Powerful Company

Douglas Witt
Managing Director – Ignite

A natural fit for leading the Ignite Opportunity, Doug Witt is someone who truly understands how to achieve success. With a strong resume of experience as an independent entrepreneur, franchisee and corporate executive, Doug is uniquely qualified to lead the Ignite family.

Doug became the first employee of Ignite back in October 2004 and quickly put his leadership skills and operational savvy to work to help craft one of the most dynamic network marketing enterprises in modern American business. In this role, Doug conceptualized, developed and implemented the company’s field training and marketing programs, planned and coordinated the company’s annual convention, and actively led the growth of the firm’s network marketing sales base through a variety of initiatives. During the fall of 2009, Doug was promoted to his current position as Managing Director of Marketing, with oversight of the entire Ignite Opportunity, in recognition of his numerous and noteworthy contributions to the company.

Prior to joining Ignite, Doug applied his entrepreneurial skills in the deregulated Texas energy market as a marketing director for Option Energy in 2001. He quickly distinguished himself through his abilities as a trainer and sales leader, and he was selected Option Energy's first Corporate Trainer by the company's president.

Prior to Option Energy, Doug was an independent marketing director with Excel Telecommunications for nearly a decade. Due to his prowess as a sales organization leader in Excel, Doug consistently ranked in the top ten percent of the company's money earners and was appointed by the company's founder to develop and lead Excel's national field leadership team.

In the early '90s, Doug was one of the first franchisees of the ZuZu Handmade Mexican food chain. His accomplishments as a restaurateur and business owner led to his being elected the first Franchisee Association President by his fellow ZuZu franchisees.

Darryl Smith
Senior Director - Field Development

A passionate coach with a knack for helping business owners maximize the achievements of their organizations, Mr. Smith brings a formidable energy and zeal to the Ignite team.

As the Director of Field Development with a primary focus on South Texas, Mr. Smith is responsible for the training and expansion of our Independent Associate community in such markets as Houston, Corpus Christi and the Valley. In this role, he directs Ignite's training schedule and regimen, serves as a field advocate in the corporate office and provides business counsel to assist in Associate advancement.

Prior to joining the Ignite team, Mr. Smith served in a similar capacity at Excel Telecommunications for six years. During his tenure at the company, Mr. Smith was responsible for helping to launch the Excel Opportunity in several European markets, introducing new products domestically and abroad (including local phone service, satellite radio subscription service, and wireless and Internet services, to name a few), and supporting the company's top money earners in the further development of their businesses.

Mr. Smith is a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Steve Flores
Senior Director - Associate Support & Facilities Planning

As Director of Associate Support, Mr. Flores oversees all aspects of the company's Associate Support call center and back-office operations. His expertise in call center management and business processes is helping to guide the company to achieve maximum efficiency and revenue growth.

Mr. Flores has had a very successful business career, which includes over 20 years of management experience providing strategic, business and operational leadership. Mr. Flores has extensive call center experience leading multiple departments in multi-billion dollar corporations, and he has a consistent track record of improving the bottom line by growing revenues, improving efficiencies, reducing expenses and maximizing employee productivity. Mr. Flores also has over 10 years of experience as a network marketing and direct selling professional.

Before joining the Ignite team, Mr. Flores was a Senior Manager at Excel Telecommunications. During his almost 10 years of tenure at Excel, Mr. Flores managed the strategic and day-to-day direction of a 300-employee call center operation, with responsibilities including hiring, training and personnel development.

Mr. Flores is also an experienced real estate investor. In the mid 1980s, before the age of 25, he purchased and owned over 20 rental properties worth over one million dollars. Mr. Flores' real estate business has continued to thrive over the past several decades.

Paul Thies
Senior Director – Communications

A veteran at developing communication services and campaigns, Paul is well versed at reaching audiences through multiple channels.

As the Senior Director of Communications, Paul is responsible for branding and public relations efforts for Stream Energy and Ignite, as well as for supporting the company's sales force with communications from the corporate office.

Paul draws on more than a dozen years of experience in communicating with independent business owners. As the Director of Corporate Communications for Excel Telecommunications, he was responsible for all media relations and field communications for the company's multi-level marketing presence in the United States and Europe. Among his various duties during his tenure at Excel, Paul directed the messaging of the company's various U.S. and European web sites, served as the editor-in-chief of the company's international marketing magazine, scripted the company's quarterly and annual trade show meetings and managed the company's multi-million dollar communications budget.

Earlier in his career, Paul served for several years in the Franchise Communications department at Pizza Hut, Inc. In this capacity he supported the company's franchisees as a liaison on various project teams (including crisis communications and kids' marketing), and further provided daily communications support through a number of avenues.

Michael Tacker
Director - Field Development

As a former business consultant/coach and professional speaker, Mr. Tacker has taught many business owners and executives how to work 'on' their businesses and not just 'in' them. He brings this same passion for helping others succeed to the Ignite Independent Associate community.

As the Director of Field Development with a primary focus on expanding markets for the Ignite Opportunity, Mr. Tacker is responsible for directing Ignite's entry strategies into new markets. In his role, he ensures that the Ignite Independent Associates have an advocate in the corporate office as well as an "in the field" coach and mentor to help them build their business.

Mr. Tacker has an extensive business background as an owner, consultant, business coach and professional business speaker. He has presented his "Business Building Seminars" to businesses, Chamber organizations, civic groups and individuals across Texas.

Prior to joining the Ignite team, Mr. Tacker served in a similar capacity at Excel Telecommunications for six years. During his tenure at the company, Mr. Tacker was responsible for developing a strong training program and supporting the company's top money earners in the development and management of their businesses.

Mr. Tacker has a Bachelors degree in Marketing and Finance from Baylor University.