Our Team

Tom Johnson: Founder, President, CEO & CTO, Urban Oasis, Inc. 📧 tom@urbanoasis.com

As Founder, President, and CEO of Urban Oasis Group, Tom is responsible for the overall management, interface, and design. His career in technology spans over 33 years, beginning with a position at IBM in their high-end computer graphics division in Kingston, NY. Three years later, he served as the Technical Liaison at IBM Japan in Tokyo, where he dramatically streamlined the customer service procedure and problem-solving process, reducing the timeline from 18 months to only a few weeks. During his six years in Japan, Tom worked closely, on-site, with clients such as Nissan, Sony, Toyota, and Honda, followed by work in Germany, London, and Detroit on the Ford account for IBM.

The inspiration for founding a platform catering to the antiques and collectibles world stemmed from Tom’s passion for 1950s California Pottery, many pieces of which he acquired online. Blending his enthusiasm for antiques with his extensive tech experience, Tom created Urban Oasis in 1998, naming the site in honor of his mother.

Tom graduated with top honors from the University of Minnesota, earning a B.S. in Computer Science with a Minor in Mathematics and Music. When he’s not busy collecting 50’s pottery and art, he divides his time between New York City and Naples, Florida.

Palmer Prescott: Chief Operating Officer (COO) 📧 palmer@urbanoasis.com

Palmer oversees Urban Oasis’s day-to-day operations, trademark compliance, Human Resources, legal team coordination, domestic and international sales tax compliance, and digital strategy.

He is well known for his expertise in aligning communication and marketing strategies with overall brand management. His media acumen and strong background in online communications have played a key role in the successful branding and rebranding of several non-profit organizations and for-profit companies over the past two decades.

Palmer holds a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations, a B.S. in Business/Marketing, and an M.S. in Communications Management — all from Colorado State University — as well as an M.P.A. in State and Local Government from the University of Colorado.

He is an avid collector of vintage Louis Vuitton, Mid-Century Modern furniture, and has a deep passion for Art Deco design and decor.

Rob Spear: Chief Service Officer (CSO) 📧 rob@urbanoasis.com

Rob is responsible for overseeing the customer experience at Urban Oasis, managing the customer support team and curators who provide valuable assistance to the platform’s shop owners and visitors.

He attended William Paterson College, majoring in Computer Science. Alongside his strong technical background, Rob brings extensive experience in high-level customer support and project management roles within the financial sector.

In 2001, Rob shifted his focus to his family’s antique and vintage lighting business, and in 2007, he became a shop owner on Urban Oasis. His deep knowledge of antique and vintage lighting brings a unique and insightful perspective to the Urban Oasis customer support team.

Zenna Inness: Customer Support Supervisor 📧 zenna@urbanoasis.com

A shop owner on Urban Oasis since 2000, Zenna joined the Urban Oasis Customer Support team in 2003.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the antiques and collectibles trade, along with strong research and technical skills, she supports a skilled shop review team in ensuring authenticity and accurate presentation across the site. Zenna has a deep understanding of the online marketplace and is committed to helping Urban Oasis deliver a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience.

An independent appraiser since 1996, she is also a passionate collector of early photographica and first edition books.

Our Mission

At Urban Oasis, we bring together timeless furniture, stylish clothing, and inspiring art to help you create a space and style that feels uniquely yours.

Customer Support Team

Urban Oasis’s dedicated Customer Support team is made up of seasoned industry professionals, many with years of online sales experience—something you won’t find on every platform. Several team members, including our Customer Support representatives, are artists or collectors themselves and have hands-on experience running shops on Urban Oasis. This firsthand knowledge allows them to better understand the diverse needs of both buyers and sellers, as well as the unique range of items offered. Our team delivers real customer support solutions grounded in practical experience. Additionally, Urban Oasis’s global workforce brings valuable insight into the needs of the international online community.