My short story

I thrive when helping companies succeed and grow with effective marketing. I’m happiest when I get to combine left-brain data and analytics with right-brain “peel your eyelids back” creativity.

When I led marketing at tech companies, I found it virtually impossible to find agencies fluent in tech and healthcare. In 2001, I started Clarity Quest to grow biotech, technology, and healthcare companies and would not trade this experience for anything.

Before founding Clarity Quest, I was an engineer and product manager at Motorola. Then, I earned an MBA and led tech marketing teams at several Seattle-area tech startups. I’ve marketed medical devices, healthcare IT, biotechnology, software, wireless infrastructure, displays, and semiconductor technology.

Fun facts: I hold 8 U.S. patents in semiconductor device design and processing. Also, when I’m not working, you can find me swearing at a golf ball, watching Nova basketball, or shuttling my teenage daughter somewhere.

My short story

I’m the person who can jump from creative writing to crunching numbers in Excel spreadsheets and back without missing a beat — and I’m stronger in both areas because of it. Clarity Quest gives me the opportunity to flex my creative and analytical brains on a daily basis.

I came to Clarity Quest in 2011 working primarily in SEO and PPC, but soon found a knack for messaging and project management. I love working with our tight-knit, diverse team to do amazing work for our clients. Nothing is more satisfying than giving a company its first visual identity, bringing their wildest ideas to life, or helping them exceed a revenue target they thought was a stretch.

Fun facts: I’m a big fan of University of Michigan sports (Go Blue!) and my adorable Double Doodle, Lloyd.

My short story

I like to say that my career in healthcare PR began at the tender age of eight when my mother, who worked in public affairs and development for a hospital, tasked me with assembling press kits so I would stop annoying her.

I graduated from New York University with a degree in music business, writing (with an emphasis on creative nonfiction), and race/ethnic studies. During my career, I’ve represented an eclectic range of clients, from national retail chains to reality TV stars, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and more.

In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, falling down a Google rabbit hole whenever a new subject piques my interest and spending time with those dear to me.

Fun fact: My great-great-grandfather is credited with introducing the fez hat to Sri Lanka while living there in exile.

My short story

I have always loved problem-solving and logic puzzles, but math and science never really excited me long term. Luckily, I was able to focus my interests and creativity into graphic design and web development…careers I didn’t even know existed when I was in high school (the internet was a baby at that time). Distilling a client’s message down to beautiful imagery and a logical layout are the design challenges I love to tackle every day!

As a father of two young boys, I am physically put to the test on a daily basis, but it’s Clarity Quest that allows me to flex my brain muscles (that’s a thing, right?). I crave learning about and designing for new products, services, and industries. It’s this physical and mental balance that I believe will keep me alive well into my early 110s.

Fun fact: Marla is an Ohio State graduate. She thinks her love of the Buckeyes football team is no big deal given that our headquarters is in Ann Arbor, but it bothers us Michigan grads very, very much….shhhhh, don’t tell her!

My short story

I love when marketing and technology combine to bring a company to a higher level of success. While marketing helps to tell the story, technology disseminates the story.

Tech has evolved greatly from my early days in government and automotive where FoxPro and Lotus Notes were email clients of choice. Could you imagine email marketing with those beasts? Or managing website metrics with the original WebTrends?

Through this evolution, I’ve lived marketing from all angles and successfully became the tech lead at Clarity Quest. I manage our marketing automation, digital advertising, and research projects.

I completed my undergrad at The Ohio State University studying Chinese and Economics. During that time, I refined my analytical skills which now fuel our client’s growth based on research and data-based decisions.

Fun fact: I am an avid Ohio State football fan, and the Wolverine fans that work at CQ don’t give me too difficult a time. Go Bucks!

My short story

I love marketing because it’s a mix of art and science. Consumer behavior fascinates me. I will catch my mind wandering off, thinking about why a brand changed its logo, updated its colors, or made a specific PR move. Wondering what the strategy was? And, how is that going to impact the consumer’s perception or experience with the brand?

Over the past 15 years, I have worked in marketing for small and medium-sized businesses, Fortune 500 brands, and non-profits in B2B and B2C environments. Recently, I worked in healthcare tech at McCreadie Group. I was the first marketing professional they ever hired – and was given the rare opportunity to start with a blank slate – building their brand and MarComm strategy from the ground up and bringing in leads to help grow the business.

I hold an M.B.A from Wayne State University, and a B.S.B.A. from Central Michigan University, double majoring in Marketing and Logistics. I also received my Digital Marketing certification from New York University. When I am not working, you’ll find me reading a good book or binge-watching ‘Grace and Frankie’ or ‘Outlander’ with our two cats on my lap. My wife and I love traveling to Europe and around the US. We are avid sports fans and season ticket holders of Michigan Softball and Women’s Basketball.

