MEET THE STAFF

Jeff Barger Founder and President

Jeff founded Corporate Translation Services in 1991 after recognizing a need for quality translation and interpretation services in the Pacific Northwest region. The company name was changed to CTS LanguageLink™ in 1995 to properly align the services with customer needs, including a new division of Telephonic Interpreting. CTS has expanded to meet the needs of businesses in a myriad of states and metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. The trademarked phrase "We Speak Your Customer's Language™" sums up Jeff's vision for the company and its services.

Jeff provides overall growth, direction and senior level hiring of Management levels for CTS personnel. He structured the acquisition of two larger interpretation and translation companies, Merino Language Services in Seattle, and Intex Multilingual in Los Angeles.

Prior to founding CTS, Jeff managed at a senior level for one of the largest interpretation, language training, and translation companies in the world; Berlitz Language Services. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts, International Relations degree from Drake University, and an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management.

Pam Ballard Translation Services Division Manager

Pam has served as CTS's Translation Services Division Manager since 2001. Prior to her tenure at CTS, she spent more than 20 years in the Telecommunications industry, primarily in management roles including Production and Project Management. Pam is responsible for the overall growth, direction and hiring of personnel for the three functional teams within CTS LanguageLink's Translation Division: Project Management, Linguistic Resources and Production. Pam also directs the activities of the Sales and Information Technology teams.

Pam spearheaded the implementation of a new Project Management database used to track and monitor translation projects, resulting in an increase in the department's overall efficiency. She also championed an increased use of various translation memory software tools, as well as new services and technologies to aid CTS' translation staff, streamlining many of the internal processes within the Translation Services Division.

Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration/Marketing, Portland State University

Hobbies/Interests: Running, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Cooking, Gardening, Needlework and Travel

Sarah Gamble Interpretation Division Manager

Sarah has served as Interpretation Division Manager for CTS since 1999. She manages the 50-seat CTS call center, prepares proposals and RFP/RFQ requests, sales, customer relations, as well as accounting (invoicing, payroll, accounts receivable) efforts for the Interpretation division.

Prior to this position with CTS, Sarah was the Assistant to the Operations Director for Merino Translation Services, a division of CTS. Sarah began her career with CTS in 1995 as Assistant to the Managing Director where she conducted telemarketing and bulk mailings, set up client databases, worked in marketing, accounting, invoicing, AR/AP, and researched proposals.

Hobbies and Interests: Family, Snowboarding, Shopping and Running

Ilana T. Lorelli Project Management Director

Ilana has been with CTS since November 1999, initially working as a Project Manager and now as the company's Project Management Director. Ilana not only effectively oversees the work of the Project Management team, but also handles key client accounts. The latter includes handling all aspects of multiple translation projects including budget and timing constraints, and maintaining close communication with the client throughout the lifetime of a project. Ilana manages several high volume projects, such as the State of California and Los Angeles County Voter's projects.

Prior to joining CTS, Ilana worked at the Bethel Neighborhood Drop-In Center where she supervised 15-20 at-risk children in a variety of settings while maintaining effective communication with parents and guardians. She collaborated with team members to organize and instruct daily activities including arts and crafts projects, nutrition, and physical education for program participants. She has also served as an Office Assistant at Lewis and Clark College, where she supported the Office of the Dean in various operational aspects and responded to the needs of visitors/college community.

Education: Bachelor of Arts Psychology, English Minor, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Oregon.

Hobbies/Interests: Biking, Reading and Yoga.

Mark Rogers Project Manager, Corporate Accounts

Mark has been with CTS since June 2006. As a Corporate Project Manager, Mark's clients include major US Technical and Medical firms as well as State, County and City agencies. Mark is also responsible for multimedia website and localization projects at CTS. Prior to joining CTS, Mark served as an intern to the Business and Economic Development Program at the University of Washington Business School in Seattle. Mark has also served as Project Manager Intern for the Global Business Center at the University of Washington Business School.

Education: Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Japanese Studies and Language, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon.

Hobbies/Interests: Rowing (Willamette Varsity Rowing Team Captain for 3 years), Running (recently completed the Seattle Marathon), Movies and Rock Climbing. One of Mark's goals is to race in the head of the Charles regatta with his brother. Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout

Katy Vogt Project Manager, Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS)

Katy has been with CTS since June 2006 and works primarily with clients under our DSHS State of Washington contract. Her experiences include Office Manager for Nelson and Associates, LLC where she assisted DSHS WorkFirst, LEP, and DDD clients with setting and achieving employment/educational goals, and worked directly with social workers and case managers. Katy also has experience as a Lecturer with the Washington State University Pullman Campus (Trumpet Studio), as a Theatre Technician with the WSU Pullman Campus where she assisted with Opera/Musical theatre rehearsals/performances, recorded recitals and other musical performances. Katy was a Graduate Teaching Assistant, assisting Music Theory/History professors with grading and teaching duties.

