Our cream-of-the-crop members have served as . . .
- Corporate executives at Fortune 500 companies
- Award-winning creative directors, senior copywriters and designers at top advertising and marketing agencies
- Sales and HR consultants with winning records
- Strategic and research leaders in corporations and agencies
- Skilled interactive designers, strategists, content developers and technologists
- Planners, producers and production specialists in all media
Read on to learn more about our carefully selected variety of talent. We think you'll agree that The Orchard Group is rich in hybrid vigor.
Colleen Guezennec
A founding partner of The Orchard Group, Colleen has a unique blend of sales management, operations management and marketing intelligence experience. She brings a wealth of knowledge as well as a gift for quickly understanding business situations, clearly defining problems in both sales and marketing, and delivering actionable solutions. An award-winning salesperson and skilled forensic marketing expert, she excels at capturing and analyzing data and knowledge from customer behavior and sales activities. She uses the data to develop strategies to expand market share, identify new markets, reposition offerings, and launch new products and services. Colleen has over 20 years of marketing, sales and operations experience across a broad array of industries. She earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from DePaul University; and holds both MS and MBA degrees from The Ohio State University.
Contact:
614-487-2002
c.guezennec@theorchardgroupllc.com
Laura Bergheim
An experienced writer, editor, and brand strategist, Laura recently relocated to California to serve as senior editor at Google, where she helps create and manage the customer communications that support the global search engine's advertising system, AdWords, and other products. Prior to her move West, she co-founded The Orchard Group with Colleen Guezennec, and continues to assist in its operations from afar. Laura has run her own copywriting firm, CopyDogs as well as serving clients at agencies such as Resource Interactive and GSW Worldwide. She is the author / co-author of eight books, including the co-authored The Ten Demandments: Rules to Live by in the Age of the Demanding Customer (McGraw-Hill, 2002), which has been translated into 10 languages. Laura is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
Contact:
408-507-9632
Nancy Fritz
Nancy Fritz provides marketing research expertise for a range of well known brands, a skill she gained from over 20 years of experience at major U.S. corporations such as Miles Laboratories, Borden Foods, and The Iams Company. Qualitative research is one of Nancy's specialties - she holds certification as a Trained Facilitator from Synectics, known internationally for creativity and meeting management. Nancy is also thoroughly versed in quantitative techniques, and is adept at selecting the most appropriate research method for a project. Nancy holds a BA in Psychology and Journalism from Ohio University.
Contact:
614-261-8243
Michelle
Geissbuhler
Michelle is a writer/strategist who specializes in identity/nomenclature systems,
line logic and information hierarchies. Emphasizing the coordination of visual
and verbal elements to create appropriate, effective communication, she works
with colleagues in other disciplines to address the information needs of end-users
ranging from technical specialists to functional illiterates. Michelle has experience
in a wide variety of industries, from financial services, hardware and chemicals
to fashion, food, and toys. Her expertise includes strategic brand development
and brand positioning, conceptual and thematic development, and language simplification.
During her long tenure at Fitch, Inc., she also trained and worked extensively
with that company’s market research experts. Michelle’s work has
been honored by IDSA, ADEPT, the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, the
Society for Technical Communication, and the publications How and Communication
Arts. She received her M.A. in Creative Writing from Miami University.
Contact:
614-846-0531
Colleen Guezennec (See Colleen's bio in Founding Partners)
Susan Haller
Susan has extensive experience in market strategy and research consulting. Skilled in multiple research methods, but specializing in qualitative research, Susan plans and executes branding, communications, market strategy and research programs, particularly market investigation, primary and secondary research, and embodiment and execution of strategies through design. She has worked with clients in manufacturing, retail and service sectors and has taught courses at the Columbus College of Art and Design and in the MBA program at Capital University. Susan has also written several research articles and holds a BA in Arts and Sciences from The Ohio State University.
Contact:
614-459-4121
Margot Suszek
Margot is the founding partner of Integrated Marketing Resources, Inc., which has a client list that includes several Fortune 100 companies. With over 25 years experience in brand and sales management in the corporate world at companies such as Borden and Kraft, she has successfully managed people, projects, and multimillion dollar budgets. She has developed a proprietary analytical planning process for promotions and programs that brings the branding platform to life, engages strategy in a meaningful and effective manner, and balances the efficiency of each program to gain the greatest return on investment for clients.
