About AmericanTowns

What We Do
AmericanTowns offers communities a single online location for everything--and everyone -- needed to navigate daily life in their town. The AmericanTowns site is an indispensable practical tool and the most effective way to bring neighbors together.

IT'S ORGANIZED
By organizing a town's many internet resources under a single umbrella, AmericanTowns helps people quickly find out what's happening in their local government, schools, libraries and community groups. It's the place to instantly find recreation, entertainment, fun places to take the kids, restaurants, movies, realtors, businesses and other professional services.

AmericanTowns is also the best way to stay up to date on that school amendment or zoning plan ---and make your voice heard.

LOTS HAPPENING, ONE PLACE TO FIND IT ALL
The heart of the AmericanTowns network is a community calendar. Any nonprofit group can submit events; individuals then add them to their personal AmericanTowns calendar. Use your AmericanTowns site to announce important dates: plays, games, meetings, election dates, fairs and festivals, school events and more.

SPREAD THE WORD
Our simple tools let a group or small business easily create its own content. AmericanTowns is the quickest way to spread the word about meetings, events, sales and important issues. Share your good news and post your press releases. And with additional features like polling and chat rooms, you can discover what the town is thinking and doing.

EVERYONE'S WELCOME
Everyone can use AmericanTowns - just sign up and create a page for almost anything. With a "personal profile" you can connect with others in the community who share your interests. Or use AmericanTowns to publicize an event. From theater groups, sports teams and garden clubs to historical society events, political and social activism or business chamber meetings, AmericanTowns is the virtual heart of YOUR community.

Jim Maglione, Co-President, Community

Jim’s long involvement with high-profile, community-related companies makes him a natural for AmericanTowns, where he oversees development of content and outreach. He was Director of Development for Save the Children, and before that, a chief Sales Manager for Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing. These positions threw a big spotlight on his gifts for team-building, grassroots marketing and developing really cool content. Jim’s passion for community doesn’t end when he shuts the lights out in his office: he’s an active volunteer with Meals-On-Wheels, the Norwalk (CT) Emergency Shelter and other groups.




Edward Panian, Co-President, Technology

From the earliest days of AmericanTowns in 2000, Edward has been "the man behind the curtain," engineering the seamless merger between our content and the easy-to-use technology users love. Now as the head of technology, he oversees all facets of infrastructure, ops and new product development. Ed studied at University College in Dublin, Ireland and has a degree from Fordham University in New York City.




Stephen Simmons, Director of Technology

Joining AmericanTowns full time at the start of the expansion in 2006, Stephen has been the guiding architect of our web infrastructure and content aggregation. He's got over 15 years of Software Engineering experience, having directed the implementation of really cool technology for the financial services industry and for cutting-edge companies like IdeaLab! When he’s not designing systems, Stephen indulges his passion for music as a DJ and by producing tracks for independent record labels in New York.




Thao Hau, Manager, Community Development

Thao joined the AmericanTowns team at the start of our expansion, finding a perfect place to put her interest in community outreach - and her B.A. in Graphic Design - to work. Off-hours, she indulges her passion for photography and hand-crafts (including furniture and clothing design).




Bekim Sejdic, Manager, Community Development

Bekim has been with AmericanTowns since 2000, working directly with community organizations nationwide. When he’s not working with our network of AmericanTowns community groups, he’s hip-deep in web design or growing his impressive collection of horror and cult movies.




Cindy Grogan, Copywriter

Cindy began her writing career at a small, New York radio syndication firm, creating news features and comedy bits for morning radio teams. After several years with ABC Radio Networks, she began freelancing, working in broadcast, print and the internet. When she’s not writing content for AmericanTowns, the freelance life allows her time to pursue her interest in history, gardening and politics - and to work in her