About Us

Aaron Booker

Chief Executive Officer

Aaron Booker has been a successful serial entrepreneur focusing on the intersection of technology and communication for over 15 years. Aaron began his journey in 1996 as Bellingham’s first Internet Consultant which evolved into managing an Apple Specialist store through 2000. In 1999 Aaron was in the right place at the right time and introduced Bellingham’s Video Editors to Final Cut Pro – the first breakout computer based editor for video. This launch event introduced Aaron to a wonderful community of folks passionate about the intersection of video and technology.

Aaron next began Hardlines Company on 9/1/2011, just a few days before the 9/11 tragedy. Stressful times for a single person startup! By practicing lean startup principles (keep that overhead down!) – Hardlines grew into a successful web hosting firm and an IT Managed Services Provider helping small businesses with technology services. In late 2002, Hardlines executed its first live webcast for “fun”, and then in 2003 began providing live webcasting and live streaming services at Events in the United States as well as in Europe and Asia.  In 2006, Aaron was fortunate to join a peer group of IT Companies in HTG Peer Groups – with a focus on Business and Personal Growth.  Aaron quickly began to move away from being a technician towards building teams and growing companies. Fast forward to today – Aaron is blessed to work at Varvid alongside a talented team of professionals. Some he met when FCP launched, others when he owned Hardlines (Hardlines sold in 2010), and several are peers he met in the HTG Peer Groups. Varvid has been on a exponential growth curve for the past four years – doubling revenues year on year. Aaron is excited to see what Varvid does next…

Mike Simmons

President

Mike’s formal experience in post-production began at Escape Studios in London where he had the opportunity to work with footage from a number of motion pictures and popular tv shows. Returning to the states in 2007, Mike began a post-production company, VooduFX, before joining forces with Aaron Booker to form Varvid.

Mike has over a decade of management experience overseeing large teams and budgeting project costs in the face of grueling deadlines and an unpredictable economy. As President and Co-founder at Varvid he has successfully managed numerous marketing projects and video campaigns for clients such as HP, Microsoft, Cisco, ConnectWise, Xerox, Ingram Micro, HTG, ASCII and many others. Mike’s worn a number of hats over the years and enjoys new challenges, especially in his creative endeavors – it’s safe to say his underlying motivation has always been driven by a firm foundation in the creative process.

Mike Pearce

Creative Director

Michael Pearce has a degree in Design for Television and Film, and has worked extensively in the industry for thirty years as a Writer, Cameraman, Editor, Director of Photography, Producer, and Director. His work has taken him to Africa, Europe, Mexico, throughout Canada and the United States. Prior to joining Varvid, Mike and his wife owned a small advertising/production studio where he worked with NBA Entertainment, PBS, The History Channel, ON24, The Discovery Channel, The Food Network, Dick Clark Productions, FNN, and Turner Broadcast. He’s won numerous Telly Awards, Videographer Awards and has been nominated for three Emmys.

Andrea Campion

Chief Operations Officer

Prior to joining the Varvid team in 2011, Andrea spent several years working as a financial director and controller for project management in the real estate development industry. Andrea brings a strong skill set developed through experience coordinating timelines, budgets, permitting, and contractor selection for large scale projects. Andrea is a graduate of Western Washington University who, interestingly enough also taught high school Math for several years. Her skill at managing teenagers can sometimes come in handy at Varvid.

In her spare time Andrea operates a small farm where she raises and boards sport horses.

Whitney Pearce

Art Director

Whitney Pearce has known she loved graphic design since she was an eighth grader in Wisconsin and did a career interview for a school project. After getting her degree in Graphic Design/Advertising, she headed to Los Angeles to find her dream job and unexpectedly met her dream husband there. Her solid experience and creativity result in great design and happy clients. She has years of award-winning work under her belt, including an International “Bronze Quill” award and the covers of two books on the New York Times Best Seller list. Prior to joining Varvid, Whitney and her husband owned a small advertising/production studio where she created branding, websites, and collateral for large and small businesses. She currently serves on the board of the Women’s Professional Network. In her free time you’ll find her with her family, reading, cooking or gardening.

