Board Members

David is the rare entrepreneur who not only has the vision and courage to take a startup from zero to one but also has the capability and maturity to scale a business into hyper-growth mode and beyond as a professional CEO through his strategic foresight, strong operational skills, and personal qualities that inspire his team to do the ordinary extraordinarily well (one of Stream mantras).

At the helm of Stream Companies alongside Co-founder, Jason Brennan, he has created ethos of partnership over client acquisition, with a steadfast focus on embodying and amplifying brand visions. With almost three decades at Stream Companies, the journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation in marketing communications and creative direction.

Under David’s leadership, Stream has grown from zero to $250M+ in revenue, experiencing twenty-seven years of consecutive growth since inception (even through the Great Financial Crisis and COVID pandemic). Along the way David and Stream have achieved numerous awards and accolades including:

• Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Name to Inc Magazines Fastest Growing Private Companies 17 times
  • Only 10 other companies have ever achieved
• 40 under 40 by the Philadelphia Business Journal
• GC Top CEOs in the Private Equity Middle Market in 2024™
• Best Companies to Work For 5x
• Healthiest Employer
• Most admired CEO’s by the Philadelphia Business Journal
• Great Valley Wall of Fame
• The Philadelphia 100 Hall of Fame

Jason Brennan, a co-founder of Stream Companies, has been instrumental in its rapid growth and award-winning status. His leadership has led to multiple accolades, including being recognized as the fastest-growing company by Inc. 5000 and as a top Workplace multiple times.

Jason currently oversees all daily operations at Stream Companies. He is integral to the company’s current business and is involved in the strategy and planning of several clients. With a strategic and long-term approach to business, Jason Brennan has etched his place as one of Philadelphia’s brightest entrepreneurs. Jason has helped foster growth and stability for Stream Companies and its clients through his dedication and refined insight.

John Schanz is an industry leader in global operations, technology development & deployment, and entrepreneurship. A graduate of Manhattan College, John brings over 30 years of executive-level experience from AOL, GE, Sprint, Transaction Network Services, and, most recently, as the former Chief Network Officer of Comcast Cable. His global experience fosters innovation, collaboration, and creativity as core principles when setting the pace in every organization he joins, instilling confidence in our international capabilities.

Jordan Richards, a managing partner at Sverica’s San Francisco office, brings a wealth of experience to the board. His diverse background includes sitting on the boards of 7Summits, iWave Information Systems, Gryphon Networks, Quest Education, and Stream Companies, as well as serving as a former Director of the Bartech Group.

A native of the northeast, Mr. Richards earned his BA in Government from Dartmouth College and his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Robert Knowling is the Chairman of Eagles Landing Partners, a management consultancy firm that helps leaders develop strategic options, growth initiatives, and improvement programs. A graduate of Wabash College and Northwestern University, Robert has consulted and served in executive-level and board capacities for various tech-based organizations, including leading Covad Communications as CEO. An expert strategist, Robert sees the whole picture when motivating teams to succeed.

Ryan Harstad is a Partner in Sverica’s San Francisco office, which he joined in 2011. He currently serves on the boards of 7Summits, iWave Information Systems, Gryphon Networks, Stream Companies, and Synoptek and previously served on the boards of Pivot Data Centres (sold to Rogers Communications (TSE: RCI)) and Sheet Music Plus (sold to Hal Leonard). He focuses on sourcing and evaluating new investments, transaction execution, and portfolio company operations.

Mr. Harstad graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Analytical Finance from Wake Forest University. He earned an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.