We Are Spool.
At Spool, our purpose is simple:
To be the leading people-first agency, for both employees and clients, as we grow and invest in brands and companies that make our homes, communities and planet better for all.
We live and work by our values.
Authenticity
We are more than our titles. We respect the whole individual and ask everyone at Spool to be their authentic, transparent, vulnerable selves in order to build trust and connection with everyone we work with. We want raw relationships with our team and our clients. We are brave with each other; we understand that hard things are hard but it’s much better when we leave drama and ego at the door.
Agility
We believe in working smart vs. hard. We are willing to create, pivot and adapt to what our clients and our teams need at any point, pushing ourselves and our ideas and our teams to be better. Our ability to think critically and be nimble is one of our secret weapons. We want everyone’s best interest to be realized and we’re willing to do what’s needed to ensure that happens every single time. Our commitment to partnership means we are constantly analyzing and optimizing our work to meet our clients’ and teams’ needs as they evolve.
Curiosity
As the great Ted Lasso (who quoted the even greater Walt Whitman) said: “Be curious, not judgmental.” At Spool we question everything — not to challenge, but to understand and to co-create in the most impactful way. Inquisitiveness is part of the creative process. We are empowered to ask questions of each other and our clients so we understand deeper and make our work, our world and our days more impactful. We ask questions to understand, to push ideas forward, to create connections and to ensure we’re not leaving stones unturned.
Impact
We think forward to impact — always. It’s why we do what we do. What are we trying to solve? How does this connect to the bigger picture? We don’t just check the box — we ask “what does this mean” to the client, the team, and the larger purpose of our work together. We also apply this to our teams, ensuring we’re in the best position possible to be successful. We believe that we must be positive forces in the world and communities in which we live and serve. We carry that impact to make what’s around us a better place for everyone in it.
Our name is about our people.
Our team model is a hybrid solution made up of full-time employees and dedicated consulting experts. This allows us to offer consistent day-to-day connections alongside industry-leading creative and strategy hitmakers.
We connect each client project with a hand-picked team based on expertise, industry fluency and client needs.
Each member of Spool comes from a Goliath and landed at Spool because we believe today’s world needs more Davids.
So let’s take a moment to talk about these brilliant, creative, dedicated people.
Catherine Merritt
Founder & CEO
Catherine Merritt
Founder & CEO
Catherine Merritt is the founder and chief executive officer at Spool. Catherine founded Spool with the belief that the world most definitely didn’t need another agency (in fact, we could do with a few less!) but it could use a new type of agency, which is what she set out to do with Spool.
If you asked Catherine about Spool within the first year of its existence, she would probably throw some imposter-syndrome shade your way, but as Spool has grown beyond its infancy, her insecurities have subsided and we’re just glad she got that out of the way sooner than later!
Catherine remains involved in all clients at Spool, investing her time (that’s right, the only CEO whose bill rate is $0) so she is able to remain actively engaged in all clients’ strategies while running the agency and its growing investment arm. Catherine brings a fearlessness and empathetic lens to everything she is part of and expects as much from her team and Spool’s clients alike.
Catherine’s career runs the gamut from event management for Antiques Roadshow to constituent services for local government offices to being shampoo girl at Mary Sue’s Hair Design from the time she was in eight grade through high school. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.
When she’s not focused on Spool, Catherine is usually on the sidelines at either her sons' baseball games, going to see live music or hosting a fun dinner or cocktail party! Catherine, Ian and their boys, Teddy and Archie, live outside Chicago in Evanston. If given the opportunity, Catherine would love to see Queen at Liveaid, ca. 1985 with her hero, Michelle Obama enjoying some lobster rolls flown in fresh from Martha’s Vineyard!
Katie Kierna
Partner, SVP, Group Director
Katie Kierna
Partner, SVP, Group Director
Katie Kierna is a Senior Vice President and Group Director at Spool. Her expertise lies in creative and strategic management of large-scale campaigns that connect brands to consumers in relevant and newsworthy ways.
Katie enjoys immersing herself in client business challenges to determine how earned media and third-party endorsements can be most impactful to business needs. Her experience has been cultivated through work with emerging brands, innovative start-ups, and Fortune 500 companies in the Food & Beverage, CPG, Retail, and Sports & Entertainment sectors.
