A pioneer in the ticket brokerage market place, Robbi Raitt began his work in the industry nearly 16 years ago. He started as a one-man ticket broker, transforming his VW bus into a licensed mobile-ticket operation for events around the country. Today, the Florida native runs Empire Tickets, one of the top ticket brokerage firms in the country, with 22 full-time employees. Empire Tickets provides exclusive entertainment packages for events ranging from the Olympics, to the Super Bowl, to Broadway Shows and major concerts.

As president of Empire Tickets, Mr. Raitt leads the strategic direction and overall growth of the company. On a daily basis, he oversees brand extension and identity, develops new business planning and identifies key strategic partnerships.

According to Mr. Raitt, Empire Tickets brings honesty, integrity and trustworthiness to an industry often perceived as unreliable. He has worked to increase the quality standards and business practices of the industry by establishing processes within his own company.

Mrs. Pedersen joined Empire Tickets from Napoli & Long, CPA, P.C. She previously served as a finance representative for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the country.

A resident of Atlanta, Mrs. Pedersen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University.

Prior to joining Empire Tickets, Mrs. Garcia successfully re-branded one of the country’s leading childcare franchise companies, Primrose School Franchising Company, creating a new brand strategy, image and campaign. Serving as Vice President of Marketing, Mrs. Garcia directed six to eight major advertising campaigns per year; managed the company’s national advertising and public relations agencies; created and directed a strategic alliance program that was set up to yield more than $250,000 annually; and constructed and directed a tactical national PR plan that helped capture new brand ownership in the marketplace.

Previously, Mrs. Garcia served as Director of Marketing (International and Domestic) for software developer Manhattan Associates. Her efforts helped to successfully take the company public at $15 a share through the development of new brand strategies and new product marketing. Mrs. Garcia also has held marketing management positions with Blockbuster Entertainment, and she spent three years as an International Marketing Specialist at the United States Embassy in London, England.

Mrs. Garcia holds a master’s degree in communications and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stonehill College, where she received the prestigious Novak Award for Excellence in International Studies.