our principals...

ROBERT SOKOL
Creative Director

Born in Munich and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Robert studied art and theatre at Mansfield University before moving to Manhattan in 1979. He is a resident of San Francisco since 1981.

From 1982 to 1988, he was employed by Walker Interactive Products, a software development firm. He then joined News Travel Network, serving as Director of Syndication Services and overseeing program delivery, advertising sales operations, client services, and tradeshow management for the television production company until 1996.

Seeking more creative outlets, Robert formed VIA MEDIA in 1998, simutaneously launching a second career as an entertainment writer. His features, columns and interviews are published locally in the Bay Area, nationally and internationally.

Always active in his communities, Robert has served on several boards including those of Grace Cathedral, the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and the Golden Gate Business Association. He has produced numerous charity events involving a wide range of celebrities and other public figures.

Robert has been personally active in the fight against AIDS since 1988, contributing his time and talent to diverse endeavors. An occasional lounge singer, Robert has appeared in musical theatre productions and - in his ever elusive spare time - feeds his abiding interest in travel, photography and (almost) all things showbiz!

CONNECT WITH ROBERT

RON WILLIS
Operations Director

A native Californian born in the East Bay, Ron came "home" to San Francisco in 1994. Raised in an entrepreneurial family, he obtained his real estate license at 18 and was working full time for the family business by the age of 20.

From 1979 through 1991 Ron engaged in the sale and appraisal of professional practices, matching young dentists and physicians with retiring doctors, negotiating and closing the complex transactions. While at Professional Practice Sales he was also responsible for marketing, bookkeeping, trade shows and all aspects of IT management.

Ron has served in fiscal and operations management at two large non-profit organizations and maintained a successful consulting practice for 10 years, serving recipients of highly competitive innovative research grants from the Federal government. From 2004 to 2007 he served as the Financial Manager for Grants Administration a the national headquarters of the Sierra Club, where he was responsible for budgeting and the post-award financial administration of a $25M portfolio of grants and contracts.

An ordained Episcopal Priest, Ron served as the Vicar of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Bolinas from 2003 to 2009.  He invests time as a community volunteer and presently serves as president of the board of the Golden Gate Business Association, the nation's first LGBT chamber of commerce.

Ron's passion is travel and there is a special place in his heart for Costa Rica. He looks forward to an itty bitty retreat cabin in the charming village of Quepos one day.

CONNECT WITH RON