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: rruecker@connect5000.com
Phone: 913-481-8941
Favorite Charity: World Vision

Chelsie Turnbough-Cook

Business Development Manager

Chelsie took a non-linear path to joining the Connect 5000 team. Prior to that she worked as a staffing and 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. As a teacher, she was responsible for creating the foundation for these young children and their education. 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 from Grand Canyon University. She’s worked with various tech 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 goldendoodle, Greenbean. As a single parent, family is very important to her, as she enjoys time spent with her kids. She loves supporting her kids thrive at their multiple extracurricular activities they are involved in: competition dance, basketball, and travel baseball. In her free time, you’ll find her at Orange Theory and spending time with her friends.

Email: cturnbough@connect5000.com
Phone Number: 256-374-1550
Favorite Charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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: finance@connect5000.com
Phone Number: 913-488-7667
Favorite Charity: Operation Underground Railroad

Rachel Woodyard

Inside Sales Manager

Rachel’s journey to becoming a Business Development Manager at Connect 5000 has been anything but ordinary. With a degree in Biology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Rachel took a leap and abandoned her lab coat for a career in sales. Before landing at Connect 5000, her passion for sales led her to the insurance industry where she gained valuable experience.

Within our company, Rachel has worked with various clients in many different industries and is constantly expanding her team to ensure that our clients receive the best experience. Rachel’s journey may be seen as unconventional, but her unique background and unwavering passion has allowed her to carve her own path in the business world.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys morning walks, loving on her pets and reading with her daughter. Spending half of the year traveling for baseball has given her the opportunity to explore various parts of the country and partake in new experiences. For the remainder of the year, Rachel resides in Warner Robins, GA with her fiancee, daughter, and pets.

Email: rwoodyard@connect5000.com
Phone Number: 478-390-1624
Favorite Charity: Carry the Load

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: rjaramillo@connect5000.com
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: ajarrell@connect5000.com
Phone Number: 336-906-9540
Favorite Charity: Miracle League