Jenny Niemann - CEO & President
Leadership Team
Fun Facts
Jenny Niemann
Chief Executive Officer and President
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Raised in Grand Rapids MI, also lived in Portland ME, Cincinnati OH, again in Grand Rapids Michigan, then Boston MA and now Chicago!
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Que Sera, Sera” (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) which was from song sung Doris Day, but my dad used to play it for me as I sat on the piano bench next to him when I was a little girl.
What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Cooking with and for my family.
When growing up, what was your favorite TV show?
The Brady Bunch
When I was a kid…
I always wanted to be an ARCHITECT when I grew up.
Michelle Jerge
Vice President of Finance
How did you get into your current career?
In 6th grade I was a big fan of the X-Files. I discovered the FBI frequently recruited accountants so I knew if I ever wanted to be Agent Scully, I had to start as an accountant.
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
A giant bucket of Legos. I would spend hours building things
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
I grew up in Pendleton, Indiana – a traditional small town where everybody knows everybody. Went to college in Bloomington, Indiana with a study abroad in London for 6 months. Couple years later, I made my way to Chicago and have been here since!
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Visit all 50 states (36 of 50 so far), attend a game at every MLB stadium (15 of 30 so far), and explore all the National Parks (12 of 63 so far)
Winter or summer?
Definitely summer.
Michael Rodgers
Vice President of Operations and Administration
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
I was born in Tampa Florida, then moved to Mobile Alabama, then a small town outside of Rockford called Poplar Grove, and currently live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Skydive, learn to fly a plane, and surf pipeline on the North Shore.
The most inspiring part of my role is…
Helping to grow our amazing culture.
Winter or summer?
Summer, I am not a fan of cold weather or being cold.
When I was a kid…
I wanted to be a fighter pilot! (If I were flying, Goose would still be alive)
Chris Cole
Senior Vice President of Sales
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Raised in Western New York, in the first house to get electricity in Middleport NY (town of 1800 people)
*Note: the house got electricity way before my family moved in.
How did you get into your current career?
I was selling chemicals to steel mills in Indiana and my wife was selling contract grade textiles here in Chicago. She made more money and was having way more fun so I took a 50% cut in pay to work at an education and healthcare furniture company, and it was the best work decision I ever made – before joining Forward Space, of course!
In your free time, what do you like to do?
Boat and golf with friends and family.
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
GI Joe with the scruffy beard.
The most inspiring part of my role is…
Getting to partner with our Account Executives in providing excellent service to support our clients.
Kirk Dakarian
Vice President of Sales
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
I was raised on the northwest side of Chicago. I have never left the Chicagoland area and still hang out with my friends from my childhood.
What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Spending time with family at our lake house in Michigan
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
Travel to Australia and New Zealand. Play golf at Pebble Beach. Skate in Wayne Gretzky’s Hockey Fantasy Camp -time might be running out on that one.
What, or who, are you a “closet” fan of?
I am a closet Beatles fanatic. I don’t think any musical group or performer will ever match the musical progression they exhibited in the short time they were together.
If I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d…
Move to Kauai, help my girls pay off their school loans and donate money to the charities and causes that my family supports.
Deborah Beccasio
Vice President of Sales
What is your biggest dream or goal in life?
To give back and make a positive difference for others, and have my kids live close to me.
What is your favorite thing to do over the weekends?
Spend time with kids and friends, hiking, exploring bookstores, and going to dinner.
Would you rather eat pizza or ice cream?
Lou Malnati’s beats out ice cream, but sushi beats out everything.
What is a unique talent you have?
I have a mean whistle.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
French Vanilla (with loads of berries and chocolate sauce).
Theresa Landers
Vice President of Sales
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
I was born and raised in Chicago in the Pilsen area.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
One of my favorite inspirational quotes is by Princess Diana: “Lead from the heart, not the head”.
The most inspiring part of my role is…
The most inspiring part about my role is I get to mentor and help others.
