Franklin Rios is a seasoned operator with 26 years of experience in private equity, SaaS, AdTech, and media. As an Operating Advisor in Goldman Sachs’ Private Equity Value Accelerator, he has helped drive growth at Captify, iSpot, and MadHive, where he also serves on the board.

His leadership spans billion-dollar P&Ls, high-impact M&A, and strategic exits, with executive roles at Evercore, Thomas H. Lee, CCMP Capital, and Searchlight Capital. At MediaMath, he led a $225M capital raise and managed $1B in media spend, driving major revenue growth.

From shaping global strategy at Choreograph (WPP) to scaling enterprise solutions at Infogroup, Franklin specializes in unlocking value, optimizing capital, and fueling growth. His leadership drives Next Net’s vision for the future of digital innovation.

Marc Hardgrove is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a track record of building and scaling companies. As Co-Founder of Next Net (2004–Present), he has played a pivotal role in its growth and development. In 2010, he founded Electronic Cigarette International Group (ECIG) and took the company public. Earlier, he co-founded Jumpline.com, a web hosting company that scaled to 80,000+ websites before its acquisition by Deluxe Corp (DLX).

A former WWE professional wrestler, Marc values transparency, collaboration, and meaningful relationships - principles that drive his work with colleagues, clients, and partners at Next Net.

Jessie Matheney is an expert in branding, generative AI, and business scalability, with a passion for optimizing how people and processes connect. As Senior Vice President of Fulfillment at Next Net, she leads with a data-driven approach, ensuring seamless execution and growth.

An early adopter of AI-powered workflows, Jessie tested ChatGPT Beta in 2022 and helped develop new content strategies with her team. She also completed SMX’s Master Class on Generative AI, strengthening her expertise in AI-driven branding and automation.

Jessie holds an MBA with a concentration in Data Analytics from USF and is a FIRST Robotics Orlando Regional Stellar Alumni. She thrives at the intersection of technology and efficiency, ensuring Next Net remains at the forefront of digital innovation.

With nearly three decades of experience as a tech leader and entrepreneur, Jason Gill has completed 30+ major acquisitions and led multiple exits to both strategic and investment buyers. As Chief Technology Officer at Next Net, he drives engineering, development, and scalability, ensuring the company stays at the forefront of emerging technology.

An early contributor to Linux and a dedicated supporter of open-source AI initiatives, Jason remains deeply involved in advancing generative AI and automation. Beyond Next Net, he is a sports car collector and angel investor, backing innovation in emerging tech and manufacturing.

Tristan Harris is a lead generation and organic search expert with a deep background in the agency world. He has successfully ranked sites #1 for some of the most competitive keywords, including “marketing agency,” demonstrating his ability to drive high-impact SEO and growth strategies.

At Next Net, Tristan leads marketing innovation and R&D, constantly testing new ways to leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency and results. His expertise spans organic search, demand generation, and performance marketing, making him a key force behind Next Net’s success.

Based in South Florida, Tristan balances his analytical mindset with creativity—when he’s not refining marketing strategies, you’ll find him playing guitar and piano.

Matt Harrison is a tech-focused product leader with a decade of experience in the tech acquisition space, navigating the good, the bad, and the transformative. His expertise lies in identifying pain points, developing innovative solutions, and building high-performing teams to execute at scale.

As SVP of Product at Next Net, Matt is a champion of AI-driven innovation, focusing on sustainable solutions that deliver measurable ROI. With a deep understanding of technology, business scalability, and market dynamics, he ensures Next Net’s products remain cutting-edge and impactful.

Beth Rugg is a finance leader with a passion for data-driven decision-making and a track record of driving profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. With over a decade of experience in finance and operations, she has helped companies scale through strategic financial management and performance-based models.

She spent 10 years in San Francisco at Venables Bell & Partners and EVB, where she introduced performance-based client contracts that aligned agency and client goals. After relocating to St. Pete in 2016, she became CFO at Bluewater Media, where she transitioned the company to accrual-based accounting, implemented financial reporting structures, and led budgeting initiatives.

In 2022, she became Next Net’s first CFO, bringing financial rigor and data-backed decision-making to the company. Under her leadership, gross profit margin increased by 4 points in 2024, reinforcing her belief that data tells the story - and drives results.

Mark Mansfield is a proven sales leader and growth advisor with over 20 years of experience in revenue strategy, partnerships, and business development across MarTech, AdTech, SaaS, and AI-driven solutions. As SVP of Sales at Next Net, he leads global sales strategy, bringing deep expertise in helping agencies and brands scale with confidence.

Prior to Next Net, Mark founded Momentum Growth Advisory, serving as a trusted advisor to startups and established brands alike. He’s held senior leadership roles at iHeartMedia, BrandTotal, and BLK BOX, working with major clients including Microsoft, Verizon, Pepsi, and L’Oréal.

A former Recon Scout in the U.S. Army, Mark is known for his integrity, strategic mindset, and ability to forge lasting relationships that drive results. His leadership blends disciplined execution with visionary thinking to unlock new growth for clients and teams alike.