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Kailas J. Rao, PhD - Chairman & CEO
In 1981, a time when personal computer systems were in their infancy, Rao founded Computers Unlimited of Wisconsin, doing business as Computer Bay, to sell personal computers, hard drives, printers, monitors and software to corporate business customers. Over the next eleven years, he developed a franchised network of 350 stores in 44 states and Canada, with annual network revenues of all the stores of $500 million. Most of the franchises were value-added-resellers (VARS). Computer Bay marketed and distributed for industry leaders such as: IBM, Compaq, Epson, NEC, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and AT&T. He sold the business in 1992.
In 1993, with four partners, Rao established the boutique investment-banking firm GS2. GS2 specialized in asset management, brokerage, mergers and acquisitions, and investment banking for small to medium sized businesses. In 1995, he sold his ownership in GS2, which had grown to more than 60 employees and asset management level of more than $500 million.
Dr. Rao was a founder, Chairman and President of Industar Digital PCS, a digital cellular telecommunications company, established in March 1996. He partnered with Hughes Electrictronics, division of General Motors (US), Alcatel (France), Uniden (Japan) and Kanamatsu (Japan)with an investment over $100 million. He built wireless infrastructure in Wisconsin and introduced digital technology. He later sold Industar to AT&T Wireless in 2000.
He founded Isle of Dogs in 2005 with his wife Becky to provide the first luxury dog grooming system to pet parents, grooming salons, and retail pet boutiques. Isle of Dogs offers products tailored to various dog skin and coat conditions and colors, just as human shampoos do.
From 1968-1970 Dr. Rao attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville TX, and graduated with his MBA. He earned his Ph.D. in Business with a major in Accounting with minors in Marketing and Finance in 1974 from the University of Oklahoma. He was a Professor from 1974- 1981 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Dr. Rao and his wife have hosted many fund-raising events benefiting charities and the performing arts, in Milwaukee, and provide 28 scholarships in four states for university student.
As a member of the fund-raising committee for the Wisconsin Humane Society, Dr. Rao helped raise over ten million dollars for construction of a state-of-the-art facility, which was completed in 1999. The dog adoption wing of the Wisconsin Humane Society is named in honor of the Raos.
Dr. Rao serves on various boards of philanthropic organizations as well as businesses. He currently sits on the board of the Children’s Hospital, Wisconsin Humane Society, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Boys and Girls Club, UWM Business School, and Nova 1 as well as many others.
In 2004, Dr. Rao joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s fund-raising team as Chairman. Efforts are on-going to raise 100 million dollars for a new school of veterinary medicine.
His interest in Veterinary Medicine, the Humane Society, pet parenting, and the Raos’ own stable of horses and kennel of Brittany show dogs, lead Dr. Rao to the establishment of Isle of Dogs Corp.
Becky Rao - Senior Vice President
Becky holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master's Degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. Her professional career included four years as Administrative Assistant to the Honorable Leo H. Whinery, Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court of Norman, Oklahoma, and Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma. In addition, she was the Graduate Program Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean, School of Nursing, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Sheena Goldblatt - Director of Beauty & Luxury
Sheena's first foray into beauty was at the age of six, when she rubbed black shoe polish on her poodle to make her coat shiny. Despite the traumatic scolding she received, she grew up and pursued a career in the beauty industry. As VP of Merchandising for a chain of regional lifestyle stores, she learned the fine art of trendspotting and retail management, while creating a retail experience that was known for its eclectic mix and innovative events. In 2001, her self-created line of aromatherapy products, Tend Blends, debuted in Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Takashimaya, and Nordstrom. Listed as one of the "Hot Trends of 2003" in Entrepreneur Magazine, Tend Blends grew to having over 75 retail doors in two years.
Mary Rech - Director of Salon & Retail
Mary brings over 16 years of sales and marketing experience to the Isle of Dogs team, most recently as the Director of Distribution Sales for TEKLYNX International, a division of Brady Corporation. Mary was responsible for developing domestic distribution marketing programs and generating all new South American business. From 1990-1999 Mary held various sales positions in the computer reseller industry including Senior National Account Manager. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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