Dean Mercier

Managing Director, Co-Founder

Mercier is responsible for the strategic direction and product vision of GAEMS and brings to the company many years of experience in consulting, analysis, project management and software development. Before co-founding GAEMS, Mercier founded the consulting company Lighthouse PM, where he served as a subject matter expert, project manager and business analyst for major enterprise-level government and private organizations throughout the U.S., including Alaska. Early in his IT career, he gained valuable experience at Kronos and ADP as an application consultant. Prior to working in IT, Mercier spent almost two decades in biotechnology. He obtained his MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) certification through Seattle Pacific University.

"Design Thinking is about changing from: Making people want things [through advertising and marketing] to making things people want."

John Smith

Managing Director, Co-Founder

Smith brings years of international business, sales and marketing channel experience to his position as General Manager of GAEMS. Smith is responsible for building the GAEMS brand, market and virtual community. Prior to co-founding GAEMS, Smith spent six years at Microsoft as an Xbox/LIVE Engagement Program Manager known for on-time delivery. He also spent almost a decade as Chief Financial Officer for an international trade company facilitating commerce between the U.S., Russia, China and Eastern Europe. Smith obtained a B.S. in Sports Marketing from the University of Oregon.