PRESIDENT
Mathew Anderson / Milestone Marketing Associates
Matthew Anderson is the president of Milestone Marketing Associates. Milestone is a creative communications company that builds brands on the web and in the real world with traditional and digital marketing services.
Matthew holds a degree in advertising from the University of Florida. He founded Milestone is 2009 after spending 15 years marketing construction estimating software to contractors nationwide. Matthew also serves as president of the Suncoast Technology forum, and he is active in numerous local business associations including the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, and the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.
1st VP/EDUCATION
Vivian Owen / Ringling College of Art and Design
Vivian Owen is a full time faculty member in the Advertising Design department at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she teaches various advertising and copywriting courses.
She is also the faculty advisor for Ringling’s AAF College Chapter and National Student Advertising Competition team. Previously, she has taught online courses for Ashford University including Visual Literacy in Business and International Marketing.
Vivian has seven years of professional experience in the advertising industry, specifically in the creative and copywriting departments of the business. She comes to Ringling from The Zimmerman Agency in Tallahassee, FL where she held the position of Senior Copywriter. During her career, she has also worked at Doner in Detroit, MI and Barefoot Advertising in Cincinnati, OH. Vivian has written ads for national clients such as The Ritz-Carlton, Aflac, Steak ‘n Shake, Expedia.com, Eureka, Sherwin Williams, Mr. Clean and Swiffer. Her work has been featured in industry publications such as Adweek, Brandweek and US Ad Review and recognized through multiple ADDY awards and a Webby Honoree award.
Vivian Owen holds a BA in Communications: Advertising from Xavier University and an MA in Advertising from Michigan State University.
2nd VP/EDUCATION
Lindsey Nickel de la O / Nickel & Nickel Communications
Lindsey is the Creative Partner at Nickel & Nickel Communications. After close to a decade of working in public relations and media planning for brands including; Starbucks, OSI Restaurant Partners, Uncle Ben’s, Pedigree, DeBartolo Sports, Bayfront Medical Center and the City of St. Petersburg she joined Nickel & Nickel Communications.
Lindsey wakes up every day saying “Today will be Awesome!” Her mission and passion is to work across all communication disciplines – advertising, creative, media, digital, public relations and more – to ensure that her client’s brand interacts and engages its audience in a strategic, fun and organic way. Her professional MO is to create marketing solutions not marketing campaigns.
She is an honors graduate of Eckerd College, alumni of Leadership St. Petersburg and an adjunct professor at Ringling College of Art and Design where she teaches social media and media studies. She has also won two Gold ADDY’s, and FPRA Image Award, Three FRPA Judges Awards and the WEDU Be More Knowledgeable Industry Award.
Lindsey’s passion for her work extends into many philanthropic endeavors with Girls Inc., Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall Lecture Series, American Advertising Federation Suncoast Chapter and Selby Gardens.
SECRETARY
Judy Firek / Clarke Advertising
Judy joined the Advertising Federation in 2010 and volunteered during the 2011 ADDY’s which lit the spark to re-enter this excitingly transformed industry. Networking paid off, and Judy began working for Clarke Advertising and Public Relations in 2012 as an Account Coordinator.
Judy’s advertising stint began at J. Walter Thompson in Detroit right out of college where she held positions in Public Relations, New Business and on the Ford Account. She went to the client side with A&W Restaurants for a couple of years in PR and marketing for the corporate restaurants before running a construction company with her husband in Michigan for 10 years. A Sarasota resident since 2008, Judy worked in Sales for Visiting Angels and as a caregiver to Sarasota Seniors. Judy is married and a proud mother of three teenagers.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / TREASURER
Christina Gordon / Milestone Marketing Associates
Christina is the Accounting Manager for Milestone Marketing and Associates.
With more than two decades of experience in accounting, customer service and human resources, Christina brings a strong administrative background and knowledge of commercial art and advertising to AAF – Suncoast.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Ashlee Stutzman / Owner/ FASTSIGNS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Peter Baxter / The Business Solution Group
Two-time past president of AAF Suncoast, Peter Baxter served as Communication Chair of the 4th District AAF from 2008-2012.
Peter is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, he lives in Sarasota. For the last dozen years, tens of thousands of the elderly and their families in Sarasota and nearby areas have found help meeting their needs through free print publications and web sites created by Peter Baxter and his firm, The Business Solution Group.
During that period, the firm has provided well over $150,000 to underwrite grants to projects benefiting seniors in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In addition to the Sarasota County Aging Network Senior Services Directory and related web site, the firm publishes similar titles with related web sites in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties.
As part of his commitment to helping local seniors and their families discover and access the services available to them, Baxter participated in the SCOPE Continuing the Conversation Health Care Workgroup that recently completed a year-long survey of information and referral resources in Sarasota County.
To help expand such access, he and his firm recently launched a new website, www.seniorhelpsarasota.com. Designed especially to help distant families find solutions to their local loved-ones’ needs, the site provides a searchable database of services; a knowledge base with information on a wide range of topics, such as senior living options and how to choose them; a calendar of events of interest; links to other resources; and “The Experts Speak,” a feature in which experts comment and answer visitors’ questions on a wide range of topics of importance to the elderly and their families.