As an active member of the Ann Arbor Community, I have sat on several non-profit boards, currently at Allen Creek Preschool. Additionally, I am a committee member of the Michigan Softball Academy and team captain for an event that has raised over $1.2M to eradicate breast cancer over the past 11 years.

Fun fact: I have been to five Madonna concerts. And, I think Cate Blanchett and Lily James are amazing actresses (I’ve seen nearly every movie they have been in).

My short story

I was the kid who never stopped asking why? And today, I do the same with my clients. It’s the only way to truly get to the heart of the story that I can take, form, and amplify to help them stand out in a crowded world. Over the years, three words marked the cornerstone of my work: Think. Create. Innovate. I think across boundaries, innovate to solve problems and create marketing communications strategies that uniquely deliver value for every client.

I’ve worked at corporations and agencies for the majority of my career. I’ve been an advocate for startups and Fortune 500 clients making everything from silicon, semiconductors, and systems, to healthcare IT, consumer tech, and consumer products/services. Before marketing, I taught public relations at UCLA, and worked as an art instructor and 3rd grade teacher in Southern California.

Fun fact: I’ve ghost-written nearly 2,000 articles and five books! My superpower is melting glass. I am an award-winning glass artist and spend most of my free time in the studio creating, experimenting, and finding new ways to manipulate glass into fine art.

My short story

Nothing makes my heart sing like great marketing. I’m the person who notices, and archives, witty email subject lines and gets excited when a company re-brands. I pride myself on my ability to deal with the minute-by-minute demands of a hyper-connected world without losing sight of my organization’s long-term goals.

For the past 20 years, I have worked in marketing departments big and small, most recently in the healthcare IT industry with CHIME, HL7 and NextGate. From refreshing logos and sales presentations to launching new websites and SEO strategy, I love the challenge of getting the right message in front of the right audience at the right time, even as the technology at our fingertips continues to evolve.

Since 2014, I have also had the pleasure of teaching courses on content development, the use of imagery for social media success, email marketing and blogging at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.

When I’m not talking your ear off about marketing, my husband and I are traveling the world, visiting museums and reading books.

Fun fact: My cat has more Instagram followers than I do and receives more holiday cards from his cat furriends.

My short story

While growing up there was nothing I loved more than wandering around my local library, dragging my mom to bookstores and going to see movies with my dad. These activities sparked my passion for storytelling; it only seemed natural that I would create a career for myself in writing.

As I got older, I realized how interested I was in marketing and public relations. I was fascinated by what brands were saying and how they were saying it. I loved seeing brands who truly understood their audience and hit the nail on the head.

After graduating from Central Michigan University (fire up Chips!) with my degree in integrative public relations, I started my career in all things content: digital, print, social media, long-form and short-form. I love finding the perfect way to say something, as well as the strategy and day-to-day management that come with creating content. I’m truly a project manager at heart and enjoy finding the perfect processes to streamline efforts.

When I’m not working, you’ll most likely find me listening to a podcast (seriously I am obsessed), exercising, reading, trying out a new recipe or going to concerts and music festivals with my friends. I am a sucker for a good period drama and enjoy binge watching shows and movies across all genres—I’m not picky!

Fun fact: I am a War of the Roses and Tudor era history buff. The early to mid 1400s through the early 1600s in England interests me immensely! I spend a lot of my free time listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and reading blogs and books about this time period.

My short story

Storytelling is my passion. Professionally, I geek out over learning new concepts and crafting informative content that resonates with discerning readers. Personally, I love creating spooky tales around a campfire and correcting plot holes as I go. I’m a bit quirky about word economy as well, always on a quest to discover one word that will do the job of three or more.

My thrill for tight prose began as a beat reporter and features writer for print news media. In this role, I gained appreciation of an array of topics including business tech, lifestyle trends, politics, travel, and outdoor recreation. Once wanderlust took hold, I dove headfirst into domestic and international travel marketing, an industry rarely short on embellishment and, occasionally, exaggeration. My M.O. remained clear: always tell the truth, and always inspire.

I expanded my knowledge of digital marketing and its key metrics, engagement principles, and best practices as a content specialist and coordinator for five healthcare brands. These targeted anesthesia, imaging, home healthcare, general practice, and B2C segments, respectively. This experience reinforced my belief that effective communication always begins with deep audience understanding.

In my spare time, I enjoy travel with my wife and child; chasing our twin cats, Colby and Jack (we love cheese); and playing chess with strangers.

Fun fact: My wife and I played tennis in high school and like to hit the courts with each other – less competitively… sometimes.