencies that are subject to refund will be held back until the contingencies are satisfied for both relevant GAAP revenue recognition and legal requirements. In no event will Inkbench have any liability to Consultant whatsoever in the absence of a fully executed LRF or such other method provided by Inkbench per Section 4(i), even if Consultant provides Inkbench with information which contributes or may contribute to a sale. Consultant is not entitled to any reimbursement of any expenses or for any other payment or compensation of any type for referrals other than payment of the Commissions as stated above.
7. Consultant Duties and Representations.
   1. Consultant agrees to perform its obligations under and in connection with this Agreement in compliance with all relevant laws applicable to its activities as specified hereunder.
   2. Consultant conduct. Consultant will not: (i) imply any relationship with Inkbench other than as expressly set out in this Agreement; (ii) make any type of legal representations, guarantees, or warranties on behalf of Inkbench or about the Inkbench Services; (iii) describe the Inkbench Services in a manner inconsistent with Inkbench’s published documentation; (iv) engage in any deceptive, misleading, or unethical practices in connection with its performance under this Agreement; or (v) violate any laws in connection with its performance under this Agreement.
   3. Competing products. Consultant will promote the Inkbench Services in a balanced and equitable manner as compared to any competing products or services. During the Term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, in no event will Consultant disparage Inkbench or its Services. For clarity, Consultant has no rights to use information provided by Inkbench (including but not limited to Inkbench Services or Inkbench Confidential Information) to develop competing products or services to share with developers of competing products or services.
   4. Consultant represents and warrants now and on a continuing basis that it is duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite authority to enter into this Agreement on its own behalf. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Consultant of its obligations herein has been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part, and this Agreement constitutes, and will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of Consultant. Consultant’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not violate any contracts or agreements to which Consultant is a party.
8. Inkbench Duties and Representations.
   1. Inkbench, in its sole discretion, may provide Consultant with information and support to assist Consultant in attracting Qualified Prospects and to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including, for example, financial information and access to its directors, officers and advisors. Inkbench warrants that, to its knowledge, information and support provided to Consultant will be true and complete in all material respects, and may be relied upon by Consultant.
   2. Inkbench represents and warrants now and on a continuing basis that it is duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite authority to enter into this Agreement on its own behalf. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Inkbench of its obligations herein has been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part, and this Agreement constitutes, and will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of Inkbench. Inkbench’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not violate any contracts or agreements to which Inkbench is a party, provided that no such conflict or violation, will restrict or impair in any manner Inkbench’s performance of its payment obligations hereunder.
9. Intellectual Property (“IP”).
   1. Retained Rights. Except as otherwise expressed in this Agreement, each Party retains all right, title and interest (including all intellectual property rights) in and to its documentation, materials, trademarks, and information (including any Confidential Information) disclosed under this Agreement.
   2. Feedback. If Consultant chooses to provide any Feedback to Inkbench, Consultant hereby grants Inkbench a worldwide, perpetual, non-revocable, sublicensable, royalty-free right and license to use, copy, disclose, license, distribute and exploit any such Feedback in any manner without any obligation, payment, or restriction based on intellectual property rights or otherwise. Nothing in this Agreement limits Inkbench’s right to independently use, develop, evaluate, or market products, whether incorporating Feedback or otherwise.  “Feedback” means suggestions, comments, improvements, information, ideas or other feedback or related materials provided by Consultant to Inkbench about the Inkbench Services.
   3. Rights to the Inkbench Services. Inkbench retains all right, title, and interest in and to the Inkbench Services, any and all related and underlying technology and documentation, and any modifications or derivative works thereof, including as may be incorporated into any Feedback. For clarity, Consultant is granted no right to (and must not) access, resell or distribute the Inkbench Services, except as may be agreed under a separate written agreement, if any, between Inkbench and Consultant.
10. Independent Contractor. It is understood and agreed that Consultant is an independent contractor and not an employee of Inkbench. Consultant in its capacity as a consultant, has no authority to obligate Inkbench by contract or otherwise. Consultant will not be eligible for any employee benefits provided by Inkbench to its employees and will not be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan or arrangement sponsored by Inkbench for the benefit of its employees. Inkbench will not make any withholdings or deductions from any amounts payable to Consultant for taxes. Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless Inkbench from any liability, claims and demands for payment of taxes, penalties or interest, social security, disability benefits and other withholdings, deductions or payments that may be imposed by any governmental authority, or otherwise authorized from, based upon or required solely by reason of the payments made to Consultant as provided in this Agreement.
