Management Team

Pete Ellis’ Welltech Funding, which invests in promising companies that are using technology to provide effective health and wellness solutions, has devoted his career to creating better experiences for consumers.

As one of the largest automobile dealers in the western U.S., Ellis brought consumer-oriented policies to the sale of new and used automobiles. In 1994, he launched the first automotive buying and research website, Autobytel.com, effectively revolutionizing an entire industry for car buyers, franchised dealerships and manufacturers. Using technology to make pricing and inventory transparent, his visionary marketing platform became the basis for every commercially viable automotive website in existence.

After taking Autobytel public in 1999 (NASDAQ:ABTL), Ellis formed Jubilee Investments and that same year funded an investment in SpaFinder, Inc. In 2001, he became chairman and CEO of the company. Under his leadership, SpaFinder has been transformed from a niche, print-based spa information company to the world’s largest spa and wellness marketing, media and gifting channel, using efficient web technologies to connect nearly 20,000 spas, yoga, Pilates and fitness studios and wellness businesses with millions of wellness enthusiasts.

In 2007, Ellis launched SpaBooker to provide online booking software to spa and wellness businesses. In 2011, the company was spun-off as GramercyOne and today is a leading provider of cloud-based management and marketing solutions to service businesses around the globe.

He has been honored by Advertising Age as one of the top marketers in the U.S., and his Internet technology innovations have been made part of the Permanent Research Collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

He is also chairman of The Board of the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, the premiere advocacy group for the spa and wellness industry.

Andrea Persily joined SpaFinder in 2008, bringing 14 years of financial and operating experience in the media and information space. Persily is responsible for oversight of the company’s financial analysis and reporting functions. She was instrumental in spinning out SpaFinder’s SpaBooker division into GramercyOne. Prior to joining SpaFinder, Persily served in various strategic, financial and operating roles at Primedia Inc., including Chief Operating Officer of its B2B publishing operations, Chief Financial Officer of its start-up Internet company and head of strategic planning for the entire corporation. During this time, Persily played an instrumental role in creating new revenue streams, maximizing cost efficiencies, pruning and divesting unprofitable products and acquiring and integrating new companies.

Persily holds an A.B. in Economics from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. in Finance and Strategic Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.