Leadership

Who Are We?

Neill Technologies Leadership

Neill Technologies is committed to your success.  Our leadership team, with backgrounds in salon management, manufacturing, retail, sales and technology is dedicated to delivering the best solutions for your business.

Andrea Duckett

VP–International Development

Having spent time working in both the salon business and at Aveda Corporation, Andrea brings fifteen years of experience in salon and spa operations to the Neill Technologies team.  Andrea was one of the founding members of the SalonBiz group and in 2007, relocated to London to head up the Neill Technologies International Division. Andrea enjoys working with the development team on new features, the user interface and management tools.  She currently serves as VP of International Development.

Louie Lago

VP– Business Development

Louie joined Neill Technologies in 2007 following sixteen years in the technology industry, with roles encompassing operations, technical solutions and development. Louie has managed large software projects in the manufacturing, retail and healthcare industries; worked with system developers to improve and implement software products and provided application training support for clients.  Louie has had extensive experience in the salon industry through both his work with Pacifico’s, a former Aveda distributor in Colorado, and as co-owner of the highly successful Berenice’s Salon in Denver, Colorado.  As VP of Development, Louie's primary focus is working with customers to create exceptional software.

Debra Neill Baker

Chairman

Debra Neill-Baker took on the role of Chairman of Neill Corporation in 2009, after acting as CEO (or “Chief Energy Officer” as she termed it) for many years. Debra’s calling is to enhance the quality of thinking and increase everyone’s energy by creating a work environment that encourages everyone to experience and express their full potential; she is an inspired leader and an impassioned teacher.   

During Debra’s tenure at Neill Corporation, the company has attracted an innovative and talented team that is committed to the ongoing evolution of the beauty industry.

Debra’s deep interest in beauty and wellness began in adolescence and led to her decision to study esthetics.  After acting as salon consultant for six years, Debra began to develop the role of wellness director of Neill Corporation, furthering her dedication to inspiring wellness all around her.  Debra founded the Well Being Symposium in 1994 and has actively worked to introduce and integrate wellness into Neill Corporation as well as into the beauty industry as a whole.

As an impassioned member of her local community, Debra is also a board member for the Child Advocacy Services, an organization dedicated to helping abused children in the Tangipahoa, Livingston, and St. Helena Parishes of Louisiana.

Over the years, Debra has embraced the role of “Beauty Evangelist”—she feels the need to spread the word about the immense power that the beauty industry—and those individuals within it—has: that we can be cool AND caring, and that these two elements can and should exist in alignment with each other.

Debra’s personal mantra, as well as that of the Paris Parker Group she founded as part of Neill Corporation, is “be your best self.” Living with this intention requires focus, commitment, and discipline—qualities that Debra actively promotes in her daily life. And like many women today, Debra’s roles as mother, business owner, and company leader make it necessary to master the art of balance, day-to-day, moment-to-moment.

Edwin Neill III

Chief Executive Officer

Edwin Neill III was named Neill Corporation’s CEO in 2009, after serving as president for four years.  In this role, Edwin is responsible for the overall vision and strategy of the company, focusing on the core salon and spa-related businesses, including the primary business as an Aveda Distributor, Neill Technologies®, designers of SpaBiz® and SalonBiz® software and Etopa®.

Edwin III began working with Neill Corporation in 1976 in the distribution center, which was then located at a small storefront in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A job selling Aveda and Paul Mitchell in Metairie, LA, followed before Neill began school.  Immediately after graduating, Neill began practicing commercial litigation at the New Orleans law firm of Stone Pigman.  

Edwin returned to the family business in 1997 in the role of Executive Vice President. In 2001, Edwin became Chief Financial Officer.  Edwin’s guide and leadership has been integral to Neill Corporation’s growth to a globally reaching company, with customers around the world.  

He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Tulane Family Business Center and is President of the International Spa Association Foundation.

Neill received both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Louisiana State University, where he was a senior editor of the Louisiana Law Review. He received an M.B.A. from Tulane University.

For more information on the Neill family of businesses, please visit www.neill.net.

Ross Neill

Chief Technology Officer

Another member of the Neill family, Ross Neill began working in the company business at an early age.  Through the years, Ross moved into purchasing, before engaging his interest with Neill shows and events—which he began directing in the early 1990’s.  Ross’s interest and capabilities in the area of technology connected him to software development projects and after receiving his BS degree in Industrial Engineering from LSU, Ross was asked to head up the Neill IS team, supervising the corporate office's technology advances. In 2003, Ross was appointed Chief Technology Officer for all Neill Corporation businesses and in this role, his focus is on using technology to create sustainable business units that are future-proof.

Paul Sharp

VP of IT and Infrastructure

Paul Sharp has been a member of the Neill Corporation team since 1989 and has overseen areas as diverse as salon product sales, distribution and technology. In his 20 years of service, Paul has gained a unique knowledge of how technology integrates with the beauty industry and he applies this knowledge to benefit both our external customers as well as our own corporate staff. Paul is one of the founding members of our software division and has served in Sales, Support, Hardware and Help Desk Director roles. He currently serves as VP of IT and Infrastructure for Neill Technologies.