Company
Turning information challenges into client success.
Celerity Consulting Group is an information management consulting firm that helps companies, law firms, regulated entities, and public agencies resolve their litigation, compliance, regulatory, and restructuring challenges. Founded in 2001, we are a woman-owned business, certified by the California Public Utilities Commission Supplier Clearinghouse.
We help clients with all things data. Our services and solutions center around helping teams and departments find, collect, process, review, analyze, manage, and report on data and information in a defensible and efficient manner.
We assist in three ways, which may be combined depending upon client needs:
- We Consult. Our strategic value-add is our people who advise companies on information management strategies and tactics. Often these consultants lead project teams to complete the work.
- We Provide Project Support, Delivery, and Management. To ensure projects are successful, we provide a team to support, execute, and manage the work, depending on client needs. We take a leveraged approach, allocating the appropriate resources at each level to ensure results in a cost-effective manner.
- We Offer Technology. We have several solutions that provide data collection, document hosting and review, stakeholder management, and general information management functionality, typically geared to litigation, restructuring, data migration, or regulatory reporting efforts. These applications usually require customization to tailor them to a client’s particular needs and workflow.
Each member of our senior management team has 15 to 25 years of relevant experience and includes thought leaders and testifying experts. Collectively, we have been helping clients in a wide variety of sectors since 1987. Our mission? To improve data integrity, a need common to all departments, groups, and lines of business.
Our clients choose us for our capabilities and experience and return to us time and again because of our superior service and the benefits they receive, ranging from improved case and project outcomes to more strategic management decisions.
Our Team
Our team is comprised of information management experts, engineers, engineering technicians, software developers, project management professionals, and critical thinkers of varied backgrounds who have an appetite for data in all its forms and a keen eye for detail. We apply these resources based on the needs of the project, always keeping the needs of the client first.
We also can engage contract document reviewers or technical specialists under tight deadlines when the scale of the project and the type of work required fit this approach.
Rachelle Yowell, Chief Executive OfficerRachelle is the CEO and co-founder of Celerity Consulting Group, Inc. Rachelle has over a decade of experience in consulting and management of large projects. From June 1994 through December 1999, she was a member of the management team of ZIA Information Analysis Group and a major contributor to the start-up efforts and success of the firm. From 1991 through 1994, Rachelle was a consultant for a large international consulting firm, Peterson Consulting. She graduated from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley in 1991. At U.C. Berkeley, Rachelle emphasized finance and accounting in her studies.
Chris Yowell, PresidentChris has over two decades of litigation consulting experience, in both the information management and forensic accounting arenas. He is particularly versed in managing large-scale and complicated discovery matters. Chris also has extensive experience in the regulatory environment, assisting in-house and outside counsel, and regulatory and other business personnel with information management services and solutions – from data collection to document review to data analysis and production support – to address compliance and regulatory issues. Prior to Celerity, Chris co-founded ZIA Information Analysis Group. He started his career at Peterson & Company after graduating from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Management. His studies included engineering, project management, and construction cost and schedule control.
Norman Yee, Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerNorman has almost two decades of experience in discovery management, trial support and forensics. In addition to managing numerous complex litigation projects from initial strategy to implementation, he has also provided expert testimony on computer forensics issues and served as an independent third-party expert on production methodology. Prior to joining Celerity, Norman co-founded Certus Consulting Group, a litigation consulting firm, after starting his career at Peterson Consulting. He has presented numerous CLE and educational seminars related to technology to law firms, bar associations, and corporate counsel. Norman graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Steffani Aranas, Vice-President, OperationsSteffani has a decade of experience in information management consulting in both the compliance and litigation arena and currently oversees marketing, service delivery, and strategic planning for Celerity. Steffani also has seven years of product management and market research experience, driving the roadmap and development of web-based applications and providing research, interface design and usability testing for companies and agencies in the U.S. and in Singapore. She began her career at Peterson Consulting and then joined ZIA Information Analysis Group. Steffani obtained her Master of Business Administration from Stanford University. She also has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Virginia and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Daniel E. Meredith, PE, Vice President, Engineering ServicesDaniel brings over 24 years of utility industry experience and leadership to the Engineering Services practice. As Director and VP at Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, CGC Resources Inc., and Montana-Dakota Utilities Company, he was responsible for broad areas of engineering and operations services, including pipeline safety and compliance, engineering, measurement, gas control, GIS/mapping, corrosion control, major project construction and fabrication, land and right-of-way, environmental permitting and sites, third-party operations services and industrial gas sales. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington, as well as a Professional Engineering license in mechanical engineering from the State of Washington.
