Our Staff

LightSky’s staff includes web developers, project managers, and account managers. We regularly collaborate and subcontract with talented designers and Web and Flash developers, too.

Ryan Hochstetler, CEO and President

With more than ten years of experience as a business owner, Ryan has an entrepreneur's spirit and uses his managerial and administration skills to drive LightSky’s mission and vision. He strongly believes in the importance of teamwork.

Ryan is actively involved in the Goshen noon chapter of Kiwanis and is on the boards of Ten Thousand Villages’ Mishawaka store and ASSETS Elkhart County. He plays soccer and ultimate frisbee.

Laura Gouin, Project Manager

Laura primarily manages LightSky’s maintenance clients, ensuring that periodic needs receive the same prompt attention as newly signed projects. Laura also specializes in selling and implementing Drupal sites. Laura’s focus on Drupal means that clients have someone who understands their specific Drupal needs and who can help brainstorm possibilities.

In her life away from LightSky, Laura volunteers as the Artistic Director of a local theatre: New World Arts. She can also be found working on various fiction writing projects, or, when she can find the time, reading a good book.

Jon Hartzler, Lead Developer

Jon has been a Web developer for nearly ten years. In that time he has worked on a number of different projects with many different technologies.

Jon finds contentment in relaxing with friends, watching sunsets, and playing with his kids.

Dave Hurt, Business Development Manager

Dave’s role is to introduce the client to LightSky and the Agile process, providing guidance from discovery to delivery. Dave maintains client relationships for ongoing support and potential new work. By keeping a balance of communication between both parties and understanding current needs, Dave is an asset to both LightSky and to the client.

Dave’s passion away from the office is Open Wheel Racing and the Indy Racing League. Dave also enjoys flying airplanes, listening to blues music, attending concerts, and spending time with his family.

Jaron Kennel, Developer

As a programmer, Jaron codes and implements solutions that the client needs. Jaron also sees it as his responsibility to constantly look for ways to improve upon the project’s original ideas. He is most satisfied with a project when it has been a true collaboration that results in a solution that fits what the client truly needs.

Outside of LightSky Jaron enjoys spending his time reading novels, playing games with friends, and occasionally acting in performances at New World Arts.

Cheryl Parrett, Director of Operations

Cheryl oversees productivity, accuracy, and timing of the development and project management teams to meet customer needs in creative ways to achieve profit and growth for LightSky. Productivity and efficiency ensure that clients have their needs met in a timely and cost-effective manner.

LightSky benefits from Cheryl's passion for technology and knowledge-sharing; she enjoys using both to connect with people that she might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. Cheryl is passionate about honesty and integrity in personal and professional journeys. She is inspired by those who truly live hard and fast by their values and by the unconditional love of animals.

Jonathan Warner, Developer

Jonathan helps clients determine project goals and objectives and then helps design and implement the solution. He is an excellent problem-solver and presents and analyzes alternative solutions to help clients and project managers make informed, best-fit decisions.

Jonathan has a great love of art, ranging from music to photography to theater.

Andy Wetherill, Front-End Developer

As a Front-End Developer, Andy’s role primarily involves translating site designs from static mock-ups to usable Web page templates. These are then handed off to the rest of the development team who add in the underlying functionality. Andy’s goal is to not only make sure the final site looks great, but to also ensure that it's accessible and functional regardless of the end-user's platform or browser preference.

Andy spends his time away from LightSky wrangling his ever-growing comic book collection. He’s a huge movie buff and is always doing his best to tear through a far-too-long Netflix queue while also trying to fit in a constant rotation of Joss Whedon re-runs.

© Copyright LightSky 2009. All rights reserved. Read our privacy policy.