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Meet the RTV, Inc Virtual Tour Team Members
Jason LaVanture
VP/ Founder
Meet Jason LaVanture! Jason finished school in 1999 with a business degree, a private pilot’s license, and a burning desire to make a difference in the world. He saw the need for a greener home shopping experience, as well as digital marketing partners for real estate agents, so Jason began developing the RTV virtual tour software system. Several months into his endeavor he met Doug Knorr, owner of Knorr Marketing, a Traverse City ad agency and web development company.
Present day, Jason is the Vice President of RTV, Inc which maintains the largest network of independent virtual reality photographers in the world. RTV has sold several thousand of their virtual tour software kits, has created over two thousand jobs in the USA, and RTV's virtual tour photographers service over sixty thousand real estate agents worldwide.
In late 2008 Jason was challenged to “walk the talk” and start up an RTV dealership of his own in the small town of Traverse City. He accepted the challenge and BlueLaVaMedia came to fruition. Employer of three, BlueLaVaMedia is amongst the top fifty RTV dealerships in the world and in a three year span has already published over 700 virtual tours. Jason takes the vast information that he learns from running his own successful RTV dealership and hosts a talk show for his virtual tour photographers twice a month called The FORMULA so he can share the secrets of success with the network of dealers.
Jason brings over twelve years of internet savvy and expertise to the table and wears many hats at RTV including sales, marketing, product development, and head money spender. Jason loves assisting his virtual tour photographers and making the RTV network the strongest network of independent photographers in the world.
Jason is happily married to his lovely wife Heather. They have a beautiful son named Emerson who has become the center of their life.
Direct: 231-932-1586
Email:jason(at)realtourvision.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealTourVision
Douglas Knorr
Chairman / CEO
Doug's enthusiasm and zest for life has guided his professional career in medical technology, broadcast advertising, real estate development, and as founder of Knorr Marketing in 1986.
Doug's synergistic approach in a marketing-partnership philosophy bodes well with the clients that list Knorr Marketing as their agency of record.
Considered a "Retail Marketing Activist", Doug is nationally known for his expertise in branding and the retail furniture industry, with clients throughout the United States.
Beginning in 2004, he began writing articles for the NHFA's Home Furnishings Retailer magazine. He now writes a monthly column for them called, "Turn it Around!". In his column, he has addressed everything from branding to traditional advertising and the Internet to operational accountability.
Mr. Knorr is also Chairman of the Board of RTV, Inc. - a world leader in virtual tour software, panoramic virtual tours with dealers throughout the U.S. and in 20 foreign countries.
Virtual tours are a powerful sales tool used by the Real Estate industry, travel/lodging industry, colleges & universities, health care institutions, recreation facilities such as golf courses. A variety of corporate businesses also use this tool to enhance sales, training, human resource communications, investor relations, safety programs and security
Ben Knorr
Director of Technical Support / Camera Setup / Master Lens Engineer / Training / Sales / Much Much More!
Ben Knorr was SO busy helping new dealers get setup, making lens files, taking orders for our national accounts, answering technical support calls, selling a new RTV dealership, packing kits to ship out for the day, helping a new RTV dealer through the setup process, hosting a webinar on photography, and telling someone how to effectively build a digital SLR camera from old TV parts, that he has not yet provided us a biography.
Please check back here often and should you talk with Ben over the phone (231-947-3760) please urge him to take just a brief moment out of his busy day and get us some information to replace this disclaimer. Thank you! - Staff
Direct: 231-947-3760
Email: ben(at)realtourvision.com
Jacque Stephens-Burke
Director of National Accounts / Event Planning / Office Cheerleader
Jacque Burke, the Tour Track Fairy, has been with RTV since 2006. She rides the mighty Tour Track beast with competence and ease as she doles out over $300,000 worth of work to the photographers in the network and over $1,000,000 since Tour Track began.
Jacque, who is also an award winning and published photographer, has been a photography hobbyist since she was 13 when she stole her older brother’s Pentax K1000 and fell in love. In spite of her love of photography she decided to pursue a career in social work, obtaining a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. After a brief stint as a social worker she came to RTV to head up Tour Track. She loves working with our eccentric and zany photographers.
