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Global Auction Network was founded in 2003 by David Raymond, himself an avid collector and participant in auctions. From the beginning, the mission of Global Auction Network has been to provide the auction industry with a world-class auction platform, distinctive content and superior service that empower premium auction houses to leverage the internet to reach the growing audience of collectors and enthusiasts.

By delivering original video content, in addition to the highly-experiential online bidding platform, Global Auction Network has set a new standard for web-enabled auctions. "A" level, we believe, appropriate to the premium auction houses we service.

David Raymond, Founder and Chairman. Mr. Raymond is a renowned art and photography collector, specializing in vintage photography from the 1920s-1940s. He was recently selected as one of the top 100 collectors in the United States in magazine Art and Antiques. In the 1998-99 edition of the "Art Market Guide", he was chosen as one of the top ten private art dealers in the United States. Mr. Raymond was the Fine Arts Editor of Antiques West, and in 1994 he founded ArtWest, a monthly trade newspaper devoted to art in the Western United States. He is frequently called upon to advise on market valuations, in addition to appraising private collections. Mr. Raymond actively bids at auctions for major clients such as the Getty Museum. He has served on the Community Participation Committee for the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and the Board of Directors of the Shanti Project and currently sits on the Board of Performa. In addition, Mr. Raymond is the producer of independent features films in the U.S. and Argentina.

William Hooks, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hooks is an experienced senior executive in establishing and building consumer media subscription businesses. A 30-year veteran of HBO, he developed and launched HBO Asia in Singapore - which now serves over 4 million subscribers in 20 countries -- and served as its President and CEO for five years. He later served as Executive Vice President of HBO International in London, responsible for managing HBO's joint venture channel investments in seven Eastern Europe countries. In the United States, Mr. Hooks capped 18 years of Sales and Marketing roles as Senior Vice President responsible for all domestic cable distribution.

David Donaldson, Acting CMO Chief Marketing Officer. Mr. Donaldson is a proven leader in embracing new technologies to advance the auction business. Most recently, as a senior executive at Freeman's Auction House in Philadelphia, where he served for eight years as part of the team that transformed America's oldest auction house from a small local treasure to a major regional house with international prominence. First as V.P. Marketing and then as V.P. Business Development, Mr. Donaldson was integral in the implementation of a new business model for the 200-year old company resulting in 500% growth in turnover and more than 1000% growth in average lot value. Especially important to the company's growth was the aggressive incorporation of new technologies, particularly the early adoption of live online bidding platforms - an effort spearheaded by Mr. Donaldson, eventually positioning Freeman's as one of the industry leaders in online auctioneering.

David Polakoff, Acting Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Polakoff has a breath of experience across all company operations, from over 20 years in the media/entertainment practice of Ernst & Young, HBO, Granada America television, and independent consulting. Mr. Polakoff's expertise in business strategy and development, finance, and operations has added value in: content creation to distribution; start-up through mature environments; and domestic and international markets. His E&Y clients included A&E, HBO, Sesame Workshop and Ringling Bros. Circus. Within HBO's financial operations, he supported the growth of basic and premium channels abroad, original programming, ancillary sales, and technology operations. Within HBO International he led operational improvement projects. With Granada Television, he headed New York finance and business development, and co-ran office operations.

Warren Baise, Executive Producer. Award-winning video producer, writer and media relations strategist for Fortune 500 corporations, professional associations, non-profit organizations and government agencies. He has 20 years experience developing content, managing staff, syndicating and assuming P&L responsibilities for live television events, sponsored documentaries and television magazine style programs. Mr. Baise has prior experience in the broadcast and cable distribution of a series of auctions originating from a Washington. D.C. auction house.

Board of Directors

Joshua Schwartz, Managing Director, East Wind Advisors, a financial advisory firm specializing in Media & Entertainment. Mr. Schwartz was previously a Managing Director in Bear Stearns' Media & Entertainment Investment Banking Group, where he worked extensively with clients operating within the programming, internet, cable network, MSO and television and radio broadcast sectors. Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Mr. Schwartz was a corporate attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, specializing in mergers & acquisitions.

Lee deBoer, Founder, Managing Partner, Propeller Partners, LLC.
Mr. deBoer is a media veteran with broad experience in television, cable and new media with a unique focus on developing new products and brands. From 1976-1995, Lee deBoer served at Time-Warner's Home Box Office, where he was one of the principal architects of the company's expansion and growth. Mr. deBoer was responsible for the development and launch of Cinemax, Comedy Central, HBO Multiplex, HBO Ole, HBO Hungary and HBO Asia. He was Executive Vice President, HBO; President, HBO International and also President of Time-Warner International Broadcasting, before he established Media Futures, a multi-media consultancy in 1995. In 1997, deBoer was recruited to be CEO of New Century Network, the venture established by the nine largest newspaper companies to build a national network on the Internet. He also served as CEO of Automatic Media, an internet media and software company. In 2003, deBoer co-founded Propeller Partners LLC, a boutique strategic advisory services firm serving a wide range of media and entertainment companies. In 2005-2007, Mr. deBoer served as Chairman of the Board of Life Balance Media. In addition, he is a Director of Stockgroup Information Systems, Inc, and Priva Technologies.

Jeff Morris, Mr. Morris is a seasoned entertainment industry executive, having spent nearly 20 years in the subscription TV business. He spent fifteen years at Viacom's Showtime Networks, most recently as Senior Vice President of New Media and Technology where he was responsible for exploring new cable event marketing opportunities and interactive multimedia projects, as well as adapting the company's product line to the evolving television landscape including video-on-demand. During his tenure at Showtime, Mr. Morris also held Business Development, Strategic Planning and Research positions.

Dan Farrell, Board of Advisors. Mr. Farrell is the Consulting Producer for the PBS television program "Antiques Roadshow" which is produced by WGBH, Boston. Mr. Farrell also runs the North American Operations for the Antique Collector's Club, the renowned publisher of definitive books on antiques and decorative arts. In 1981, Mr. Farrell acquired all North American format rights to the original BBC television program, "Antiques Roadshow," although it was not until 1995 that he was able to convince an American television entity that it could be re-created for an the U.S. audience. The show is now the most popular series ever to have appeared on PBS.