Programs have ranged from celebrating Mattel’s iconic Barbie brand turning 50, to introducing international pop stars, One Direction, to the United States with Sharpie. She previously served as a VP, General Manager at Ketchum and also managed all communications for the Dew Tour during her time at NBC Sports.
In her free time, Katie enjoys exploring new restaurants with her husband, having movie nights with her kids, swimming laps, and enjoying any form of “girls night” that she can get. Her dream concert would be Outkast opening up for Jim Morrison/The Doors, and her favorite meal is her Uncle John’s Chicken Vesuvio from Marconi’s, her family restaurant that she grew up working in.
Jody Moore
Partner, SVP, People & Operations
Jody Moore
Partner, SVP, People & Operations
Jody is a passionate people leader focused on creating an inclusive culture and an unbeatable employee experience where every single person feels valued, supported and happy. Jody believes this starts with prospective employees who are considering Spool, continues as we grow and develop our people into the next generation of communication leaders, and only culminates when we see them off into great new adventures.
But don’t let Jody’s title fool you – she also brings more than 20 years of deep internal and external communications experience, having worked both in-house for Fortune 500 companies and in the agency setting.
Jody has served as head internal communicator, speechwriter and communications strategist for CEOs and CHROs. She’s led internal communications for massive global restructurings, complex labor negotiations and facility closures, as well as through a mass workplace shooting and the global health crisis. Jody has also served as a brand and company spokesperson with national and local media and has delivered award-winning public relations campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic brands, such as Miller High Life, Oscar Mayer and Velveeta. And she’s defended companies and brands on key issues, including controversial ingredients and animal welfare concerns.
Anne Murphy
CFO
Anne Murphy
CFO
Anne is a Southside Chicago native with over 15 years of strategic finance experience, 13 of which in PR, advertising, and internal communications. She comes from DDB where she was Director of Finance for the San Francisco office (while sitting in Chicago) overseeing finance, accounting, and operations. Prior to DDB, she held positions within Leo Burnett, Weber Shandwick and Gagen MacDonald. Over the years she has served as the US and Global finance lead for many recognizable brands such as Nestle, Kelloggs, ALDI (her personal favorite), Mars, AT&T, and BlackRock. She has overseen portfolios of over 50M fee, while also supporting new business efforts with strategic pitch pricing.
Having a passion for efficiency and calming the chaos, she has led the roll out of financial and project management softwares along with pricing and resource management tools.
Brant Herzer
Creative Director
Brant Herzer
Creative Director
With over two decades of crafting bold ideas into brand-defining campaigns, Brant Herzer now brings his excitement and expertise to the helm of Spool’s creative department.
Celebrated for his acclaimed blend of art direction and storytelling, Brant has a proven track record of elevating brands of every size. His agency pedigree includes industry heavyweights like DDB, VML, and Dentsu, where his work amplified brands like Capital One, Bud Light, and Butterball into even bigger household names.
Brant’s career launched with a bang as an intern at DDB Chicago, where he sold a Budweiser Clydesdale Super Bowl commercial, created Super Bowl work for Bud Light, and contributed to the library of iconic spots in the Gold Cannes Lion-winning “Real Men of Genius” campaign. Later, at Dentsu, he gave Kraft Heinz’s Miracle Whip a bold new identity, transforming it from a bland CPG product into a distinct brand with sharp strategic positioning—earning Clios, Addys, and featuring an emerging 11-year-old pop star, Sabrina Carpenter. Returning to DDB, Brant created the enduring Samuel L. Jackson-led Quicksilver campaign for Capital One, including the fan-favorite NCAA “Road to the Final Four” series, where he teamed up with legends Spike Lee and Charles Barkley. At VML, he spearheaded transformative brand overhauls for Butterball and Woodbridge Wines. For Butterball, he developed a vibrant campaign that showcased mouthwatering recipes in fresh, eye-catching ways, while for Woodbridge, he revitalized the classic brand, turning it into a rock star of the wine industry. Most recently, he designed the global rebranding for the Chicago Board Options Exchange (Cboe), launched Cap’n Crunch’s latest expeditions, and helped Starbucks redefine its line of canned Frappuccinos.