Drew Graham

Business Development Director
Bellingham Branch

Before joining Team Varvid in October of 2009 as Director of Community and Culture, Drew Graham helped local businesses and business leaders through his role as Development Director at the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. His background also includes multiple roles in broadcast communications along with stints in the hospitality, medical and astrophysics industries. In his spare time Drew runs a successful event facilitation/mobile DJ company, is raising a teenaged son with his wife of 18 years, Kerry, and recently purchased a hot dog cart called “The Family Dog”. They can be found at local festivals, regional events and wherever people are in need of an all-beef frank loaded with grilled onions, mustard and TLC.

Pat Dolan

Business Development Director
Dallas Branch

Patrick joined Varvid in November 2011 after a long career in the IT Industry, most recently at TCC Technologies, a company he helped found in July 2002. He has been associated with Varvid’s founder, Aaron Booker, since both joined an IT industry peer group in late 2006. He assisted in various Varvid projects from the beginning of the company and finally came on board full time in November 2011.

Megan Martini

Project Manager

Megan Martini has been interested in the film industry from an early age, and is well versed in all levels of production. She studied Post Production extensively at the Colorado Film School, received a BA in Cinema and Media Communications from George Fox University, and has worked as a Production Coordinator and Manager for the last several years. Megan has lived in Bellingham, WA most of her life, and loves having the opportunity to work with clients around the world, from such a beautiful location.

Janet Ershig

Inside Sales

Janet Ershig joined the Varvid Team August of 2011. Prior to that, Ms. Ershig assisted the City of Bellingham with POS Configuration, Implementation and Training for the opening of the Lightcatcher Modern Art Museum and Family Interactive Gallery. Ms. Ershig brings with her a back ground in Sales, Operation Processing and Business Development primarily in Industrial Manufacturing; OEM , ODW, FTTX, Telecom, UPS battery backup and Alternative Energy.

Richard McLean

VENUE Project Administrator

Richard McLean graduated from Western Washington University in 2010 with a BA in English – Creative Writing Emphasis. He began working with video in 2009 by volunteering at KVIK, WWU’s student run television station. Richard started at Varvid as an intern in June 2010 and was brought on full time in November 2010.

Colin Dalvit

Animator & Motion Graphics

Colin Dalvit graduated from WWU in 2008 with a self-­‐directed degree in Film and dramatic writing. In college he wrote, directed, and edited a feature film: Room 113. He also co-­‐directed and edited a documentary: An Honorable Calling”, which was accepted into the first annual ACR film festival in Atlanta, where it won the Audience Choice Award.
In 2010 Colin was hired on at Three Sixty Productions, an established full-­‐ service advertising agency, where he was able to take his skills further. Along with writing and editing, he specializes in motion graphics and 3D animation.

Bonnie Perez

SEO and Social Media Coordinator

Bonnie Perez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Western Washington University. While in college she worked part-time selling home and small business computer solutions and she also found time to intern for a variety of organizations in Bellingham. To cultivate her passion for marketing and technology, she immersed herself in digital marketing as an intern for Bellport Ventures Facebook app developers and created, designed and implementedthe digital media strategy for Sustainable Connections first annual Eat Local Campaign. She joined Varvid in the summer of 2012 and is excited to be part of the team

Brittany Durand

Intern – Public Relations

Brittany Durand is a current student at Western Washington University pursuing a double degree in Business Administration and Public Relations. She has worked with several nonprofits and for profit organizations and loves contributing to the Bellingham community. Brought into the Varvid team as an intern in August 2012, Brittany contributes to social media and public relations dynamics. She also has a passion for photography and is applying those skills towards Varvid’s website and social media posts.