OUR TEAM

Meet the Cesco Team

Cesco Linguistic Services was founded on August 22, 2004. Our passion is to facilitate Human-to-Human understanding in meaningful and rewarding ways through the power of language. We excel at providing expert & timely customized language solutions for organizations of all sizes.


The name Cesco (pronounced “Chesco”) comes from the founder’s firstborn son Francesco, whose birth coincided with the year the company was founded.

Senior Management

Giovanna Contreras

Co-Founder, President & CFO

Steve Lank

Chief Executive Officer

Joél Contreras

Co-Founder, CMO, & CTO

Martin Ariano

Director of Translations & Localization Services

Gabriela Siebach

Director of Interpreting Services

Interpreting Services Division

Camila Prado-Irwin

Senior Interpreting Services Coordinator

Gwen Hake

Interpreting Services Coordinator

Alicia Lara-Hernandez

Interpreting Services Coordinator

Translation & Localization Services Division

Pinay Gaffney

Project Manager, Translation Services

Pierina Sarmartano

Project Manager, Translation Services

Administrative Division

Michael House

Office Manager

Maximiliano Granchelli

Talent Engagement Coordinator

Stephanie Seaman

Accounting Associate

Marketing & Sales Division

Muhammad Humayun

Digital Marketing Team Lead

Rashi Gupta

Social Media Manager

Mubashar Shahzad

SEO Specialist

Manoj Weerasekara

Bid Coordinator

Keith Jameson

Language Solutions Specialist

Moises Blandon

Language Solutions Associate

Information Technology Division

Farha Abidi

Senior Programmer

Kaustuva Bedant

Senior Server Administrator

Talent Engagement Coordinator

Maximiliano Granchelli

Maximiliano “Maxi” Granchelli has over 2 years of experience in language services. He started his career as a Junior Translation Project manager for several accounts and clients with different levels of complexity. Maxi has a strong background in excellent customer service that started with his sales role in a contact center serving an international client base.

Maxi’s passion for languages started when he mistakenly changed the Language settings on his VHS and watched The Lion King in English as an 8-year-old native Spanish speaker with no knowledge of the language whatsoever. Later, he had an opportunity to immerse himself in the US culture as an Exchange Student living in Cape Cod Massachusetts, where he also completed a short training in Medical Interpreting at Cape Cod Community College.

Maxi is currently a Translation Major at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina as he serves as Cesco’s very own Talent Engagement Coordinator.

Fun fact

I am and will always be a Disney adult

Location

Argentina

Translation Project Manager

Pierina Sarmartano

Pierina has been working in the translation and localization industry for more than 10 years. She graduated as a professional English-Spanish translator in Córdoba, Argentina, and started her career in this amazing industry working as a Translator, Editor, Proofreader, and Language Lead. Then, she moved to other roles within the industry, like Project Manager, Vendor Manager and Quality Manager. Having a varied experience wearing different hats and being part of different sized companies, Pierina gained a complete insight into how the industry works from different perspectives. After exploring all those roles, she decided to stay with project management because she considers it to be a constant challenge and learning opportunity. She thinks that as a PM you never get two days to be the same, and she loves that. She sees a normal working day as a big puzzle she must put together to make projects run smoothly and ensure good results for our clients.

 

Fun fact:

She considered herself to be a dog person until she fostered an abandoned and seriously sick kitten. She thought “when she is healthy and ready, I’m going to find a family for her”. Today, nine years later, she has adopted seven homeless cats already. In fact, she is now thinking she is missing a totally white cat, so who knows what the future will bring? She now considers herself to be an animal lover, and not a dog or cat person anymore. Pierina is also mother to two beautiful girls, Brunella and Bianca (and with regards to that, she thinks that two is more than enough haha). She has a big and diverse family she loves very much.

Favorite food:

French fries

Location:

Córdoba, Argentina

Interpreting Services Coordinator

Gwen Hake

Gwendolyn Hake, one of Cesco’s Interpreting Services Coordinators, is a professional with a bachelor’s degree from MSU Denver, enriched by a study abroad experience in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her love for languages sparked during her high school years and has propelled her into a budding career in the language services industry.

Gwendolyn brings with her a fresh perspective and a diverse skill set encompassing scheduling, coordination, and a strong focus on customer service, with an appreciation for interpreting and translating. She is distinguished not only by her capability but also by her authentic passion for fostering communication and understanding across linguistic barriers.