When not chasing the next “big idea,” Brant can be found wrangling his two future WWE superstars in the great outdoors and ambitiously—albeit fruitlessly—working on his golf game.
Rebecca Chin
Vice President
Rebecca Chin
Vice President
Becky is a vice president at Spool, bringing more than a decade of media strategy, influencer marketing, and campaign development experience. As a recent transplant from Washington, D.C., Becky’s work spans a wide range of industries but she is most passionate about promoting brands in the hospitality and consumer lifestyle space (with a proven track record to boot).
She’s a firm believer that a sound strategy and authentic storytelling are at the core of any strong PR campaign and loves finding new, creative ways to connect the people and ideas that matter most to her clients. The best results are often born from great partnerships, savvy thinking, and a little determination. A native of New York City, Becky holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University (OH). In Becky’s spare time, she enjoys daydreaming of warm weather destinations, cooking with her
husband, and running around the city with their dog Roux. It’s also been said that she’s a pro at making dinner reservations.
Taryn Parker
Vice President
Taryn Parker
Vice President
Taryn Parker brings more than a decade of public relations experience in the sports and entertainment space to her role as a vice president at Spool. She uses her vast agency background to build and grow engaged networks and brand identities for her wide variety of clients, while leveraging her knack for creativity and "big thinking" to help them cut through the clutter. With a strong passion for media relations and consumer events, Taryn loves nothing more than seeing hard work come to fruition for her clients through strategic planning and flawless execution. From professional golf and college sports to major tech and lifestyle brands, Taryn understands the media landscape and what her clients need to make an impact.
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Taryn has spent her entire career in the agency world. She's done everything from refurbishing a school gym with Usher to sending a motorcycle rider to all 50 states to raise awareness for biker safety. Taryn has made her clients shine at major events such as the Final Four, College World Series, Super Bowl, CES, Sr. PGA Championship, the ESYPY's and more. Taryn's specialty is taking a brand sponsorship and turning it into a lasting consumer connection using the power of public relations.
If Taryn could have a meal with anyone, dead or alive, and then attend a concert, she would share a bowl of paella in Barcelona with Michelle Obama and then attend the first Hootie and the Blowfish concert.
Austin McClelland
Vice President, PR & Earned Creative
Austin McClelland
Vice President
Austin McClelland is a Vice President with more than 10 years of PR experience focused largely on consumer accounts in industries ranging from food, CPG, cannabis, entertainment and most recently beer. For the last three years he has been with ICFNext/Phaedon leading accounts such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Blue Moon and more, executing large-scale integrated agency campaigns and award-winning newsjacking brand activations like Miler High Life Dive Bar Hot Sauce, Blue Moon Pie Pints and Miller Lite Beers and Queer History to name a few. Prior to Phaedon, his focus was on the intersection of earned media and entertainment/talent/pop culture - particularly during his time at Ketchum and Spool.
Maura Gallagher
Account Director
Maura Gallagher
Account Director
Maura Gallagher is an Account Director at Spool Marketing and Communications. A strategic communications enthusiast, Maura uses curiosity and passion to achieve powerful results. With broad experience working on a range of clients – both B2C and B2B – Maura approaches strategies, campaigns, and media with an open mind, resulting in the generation of new ideas.
Maura loves nothing more than seeing hard work come to fruition for her clients through strategic planning and flawless execution. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, and minors in both marketing and business administration, Maura has a passion for both the people and business side of the industry.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Maura brings a piece of her hometown with her as a dedicated Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fan. When she’s not at work or on the road, you might catch Maura enjoying a glass of red wine or taking a long bike ride up the lakefront trail.
Isabel Meier
Senior Account Executive
Isabel Meier
Senior Account Executive
Isabel Meier is an optimist with a talent for taking on new situations and challenges. A team player with a creative and innovative mindset, her professional background is a blend of experiences, including media relations, internal communications, event planning, and social media content creation. From aiding CSR and employee engagement efforts for big-name brands, to earning press and recognition for some of the most deserving organizations in metro Detroit, Isabel brings hard work and dedication to each of her client accounts.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Isabel received her Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2019. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. In her free time, she enjoys walks around the city and exploring new restaurants with friends. Her dream concert would be Fleetwood Mac (circa 1975).