Luano Nomellini, Vice President, Consulting Services
Luano is chartered with ensuring client needs for records and information integrity are met through optimal project design, technology, and staffing. He has decades of natural gas and utility experience, leading projects and teams to ensure utility and gas records quality and to develop and maintain effective documentation processes and systems. His specific expertise includes mapping; systems management; process improvement; scanning and attribute coding; and team staffing, development, and management. Most recently, Luano was a Manager of Gas Transmission Mapping/Scanning and Attributing at Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Other positions at PG&E included Gas Engineering Manager, and Estimating and Mapping Supervisor. Luano holds a Business Degree from California State University, Fresno.
Luano is chartered with ensuring client needs for records and information integrity are met through optimal project design, technology, and staffing. He has decades of natural gas and utility experience, leading projects and teams to ensure utility and gas records quality and to develop and maintain effective documentation processes and systems. His specific expertise includes mapping; systems management; process improvement; scanning and attribute coding; and team staffing, development, and management. Most recently, Luano was a Manager of Gas Transmission Mapping/Scanning and Attributing at Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Other positions at PG&E included Gas Engineering Manager, and Estimating and Mapping Supervisor. Luano holds a Business Degree from California State University, Fresno.
Christopher Purdy, Vice President, Analytical and Litigation ServicesChristopher has over 17 years experience in litigation consulting. Prior to joining Celerity, Christopher was a founding partner of Certus Consulting Group and a Project Manager at ZIA information Analysis Group. He has significant experience in the development and execution of electronic and hard copy discovery strategies. Christopher also has extensive financial and data analysis experience, creating analytical databases from financial and business documents to support or assess damages claims or to determine potential client exposure. In addition, he has provided trial support, including assisting counsel with trial and witness preparation, and has provided Superior Court declarations in successful support of his client’s electronic discovery strategies. Christopher received his Bachelor Degree from the University of Delaware in 1990 and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Donna Schmidt, ControllerDonna oversees the Finance and Accounting functions at Celerity to ensure efficient day-to-day transactions and operations, effective systems and controls, and accurate planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Before joining Celerity, Donna was the Director of Human Resources and Finance at a world-famous ballet company. Prior to this, she has held senior accounting or controller positions at a range of companies including law firms, a private equity firm, and an Internet software company. Donna received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Golden State University. She is also a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
Alice Burns, Director of Client ServicesAlice has over 22 years of experience in information management, records compliance, eDiscovery and litigation support. Alice is responsible for identifying and solving client needs, either by tailoring existing solutions or by developing new and innovative ones. She is especially skilled in litigation process improvement and the art of adapting best practice to real-world constraints. She leads Celerity’s crisis response and management team, helping clients successfully weather regulatory investigations and/or litigation proceedings due to a critical event. Prior to joining Celerity, Ms. Burns was the Managing Director at Eleventh Hour, an information management and eDiscovery consulting firm. Before this, Alice had several successful stints at top law firms and legal consultancies. Ms. Burns has been a presenter, panel speaker, instructor, and round table representative at industry conferences and seminars and authored numerous publications and blog posts.
Josephine Chan, DirectorJosephine has over six years of experience within the utility industry. She has worked extensively in risk and compliance assisting clients with data collection, analysis, and review to deliver information needed in the regulatory support process. Josephine is especially adept at managing large, multidisciplinary teams in collaboration to perform records retrieval, document coding, and document review in support of business, legal, and engineering analysis. She also has significant experience working with clients in designing work-flow processes across internal groups. Josephine received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in International Relations from the University of California, San Diego.
