Team

ROBERT SOFIA

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Co-founder

Robert Sofia is one of three founders and serves as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the company’s strategic direction and enterprise relationships. Robert possesses a unique blend of sales, marketing, and creative ability paired with financial industry experience. He excels at leading specialized teams, engineering financial marketing programs, and managing complex projects.

“It has been my privilege to serve solo advisers, growing practices, RIAs, family offices, BDs, GAs, BGAs, custodians, investment companies, and insurance companies. On average, my work has driven annual growth of 609% per year for the organizations I have operated or supported. This track record is something I am very proud of and that requires support from a diverse team of designers, developers, marketers, writers and project managers. I only work with top talent.”

Prior to founding Snappy Kraken with Angel and Brad, Robert was co-founder and COO for Platinum Advisor Strategies where he grew company sales over 6,000% between 2009 and 2016. Along the way, he served as Vice President for Fross & Fross Financial, Vice President of Marketing for Cebert Wealth Management Group, and Director of Business Development for Ford Motor Company.

Robert has received numerous awards for his work including the INC 500, INC 5,000, Agency 100, Power 30 Under 30, and others. He has authored three books — two of which were bestsellers — and written about marketing for many national publications and financial industry journals including Forbes, INC Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, FOX Business, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Investment News, Financial Planning, Wealth Management, ThinkAdvisor, Investment Advisor, Registered Rep, and many more. Robert is also an award-winning public speaker who has keynoted conferences for world-renowned companies including Ford Motor, Adobe, TD Ameritrade, and Prudential.

“I believe in putting people ahead of business, obsessing over details, taking risks, working hard, and giving back.”

Robert lives on Florida’s east coast with his wife of 14 years and two dogs. He loves coastal living and everything that goes along with it. His hobbies include cooking, collecting wine, mountain biking, CrossFit, and volunteering in the local community.

BRADLEY JON DELOATCHE

Chief Technical Officer (CTO) & Co-founder

Bradley DeLoatche is one of three founders and currently serves as Chief Technology Officer for Snappy Kraken. He oversees all things technology for the business. Bradley’s 20+ years of experience developing marketing technology has allowed him to blend skillsets which have normally been at odds with each other: technology (logic), marketing (creativity), and business (productivity).

“Since all of our time on this planet is limited, I feel extremely fortunate that I work with a team that strives to make that time better for more people. That’s how we work together and that’s what we’re doing for businesses and their customers. We use our talents to help those people. That’s what we’re good at, and that’s what we love.”

Prior to founding Snappy Kraken with Angel and Robert, Bradley has founded and run multiple agencies, and has worked with companies from farming and finance, to small businesses and international corporations. Outside of work, Bradley has been busy with other creative outlets. In just the past 5 years, he has been a guest host on multiple radio shows, won Best Local Entertainer for Ocala Magazine, appeared on MTV, co-composed an original score for a feature-length film, and was featured in Ocala Magazine’s 40 Under 40.

“I love helping people, I love technology, and I love business. So, every day I work more toward doing what I love by combining all of that in fun and creative ways. As CTO for Snappy Kraken, I aim to create meaningful tools that give people just what they need at the right time. For Businesses and Customers alike, I focus on making things purposefully simplified.”

Bradley is just as passionate about the outdoors and traveling. He is an Eagle Scout and has been to 15 countries and all of the continental US. Now he resides mostly in Airbnb rentals to explore more of the world.

ANGEL GONZALEZ

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) & Co-founder

Angel D. Gonzalez is one of three founders and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Snappy Kraken, overseeing the company’s brand, voice and content strategy. His big focus is in copywriting, marketing strategy, content creation, and product development. Angel spends a big part of his days connecting the different pieces of marketing campaigns and collaborating with his team.

“Our team is more like a rock band. We play our individual instruments, and we play well together. There are a couple huge benefits to thinking this way: First, it keeps our ego in check so we can collaborate easily and create something bigger than any of us could do on our own. And it reminds us that we have an obligation to inspire an audience and include them in the fun.”

Prior to founding Snappy Kraken with Robert and Brad, Angel was co-owner and founder of a digital agency which provided small businesses with website redesigns and marketing strategy. Along the way, Angel has served as a digital marketer and Director of Marketing for a financial marketing company.

“Marketing isn’t about one-off attempts at getting attention. You have to think in campaigns. You have to sweat upfront and be deliberate about all of the moving parts. But who has the time for that, especially if you’re running your own practice or serving clients? That’s why we built Snappy Kraken.”

Angel is practically a nomad. He resides mostly in Airbnb rentals near good food and large bodies of water. He loves techie gadgets, music, and movies…but he’s an obsessive freak when it comes to books.

ALICIA HOWARD

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Alicia Howard currently serves as Chief Operations Officer for Snappy Kraken, transforming initiatives from plans into finished projects. Whether Alicia is arranging project details for enterprise client relationships, contributing to content development, or facilitating internal operations at Snappy Kraken, one thing is certain: she has an enviable ability to take complex problems and break them down into small, simplified bites.

“I truly respect our team and I learn from them with every interaction. We bring our best everyday and laugh together a lot.”

Alicia graduated from King’s College on the Dean’s List of Academic Excellence and holds certifications from The Business Training Institute as a Certified Business Consultant (CBC) and Certified Business Coaching Specialist (CBCS).

Prior to joining Snappy Kraken, Alicia served as Strategic Consultant for a financial marketing company where she developed a customer-centric infrastructure and training program for the company’s marketing consultants. Her skills have allowed her to cycle between mentoring clients one-on-one to stepping on stage and presenting to hundreds of professionals.