11. Termination.
    1. Term.  This Agreement starts on the Effective Date and continues for a period of twelve (12) months, upon which it will automatically terminate unless extended for an additional period agreed to and signed by both Parties in writing prior to its automatic termination (the “Term”).
    2. Termination at will. Either Party may terminate the Agreement for any reason in the first year following the Effective Date with three (3) days’ notice; provided, however, that Inkbench will be obligated to pay any Commissions payable pursuant to Section 3 involving any Qualified Prospect or Inkbench Customer Referred by Consultant and approved by Inkench (pursuant to Section 4) prior to the termination of this Agreement. Termination of this Agreement will result in the termination of all duties and authorities of each Party, except as specifically set forth herein.
    3. Termination for cause. Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately if the other Party: (i) fails to cure any material breach of this Agreement within ten (10) days after written notice detailing the breach; (ii) ceases operation without a successor; or (iii) if permitted by applicable law, seeks protection under any bankruptcy, receivership, trust deed, creditors’ arrangement, composition, or comparable proceeding, or if any of these proceedings are instituted against that Party (and not dismissed within sixty (60) days). Inkbench may also terminate this Agreement immediately if Consultant breaches Section 8. Consultant Duties and Representations.
    4. Effect of termination. At any expiration or termination of this Agreement: (i) each Party must return or destroy (and on request certify destruction of) the other Party’s Confidential Information; and (ii) all licenses to Marks cease and each Party will cease ongoing marketing activities under this Agreement. The restrictions on the following sections survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement: 5.  Information and Confidentiality; 7. Consultant Duties and Representations; 8. Inkbench Duties and Representations; 9. Intellectual Property (“IP”); 12. Indemnification; and general sections 14 through 18.
12. Indemnification
    1. Indemnification by Consultant. Consultant will defend (at Inkbench’s request), indemnify and hold harmless Inkbench from and against any claims, losses or damages of any type suffered by Inkbench in connection with any breach of this Agreement by Consultant.
    2. Indemnification by Inkbench. Inkbench will defend (at Consultant’s request), indemnify and hold harmless Consultant from and against any claims, losses or damages of any type suffered by Consultant in connection with any breach of this Agreement by Inkbench.
    3. Procedures. Each Party’s defense and indemnification obligations are subject to the respective indemnifying Party receiving: (i) prompt written notice of a claim; (ii) the exclusive right to control and direct the investigation, defense, and settlement of the claim; and (iii) all reasonable necessary cooperation of the indemnified Party at the indemnifying Party’s expense (as to reasonable out of pocket costs). The indemnifying Party must not settle any claim without the indemnified Party’s prior written consent if the settlement would require the indemnified Party to admit fault, pay amounts that the indemnifying Party must pay under this Section, or take or refrain from taking any action (other than with respect to the Inkbench Services or features). The indemnified Party may participate in a claim through counsel of its own choosing at its own expense.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between Consultant and Inkbench with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by each of the Party hereto.
14. Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and the Parties hereto agree that any and all controversy respecting this Agreement shall be subject to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court located within Essex County, State of New Jersey. This Agreement shall become legally binding with original or facsimile signatures and may be executed in the counterparts (each of which shall be deemed an original, and both of which shall constitute one and the same instrument). The persons signing this letter are duly authorized to execute and deliver this letter on behalf of their Party to the agreement.
15. Prevailing Party fees. The prevailing Party in any court action or other adjudicative proceeding arising out of or related to this agreement shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing Party for their reasonable attorneys, accountants and expert fees and related expenses, and for the cost of such proceeding.
16. Waiver of Jury Trial. ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR ACTION ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HEREBY WAIVED.
17. Notice. Notices herein shall be deemed to have been duly given when sent by email, upon customary confirmation of receipt, or mailed by certified mail to the addresses of the respective Party set forth below or to such other address as one Party may have designated to the other Party by notice given in like manner.
18. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those that are held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
19. Assignment. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to permit the assignment by Consultant or Inkbench of any of its rights or obligations hereunder, and such assignment is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the other Party. This Agreement shall be binding upon Consultant and Inkbench and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which together shall be considered a single document. Delivery of executed signature pages by facsimile or electronic transmission will constitute effective delivery.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the day and year first above written.

Ed Maybert

Chief Technology Officer

New Jersey