Joseph Derting, Director of Information TechnologyJoseph has over a decade of electronic discovery experience and has been a pioneer in the development and implementation of eDiscovery software, methodology and processes. At Celerity, Joseph manages the portfolio of eDiscovery applications and oversees custom discovery and information management development projects. He has taught electronic discovery theory to over 300 professionals in Europe and North America and has been a featured speaker at numerous seminars, CLE courses and educational events. Joseph is certified by Oregon State University in Computer Forensics and trained in the use and presentation of electronic evidence in Court, often appearing in U.S. District Court on behalf of clients. He has multiple industry software certifications as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Joseph graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.
Joshua Derting, Director of Business DevelopmentJoshua has 17 years of business development, software deployment, and professional project management experience in both the legal and telecommunication industries. At Celerity, Joshua works closely with legal professionals on all aspects of their discovery needs, with a special focus on large, complex anti-trust matters involving Joint Defense Groups. He regularly advises legal clients on preservation, collection, searching and culling, data processing, online review and post-production. Prior to joining Celerity, Joshua spent 8 years as the Senior Vice President of Sales for a legal software and services organization.
Chris Farley, Director, Utility ServicesChris has 20 years of consulting experience across a broad range of areas including information management, strategy, product development, sales, technical implementation, and analysis. Chris has worked extensively in the regulatory environment over the past ten years, collaborating with cross-functional teams from law, engineering, and regulatory relations to gain approval for large-scale capital projects in the utility industry. Chris started his career in technology services consulting before joining ZIA Information Analysis Group. His experience also includes management positions in the software industry and utility consulting. Chris graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Chad Mosier, PE, PLS, Director of Engineering ServicesChad has 30 years of experience in land surveying, mapping, civil engineering, and construction management experience. He plays a key role at Celerity, serving as a lead consultant to gas utility and operator clients on the information management requirements related to engineering projects and initiatives. This includes leading teams to provide research, document collection, document review services and advising on data gathering and data quality process improvement efforts. Prior to Celerity, Chad was the owner of his own design and consulting service firm. Chad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico. Chad is licensed as both a Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Christopher Pearson, Director
Christopher has over six years of consulting experience primarily supporting natural gas and electric utilities with major document and data validation efforts. These include providing on-site support to pipeline integrity teams to determine and validate Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP), perform annual Class Location Studies, and audit Leak Survey records. Christopher most recently managed a review of pipeline maps and geospatial data to determine compliance based on utility standards and federal regulations. Christopher also has significant experience overseeing and maintaining document databases to ensure a traceable, verifiable, and complete lineage between data and documents. Christopher received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science with emphasis in Law and Politics from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
Christopher has over six years of consulting experience primarily supporting natural gas and electric utilities with major document and data validation efforts. These include providing on-site support to pipeline integrity teams to determine and validate Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP), perform annual Class Location Studies, and audit Leak Survey records. Christopher most recently managed a review of pipeline maps and geospatial data to determine compliance based on utility standards and federal regulations. Christopher also has significant experience overseeing and maintaining document databases to ensure a traceable, verifiable, and complete lineage between data and documents. Christopher received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science with emphasis in Law and Politics from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
Kirill Satchkov, RCA, DirectorKirill has almost a decade of experience in litigation technology, early case assessment, eDiscovery, and database management. Kirill specializes in delivering and administering custom litigation data platforms for use in landmark legal cases. He has successfully developed and deployed project best practices, management standards, and methodologies that ensured the effective completion of high-visibility electronic evidence discovery initiatives. Kirill has had extensive involvement in data processing, large-scale forensic collections, and the vetting of project specific eDiscovery solutions. He is certified by the University of Washington in Digital Forensics and holds numerous industry certifications including being a Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA). Kirill graduated from the University of Washington with dual degrees in Economics and the Russian Language.