Originating from the heart of Central Illinois, Gwendolyn now calls Colorado home. When she’s not working you can find her taking a nap or a nice walk.

Fun Fact:

Her first concert was the Cheetah Girls in 2007.

Favorite Food:

Anything fried or anything Mexican.

Location:

Denver, Colorado

Language Solutions Specialist

DOUGLAS HUETE

Doug has over 10 years’ experience helping customers find the right language solutions for their global growth. He has worked with some of the largest and fastest growing companies in the world including Amazon/AWS, Sony, and ServiceNow.

Doug was raised with an appreciation for our global community. His mother was born in Sweden, and she instilled a great wanderlust for global adventure from age 2. Doug stays in close touch with his Swedish family by going back to the family’s farm every few years for a family reunion.

Doug believes wholeheartedly in Cesco’s Core Values and Mission.

Commitment

Accountability

Service to Others

Integrity

Innovation

Mission 

To deliver expert & timely customized language solutions for organizations of all sizes. 

Fun Fact

Doug was born a Ramblin’ Man. Doug will travel the globe looking for the perfect beach and/or restaurant. He may have found both while visiting Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.

Favorite Food

Doug loves Italian food; he goes Garfiield for lasagna with homemade pasta and sauce.

Location

Houston, Texas | USA 

Language Solutions Specialist

Keith Jameson

Keith joins Cesco-LS with over 6 years of experience in enterprise sales and marketing, and believes his educational background and interpersonal relationships have played equally huge roles in his success.

His BA in Psychology provided unique insights to consumer behavior and improved his communication skills. His MBA in Marketing provided him with a textbook understanding of markets, pricing models, strategic marketing tactics, consumer analysis, and best practices to help the companies he partners with to find continued success. However, his best education probably came from working in the trenches alongside some of the most talented leaders in the space. His professional mentors have taught him to: (1) Be on time, (2) Pay attention, (3) Take ownership, and (4) To be yourself (Authenticity matters).

He is excited to be back in the Translation & Localization industry because he loves to meet new people, try new foods, and learn about their culture.

Fun Fact

Keith is constantly reading books on personal development & leadership, so that he can be a better father, husband, and professional. He’s horrible at golf but loves it, and he used to play guitar for a pop band (decades ago). .

Favorite Food

Carne asada burritos, carnitas tacos, and sushi… but he is currently on a mission to find the best cheeseburger in Southern California.

Location

Los Angeles, California | USA

Content Manager

Muhammad Humayun

Muhammad has established a dynamic career as a Content Manager, Marketing Executive, and Entrepreneur. Currently spearheading content initiatives at Cesco Linguistic Services, Muhammad brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as Chief Marketing Officer at Beyunal and Quality Assurance Executive at Careem, a renowned ride-hailing app.

A proud alumnus of IBA, Pakistan’s premier business school, Muhammad earned an MBA in Marketing. During this period, Muhammad demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving as President of the Law Society and Parliamentary Students’ Society, and Governor of the National Youth Assembly of Pakistan’s Punjab chapter. 

Muhammad’s expertise as a content writer is marked by the ability to craft engaging, value-driven content that resonates with diverse audiences.

As someone who always sees life’s brighter side, Muhammad believes in the power of smiles to make the world a better place.

Fun Fact

A fun fact about Muhammad is his enthusiasm for the art of strategic thinking, evident in a keen interest in chess and an admiration for Yuval Noah Harari’s thought-provoking series, ‘Sapiens’.

Favorite Food

Muhammad loves “Chapli Kebab”, a culinary delight from Muhammad’s hometown of Mardan. 

Location

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bid Coordinator

Manoj Weerasekara

Manoj, a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in writing proposals for Language Services, proudly serves as the Bid Coordinator at Cesco Linguistic Services. He earned his honors degree from the University of Peradeniya. 

Manoj’s journey into proposal writing commenced during his university years, igniting a passion for crafting compelling narratives within the realm of written communication. His proficiency covers proposal writing, bid management, quality assurance, utilization of technological tools, and providing exceptional client support in the field of proposal development and bidding. 

Fun Fact: 

Outside the professional realm, Manoj finds joy in traveling with his wife, exploring the beauty of his home country – Sri Lanka and venturing abroad. He really loves movies and enjoys getting into interesting stories on the screen. 