Contact:
614-855-4389
Cynthia Allen
Cynthia has been in the graphics and printing industry for over 25 years. Her
expertise lies in creative execution, print production management and project
management. Cynthia has a strong background in offset, Web and flexography printing techniques. Along with her printing experience, Cynthia has a wealth of knowledge in pre-press, color and digital asset management. She created the Borden Foods Image Archive Asset Management System, a site that streamlined the process for obtaining and cataloging all images owned by Borden Foods. An award winning photographer, Cynthia also provides creative direction for film and digital photographic shoots. Cynthia
has a BS in marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Contact:
740-881-9787
Neal Bell
After seven years in the media departments at two of Columbus’ larger full-service advertising agencies – Ron Foth Advertising and Zero Base Advertising (now merged into Ten United), Neal Bell struck out on his own in 1999, founding White Rock Media, LLC. Neal’s experience and specialized focus on media planning and placement has helped him gain approximately 1 percent of all media buys in the Central Ohio. Neal combines strategic thinking with analytical ability and an ROI-oriented mindset to gain his clients the right media at the best price. He has a degree in Accounting and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
Contact:
740-587-0772
Laura Bergheim (See Laura's bio in Founding Partners)
Paul Blanchard
Paul was an art director at a local design firm before becoming a freelanced graphic designer in 1995. He specializes in working with clients to develop identity and translate the identity into the various visual components including logos, advertising design, catalogs, company brochures and promotional materials. A true artist, Paul illustrates products for print materials including catalogs and has painted a number of wall murals. Paul earned a BFA in advertising design from the Columbus College of Art and Design.
Contact:
614-237-0879
p.blanchard@theorchardgroupllc.com
Yvonne Burry
Yvonne Heather Burry has 20+ years experience in a broad range of technical and marketing communications, working with government, technical, and bio/medical clients. Her writing, editing, and training expertise derives from a strong, innovative ability to "translate" technical jargon into clear, actionable language for a variety of audiences. She collaborates with clients to plan and create marketing materials, and develops and produces publications, collateral materials, and presentations. Yvonne has been a group manager, communications skills coach, focus group leader, and event planner. She has worked as a teacher, trainer, marketing consultant, and instructional designer, and is a certified DACUM curriculum development facilitator. Yvonne has an M.A. in Journalism (The Ohio State University) and a B.A. in Biology (University of Colorado, Boulder).
Contact:
614-486-1645
Melodye Demastus
Through Melrose Consulting, Melodye Demastus brings unique skills to the investor and public relations arenas. She developed her solid financial analytical abilities and communications skills though her broad range of experience in portfolio and financial analysis and management and investor relations. Melrose clients are pleased with how quickly she is able to grasp and explain companies' financial performance, as well as communicate companies' strategies and objectives. Prior to founding Melrose Consulting in 1994, Melodye spent 15 years in corporate finance, including positions at Bank One Trust Company of Columbus, Ohio (as Assistant Portfolio Manager for client relationships and financial reporting for large pension and profit-sharing clients); Midland Mutual Insurance Company (where she managed both short term and bond portfolio investments); and Accel International Corporation, a publicly held insurance carrier (where was named Vice President and Treasurer in 1991). Melodye graduated from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance.
Contact:
614-771-8810
John Frees
As a veteran journalist with two decades of experience writing for California dailies and business publications, John knows what tweaks the interest of editor, reporters and readers. In 1999, he left journalism to create Frees & Associates, a small but focused public relations firm aimed at uncovering the newsworthy aspects of client companies and exploiting them for maximum news coverage. He develops publicity strategies, writes news releases, trade articles and ad copy, and prepares executives for media appearances and interviews. John graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
Contact:
614-939-1674
Jenny Gatchell
Jenny's experience spans a variety of both consumer and business-to-business copywriting. Her areas of expertise include print advertising, direct mail, and marketing collateral development. She has helped develop the positioning and marketing communications for clients in a range of industries, including health care, food service and retail. Before striking out on her own, she honed her skills at three major Columbus area advertising / marketing agencies. Jenny graduated summa cum laude from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She also studied direct marketing and advertising at the American College in London (England).
Contact:
614-595-6195
Michelle Geissbuhler (See Michelle's bio above)
Nadia McGaughy
Nadia founded Nadia's Studio LLC in 1997 after working as Art Director for Metatec Corporation for almost ten years. With over twenty years of experience, Nadia is known for her creative versatility and fast turnaround. She has worked on a variety of projects including annual reports, brochures, corporate identity, newsletters, html emails, web sites, event collateral and trade show signage, among others. Nadia holds an associate degree in Graphics Communication from Columbus State Community College. Her award-winning work includes a Best of Category from Biz Comm for Metatec's Annual Report, a Silver Medal from Neenah Paper for Metatec's Corporate Brochure, an Award of Merit from Biz Comm for Metatec's Product Brochure, and an Award of Merit from Potlatch Paper for Metatec's Annual Report. Nadia’s client base includes Liebert, AEP, Choices, Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, Longaberger, Glory Foods, Ohio Health Foundation, Buckeye Ranch, and Pizzano's Pizza, to name a few. Her husband, Tom McGaughy, joined Nadia’s Studio in 2005 to provide technology services to her growing client roster.
