Our Team
Built for YOUR Success…
About Me
Derek DeMeo - CEO / Founder
Derek first entered the Ecommerce space selling software. Introduced to all of the major selling channels, he decided to branch out on his own in 2016. After achieving 9-figure sales with his businesses, he identified the need for better virtual assistants as a business model – thus VA Relief!
Since utilizing his own virtual assistants, he’s been able to enjoy much more of his life outside work where he is a husband and father to four young kids. Derek has had 4 successful exits in 2021 and attributes a lot of the growth to his incredible VA team in India.
Ever the individual, though they are generally pitted against each other, he considers himself both a skier AND a snowboarder. Derek is also an avid golfer (we suggested that he take his photo with his Hole-in-One plaque, but alas he declined). As a serial entrepreneur he loves to travel and experience the world on his hunt for the next big idea.
Industry Experience: 20 Years
About Me
Caitlin Sise - Marketing
Caitlin has been with VA Relief’s parent company since early 2018. Originally coming on board to help scale private label sales, she has grown with the company to help launch VA Relief. Prior to her time with VA Relief, she also built and ran the Amazon presence for a wholesale seller.
Known within the company as a masterful Googler, Caitlin is your girl if you need to research something (anything). Outside of work when she isn’t chasing around her young son, she loves to tackle home projects, is forever in search of the perfect cup of coffee, and enjoys traveling to new places.
Marketing Experience: 18 Years
About Me
Kamryn Peterson - Videography
Kamryn joined VA Relief’s parent company in 2019. As a recent college graduate, his videography and editing skills were a welcome addition to the US-based team.
Kam has an enviable sneaker collection, enjoys classic African Jazz, and checking out the local foodie scene. On the weekends you can find him exploring museums, particularly those with Modern Art.
Video Experience: 5 Years
About Me
Priyansh Patodi - VA Director
Priyansh has been with Derek since 2017. As part of the original team, he has been integral to the growth and success of VA Relief’s parent company. The guru of all things Ecommerce, Priyansh head’s up the entire team in India.
Our resident expert on gadgets, Priyansh is also our source for new technology, and preps us for exciting product launches. He is a husband and father to a little girl who keeps him on his toes. He enjoys a good beach vacation and spending time with his family.
Though he’s done the trip many a time, he prefers not to visit New York in the winter. Those of us that live here tend to agree.
VA Experience: 14 Years
About Me
Chris Wessell - Business Development
Chris spent several years of trial and error as a small business owner trying to figure out how best to leverage Virtual Assistant resources to drive efficiencies and scale his recruiting business. He has seen first-hand what works and what does not, and brings the benefit of that experience to set our clients up for success.
Now that he’s got it down to a science and teamed up with Derek, VAs have allowed Chris to increase his income over the last few years by 400% and decrease the hours he needs to work by more than 50%.
This has given him more time to spend with his wife and young son, get to the beach more often, work on his golf swing, slow down and enjoy a two-hour cigar, and explore philanthropic pursuits and community involvement. After all, isn’t that the reason we entrepreneurs do what we do – to build a better life for ourselves?
Staffing Experience: 20 Years