When I was a kid…
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress and see my name in lights.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
In my free time, I love to travel and be with my family.
Nicole Vensas
Vice President of Creative Services
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Raised in Roselle, IL, but grew up for a short while in Kennesaw, Georgia.
How did you get into your current career?
I attended college for Interior Design, in which I am now accredited, licensed and practicing. I always loved the psychological and emotional impact space can have on someone, and the influence it can impart. I liked cracking the code on how to make space just FEEL right.
When I was a kid…
I would make elevations of homes on a graph paper desk pad my dad brought home from work. I was 7 and had no idea the significance of what I was drawing, I just knew that it felt comforting to organize space in that way.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Not all who wander are lost.”
What is a unique talent you have?
The degree to which I can become miserably lost.
Winter or summer?
Autumn.
Morgan Breslin
Director of Order Fulfillment
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” – Heraclitus
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
1. Float in the Dead Sea
2. See Japanese Cherry Blossoms bloom in Japan
3. Go to Oktoberfest
The most inspiring part of my role is…
Helping our clients. I love providing exceptional customer service and it is a true passion of mine.
What is a unique talent you have?
I can speed read. I took several courses throughout high school, and it is still a skill I utilize daily.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
I enjoy reading, walking, crafting, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Becky Johnson
Director of Project Management
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Greece.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
Watch my kids play alllllll the sports, go antiquing, and connect with family & friends.
If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
The violin!
Winter or summer?
Summer…specifically, late summer.
Becky Johnson
Director of Project Management
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Greece.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
Watch my kids play alllllll the sports, go antiquing, and connect with family & friends.
If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
The violin!
Winter or summer?
Summer…specifically, late summer.
Elizabeth Lewis
Vice President & General Manager, Milwaukee
What about you would most people not believe unless they knew you?
Most people are surprised to learn that I grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin. I absolutely loved my childhood, which was primarily spent outdoors. I learned to love and respect the world around me and how to work hard.
What are you doing when you are not working?
Spending time with my husband and two kids (currently 5 and 7). We try to get our for a hike almost every weekend, even in winter. In fact, we just began a family challenge to spend 1,000 hours outside in the next year! We also plan to visit all the National Parks as a family.
What are three things still left on your bucket list?
I love to travel, so two of my bucket list items are to visit Machu Picchu and to hike the Cinque Terre. The other is to write a book!
What is your favorite drink or cocktail?
A well muddled Old Fashioned, Wisconsin style (with Brandy).
In another life, I’m pretty sure I was…
A Parisian write who drank Absinthe and hung out with Henry Miller and Anais Nin.
Cathy Wille
Director of Design & Customer Experience, Milwaukee
The most inspiring part of my role is…
watching my team in action. Their talent, dedication to clients, and care for each other is next level. Watching them work, especially during client meetings where their skills truly shine, is hands down the best part of my day.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Everywhere. Top of the list right now is New Zealand, Morocco and anywhere with over-water bungalows! I want to wake up surrounded by the ocean.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
If I’m alone I’ll read or do a puzzle. If I’m with family or friends, we’re going on an adventure! Anything from exploring a new spot in Milwaukee to climbing a mountain in a new country; if they’re game, I’m game.
Winter or summer?
Winter. Cozy sweaters, a roaring fire, a good book and a snowstorm.
What is your favorite drink or cocktail?
Can’t start the day without coffee. A smooth pour over, or a seasonal latte, as long as it’s coffee, I need it.
Tim Geier
Director of Orders & Project Management, Milwaukee
Where were you raised? Where have you lived?
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Before settling down in Milwaukee in 2012, I lived in the following places: West Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, & Kansas.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Ireland, I really want to go to Ireland.
In another life, I’m pretty sure I was…
A teacher.
What do you like to eat for breakfast?
Steel Cut Oatmeal with blueberries.
What is your favorite drink or cocktail
Either a Gin and Tonic, or a nice bourbon.