Contact:
614-850-9296
Tom McGaughy
A
principal partner in Nadia’s Studio LLC along with his wife, designer
Nadia McGaughy, Tom McGaughy focuses on web development and back-end programming
to support development of web sites, web applications, and interactive media
using a variety of technologies including the .NET platform, PHP, flash and
html/CSS. He also provides web hosting and server administrative functions
for clients. Tom has BSc. degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology
and spent nearly two decades as a materials engineering specialist with a consulting
and R&D company in Columbus, Ohio. During his engineering career,
Tom held senior-level positions in program management, staff management, business
development and corporate strategy development. His engineering work
included computer programming and development of database applications to support
R&D programs, among other activities. Eager to join the rapidly changing
and challenging world of IT, Tom joined his wife, Nadia, in 2005 to expand
her company to provide web development and interactive-media programming capability.
Contact:
614-850-9296
Chris Schweitzer
Known for his work in branding and identity development, Chris is a multi-disciplined
designer and strategist. He founded Creative Design Solutions (CDS) in 1991,
and his firm’s growing base of nearly 40 steady clients consists mainly
of small-to-mid-sized businesses. Tackling all aspects of creative problem
solving, Chris has developed design solutions for clients such as Charley’s
Grilled Subs, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Crew, the Educational
Council, Franklin County Children Services, General Motors (GM R*Works),
Honda of America, Krema Products, the State of Ohio, and Victoria’s
Secret. Chris earned a degree in Industrial Design (with a minor in Advertising
/ Graphic Design) from the Columbus College of Art & Design.
Contact:
614-920-3776
c.schweitzer@theorchardgroupllc.com
Brad Webb
Brad Webb founded Honest Advertising after holding top creative
positions at two Columbus agencies. Webb was Creative Director
at ten/united where he managed the creative output of over 20 people
for clients such as Fidelity, The Ohio State University, Perkins, Autodesk,
OhioHealth, Huntington Bank, Scotts, and American Standard. Webb also
launched and managed the advertising division of Resource Marketing working
with several Fortune 500 clients. Webb was a founding partner
of Hillman/Webb and his award winning work has been featured in the One
Show Awards, Communication Arts, Art Directors Club, Clio Awards, New
York Festivals, and ADDY Awards. He is a graduate of the Columbus College
of Art & Design.
Contact:
614-792-8708
Zac Welch
Zac is a founding partner in The Foundries, Inc. serving as executive creative director. He is also currently an instructor at the Columbus College of Art and Design in the media studies department where he teaches video, interactive, and motion graphic design. He also teaches survey of multimedia at Columbus State Community College. Zac received an MFA from Parsons School of Design in design and technology with a focus in video and motion graphics in 2001. Along with various design positions in his past, he has served as producer for CompuServe’s CD-ROM magazine, and in 1994 founded his own company, Ezz-Thetic Media. Over the past decade he has worked with clients such as Playboy and Playboy.com, Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Productions, The Columbus Cultural Arts Center and The New York Center for New Design. In 2000 he created the indie film collective in New York City, Reel Independents, where he wrote, directed, and produced the independent film Blood and Ashes, which was shown in New York City in 2001.
Contact:
614-443-0876
Matthew Byrne
As Principal/Executive Producer of The Foundries, Inc., Matt draws on thirteen years of technical product marketing experience. He served as Vice President of Integral Sciences, Inc., a testing laboratory for the fluorochemical and climate control equipment industries, and later as National Marketing Manager for Intertek Testing Services where he helped achieve record growth by leveraging brand strategy, Web harmonization, and product marketing. In 2002 Matt founded Spiralight Media Group. He and Zac Welch merged their companies to form The Foundries, which specializes in video marketing and messaging distribution technologies with a focus on product/service differentiation and excellence. Matt also served as Vice President of Marketing for Banner Financial Group, a national marketing solutions provider for the financial services industry, where he innovated marketing strategies, integrating telemarketing, affiliate, referral and strategic partnership programs, live and virtual seminars, and interactive (Web, e-newsletter, etc.) technologies to leverage and unify customized lead-generation. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University.
Contact:
614-443-0876
Colleen Guezennec (See Colleen's bio in Founding Partners)