Although she one day expected to save the world, she is happy to satisfy that need by planning escape routes for her co-workers in case of a zombie apocalypse, and of course, spreading the unicorns and rainbows around the RTV office.
Jacque is happily married and mother to three beautiful and smart children who constantly keep her on her toes. She feels very lucky to work for RTV!
Direct: 231-932-1605
Email: jacque(at)realtourvision.com
Heather LaVanture
Sales & Office Administration Support
Hello everyone! My name is Heather LaVanture. I've been working in the virtual tour industry since I met my husband Jason. It's truly great hearing all of the wonderful dealer success stories out there. I could not be happier to be a part of a company that is creating so many jobs in this market. Jason and I have the most amazing and adorable son, Emerson Scott who came into our lives in February of 2011.
I have a full time position called “Mom and Wife” which takes up a LOT more time that I had ever dreamed of. On the weekends I work for BlueLaVaMedia, LLC which is a local RTV dealership here in Traverse City. Since most of my time at RTV is spent behind a computer and helping Julie with the numbers you will most likely never hear from me. Just know however that I really do look forward to meeting each and every one of you at the annual RTV Dealer Convention. Go RTV!
Direct: 231-947-0684
Email: heather(at)realtourvision.com
Kirk Wagonlander
Sales & Marketing Support
Kirk grew up in Metropolitan Detroit. A high-school and college wrestler, he loved competing in sports and spending time with his friends and family. Graduating with a business degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1992, he began selling cable television advertising for Time Warner Cable in the Detroit area. He received a promotion to Advertising Sales Manager a couple of years later and was relocated to Time Warner’s Cincinnati Division where he spent five-years in that capacity.
When AOL merged with Time Warner in 2000, his position in Cincinnati Ohio was eliminated and he made a life changing decision to leave the city life and moved to beautiful Traverse City Michigan were he had vacationed for years. Once in Traverse City, Kirk sold cinema advertising for a couple of years and then formed his own internet sports memorabilia company, Wagonlander Vintage Collectibles, Inc. specializing in vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards which he still owns and operates today.
When the economy slowed down in 2009, Kirk got involved in real estate and received his Michigan real estate sales person license. He is a landlord with a true passion for both real estate and internet marketing.
“I’ve been involved in internet marketing and have been an eBay Power Seller for years now. I’m very impressed by the virtual tour software that RTV offers. I’m thrilled to be a part of the team and to have the opportunity to sell such a dynamic product.”
Direct: 231-932-1603
Email: kirk(at)realtourvision.com
Julie Austin
RTV Admin
I was born in an apple tree in a beautiful orchard in west central Michigan. As all good Johnny Appleseed descendants, I love to travel spreading organized, accurate accounting everywhere I go.
I’ve accounted for natural gas in the Great Lakes State, chiropractors in the Sunshine State, fisherman in the Beaver State, and aircraft in the Emerald City. And now I’m pleased to be accounting for virtual tours in the Cherry Capital. Besides all the minute details of accounting in business, I love sailing on the ocean, camping in remote forests, and making sawdust in the woodshop.
Although I take a lot of pictures in my travels, it’s a good thing I stay behind the scenes here at RTV where Virtual Tours RULE!
Direct: 231-947-0687
Email: julie(at)realtourvision.com
Tom & Tim Barrons
RTV Technology Team
Tom and Tim Barrons are owners of Byte Productions, a Northern Michigan based, family owned web design company and also technology partners for RTV. Byte Productions was founded in 1991 and is operated by brothers Tom and Tim Barrons. Byte began working for RTV in 2005 and each member of Byte's team brings unique talents and specialties to RTV.
From graphic designers, musicians and writers, to programmers and hard-core techies, the Byte team has been carefully chosen as a technology partner by RTV because of their ability to cover the broadest possible spectrum of creative and technical areas.