Education: Bachelor of Music, Minor in History, Portland State University, Portland, OR. Graduate work at WSU in Music (specifically Trumpet performance with research in German brass literature, history, and pedagogy)

Hobbies/Interests: Botany, History, Music, Reading, Hiking/Geocaching, Baking

Karen Blumer Project Manager, Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS)

Karen has been with CTS since 1998 and is CTS's most senior Project Manager. She has been working in the translation industry for over 11 years. Karen's primary clients are DSHS field offices in Washington State. The nature of Karen's work is very demanding as she is responsible for the entirety of her projects including translation placement, formatting, QC, and delivery, all within very tight timeframes.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Russian; Minors in German and Eastern European Politics from State University of New York College at Oswego.

Hobbies/Interests: Foreign Language Studies, Travel

Kara Tsuruta-Alvarez Sales & Marketing Director

Kara joined CTS in 2005 and brings over 13 years sales and marketing experience to her role as Sales Director. Kara is responsible for new business development, quote management, marketing activities as well as client management for CTS. Prior to joining CTS, Kara spent five years in the direct sales of online advertising solutions to a wide array of clients and industries. Kara has spent over seven years in management roles within the retail marketing industry, where she was responsible for driving sales, marketing and merchandising initiatives, as well as product training and analysis.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, International Business, emphasis in Japanese, San Diego State University

Hobbies/Interests: Family, Skiing, Cooking, Travel

Rich Miller Business Development Manager/Project Manager

Rich has been with CTS since 2005 and is responsible for Business Development within the Government (local and state) sector and managing the RFP process, as well as providing additional support to the sales department. Rich was hired with CTS as a project manager where he brought over 5 years experience in the translation industry. Before entering the translation industry, Rich served as a Pastor.

Education: Bachelor of Arts from George Fox College, Master of Divinity from Azusa Pacific University

Hobbies/Interests: my kids (3 of them), my dogs (3 of them), my wife (only one and always just this one!), my motorcycle, reading, computers, golfing, hiking, skiing, canoeing

Cheryl Fall Audio Visual Director

Cheryl has been with CTS since 2006 and manages Multimedia and Voiceover projects. She brings over 20 years of publishing and television experience to CTS. Prior to joining CTS, Cheryl worked as Creative Director, on-air personality and voice talent for a nationally-televised PBS series. As a media-trained spokesperson, Cheryl developed and managed brand identity and public relations for major US brands. Her range of skills includes technical writing, copywriting and editing, content development for production, script writing, graphic design and electronic illustration, website content, and art direction.

Education: University of California, Irvine; Cypress College, Cypress, California

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Music, Golf, Electronics.

Gina Sullivan Quote Manager

Gina joined CTS LanguageLink in May 2007 as Quote Manager, where she serves as primary point of contact for all inbound calls and web requests from new and existing clients requesting translation services. Her primary responsibilities include the preparation of translation quotes; timely follow up with each client; as well as establishment of close client and vendor relationships.

Prior to joining CTS, Gina worked within the Mortgage Industry as a Loan Officer, where she was responsible for the sales, underwriting and development of both commercial and consumer loans. Gina graduated from St. Mary's College of California with a degree in Business. As part of a Senior Honors Forum she conducted numerous financial analyses of Fortune 500 businesses.

Education: B.S. Economics and Business Administration: Honors Concentration in Financial Services, Saint Mary's College of California

Hobbies/Interests: Golfing, Tennis, Reading, Music, and most important, Friends and Family.

Danwei Xu Director of Linguistic Resources/Chinese Linguist

Danwei is a professional translator and editor with over 20 years of linguistic experience, and has been with CTS since 1996. She manages the in-house language team and provides coordination for all out-sourced languages as well as guidelines for language processing. Danwei is our company interface with domestic and international contractors, and conducts contractor screening, testing and hiring.

Danwei is a State Certified Instructor of English at the Inner Mongolia Teachers University, China, and has developed curriculum, programs and teaching materials and has worked extensively with foreign lecturers and scholars. She is also a Washington state DSHS-certified Chinese translator.