Favorite Food: 

While Manoj appreciates a variety of culinary delights, he holds a particular fondness for the rich and diverse tastes of Sri Lankan & Indian cuisine. 

Location:

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Business Development Associate

Moises Blandon

Moises Blandon began his Virtual Assistant career in Real Estate, starting as a Phone Prospector and advancing to acquisitions. Intense training in The Unique G.U.T.S. Sales Training Method by Claude Diamond opened numerous doors.

During my VA career, I became a Certified Debt Collector, obtaining FDCPA and HIPPA certifications. In 2022, I joined the Cesco Linguistic Team as a Business Development Agent, improving my marketing skills. Currently pursuing a Digital Marketing Certificate, I aim to enhance my expertise further.

My diverse experiences have honed sales, compliance, and marketing skills. I’m committed to leveraging this expertise to contribute to team success.

Fun Fact:

I’ve been studying astronomy for over a decade and relish every new discovery about space. A huge fan of Elon Musk, I’m inspired by his pioneering efforts in space exploration. These passions create a vibrant tapestry that defines my diverse interests and personality.

Favorite Food:

One fascinating aspect about me is my love for Nicaraguan cuisine, especially traditional dishes like Gallo Pinto and Nacatamal.

Location:

Managua, Nicaragua

Social Media Manager

Rashi Gupta

Hailing from the cleanest city in India, Rashi Gupta has embarked on a quest to rejuvenate Cesco’s digital footprint across various social media platforms. Armed with a Master’s in Marketing Management and 5+ years of marketing experience, she’s set on making Cesco a standout in the language industry’s social media landscape. 

Rashi‘s professional habitat is one of constant movement and innovation. Her work is fueled by a genuine commitment to honesty, making her a trustworthy asset at Cesco Linguistic Services.

Rashi feels blessed under Joél’s leadership, soaking up much-needed mentorship, ample opportunities, and many learnings.

Fun Fact: 

Rashi is a passionate nature and travel enthusiast with a beach heart and a newfound love for mountains. She dives into the aquatic world, adores swimming and snorkeling, and aces table tennis and badminton on land. She finds her inner balance through daily yoga.

Favorite food:

As a vegetarian, Rashi indulges in the goodness of Italian, Mexican, Lebanese, and Indian cuisines, with a special love for fruits. 

Location:

Mumbai, India

Senior Interpreting Services Coordinator

Camila Prado-Irwin

Camila is our Senior Interpreting Services Coordinator at Cesco Linguistic Services. She has worked in the language services industry for three years, gaining experience in project management, quality assurance, technological tools, and client support.

Camila’s passion for languages started in the 7th grade when she was placed into French class (the Spanish classes were full). She discovered an affinity for the language, which led her to a study abroad semester in Paris, a B.A. in French, a teaching assistant job in Annemasse, France, and ultimately a master’s degree in Translation and Localization Management, with a focus on French translation.

It was during her master’s program that she was exposed to the many opportunities that the wonderful, wide world of the language services industry has to offer.

Fun fact:
In her spare time, Camila reads, plays video games, and teaches tricks to her dog, Aspen.

Favorite food:
She also enjoys cooking (and eating) all sorts of vegetarian dishes; her favorite cuisine is Indian food, followed closely by Mexican and Thai.

Location:

Denver, Colorado

OFFICE manager

Michael House

When Michael started with the company ten years ago, he knew nothing about the language industry, and the office was located in the basement of a building built around 1920.
 
With the help of Michael’s grit, determination, and a can-do anything attitude, the offices are now located on the top floor of the Empire Park Business Center.
 
Michael wears many hats and has the title of Office Manager.
 
Michael takes on challenging responsibilities, such as running international, multilingual, web conferencing events with real-time interpretation and developing an in-house IT Dept.
 
For Michael, receiving a new project, figuring out how to complete it, and seeing all of the company benefit from it, is the most rewarding part of the role.
 
Outside of the office, Michael enjoys his small ranch located on Colorado’s Eastern Plains.
 
Fun fact:
Michael’s primary source of heat for his home is a wood-burning stove, there is no furnace in the home.
And he cuts, and splits, all of his own firewood!
 
Favorite food:
Michael’s favorite foods are pasta and pizza. This works out really well because the CEO of the company happens to have been born and raised in Italy. And best of all likes to cook!
 
Location:
Denver, Colorado