The Connect 5000 Team.

Ray Ruecker

Managing Director

Ray is the Founder and Managing Director of Connect 5000. Over the past 15 years, Ray has worked with countless companies nationwide with effective lead generation campaigns and sales prospecting strategies that boost revenue.

Ray has also served as Acting Director of Sales for companies who need prospecting and sales structure in place until a permanent replacement is found, providing strategic guidance and implementation services to drive sales force performance. Prior to Connect 5000, Ray co-founded IT Lead Source, a lead generation firm catering to software, tech and consulting companies.

Ray has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He currently lives in the Kansas City metro with his wife of 16 years, dog, and two children.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam and adopted at a young age in California, his lifelong mission is to support and fund adoptions for families who want to adopt children but lack the financial means to do so. Ray is also an avid Kansas City Royals, Denver Broncos, and Kansas Jayhawks fan.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 913-481-8941
Favorite Charity: World Vision

Patti Mbachu

Client Success Manager

Patti is our Client Success Director and was Connect 5000’s first employee and has been with the company for over 14 years in various roles with a proven track record of effectively managing multiple accounts, driving sales and revenue growth and implementing client on-boarding procedures.

Patti’s previous experience in marketing, sales, management and business development as well as owning her own Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio for eight years led her to her role here at Connect 5000.

Over the years, Patti has visited many places in the United States but her most memorable travels were when she went to Paris with her daughter to see her perform in the United Dance Association parade on New Years Day as well as her two-month visit to Nigeria. What a culture shock! She has many stories that she can share about her adventures.

Outside of Connect 5000, Patti enjoys going on walks, watching her grandkids play baseball (Her grandson’s freshman baseball team won State this year.), softball, volleyball and golf (Her granddaughter comes in first place every summer in the golf tournament.) and spending time with family and friends.

Patti was born in Omaha, Nebraska where she currently resides but lived in Overland Park, Kansas for 16 years where she met Ray and how she ended up working with Connect 5000.

Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 913-515-7952
Favorite Charity: American Cancer Society

Danita Regehr

Director of Finance

Danita is the Director of Finance and Accounting. She’s been with Connect 5000 since the beginning and is responsible for all aspects of their financial management, accounting, and payroll and has over 22 years of corporate accounting and finance experience.

Danita also provides financial leadership for various companies in the Kansas City metro.

She worked at Sprint as a finance analyst in the accounting and finance departments for 8 years before joining Connect 5000.

Danita has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Danita currently resides on a small farm in southwest Missouri where she raises cows and chickens.

An avid runner when not managing company books, Danita can be found with her husband chasing after their two sons. She’s completed 4 half marathons to date and another passion of hers is supporting Operation Underground Railroad, an organization that actively fights against child sex trafficking.

Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 913-488-7667
Favorite Charity: Operation Underground Railroad

Chelsie Turnbough-Cook

Inside Sales Manager

Chelsie has been apart of the Connect 5000 team for over 2 years now, and prior to that she worked as a staffing/event coordinator and Pre-K teacher. In these positions she was in charge of organizing the staff members to perform various job functions, and making sure they were run smoothly. These positions allowed her to gain knowledge of the skills needed for management, customer relationships, and time management.

Chelsie holds a Bachelors in Early Education PreK-3rd grade. Within our company, Chelsie has worked with many clients from different industries, and this has allowed her to further her knowledge and experience within the sales world. Chelsie strives to provide her team with as much knowledge, support, and help as she can so that they can be successful, but also make sure that our clients receive the best experience ad results.

Outside of Connect 5000, Chelsie resides in Athens, Alabama with her 3 kids and doodle, Greenbean. She loves being involved and seeing her kids thrive at their multiple extracurricular activities they are in competition dance, basketball, travel baseball. Also in her free time, she loves working out, and spending time with her friends.

Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 256-374-1550
Favorite Charity: St. Jude

Ron Jaramillo

Director of Technology & Business Development

Ron is the Director of Technology and Business Development. He’s worked at various companies in the corporate world serving as an IT Manager, IT Director, and IT Consultant. For 10 plus years, Ron was also the owner of a health and technology staffing firm. Ron has extensive experience in Technology, Management, and Recruitment.

Ron has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He currently resides in the Kansas City metro area with his wife of 30 years, son, 2 daughters, 1 husky dog, and 2 cats.

Ron likes to run, spend time with family, attend church, and hit the golf course periodically. He’s very passionate about serving his church and helping people in need. He is also an avid Kansas Jayhawk, Chiefs, Royals, and sports fan.

Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 913-207-7039
Favorite Charity: Children’s Mercy

Ashton Jarrell

Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager, Ashton has accumulated multiple years of experience working in various roles associated with client and business development. Prior to joining Connect 5000, Ashton dipped into the political world where she gained unique experience through fundraising for a North Carolina governor’s race. Her journey from political campaigns to her current role with our company is a testament to her adaptability and unwavering determination.

Ashton holds a Bachelor of Health Systems Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and currently resides in Tampa, Florida with her boyfriend and maltipoo. As the oldest of four siblings, family is a core value for Ashton and she cherishes the time spent with family and friends.

Outside of Connect 5000, Ashton can be found cheering on the Kansas City Royals. She has the opportunity to travel around the country during baseball season and attends more than 100 games in any given season. While back home in Tampa, Ashton enjoys watching sunsets at the beach, cooking, going for long walks, cuddling with her dog, shopping sprees, and Thanksgiving.

Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 336-906-9540
Favorite Charity: Miracle League