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Aric is Managing Partner and CEO of Jump Global Technology Advisors. He brings over 20 years of experience leading media and technology companies to his clients telecommunication needs. Aric and Jump GTA, supported our partner, Walter Thurmond III in his new charity, United Champions for Change.

Aric has long served as an executive in the media and entertainment industries. Initially beginning his career as a management consultant, first with Accenture and then with PriceWaterhousecoopers as a Principal Consultant with a focus on the entertainment/media/technology practice. Aric segued into executive management serving as COO for RadicalMedia for 8 years, overseeing the business operations while revenue grew 3x and operations expanded to London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney. He continued his career as founding CEO of a tech research firm which was acquired by a larger regional firm, a partner in a global production company, and ultimately segueing into technology and telecom services.

Ackerman also served on the Board of the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans as a Managing Director for over 16 years. Aric sat on the Investment/Finance and the Administrative Committees of the Board. The Motion Picture Plans serve over 120,000 lives and have a combined investment portfolio in excess of $11 Billion. Aric also previously served on the Supervisory Board of Directors for Raleigh Studios in Budapest, Hungary as well as several charitable organizations.

A graduate from the University of Oregon, Thurmond III has spent his post collegiate career in sports, entertainment, technology and philanthropy. A former 6-year NFL Veteran and Super Bowl Champion of the Seattle Seahawks, it didn’t take long for him to dive into his many interests. Throughout his playing career, Walter has produced seven feature length film and documentary projects. Additionally, through his creativity he has developed emerging technologies, holding several software and hardware technology patents.

Since retiring from the NFL, Thurmond III has created a non-profit called The United Champions for Change, an organization that is dedicated to providing educational resources, programming, mentorship and sports training to underserved communities around the world.

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Karen Grundhofer began her professional career in the management training program for the Four Seasons hotel group both in the U.S. and the U.K. Karen took time out to live abroad and raise her three children.

Since returning to the workforce Karen has successfully elevated the profile of a major women’s sports apparel line serving in sales management and as a brand ambassador. Also, Karen is deeply passionate about her community and charitable giving as she serves on several nonprofit boards in Orange County, California.

Drawing from her 5 star hotel client focused hotel training and her love of charitable work, Karen leads both Client Services & Special Events for Jump Global Technology Advisors and our sister charity United Champions for Change Foundation.