Tommy Derken
Senior Account Executive
Tommy Derken
Senior Account Executive
Tommy Derken is a Senior Account Executive at Spool Marketing and Communications that brings creativity, humor, and passion to every project he leads. With a broad range of experience working for clients in the consumer, tech, and entertainment spaces, Tommy approaches campaigns through the lens of a storyteller and strives to craft thoughtful
and tailored messaging for each of the brands he works with, whether start-ups or Fortune 500 companies.
Graduating from the University of Southern California with degrees in communications, marketing, and film, Tommy brings more than just agency experience to the AE role, creating content for USC Athletics, working on the lot at Universal Studios, and managing on-campus events for Red Bull while in school. A native of Barrington, Illinois, Tommy has enjoyed living next to Wrigley Field, but can also be found doing stand-up around the city or at any number of rec-sport leagues (with a preference for kickball.)
McKenzie Jester
Senior Account Executive
McKenzie Jester
Senior Account Executive
McKenzie Jester is a Senior Account Executive with a rich history of delivering stellar results for her clients with consistent placements in numerous top-tier outlets. Though Chicago is McKenzie’s current stomping ground, San Diego will always have a piece of her heart. Ask Mckenzie about the best beach, hiking trail, or Cali burrito, and you'll see her eyes light up with hometown pride. During the summer, you’ll find her on a walking quest to discover the best coffee shops, thrift stores and bookshops, as well as enjoying some quality people-watching in Chicago neighborhoods. McKenzie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her experience spans over five years in a variety of roles that have allowed her to polish her media expertise.
Anna McAndrew
Account Executive
Anna McAndrew
Account Executive
Anna McAndrew is an Account Executive who works at Spool Marketing and Communications. She supports the planning and implementation of PR & Influencer initiatives along with understanding client's business, including general business strategy, industry issues, products and services, and key customers & competitors in the marketplace.
A passionate team player, Anna is able to creatively offer solutions and ideas related to the clients’ business goals and objectives, while actively contributing to the brand storytelling via media pitches and relationship building. She previously worked in the publishing industry writing feature articles for the award-winning Modern Luxury network of regional lifestyle publications and TOPS magazine (social and entertainment source in Kentucky).
A 2020 graduate of the University of Kentucky (Lexington), Anna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Communications. A native of the Chicago area, Anna loves to travel and when not working you can find her taking a Peloton class or looking for delicious new healthy recipes. Her dream concert to attend would be to go back in time and see Queen live.
Steph Ford
Account Executive
Steph Ford
Account Executive
Steph is an Account Executive at Spool Marketing and Communications. She is new to the agency world, but comes to Spool with experience in social media marketing, communications, and events. She believes in developing genuine connections and continuously working to grow and learn. Steph graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A in Communications and a minor in Human Services. She is a certified Zumba instructor and enjoys spending time at the beach, going on hiking adventures, and attending concerts.
Ashley Black
Art Director
Ashley Black
Art Director
Joining Spool as an Art Director, Ashley brings her excitement and breadth of brand storytelling and creative problem-solving experience to the team.
She earned a B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Miami University (OH) in May 2020. In the two years that followed, she founded and operated her own design studio, Prismatic LLC, working primarily with women and BIPOC-owned businesses and independent artists. She’s helped launch over 20 brands in her career, ranging from startups to global non-profits and CPG companies.
With the belief that storytelling is one of humankind’s greatest powers, she is dedicated to transforming ideas and insights into beautiful, intentionally crafted brands and campaigns.
Outside of work, she can be spotted rolling around on her neon pink roller skates, cooking bomb homemade meals, or exploring a new creative hobby du-jour (not all at once, although she might try just for the hell of it).
Parker Rhodes
Assistant Account Executive
Parker Rhodes
Assistant Account Executive
Originally from Chicago, Parker decided to try out the South, where she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications in Spring 2024. She joins Spool Marketing & Communications with experience in ad and marketing strategy, AI marketing strategy, and PR. She is passionate about honing insights, influencer marketing, and brand identity and development. As a solutions-oriented team player and a great listener, she has a knack for anticipating and understanding people’s needs. Parker loves a challenge and thrive while multitasking and staying busy. In her free time, she can be found planning her next trip, playing with her English bulldog, Posey, or trying a new restaurant with friends and family.