Charles Tsuji, RCA, DirectorCharles has over 10 years of litigation support experience specializing in eDiscovery, computer forensics, technology risk management, data loss prevention, and document management practices. Most recently, Charles worked for an information security law firm where he advised clients on the collection, preservation, and production of ESI; drafted ESI-related discovery requests; and led document review teams. He also managed computer forensic projects investigating the misappropriation of confidential company information and violations of internal I.T. Use Policies. Charles received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and his law degree from Seattle University School of Law.
Jesse Tampa, Project ManagerJesse has six years of experience helping utility clients with their information management needs. Jesse’s capabilities include: leading teams in providing research, analysis, and project management support on MAOP validation, class location, and leak survey initiatives; managing the scanning of large volumes of records for loading into digital systems; leading technical document reviews; and fielding and managing multiple requests from regulatory agencies and auditing firms during regulatory investigations and inquiries. Recent experience includes learning the ins and outs of gas pipeline corrosion and creating, improving, and managing a process for the department to meet compliance deadlines. Prior to joining Celerity, Jesse worked in hotel management and was a research assistant at the University of Washington, where she also graduated from with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.
Michael Rodriguez, Project ManagerMichael has over 25 years of experience in information technology and the litigation consulting industry as a Project Manager, Software Developer/Programmer, and Network Administrator. His specific skills include electronic discovery software development, network administration, computer forensics, project management, and both managing and executing a range of eDiscovery and litigation support activities. Michael has provided technical expertise to entities such as the California Deputy Attorney General, as well as expert testimony on forensic examination and analysis procedures and techniques. Michael received his Associate of Science degree in Computer Science from City College of San Francisco.
Cheryl Williams, Human Resources Manager
Cheryl leads Celerity’s Human Resource function, helping to ensure a strong and effective organization and satisfied employees. Prior to Celerity, Cheryl was the head of Human Resources for the California entities of Peterson Holding Company, a diversified company that includes Peterson Tractor, Peterson Machinery, and Peterson Trucks, and is comprised of over 1,400 employees. Prior to this, Cheryl was an HR Manager at other successful companies in the fields of consumer goods, technology, and agricultural. Cheryl holds a number of Human Resource credentials including the Professional in Human Resources certification (from the Human Resource Certification Institute), the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Practitioner qualification, and a Professional Recruiting certification. She is also an Executive Coach.
Cheryl leads Celerity’s Human Resource function, helping to ensure a strong and effective organization and satisfied employees. Prior to Celerity, Cheryl was the head of Human Resources for the California entities of Peterson Holding Company, a diversified company that includes Peterson Tractor, Peterson Machinery, and Peterson Trucks, and is comprised of over 1,400 employees. Prior to this, Cheryl was an HR Manager at other successful companies in the fields of consumer goods, technology, and agricultural. Cheryl holds a number of Human Resource credentials including the Professional in Human Resources certification (from the Human Resource Certification Institute), the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Practitioner qualification, and a Professional Recruiting certification. She is also an Executive Coach.
Yinna Wong, Administrative Manager
Yinna is an Administrative/Project Manager for Celerity Consulting Group, Inc. She has over 20 years of office managerial and administrative experience supporting executives and senior management in the litigation support industry. In addition to managing Celerity’s offices, Yinna has also managed information retrieval and document processing projects for client attorneys and legal staff, including providing vital administrative support to counsel in critical situations, such as a national public hearing.
Yinna is an Administrative/Project Manager for Celerity Consulting Group, Inc. She has over 20 years of office managerial and administrative experience supporting executives and senior management in the litigation support industry. In addition to managing Celerity’s offices, Yinna has also managed information retrieval and document processing projects for client attorneys and legal staff, including providing vital administrative support to counsel in critical situations, such as a national public hearing.
Ken Yee, Project ManagerKen has six years of consulting experience in the natural gas and electric industry and over fifteen years in the semiconductor industry as an engineer in product development and testing groups. Ken excels in supporting Asset Management, Pipeline Integrity, and Operations teams with identifying, gathering, processing, reviewing, and analyzing gas and utility records to extract the necessary asset information required to help them successfully complete MAOP validation, class location, and other critical initiatives. Ken assists clients by both managing teams and projects as well as by providing independent technical or programming advice and insight. Ken received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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