What We Do
At Root Strategy Group, we partner with companies going through dynamic transitions.
If you’re a startups that needs to move from concept to execution,
or a mature company pushing through a plateau, we’re here to make sure you succeed.
We are business acceleration specialists.
Who We Are
Ed Cleary Principal
Ed possesses the 360-degree skills and experience required to create and manage long-term growth and profitability. A veteran of the startup community, he’s worked through every aspect of properly positioning companies to achieve their vision. From marketing and advertising, to sporting goods and software, Ed’s blend of expertise and experience makes him uniquely qualified to guide a company from a concept on a cocktail napkin, to a market leader.
Clients Have Included: McDonalds, Toy-R-Us, General Mills, FAO Swartz, Genysis Financial, Avnet and Anytime Fitness
Imogen Baxter Social Media
Imogen Baxter is a social media marketing specialist with over 10 years of experience helping brands resonate with their audience and stay relevant in today’s ever-changing landscape. Through a mix of data-driven social media strategies, creative campaigns and strategic brand and influencer partnerships, she helps businesses get in front of the right customers and connect with them in meaningful ways.
Clients Have Included: SD Design Expo, Il Giardino di Lilli, Piper & Heath, and Wyn by Serena
George Plsek Product Architect
George has been working in the online, app and digital space since the early 90’s. With extensive operational experience in digital media, online advertising, software and eCommerce, he has worked for or implemented solutions at roughly 200 companies during his career. A technologist at his core, he’s been the architect and buildout of technology and infrastructure platforms for a wide variety of companies.
Clients Have Included: Loan Hero, Hearst Magazines, KickApps, and GeiaFit
Peter Townshend Legal and Business Strategist
Peter is a lawyer, business advisor and a leading authority on startups, angel and venture capital, and M&A. He has been advising high tech, software and life science startups for nearly 25 years. Peter is a graduate of Yale (BA) and UC Berkeley (JD and MBA).
Clients Have Included: eBay, Plaxo, BrightRoll and Meebo, Dandelion Chocolate, Appriva Medical, ConforMIS, Cathera and Alembic
Nick Mazza Principal
Nick brings more than 15 years of sales, business development and marketing experience helping build and grow companies in technology, health and fitness, real estate development, and hospitality. He’s managed every step of the process, from strategy and planning through the launch, growth and acceleration stages needed to ensure long term viability.
Clients Have Included: Twitter, Toms Shoes, Tommy Hilfiger, Kimpton Hotels, RedBull, Patron and Obey
Mike Nelson Graphic Designer
Mike has been a fixture in Southern California graphic design for years, setting style and guiding brands for companies and organizations throughout the region. He specializes in branding, graphic and web design. By blending remarkable creative with a solid understanding of business application needs, Mike creates distinction and meaning in every brand he touches.
Clients Have Included: Hydroflask, Culture Brewing, New Greens Superfood, MDRN Athlete, Wild Color Foods and Surf House Hotel
Maryn Lain Marketing Design
Maryn is a Design Director with a focus in product marketing. She brings more than 15 years of experience in fitness, military and medical device marketing communications, branding, collateral design, advertisement production, trade show coordination, and campaign execution. She’s consistently recognized for her creativity, ingenuity, and efficiency.
Clients Have Included: BeaverFit, Grey Man Gear, and Alere
Andrew Ruff CFO
Andrew’s experience spans the spectrum of business models including service-oriented companies, software as a service, distribution, life science, technology and manufacturing. His professional efforts have been publicly recognized many times over with Advisory and CFO of the Year awards, leading some of San Diego’s Fastest Growing Companies with multiple capital raises and exits.
Steven "Lounge" Price Advertising and Media Strategy
Lounge possesses expertise across a wide spectrum of disciplines including brand strategy, digital media, SEM, social media, analytics, user experience, and information architecture. His highly entrepreneurial approach consistently leads not only to measurable performance impacts to digital campaigns but also to relationships that blur the lines between client and agency.
Clients Have Included: Mammoth, JVC, Blundstone, Asics, Bauer, Mastercraft and Salomon
Nick Abrams Design, UI/UX
Nick has spent the last 15+ years helping businesses create thoughtful, clear and beautiful communication. He is a master at branding, product design, UI/UX and motion design.
Clients Have Included: Paypal, Kashi, Callaway Golf, Giro Bike Helmets, Sony, Nintendo, and Quiksilver
Justin Nahama Legal and Risk Mitigation
Justin is a highly-accomplished lawyer, business advisor and leading authority empowering hyper-growth startups. He has served as a Marine JAG, federal prosecutor and partner at one of the highest-ranked law firms in the world. Justin teaches entrepreneurs around the world how to efficiently leverage their attorneys to align business and legal strategy for optimizing growth. He brings his passion, creativity and broad global network to RSG’s clients.
Clients Have Included: CrossFit, Inc.’s founding team, Deepak Chopra, Navy SEALs and special operations personnel