The Team
David A. Payne
President and CEO
David is the Co-Founder of ShortTail Media. He has spent the majority of his career in media, with the past ten years in digital, most recently running CNN.com, the world’s leading news website, on-demand video, and mobile platform. David has a multi-dimensional background in deal-making, product development, strategy, sales, law, and business development. Prior to running CNN’s digital media properties, David served in a variety of positions at Turner Broadcasting System, including SVP/Business Operations & Development at CNN Worldwide, SVP/GM of SI.com, and VP Business Affairs/Team Counsel for Turner Sports and the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers. David graduated from Duke University School of Law with Honors in 1988 and Duke University, cum laude, in 1984, and he currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
See our CEO’s Vision as seen on Beet.tv.
Alay Mehta
Vice President/Products and Technology
Most recently, Alay was a Senior Director within the Digital Media Technologies division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Previously at Motorola, Alay comprehensively led a $130M global business with full P&L accountability. In addition to the Business Development & Operations duties of a General Manager, he concurrently led the Product Management & the Program Management Office. Prior to this Alay held positions of progressive responsibility in engineering, product design & development & manufacturing. Alay earned his Masters in Business Administration from Emory University & Masters in Engineering from Cornell University. He holds six patents & is an alumnus of the Center for Creative Leadership.
Dana Lepene
Vice President/Publisher Operations
Dana has spent a large part of the last 13 years working for small, start-up companies, helping them build their business story and transition into successful, profitable, online businesses. She honed her account management and sales operations skills at companies such as About.com, Coolsavings.com (now Q-Interactive), and TACODA (now part of Platform-A) at a time in each company’s history of rapid growth, where her roles focused on monetizing content, audience growth, and supporting the creation of a scalable business. Dana brings her interactive start-up experience to ShortTail Media where she now manages sales operations ensuring process efficiency, while focusing on client marketing goals and relationships. Dana received her education from Ithaca College and currently resides in New York City.
Maya Smith
Sr. Manager/Publisher Operations
Maya has worked in the Advertising industry for the last 8 years and she has an experience skill set that includes working and consulting with clients and publishers on their advertising and media campaigns from the sales, agency and client perspectives. Most recently she chose to polish her interactive skills at AOL in an Account Management capacity while focusing on developing and supporting the monetization efforts across the AOL and Advertising.com network. Maya received a B.A. from the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and her M.A. from Shorter College (Atlanta). She currently resides in Alpharetta, GA.
