Our Edmonton SEO Experts – Epiar Management & Staff //
Epiar has some of the most experienced and talented SEO professionals in the industry who are dedicated to helping you achieve of your Internet marketing objectives. We have assembled a team of the best and brightest SEO experts in the search engine marketing industry today. With over 8 years focused on marketing and technology, Epiar has the expertise to offer high-level strategy and support, and deliver positive results for clients’ unique online marketing needs.
Ken Jurina // President
As president and founder of Top Draw and Epiar , Ken Jurina has more than ten years of experience in traditional advertising and Internet marketing. In 1993, he founded Top Draw which has become a leading advertising, graphic design, and web development firm in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
In 2002, Ken co-founded Epiar, an Internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) company that has pioneered techniques merging web development technology with online marketing strategies to drive qualified traffic and sales.
As president of Epiar, Ken oversees the company’s growth and helps drive the marketing strategies and creative tactics that are delivering better lead generation and client retention for Epiar clients. In addition to leading the Epiar team, Ken’s role at Epiar comprises senior-level client counsel, strategic marketing, and creative direction.
Ken is also involved with various professional organizations and industry associations. He has served as a judge at the Canadian New Media Association awards for the past four years, and has been a speaker at Search Engine Strategies conferences in New York, Chicago, San Jose, and Toronto.
Additionally, Ken sits on the Global Committee and is Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee for the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO), which establishes and promotes ethical SEO practices and guidelines, and is also a founding member and co-chair of SEMPO Canada.
Outside of his professional responsibilities at both Top Draw and Epiar, Ken also plays key organizational roles for various noteworthy causes including the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI).
Bob Vaasjo // Director, Research and Development
Bob is a tireless innovator and co-founder of Epiar, his ideas sparked the first versions of Epiar Internet marketing strategies and software. He still heads research and development, with approximately one third of time spent in product and process.
Prior to launching Epiar, Bob spent over 25 years in marketing communications, including the creation of Metrographics Advertising. He has spent most of his adult life in the Caribbean where he launched and published a number of magazines and, more recently, worked in software.
James Klassen // Operations Manager
After working in traditional market research for more than 3 years, James came to the search engine marketing industry in 2006. Now as Operations Manager with Epiar, James takes advantage of this market research experience, strong grounding in both off and online technology, and innovative thinking to offer unique and actionable search marketing solutions to his clients that provide them with more exposure through organic search online.
James completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2003 and is currently working toward his Master of Arts in Humanities Computing.
Nick Pierno // Senior SEO Analyst
With a healthy technology background and a truly inquisitive nature, Nick has started to carve his own groove in the world of SEO and web. Years of curiosity and self-directed learning have provided him insights and skills that aren’t necessarily included in the handbook, affording Nick a unique perspective and an ongoing desire to educate and be educated. As ethics are a pillar of Nick’s work, he operates with complete transparency.
Nick is geared to keep up with the ever-changing times and to stay on the cusp of what’s happening in SEO and beyond, keeping the tools sharp and enoying every minute of it!
Samantha Goettel // SEO Analyst
Samantha brings a fresh marketing perspective to the ever changing and meticulous industry of SEO. She graduated with a Bachelor of Management Degree from the University of Lethbridge and also holds a Diploma in Marketing. During her studies, she was lucky enough to attend L’universitė Libre de Brussels in Brussels, Belgium as she is fluent in French.
Upon graduation, her degree led her to work with a multinational organization in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where she conducted Marketing Research and then ultimately back to Canada to begin a career in Retail Marketing. While working in the industry she quickly became interested in SEO, and thought that it would be an interesting and strategic career move.
Samantha is recognized as an innovative team member who strives for excellence in every facet of the job. She uses her creative thinking and intuitive nature to ensure that the best keyword research is being conducted for each individual client.