Direct: 231-947-9687
Email: tom(at)realtourvision.com
Gabe Clark
Graphic Artist / Digital Imaging Specialist
Gabe is one of the newest members of the RTV team, and he insists that he will be a valuable asset in the event of a zombie apocalypse. With his skills in graphic design and digital imaging, he vows to edit out any zombies that happen to make their way into your photos.
It’s a good bet that if he isn’t working or doing homework, he’s either biking or playing vintage video games. Gabe is currently attending classes at Northwestern Michigan College pursuing a Visual Communications degree, and then considering honing his skills in fine arts. He also enjoys playing and writing music through his knowledge of percussion, piano and guitar.
Direct: 231-947-3764
Email: gabe(at)realtourvision.com
Kevin Olmedo
Lens Engineer & Virtual Assistant
Even though I am a Sociologist in my background I love to play with gadgets, especially with computers. I like to create practical solutions for people with gadgets and give them reviews about their toys. I'm happy when I am able to help them and make their life easier. Even if that's their gadgets' job most of the time I'm 100% more efficient.
I also like to go on adventures and trips to meet people and understand culture. At the end of the day I'm a local cowboy who knows Internet solutions. This is perhaps why I chose my course as a Sociology Major back in college. On the more serious side of myself, I like to read read history, organize events and communities. In my spare time, I help out with community events for the children, clean-up drives and the local church projects. I am very flexible, so when you think that I am too serious, I can also be a cool friend to hang-out with.
Finally I just love reggae music, my favorite cartoon character is Homer, my favorite TV shows are Big Bang Theory, Dirty Jobs, Family Guy, and the Simpsons. My hobbies include building monster PC's that run submerged in a fish tank filled with mineral oil, reading books and of course going on adventure trips.
Direct: 231-947-4248
Email: kevin(at)realtourvision.com
Jill Sill
RTV Marketing Support
Jill Sill joined RTV during the summer of 2009. She uses her skills as a former high school teacher and her passion for language and graphic arts to create our Inner Circle marketing pieces, info packs, dealer manuals and our RTV newsletters. She loves to ski and spend time at the beach; both are easy to do here in Northern Michigan. Her main goal is to keep RTV connected with you and you connected with potential clients.
Remember, if you would like to have a custom marketing piece made and are an Inner Circle member, simply fill out our suggestion box and we will add your unique idea to our list.
Direct: 231-932-1605
Email: jill(at)realtourvision.com
Melissa Vernon
Graphic Artist / Digital Imaging Specialist
Melissa joined the RTV team in March of 2010. She was born and raised in sunny southern California and made her way out to Michigan in the summer of 2007. She has a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts and is completing her Associate’s degree in web and graphic design. She puts her creative skills and photography background to good use as a digital imaging specialist. She takes her job seriously as she braves the snowy blizzards, clone brush in hand, using her Tour Track fairy magic to rid the world of dark, blurry photos.
Melissa has no children, but has 3 dogs that keep her busy and warm in the winter. She has long been an animal lover and even competed in horseback riding competitions and barrel racing while in high school. She was also a softball player for 8 years, which comes in handy when Jason thinks it is funny to throw random objects at her while she is working. She is the “Scooby” to Jacque’s “Shaggy” and often has to use her detective skills to solve Tour Track mysteries. When no logical explanation is offered, she often blames the Nargles.
Aside from the Nargles and random objects flying at her head (Jason!), Melissa enjoys being a member of the RTV team and feels privileged to be part of such a great company. RTV is always working hard to ensure that we offer only the best to our RTV dealers. She can't wait to see what is in store for the company this year.
Direct: 231-932-1603
Email: melissa(at)realtourvision.com
History
Begun in 1999, RTV sought to create a virtual tour system which would deliver the highest quality imagery at a much faster rate than other virtual tour products being offered at that time.
Originally designed for resorts, golf courses, upscale lodging facilities and others requiring high quality, the demand in the real estate industry accelerated the introduction of proprietary software in 2001 that decreased the tour building process to 30-45 minutes without sacrificing any quality.
Immediately, independent franchises and divisions of several Fortune 500 Companies such as GMAC, Land America, Stewart Title, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker began to use the nation's finest tour building product.
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