Our Consultants
Carrie Ingoglia
Copywriter
Carrie Ingoglia
Copywriter
Carrie Ingoglia is a former agency creative turned freelance copywriter and brand strategist who now brings her nearly two decades of agency experience to the table for value-driven businesses and non-profit clients working to move people forward. Her work has won Effie, Addy and Webby Awards and she served on juries for both the Effies and the One Show. She is a public speaker and guest lecturer at Miami Ad School NY and her editorial writing has been featured in the industry publication Campaign as well as Art + Marketing. Carrie holds a BA in English from Skidmore College. When she is not at her desk, she spends time coaching as a certified Ayurvedic Yoga instructor and raising her twin toddlers.
Kristin Joy Loretta
PR
Kristin Joy Loretta
PR
Kristin Loretta spearheads the Entertainment and Lifestyle news engine for Spool. After executing award-winning lifestyle and entertainment campaigns for Fortune 500 Brands for over a decade at global agencies such as Ketchum and Rogers & Cowan, Kristin is passionate about amplifying a brand’s ethos into mainstream media through creative campaigns and immersive partnerships. Kristin also has a passion for the intersection of technology and humanitarianism and has been consulting several NFT platforms and international blockchain projects on the US lifestyle and entertainment market since 2020.
Kristin kicked off her career in New York City as an intern at Epic Records. After interviewing the head of Press about journalistic ethics, she landed her first job as her assistant a week after graduation. She quickly became the music company’s rising star as she secured major placements for touring bands on the label such as: The Fray, Tori Amos, Incubus, and Augustana. The company moved Kristin to their office in Los Angeles where she handled all west coast TV appearances for the label’s roster and press for the label’s touring acts. In 2009, Kristin left to work at an event PR agency where she handled press for events in Hollywood roughly three nights a week. She joined Ketchum in 2011.
Helene Rosenblum
Marketing Strategist
Helene Rosenblum
Marketing Strategist
Helene is an insights first marketer who believes success comes from truly understanding and solving people’s problems, large and small. Whether making life simpler, feeding curiosity or nourishing the soul, she’s passionate about helping brands and organizations engage and make a difference. Recognized for her leadership and commitment to team success, Helene values client partnership and the opportunity to work together for sustained business results.
She has extensive experience working with a diverse set of clients from well established brands like Disney and State Farm to start-ups like Planterra, cultural institutions such as The Field Museum to non-profits. Her passion for making a difference includes over twenty years in advocacy and community work. Helene recently completed a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion to support her life-long goal of being a part of the change she wants to see. Helene has returned to her hometown of Evanston IL to raise her family.
Karen Kaiser
Strategist & Analyst
Karen Kaiser
Strategist & Analyst
As a Marketing and Brand Strategist, Karen Kaiser takes a customer-first approach, using data to drive actionable insights, informing successful marketing plans and differentiated brand strategies for B2C and B2B clients alike. She has worked with companies large and small across several verticals, including CPG, financial services, technology, automotive, building products, food service, and home improvement. Having spent time on both the agency and the corporate side, she has a depth of experience and perspectives on which to draw and an appreciation for the challenges brands face in the world of marketing today. Karen holds a BA from Vanderbilt University. When away from her desk, Karen can be found outside – paddling, gardening, sailing, and hiking.
Ed Hoffman
PR, Strategy
Ed Hoffman
PR, Strategy
Ed is the CEO & Founder of The Varick Group, a communications consultancy for the food industry. Ed is an experienced marketing executive who builds brands and grows their business through omni-channel communications. His 25-year career spans multiple communications disciplines across all channels of the food industry—agriculture, retail, foodservice and ingredient. Ed reopened his consultancy in 2020 to help organizations, actively working to improve the global food system, tell their stories. With a focus on sustainable and nutritious food and beverage brands, his diverse roster of client experience ranges from emerging change-makers to multinational market leaders. In fact, he’s currently working toward a graduate certificate in Sustainable Food Systems at Harvard University Extension School. His award-winning work has quantifiably increased business. Dream concert? Well that’s easy -- the 1987 U2 Joshua Tree tour which would have only been better attending it with Madonna. After which, we’d dine on filets and martinis at Gibson’s Steakhouse at the Rush Street location, of course!
