Patrick Di Chiro/Chairman and CEO - Patrick Di Chiro founded THUNDER FACTORY in 2000 because of his fundamental belief that the marketing industry has for too long short-changed the client. Patrick envisioned a new kind of marketing firm, one comprised of highly experienced marketers who are passionate about helping clients succeed by building their businesses and growing their revenues. Thus was born THUNDER FACTORY, combining the strategic rigor of a world-class consulting firm…the creativity and branding expertise of an award-winning advertising/PR agency…the ROI focus of a top direct marketing firm…and the technological know-how of a leading online marketing company.

A 25-year veteran of international marketing and communications, Patrick’s experience ranges from consumer/brand marketing and technology, to financial services and healthcare. Prior to launching THUNDER FACTORY, Patrick served as Chief Communications Officer of E*TRADE Group, Inc., the pioneering online brokerage and banking firm. Formerly, he was VP of Global Technology Marketing for Visa International, and Partner, Ketchum Worldwide. During his seven-year career at Ketchum, Patrick served as Managing Director of Ketchum’s Asia-Pacific agency network, and was the firm’s first Director of Global Account Development. In the mid-1980’s, Patrick was Director of International Marketing and Communications for American Express Company in New York City. In that capacity he played key roles in launching numerous new American Express products worldwide, and in supporting the company’s aggressive international M&A activities. Patrick was also VP Marketing-Client Services of Armando Testa Advertising, Italy’s largest ad agency. He began his career as director of communications for a large Washington, D.C.-based trade association.

A native of Naples, Italy, Patrick is working (in his spare time!) with an Italy-based group of cuisine experts and investors to bring authentic Italian wine and food culture to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Eric Granof/Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Los Angeles -
Eric joined THUNDER FACTORY in 2003 in order to build the company’s Southern California business. According to Eric, it was as simple as hearing THUNDER FACTORY’s tag line, “Closing sales and driving revenues for clients,” that drew his interest in the firm. Eric has a strong background in building and creating brands, and is a strong believer that well managed brands have the ability to drive consumer preference and ultimately drive sales for a company.

Prior to THUNDER FACTORY, Eric spent four years with Lippincott Mercer, a leading corporate identity and brand strategy firm, as a Partner in its Los Angeles office. Prior to Lippincott, Eric was a Senior Project Manager for Citigate Bass Yeager in Los Angeles, where he managed a number brand strategy and communications projects. Eric spent almost three years at Interbrand, where he was one of the core team members, responsible for starting and growing the San Francisco office. Some of the clients Eric has worked with over the years include, Home Savings of America, Nissan, Genentech, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Park Place Entertainment, Caesars Palace, TCW, Kaiser Permanente and Hilton Hotels, to name a few.

Eric has conducted branding seminars for multiple chapters of the American Marketing Association, UCLA and the Executive MBA Program at Santa Clara University. He has also recently co-authored an article on brand risk for RIMS’ national publication. Eric holds a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine.