Tom Grubisich

Content Director

Tom is the creator and inspiration behind Local America, an idea he has developed throughout a long career in community news. A veteran journalist with more than 30 years’ experience, Tom has previously worked as an editor at the Washington Post, and as the managing editor of local news at AOL. He was the founder of a chain of community newspapers in metro Washington, and a consulting Web editor at the World Bank.

Richard Murby

Technology Director

Richard is a founding partner at Local America. He is a technologist focused on the value of data and how it connects to people’s lives. His career has spanned three continents and includes experience with cutting edge startups and major governmental organizations. This exposure has developed not only Richard’s understanding of the power of technology, but also his knowledge of how to connect producers of data and innovators to the population’s information needs.

Most recently Richard has been consulting for the World Bank on Open Data Systems and using crowd sourcing applications to foster innovation in developing countries.

Richard’s vision for Local America is focused on connecting the potential of Open Data to people’s lives across the World while creating new markets and adding meaningful value across the chain.

Dan Mckee

Business Director

Dan McKee is a founding partner and chief executive officer of Local America. Dan comes to Local America with more than 10 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and business manager. He is the founder and president of Insomniac Design Inc., a web design and development firm in Washington, D.C. Dan’s positive energy and intimate understanding of the creative process built Insomniac into a global company with clients in Europe, the Middle East and throughout the United States.

Brad Dancy

Creative Strategist

Brad Dancy joined Local America as its first fulltime employee and leads the team’s day-to-day business operations. Brad thrives on the challenge to take a project from concept to creation. His operational background comes from his experience in the music business where he toured internationally with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. Brad also coordinated large events such as the Obama Presidential Inauguration, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, the Lincoln Center Summer Concert Series, and the White House Easter Egg Roll. Brad holds a BA in International Communications from Franklin College in Lugano Switzerland.

Ben Jackson

Systems Architect

Ben Jackson was shipped over to Local America from across the pond, after the realization that someone would have to turn our ideas into a working reality. He has had experience working with large datasets in the European e-commerce industry and his innovative work at Yahoo! led to awards and the invention of several patents. Most recently, Ben singlehandedly built the technology for a £1.3m funded London-based startup in under three months.

Jason McKee

Associate Director of Content

Jason is a co-founder and associate director of content for Local America. He is an award-winning journalist and writer with more than 10 years’ experience in the newspaper industry. Before moving to Washington he was the lead political writer for the Delaware County Daily Times. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications. Jason is an active writer producing novels, short fiction and blogs. His works include, Diary of a Backpacker, detailing his experiences as a journalist traveling the globe, and Mountainscribbler, documenting the life of a journalist living in isolation in the mountains of Pennsylvania for one year.

Michael J. Faust

Technical Operations Manager

Michael is a co-founder and technical operations manager at Local America. With more than a decade of experience in IT management, Michael is the president of Level 7 Communications, a technology consulting firm in southern Maryland. Previously, Michael worked as the IT manager for one of the nation’s largest modular home manufacturers. Prior to that he was the operations manager for a custom PC manufacturer in Pennsylvania.