Team

Rob Principe

Founder/Owner

In 2002, Rob founded Scratch along with the legendary DJ from Run DMC, Jam Master Jay. In his current role as CEO, Rob manages the company’s overall strategic direction and all of the amazing people who’ve helped make Scratch what it is today. In his spare time… wait, what spare time?

Mike Cannady

Chief Strategy Officer & COO

Mike joined Scratch during its infancy in 2004 and has helped build the company from concept to the successful organization that it is today. Mike currently serves as Scratch’s COO, CSO, and also oversees several significant business lines. In addition to being a metrics geek, Mike is an amateur DJ (and I mean very amateur), a lover of Motown music, a connoisseur of East Village burger joints, and an addict of UVA sports (often tragically).

Colin Kelly

VP, Events

Colin has been with Scratch since Fall of 2004. He oversees all elements of the events business line, and is responsible for this line’s health and growth. When not fulfilling his friend’s requests to fill their iPods with the latest DJ mixes, Colin can usually be found bar hopping in Brooklyn or speculating on the strength of his hometown Philadelphia Eagles.

Hapa

Academy Director – Los Angeles

Hapa launched Scratch DJ Academy – LA in 2004 and serves as both the Executive Director and Head Instructor of our LA location. Hapa is a passionate teacher, tireless business man, and a widely respected DJ in both the United States and abroad. He currently serves as the DJ for the KTLA morning news show, and you can find him spinning at exclusive events and clubs all over the Los Angeles area. He is also the official spokesman for the Epilepsy Therapy Project.

Jamie Keogh

Academy Director – Miami

Jamie aka DJ Immortal brought the Scratch DJ Academy to Miami and has been the academy director since 2005. Jamie has taught thousands of students in Miami and around the world over the past 6 years. In addition to being the director and head instructor of Scratch Miami, Jamie is also one of Miami’s premier club DJ’s, working with some of the biggest artists in the game.

Alison Mishizen

Account Manager

Alison has been with the company since the summer of 2008. She is the account manager for several of Scratch’s larger accounts in addition to managing the social networking sites. Although she lives in New York, she is a Pittsburgh (and Steelers fan) at heart.

Devon Stein

Regional Events Manager

Devon joined Scratch in early 2009 as part of the Events team. His main responsibility is executing events of all sizes by securing the perfect DJ for the occasion. He’s also involved with other Academy related projects and initiatives. Devon is an armchair GM for the NY Giants, Mets and Knicks and enjoys BBQ from all over the country.

Paloma Collantes- Hansen

Regional Events Director

Paloma has been with Scratch since Summer of 2006. She executes events all over the Southeast and Midwest. She is also involved with one of Scratch’s top accounts and nationwide tours. Paloma played college tennis for Ole Miss and played professionally on the WTA tour. She has had the honor to play with incredible talents like Rob Principe, Jennifer Capriati and Gabriella Sabatini. Originally from Florida, Paloma considers herself a Mississippian at heart.

Lisa Inman

Business Manager/Full Charge Bookkeeper

Lisa joined Scratch in late 2009 as the head of the accounting team and office management. Her main responsibilities are running all aspects of Human Resources and daily operations. She is also in charge of managing the day to day financial activity for the Academy and its’ subsidiary holding companies. When not crunching numbers, you will find her sculpting away her daily tensions on rocks as a primitive primal freelance sculptor armed with chisel and hammer.

Dionysios (Dennis) Pilarinos

Director of Technology

Dennis joined Scratch in September 2010 as Director of Technology. He is responsible for new initiatives in IT infrastructure, the website, the CRM database, as well as the overall technology roadmap. Dennis is a private pilot, a licensed aircraft mechanic, and also enjoys target practice.

Steve Woodzell

Graphic Designer

Steve has been at Scratch since 2006, handling all of the company’s creative material – from creating the visual direction of the brand to maintaining websites and editing the occasional video. Outside of Scratch he spends his time testing his neighbors’ patience playing live music with his roommates, as well as working on an ongoing assortment of freelance music production, illustration, and design projects.

Justin Berhang

Lead Software Developer

Justin joined Scratch in Fall of 2009. He is the lead engineer for Scratch’s in-house software development group and is responsible for design, implementation, maintenance, and support of all Scratch’s software projects. Justin is a house dj, an electronic music producer and despite the rumors, he does not sleep with his computer (anymore at least, it voids the warranty).

Marc LoCascio

Audio Software Engineer

A native New Orleanian, Marc joined the Scratch team in the summer of 2010. Prior to developing DJ software for Scratch, Marc developed professional audio and music products for a number of industry leaders. He also plays guitar and bass, shoots photography and video, and works on interactive art projects when he has the time.

Meredith Charney

Academy Manager

Meredith joined Scratch in 2007 and is the cornerstone of our business operations. She also plays a key role in running our NYC Academy where she manages our teachers, TA’s, and students. If all that wasn’t enough, she writes and coordinates most of Scratch’s social networking content.