Augusta native Krista Marks' journey to a job with Disney wasn't a stroll through the Hundred Acre Wood. She got there through a career in engineering, first developing electronics for cancer treatment devices and then selling high-speed communication network technology.
For two years, Ms. Marks was the chief executive for a Colorado-based Internet media company called Kerpoof. In July, Disney bought out Ms. Marks and her partners, making her the general manager of a Disney division that is now launching creativity and self-expression features based on her company's technology.
"In some ways, it seems like an unusual path. I love to tell people about my past because I think we do a terrible job telling kids what a great job engineering is, how creative it is," Ms. Marks said. "When you understand engineering is creating iPods and computer electronics, MRI machines, everything around us ... then a creativity site for kids makes sense."
Kerpoof.com is a Web site for kids to create pictures, freehand drawings, animated films and reading cards. Ms. Marks and some colleagues left a tech company to form their own company focused on the concept of bringing the interactivity of desktop software to the Web browser.
"We originally thought of things for adults, but someone said the people who are most creative are kids," Ms. Marks said.
Kerpoof's owners turned down one buyout offer before Disney approached them, she said. They allowed the entertainment giant to acquire them because it had a similar vision on child creativity.
For example, when kids visit Disney.com pages, they will be able to create their own customized pictures and print them as coloring-book pages.
Ms. Marks earned her bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina. She was honored in 1992 for being on a team that did pioneering work in three-dimensional radiotherapy for cancer patients.
Though she has no children, she said she is passionate about getting children interested in engineering. She helped to establish a regional robotics competition in Denver and serves as a judge for robotics and Lego League competitions.
"People don't equate engineering with making a difference in the world," she said. "It is a rewarding job where you create value in the world."
Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NO KIDS? I bet she's a friend of Rosie O'Donnell ...lol
politicallyncorrect, too bad your mother didn't have any.
BTW, teaching kids to be creative in all fields of study is a great concept. We need more people like Krista Marks developing educational ideas which are positive and exciting.
Why Krista looks like a cute child herself. Good genes I reck'on. Anyway, don't she need me to help her "spend her money?"
politicallyncorrect Are you assuming this woman is a lesbian just because she has no children? You know nothing about her, this is the way rumors start, because of idiots like you.
viewpoint ...don't know her? A friend of mine dated her!
She sounds like a bright and intelligent woman who has carved a career for herself in a male dominated field...........KUDOS!
To: politicallyincorrect -- The most notable "incorrect" feature of your persona would seem to be your brain function. Only an absolute dolt would sideswipe such an obviously talented and accomplished person such as Ms. Marks. Perhaps you prefer to admire the uneducated and uninformed legions of hard-core reactionaries that comprise such a regrettably large proportion of American society -- particularly those that believe the earth was created 1000 years after the Sumerians invented glue and beer. Ridiculing those that undertake the rigors of engineering and the sciences is a sign of ignorance and a really twisted mental condition. Your "NO KIDS?" exclamation is indicative of a severely deformed value system.
This woman seems to be a dynamo and I only wish I could contribute to this world a tad of what she has already done. Proud to see she's local talent and God bless her and her ventures.
Politicallyincorrect, do us all a favor and leave your foot in your mouth. Maybe that will keep you from saying something else stupid. Congratulations to Ms. Marks.
Politicallyincorrect...I echo the sentiments of KingJames, TheKnave and viewpoint. Your comment is completely inappropriate. I say you owe Ms. Marks a public apology for such a unfounded statement.
I run an education non-profit and have had the privlege of working with Krista, her husband (another Kerpoof co-founder) and team and they are all top-notch! They designed an animation contest that attracted thousands of students who thought they were just having fun but in the process of creating videos actually mastered literacy and technology education standards! Also, Krista has worked groups of female students dispelling any stereotype that you must be a nerd to be an engineer. Anyone who meets her can see she is beautiful, vivacious, fashionable and brilliant! Way to go Krista!