Jill Lizardi has joined Ramp Group to serve as a business development manager.

Lizardi's extensive background in business relationship building includes serving as membership director of the Washington Software Association and campaign manager for Microsoft for the United Way of King County. She will focus on expanding and enriching Ramp Group's relationships with Northwest businesses.

"Ramp Group's exceptional blend of user experience design, software development and business savvy has been extremely well-received by the Northwest's tech-savvy businesses," said Robb Nielsen, a partner at Ramp Group. "We're looking forward to extending our reach through Jill's deep understanding of the market."

Lizardi joins Ramp Group as the company continues to increase its share of the region's growing technology services market. Ramp Group recently was named one of the region's fastest growing companies by the Puget Sound Business Journal and Inc. Magazine. Between 2003 and 2006, Ramp Group grew 569%, achieving revenues of $9.5 million last year-almost all of which was developed through direct client referrals.

"Our clients look to us to help them create products their customers love and to make the most of their information resources-and they have been generous in telling their friends and business associates. With the establishment of our business development department, and in particular by bringing Jill on board, we're looking forward to furthering our commitment to our clients and expanding our business through continued, sustainable growth," explained Graham Gill, director of business development at Ramp Group.

Prior to serving at the WSA and the United Way, Lizardi worked for many years with a number of important technology companies, including the Xerox Corporation, IKON Office Solutions and the Gartner Group. She is an alumnus of UC Santa Barbara and the International School for Foreigners in Milan, Italy.

Established in 2000 and headquartered in Bellevue, Ramp Group helps businesses quickly transform innovative technology ideas into successful products that work right the first time. The company's expertise includes the rapid design and development of high-end mass-market consumer applications, Websites and team-sites, internal business applications, ad management, content management and business intelligence solutions. For more information, visit the company's Website at www.rampgroup.com.