State Certificate, Instructor of English, by the Department of Education, China, 1982 Member, American Translators Association (ATA), USA, 1999 - present Member, National Education Association (NEA), USA, 1999 - present Member, Inner Mongolia Teachers Translation Association, China, 1982 - 1990 Member: Who's Who. Listed in the National Directory of "Who's Who in Executives and Professionals"

Education: M.S., Portland State University; B.A., Inner Mongolian Teachers University, China; English Language and Western Literature Major, Minor French

Lan Kim Tran Vietnamese Linguist SE Asian Language Resources Manager

Lan has been with CTS since 1995 and has over 12 years of translation and editing experience with high volume written materials from English into Vietnamese. Lan has developed multilingual language and client relations with numerous Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Thai, Hmong and Russian translators and interpreters. Lan is also an experienced interpreter for School Districts and Community Service programs. She also supplies printing support services through H & L printing, specializing in Graphic design, paper and pre-press coordination of printed materials for projects and customer relations.

Professional certificates issued by the Language Interpreter Services & Translation (LIST) of the State of Washington.
Certified Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Translator for Written Translation,
Certified Medical Interpreter
Certified Social Services Interpreter.

Education: Associate Degree in Graphic Design, Printing and Desktop Publishing. Clark Community College, Vancouver, Washington

Sue Champney Korean Linguist

Sue has been with CTS since 1996 and is a Washington State DSHS certified translator. Sue has over 11 years experience translating/editing high volume written material from English into Korean. Prior to her joining CTS LanguageLink, Sue worked for 8 years providing universities with translation, data entry, planning and administration experience. Worked with the International Department at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington

State certified translator for Washington State English-Korean

Education: State Board of Colleges, University of Maryland, Asian Department. University of Maryland

Carlos Sambrizzi Spanish Linguist

Carlos plans, directs, and coordinates activities of all Spanish Linguists and is an in-house translator and editor for CTS. As our Spanish Language Resources Manager Carlos translates and edits more than 1,000,000 words per year. He works closely with our Project Managers to determine time frames, staffing requirements and available resources for Spanish language projects. In conjunction with the Translation Services Division Manager, Carlos develops and implements department translation policies and standards.

State certified translator for Washington State English-Spanish

Education: Clark College, Vancouver, WA; UNSA National University, Argentina

Khamsouk (Souk) Chanthavong Production Team Lead

Souk has been with CTS since 1992. He is responsible for managing layout and formatting requirements for translation projects. Souk conducts project analysis before beginning a translation project and educates clients in the translation, DTP and prepress process as needed. He coordinates and schedules resources with appropriate departments/personnel to ensure completion of the project within quoted time and budget. Souk is fluent in Lao/Thai and has experience as a translator and interpreter in these languages.

Souk works with our linguists, project management staff and others to develop appropriate timelines and resources (human and hardware) necessary to successfully implement and complete a client's project. He also serves as a mentor for our layout artists, directing and guiding his layout team to ensure the quality of every project.

Certified by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services as a DSHS Translator

Education: Portland State University: Graphic Design/Publishing Software classes

George McCargar Layout Artist

George's interest in languages dates back to early childhood, when his family lived in Saudi Arabia. He has been working in the localization industry for over seven years, and has extensive experience formatting a variety of foreign languages and writing systems for both print and web output.

George joined CTS LanguageLink in 2002 as a layout artist. Since then, he has also taken responsibility for inventorying projects, preparing files for translation, maintaining client memories and training new staff. He has written documentation for company-wide use, as well as for departmental training purposes.

George works closely with linguists and the project management team as the formatting Team Lead on some of CTS's most demanding jobs, including a number of election-related projects where the work volume is high and the time interval short.

Prior to joining CTS, George worked as Desktop Publishing Specialist at another localization company, where he worked on a variety of translated print and online publications.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Russian Literature, Reed College

Hobbies/Interests: International travel and gastronomy.

Dan Nelson Software Developer / Analyst

Dan is a recent addition to CTS and has over 8 years of experience in his field. He is responsible for all software design, development, testing, deployment and support for all internal and external software applications. Additionally, he analyzes CTS's business processes and presents recommendations for improvement to senior management.

Prior to Dan joining CTS, Dan spent 4 years in the United States Air Force as an Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist on bomber and transport aircraft. Following his time in the military, he attended the University of Washington in Seattle where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After completing his degree, he spent over 7 years at a small software development company where he was responsible for the product management, software development, deployment and customer support for a Time and Attendance application serving 6 customers ranging from 1,200 to 12,000 employees. In addition, he was a lead engineer and software developer on a Warehouse Management System supporting more than 50 customers across 150 locations.

Hobbies/Interest: Family, Camping, Hiking, Biking, Computers, Working on Cars, Astronomy and Reading.