Abhishek Ratani

Abhishek (AJ) Ratani manages DirectStarTV, Red Ventures' largest and most long-standing business. DirectStarTV generates customers for DIRECTV, the nation's largest satellite television provider. AJ oversees all aspects of the business including strategy, sales, operations, marketing and cost management. In his previous role at Red Ventures, AJ led company-wide sales operations and managed Red Ventures’ mover channel, including a marketing partnership with a major moving services provider. He joined Red Ventures in 2005 as a web developer. Before his career at Red Ventures, AJ served as a web application and systems developer at the Center for Advanced Engineering Environments which worked on specific projects for the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and earned his master's degree in computer science from the University of Florida.

What did you study and why? My bachelor’s degree was in computer engineering and my master’s degree was in computer science. I‘ve had a love for computers since I was very young. I took courses in BASIC and DOS and actually owned a Commodore 64. I enjoyed the different ways you could program a solution to the same question, and it almost felt like art to me.

What advice would you give to a candidate coming in to interview? Make sure you showcase your personality because we are a company that cares about culture. Also, be ready for a lot of analytical questions.

What is the best part about working at Red Ventures? Two words: the people!

How has your career progressed during your time here? I have been in 7 different roles here. I have worked on the technology team, managed sales operations, run one of our larger partnerships, and now I have the opportunity to lead our largest business.

What's your best memory during your time here so far? The trips to Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Cancun and Aruba! How can you beat that?!

Talk about an opportunity you've worked on at RV that's been outside of your job description: Most of it - I was originally hired as a Web Developer, and nothing I've done in my last few years has been anything related to that. It's been amazing growth for sure!

Where did you go on your last great vacation? I went to get married in India to my lovely wife! I also traveled to Dubai before that and went to Hawaii for my honeymoon afterward! Definitely an incredible time.

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Abhishek Ratani

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