Alicia’s career is rooted in keeping large projects and schedules on track, including serving as Event Manager for a multinational hotel chain facilitating 450 annual events. As Senior Conference Center Manager for a credit ratings corporation, she managed the day-to-day staff and operations, hosting high profile corporate and dignitary clients from all over the globe.

“I start by embracing the big picture and then figuring out how to get things done effectively while keeping clients and the team informed, and on task. I’ve worked with hundreds of financial advisors, business owners and major corporations to understand their vision and help them identify and market their opportunities. I’m convinced the best way to fuel loyalty-based business growth starts with creating a unique and enjoyable client experience.”

Alicia has an incredibly large spiritual family spread across the world, diverse with cultures and languages, yet very close. Alicia and her daughter thrive on spending time with these brothers and sisters, getting new stamps in their passports, embracing people and places and sharing good memories and love.

PATRICE KELLY

Chief Creative Officer (CCO)

Patrice Kelly serves as Chief Creative Officer for Snappy Kraken, providing creative direction and graphic design for the company and clients. Anything that needs to be presented visually to the world goes through Patrice’s lens. She navigates a diverse range of styles–from clean and sophisticated, to trendy and edgy–yet she manages to produce a body of work that is unmistakable. Her work earned her an American Graphic Design Award in 2015.

“Everything about us at Snappy Kraken is so different. The best thing about the team we have is that there are no egos. We all respect each other’s talents and contributions. I can’t emphasize how important it is for me to be in an environment that supports me and enables me to create the best work I can produce.”

She graduated from The Art Institute of Charlotte with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Graphic Design.

Patrice has over 12 years of experience in marketing, graphic design and interactive creative direction. She’s served in numerous corporate roles ranging from Art Director of a successful statewide publication to Web Designer at an interactive agency and Creative Director for a marketing firm. She has also worked extensively in the freelance market, helping many small businesses, startups and individuals with branding, and event and marketing design.

“Your message can be clear, it can be powerful, and it can even be great, but if it is not wrapped around something visual with a high impact, you lose your connection and effectiveness with your clients. As a designer, you have to mold yourself to every project you work on. You have to exude the same passion and commitment to modern, clean designs as you do to trendy and hip ones. I pride myself in staying fluid, adapting to new styles and being able to easily cross over those lines to produce quality designs in a wide range of styles and disciplines. I love helping clients define their own style and approach to business. I love what I do.”

Patrice lives in North Carolina with her three children, whom she adores, ranging in ages from 4 to 13. Patrice has a hearty appetite for life, loves to be active and work out, plays numerous instruments and enjoys cooking. She stays true to her nature by adding a creative twist to everything she does, and carries this forward with her own family.

FRANCESCA MCLIN

Senior Financial Writer

Francesca McLin is the Senior Financial Writer for Snappy Kraken, providing financial advisors with insightful and engaging content that helps them connect with clients, prospects, and partners. Francesca’s expertise spans multiple areas of the financial services industry; she has held Series 7, 66, and 24 securities licenses; worked as a compliance principal; and completed Level I of the CFA program. She has extensive experience developing content across many channels.

“The strength of our team is in the depth of experience we all have working with financial advisors. When Robert told me who was on the founding team I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

Francesca’s formal education includes a BA in Economics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College where she was a recipient of the Nichols Scholar full academic scholarship and studied the EU business environment in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Prior to launching a financial writing business, she served as IRA & Retirement Account Specialist and Compliance Principal for Folio Investments, as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, and as a Junior Investment Analyst for a hedge fund.

“My experience as a compliance principal, financial advisor, and candidate in the CFA program gives me a very broad understanding of the industry and issues advisors face. I want our clients to know I understand the language and compliance concerns, and have the ability to take what they want to say and make it resonate with their clients.”

Francesca lives in Columbus, Ohio with her wife, Veronica, and their two freeloading cats. She is an avid traveler and enjoys expanding the definition of “remote work,” regularly writing from a tiny teardrop trailer and guesthouses around the world. Francesca is also a middling endurance cyclist who regularly bites off more than she can chew and just hopes to finish.

DAVID CONNOR

VP of Sales

David (Dave) Connor serves as Vice President of Sales for Snappy Kraken, overseeing sales strategy, development, and management for the business. His career successes have been forged by building strong client relationships and delivering a high level of personal service in the financial services sector. With over 20 years of senior level sales and marketing management experience, David’s key focus is to ensure every customer’s experience with Snappy Kraken is a unique and personal one.

“I’ve been in this business for 25 years and have worked in almost all facets of the investment industry including operations, marketing and sales. One of the most difficult things I experienced as an advisor was maintaining effective communications with clients. We are now in an age of content delivery and digital marketing communications. What excites me about being part of the Snappy Kraken team is that we deliver a platform to keep our clients in touch with their customers and help them build their referrals. What I really love about my role is helping advisors strengthen their own book of business and customer relationships.”

Prior to joining Snappy Kraken, David held executive level positions in the sales and marketing divisions for industry leaders including Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Galaxy Funds and Royal Bank of Scotland. David was most recently VP Channel Development at Financial Media Exchange.

David was a student athlete in lacrosse and received his BA degree from Providence College in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Finance. He has held FINRA Series 3,7,8,22,24 and 65 licenses.

“As Vice President of Sales for Snappy Kraken, I find advisors take my calls because they know I am reaching out to help with a product or service that can really help them grow their book of business. Having been an advisor, I’ve walked the walk and know the language and pain points. I know the audience. I know the space we are in and all of the different aspects of being an advisor, whether independent or working for a firm. We have something that is exciting and easy to use to really help advisors grow their book of business and build strong loyalty with clients.”

David lives in Providence, Rhode Island with family. He is active in his community and loves spending time with his three sons.