Ora Interactive Hires Ray Villares as Chief Growth Officer

ORA Interactive,an award-winning user experience and digital product studio headquartered in Chicago, Illinois announced today that it has named industry veteran Ray Villares as Chief Growth Officer. In this newlycreated role, Villares is responsible for growing the organisation's revenue, size and position in the market.

“ORA has had a phenomenal year. We achieved 80% year-over-year growth in headcount, joined The Escape Pod Group, and added an exciting roster of new clients. To capitalise on our momentum, it’s critical that we bring onspecialized senior leadership to round out our all-star team. We’re excited to have Ray on board to help shepherd our next era of growth,” said Mike Kelly, Founder and CEO, ORA Interactive.

In his role, Ray will act as a change agent within the organisation, leading business transformation initiatives, driving marketing excellence, stewarding the company’s expansion plans,and building future capabilities to achieve top line revenue growth and sustained performance.

“ORA is among a short list of hot mobile and emerging technology studios quickly growing and enabling Chicago’s technology start-up ecosystem. The opportunity to do something spectacular was apparent from our very first conversation. It’s refreshing to be part of an organisation with the ability to focus its genuine passion and move nimbly,” said Ray Villares, Chief Growth Officer, ORA Interactive.

Prior to joining ORA Interactive,Villares was a successful entrepreneur, holding leadership positions at digital agencies including Acquity Group, Critical Mass, Havas Chicago, and Symmetri, as well as growing nonprofits. He is an accomplished strategic executive, manager, customerexperience planner, mentor, author and public speaker with experience spanning two decades. Ray has worked with B2C and B2B Fortune 500 organisations including USAA Financial,AT&T, Ben & Jerry’s, Denstply Sirona, McDonald’s, Motorola, Northern Trust, Proctor & Gamble, True Value,Yamaha and Disney.