Caroline Russo
PR, Communications
Caroline Russo
PR, Communications
A strategic, results-driven marketer, Caroline Russo is an independent communications consultant with expertise in food and beverage CPGs, food service, hospitality, and commodity boards. With nearly two decades of experience in the PR industry, she’s led award-winning campaigns for global PR agencies, including Ketchum and Weber Shandwick, and jumped-ship three years ago to freelance and hasn’t looked back. She loves to collaborate with clients to solve complex business challenges – whether it’s new product launches, ingredient reformulations, or influencer marketing initiatives. She is an optimist known for infusing positive energy and motivating teams to deliver stellar results. Russo holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Toledo and a bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio University. In her free time, you can find her sipping a good glass of red wine, baking, and enjoying Chicago’s playgrounds and farmers markets with her two toddlers and hubby, Chris. Caroline’s favorite meal? Medium-rare steak, mushrooms, and a glass of Cab!
Megan Scavuzzo
PR, Communications
Megan Scavuzzo
PR, Communications
As a communications professional with years of experience driving results for leading brands, Megan Scavuzzo works with startups and international organizations alike, developing and driving strategic communications initiatives with creativity, insights, and relevancy at their core.
Megan believes that driving breakthrough communications strategies and initiatives is key to building awareness, driving sales, and strengthening brands’ competitive edge. From strategic positioning and narrative development, thought leadership, and executive coaching, to issues management, media relations, and partnerships, Megan is passionate about engaging key internal and external stakeholders to drive meaningful business results. Currently consulting for companies across healthcare and consumer packaged goods, Megan is a true business partner and leverages data, trends, and insights to consult both up-and-coming and established brands. Megan is a member of the Forbes Communication Council and was recognized as a finalist for PRWeek’s “Outstanding In-House Professional of the Year” award in March 2019. Prior to consulting, Megan was the Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Mission Measurement, the world leader in measuring social and philanthropic program outcomes. Before helping quantify social impact, Megan spent four years at RXBAR, leading global communications for their rapidly-growing international house of brands. She was responsible for strategic planning and execution of all brand and corporate communications initiatives. When not working, Megan enjoys time with her son Nico and husband Mike in Chicago. Megan holds degrees in Journalism and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And, she might surprise you with her flair for alternative music and would give anything to see Incubus in concert, again!
Mary Anne McAndrew
PR, Communications
Mary Anne McAndrew
PR, Communications
Mary Anne McAndrew is a PR and Communications Specialist with a proven track record for creating and executing successful programs that attract the attention of the media and key target audiences. She believes in storytelling with a purpose, engaging the audience with a reason to connect to the brand. With more than 30 years of experience in the public relations and special events industry, Mary Anne is recognized for her attention to detail, keen organizational skills, strong creative writing, strategy and program management, and an outstanding rapport with the local and national media. With a passionate focus on consumer food clients, Mary Anne earned Silver Trumpet Awards while at Edelman Public Relations and has since collaborated with a starring cast of clients including Kraft Foods, Mondelez International, AMITA Health, Motorola, John G. Shedd Aquarium, DePaul University, National Dairy Research & Promotion Board, and Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn. Mary Anne earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications (with a minor in Media Management) and graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Miami University of Ohio. When not writing or running, she loves to travel with her family especially if it means a trip to Disney.
Jeffrey Ward
Marketing
Jeffrey Ward
Marketing
Jeffrey Ward is a marketing and public relations professional who has worked with some of Chicago’s most recognizable hospitality, entertainment, and cultural personalities, brands and organizations. Starting his career in agencies focusing on chefs, dining, theatre, and the performing arts, he went on to join Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises as director of marketing and communications for the company’s fine dining and fast-casual division. After 10 years he moved back into the agency world holding senior positions in strategy and development for a variety of restaurant and hospitality clients before opening his own company in 2019. He now works within the hospitality, beverage, lifestyle, travel, cannabis, and retail communities, developing and executing highly personalized campaigns that create awareness and distinguish clients from the competition. When not working in Chicago, he spends his time enjoying a more relaxed pace of life in southwestern Michigan, exploring the coastal towns of Lake Michigan.