Meet the "Family"
Leadership Team
Kailas J. Rao, PhD - Chairman & CEO
In 1981, a time when personal computer systems were in their infancy, Dr. 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 over $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 Electronics, division of General Motors (US), Alcatel (France), Uniden (Japan) and Kanamatsu (Japan) with an investment over $135 million. He built wireless infrastructure in Wisconsin and introduced digital wireless technology. He later sold Industar to AT&T Wireless in 2000.
He founded Isle of Dogs in 2006 with his wife Becky to provide the first luxury dog grooming products 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.
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, such as Children’s hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, the Public Museum, and was honored as the civic hero of the year in 2011.
In the pet industry Kailas serves on the board of the World Pet Association and also the Petco Foundation board.
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
Mrs. Rao holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Administrative Leadership. Her professional career includes four years as AA to the Honorable Leo H. Whinery, Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court of Norman OK and Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma. In 1985 she left academia to join her husband Kailas at Computer Bay, moving from Warehouse Manager to Senior Vice President in six years. Mrs. Rao has been involved in dog and horse shows since childhood, and currently owns and operates Rao Farms LLC, a horse farm and professional dog kennel, where she raises Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, and Nationally competitive Brittanys.
David Carlisle - Director of Operations
David has more than 20 years of experience in Operations and project management within Supply Chain and Logistics. Previous to this role, he worked for Patina Solutions supporting their client base with Supply Chain expertise. As the Global Logistics Strategic Planning Director for General Electric Healthcare in Milwaukee, WI he planned and managed execution of $600m Logistics spend. Prior to joining GE, David was VP of Operations for Ohio Wholesale Inc., a consumer goods provider for 30,000+ customers including TJX Companies, HomeGoods, Walgreens, and Tractor Supply. David also worked as a Transportation Manager for General Electric’s Aviation business in Cincinnati, Ohio. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he subsequently served nearly 10 years in the U.S. Army with the Army Corps of Engineers and commanded in the 101st Airborne Division. David received his MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management from The Ohio State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from RPI. David is Lean Six Sigma and APICS CSCP certified.
Erin Clemens - Director of Marketing and New Product Development
Erin has been with Isle of Dogs since 2007. She has come to Isle of Dogs with a wealth of knowledge in an array of areas from customer retention, sales, operations, graphic design and website editing. Along with supporting Isle of Dogs in an operations capacity, Erin also heads our New Product Development and Marketing departments.
Fred Kroeplin - Director of Sales
Fred joined the Isle of Dogs’ team in August of 2015. Fred comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in sales and also the pet industry. Fred worked as the District Sales Manager for Nutro for over 18 years. He has a great skills set inclusive but not limited to business development, team leadership, training and development, and sales growth in highly competitive markets. We look forward to increasing our market share under Fred’s leadership.
Tim Sherlock - Director of Finance
Mr. Sherlock joined Isle of Dogs in January of 2015 and has significant experience implementing planning, accounting, and internal controls for public and private entrepreneurial growth-oriented companies. Most recently Mr. Sherlock was CFO at Interra Health a leading provider of wellness programs and onsite clinics and also served as a member of the Board of Directors and CFO at Energy Composites Corporation, a high tech green energy composites manufacturing company. He has many years of experience while serving in the CFO roles at On-Course Learning, ARI Network Services, Renaissance Learning, Inc. and Cray Research. At Renaissance Learning, Mr. Sherlock was involved in transitioning the company from a private to a public company and was involved in the initial public offering. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelors degree in Business in 1980.
Sales and Support Team
Andrea Jordan Lane - Manager: National Professional and Salon Sales
Andrea was one of the original founders of Isle of Dogs helping to develop the brand in its infancy. After taking a brief hiatus, she has returned to oversee our National Professional and Salon Sales channels. In addition to being a successful breeder/owner/handler of many top winning Brittany's under the Jordan banner, she has co-owned and operated a veterinary practice for 8 years, managed the Public Education Department for the American Kennel Club and held various other positions within the grooming industry. She holds a BA from the Art Institute of Colorado, but grooming dogs has always been her favorite art outlet.
Andrea Naber - Ecommerce Manager
Andrea was welcomed to the Isle of Dogs team in the spring of 2013. Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater with a B.A. in marketing, Andrea has amassed over 12 years of product marketing and customer service experience. Andrea also brings professional experience and knowledge in the areas of website development and social media. Andrea is excited to develop Isle of Dogs’ brand awareness by utilizing the growing world of e-commerce.
Colleen Collies - Customer Service Manager
Colleen has been in sales and customer service for 5 years prior to coming to Isle of Dogs. Colleen was hired by Isle of Dogs in 2009 as a customer service representative and continues to excel in that area. Colleen currently assists all sales channels with their customer service needs. She is a recent graduate of University of Phoenix with her Bachelors in Business Management.
Kevin Stock - Inventory Purchasing Manager
Kevin was welcomed to Isle of Dogs in September of 2013 and is a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College with an Associate Degree in Logistics-Materials and Supply Chain Management. With over 30 years' experience in purchasing and inventory control in industries ranging from Heavy Manufacturing to Healthcare, he brings a wealth of knowledge not only to the purchasing and inventory control departments but to operations as well.
Monica Rear - International Sales Manager
Ms. Rear has been with the Isle of Dogs Corporation since 2006. She has been in retail sales and customer service all of her professional career. She began her own business right out of high school as a mobile groomer. Her skills and connections in the professional dog show world make her an industry expert when it comes to the care and well-being of dogs. She was a distributor of pet products for three years prior to joining the Isle of Dogs Corp. Ms. Rear has clients and colleagues all over the world who respect her knowledge and expertise in quality canine skin and coat care.
Valerie Miller - Graphic Designer
Valerie Miller came to Isle of Dogs with 10 years of design experience in an agency setting. She graduated from Illinois State University in 2003 with a graphic design degree, and moved to Milwaukee 2 months later. She volunteers with Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) as well as Canine Cupids dog rescue. She has 3 rescue dogs at home; Pickles, Jake, and Ernie. Valerie is thrilled to combine her passion for dogs with her design skills to further develop Isle of Dogs’ image and brand throughout a broad range of products and marketing materials.