DIVERSITY CHAIR
Maria Lyle / Maria Lyle Photography
Maria Lyle Photography is a full-service commercial photographer with 16 years professional experience serving the needs of corporate professionals, marketing managers, meeting planners, medical professionals, advertising agencies and local families.
Maria’s clients include local and national magazines, Doctor’s Hospital, The Moffitt Cancer Center, Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Economic Development Council of Sarasota County and many other prestigious corporations, foundations, and business executives. Maria’s unique talent for composition and innovative editorial style captures the essence of her subject, creating beautiful, memorable images for your business or family needs.
INTERNET CHAIR
Appointment & Announcement Coming Soon – January 2013!
PUBLIC SERVICE CHAIR
Stephen A. Smith / Stephen A. Smith & Associates
As president and creative director of Sarasota, Florida-based Stephen A. Smith & Associates, a branding, marketing communications and custom publishing consultancy, Steve Smith draws upon more than 26 years of experience in marketing communications.
Beginning his career with prominent advertising and sales promotion agencies in the New York area, Steve developed programs for major brands like Subaru of America, AT&T and Castrol Motor Oil.
Since relocating to southwest Florida, Steve has worked with a variety of clients in healthcare, technology, economic development and financial services. In healthcare, he’s worked with hospitals, medical practices, device makers and more.
In 2011, Steve launched Consonant Custom Media, specializing in custom content solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems and medical research institutions. Steve’s passion is the strategic management of brands, identity and image. He writes about the subject on his blog, Smith On Branding.
Steve has received numerous “ADDY” awards in recognition of creative excellence, as well as the Advertising Federation’s “Ad Man of the Year” award. Steve is a past president of AAF – Suncoast. He currently serves as the Past Presidents Advisory liaison to the AAF – Suncoast board, and as AAF Fourth District Public Service Chair.
COMMUNICATION CHAIR
Catherine A. Woosley / eComSystems, Inc.
Catherine Woosley handles New Business Development for eComSystems, Inc.; a technology company that develops custom Advertising, Marketing & Communication Software Solutions. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.
Catherine moved to Sarasota in 1969 from Buffalo, NY. She attended Phillippi Shores Elementary, Brookside Junior High and Riverview HS while growing up in Sarasota. Catherine’s left Sarasota in 1989 seeking higher education at Tallahassee Community College and FSU. After college, Catherine moved to Miami and obtained her first job with Krieff Advertising. It was there her advertising and marketing passions began.
Prior to joining eCom, Catherine spent 26+ years in the Hotel – Hospitality Industry in Sales & Marketing with a strong background in Operations and Catering & Conference Services. Catherine’s Hotel property portfolio and history includes: Hyatt Hotels and Resorts (15 years Hyatt Regency Sarasota), Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels, Lincoln Hotels, Tween Waters Inn and a few other select Independent hotels. In 2009, Catherine took a giant leap of faith after being recruited by eCom and shifted her career objectives and skill sets towards her passion for advertising and marketing.
Catherine is extremely passionate and highly committed to learning and growing as well as mentoring and engaging. She is married, has a 20 year old step-son, three siblings and tends daily to her 91 year old Mother. She is an Irish gal, rather witty, quick on her feet and takes serious ownership of doing the right thing! Catherine is highly committed to making a difference, enjoys giving back to her community and employer; loving on children, seniors, her friend’s and cherishes family.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Alex Stafford / Alex Stafford Photography
Alex Stafford is an editorial and advertising photographer based in Florida. His fresh and creative portrait photography has won multiple ADDY awards for agency clients, and his editorial customers come back year after year with cover and feature assignments.
Since 2003, Alex Stafford Photography has served local, national and international clients, including MacGregor Sportswear, Motorola, Baxter Pharmaceuticals, Health Management Associates, LiveTV, Ken Silvia Design, Golf Digest, Barron’s, News Max, and Nielsen Business Media.
Alex served as the 2010-2011Program Chair for the American Advertising Federation-Suncoast and currently serves as the AAF – Suncoast chapter president.
GOVERNOR 4TH District American Advertising Federation
Nairn’ B. Gillet / Spreadin’ Ink
Nairn’ B. Gillet has over 25 years experience in the advertising industry as a copywriter, media sales rep and boutique agency owner and currently serves as Sales Manager for Spreadin’ Ink, a Bradenton-based screen printing and advertising specialty concern.
Gillet is currently the Governor of the American Advertising Federation – 4th District, which encompasses not only AAF – Suncoast but two dozen other clubs throughout Florida and the Caribbean. He has been a member of the Advertising Federation since 1992, serving four terms as President, the first in 1993-1994. He has also been very active at the AAF – 4th District level, having served as the chair of a variety of committees including Government Relations, Membership, Programs, Club Management and the Florida Ad PAC.
