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Our Team
We understand how to use DIGITAL tools to help you.
Dean Horowitz – Vice President of eMedia
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Dean is involved in the development and execution of digital strategies for the overall Vance organization including Vance Marketing Solutions. He and his team are responsible for all aspects of 65+ websites and communities, multiple e-newsletters, SEO/SEM programs, mobile marketing opportunities, specialized and custom client programs, games, microsites, lead-generation services as well as eLearning. Additionally, he serves as the chief revenue officer for the full Vance portfolio of web and digital products. Prior to joining Vance, Dean worked at Reed Business Information, where he served as a general manager, director of eMedia and director of product and strategy development. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and the Strategic Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. He has served as a recognized speaker on digital strategies at conferences and trade shows. |
Conrad Stolze – Digital Services/Mobile Marketing Director
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Conrad is responsible for strategic vision and product development. Conrad has expertise in Web site development, mobile marketing and developing niche e-mail marketing campaigns. Before joining Vance, Conrad founded Pivotal View, Inc., a digital marketing consulting firm, where he developed marketing communication applications for Embarq Logistics, Sprint PCS, Ford Motors and the National Education Association. Conrad has over 17 years experience developing and managing interactive applications for the web with clients that include AMC Theatres, Hostess/Interstate Brands, Applebee’s, Hallmark, the National Hockey League and the Kansas City Royals. |
Larry Druth – Analytical Services/E-mail Marketing Director
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Larry is responsible for website analytics and user behavior research for Vance's 65+ websites and related e-newsletters. He has extensive experience applying web analytics and research insights to planning, execution and optimization of marketing strategy, B2B and B2C content, e-commerce and other online programs. He has managed several market research and analytics staffs and conducted custom quantitative and qualitative research projects. Prior to joining Vance, Larry worked for such leading organizations as Holt McDougal, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago Tribune and Tribune Interactive. He received his MBA and BS degrees from the University of Illinois. He has also given presentations on performance measurement and other analytics topics at numerous industry events. |
Helena Pavlikova – Senior Project/eCommerce Manager
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Helena is responsible for leading and managing digital media projects throughout the project’s life cycle. She has seven years experience in both new product development and digital media. Prior to joining Vance, Helena worked as New Product Development and Marketing Manager for Double K Kreations, a custom products consumer e-commerce site, and as U.S. Operations Manager for Italian Joint Venture, a company that imports and distributes wholesale products via online and offline channels. Helena has a certification in project management from the Project Management Institute and a Bachelors of Arts degree in International Business from the National Louis University in Chicago. |
Anya Cheng – Brand/Social Media Marketing Manager
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Anya is responsible for developing marketing strategies and tactics for clients Vance Marketing Solutions. Her expertise is in new media marketing, brand management and international marketing. Prior to joining Vance, Anya spent seven years in brand development, digital marketing and product marketing with Excellence, a joint-venture partner of Ogilvy & Mather. Her clients included Avon, Nokia, Motorola, EA Games, Four Season Hotel and Pepsi. Anya has also worked for KFC in creating global marketing plans. Anya holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University with both Branding and Media Management concentrations from the Medill School of Journalism and the Kellogg School of Management. |
Mike Curran – Creative Director / Project Manager
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Mike is responsible for the creative direction and design of Vance Marketing Solutions' digital products. Prior to joining Vance, Mike spent three years an Associate Art Director at Flair Communications, a promotional marketing ad agency in Chicago, where he worked on national accounts like Corona, Jolly Rancher and Orville Redenbacher. Mike is a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago and is currently studying Interactive Media at DePaul University. |
Lauren Heist – Project/Digital Content Manager
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Lauren is responsible for digital strategy for the Wood Interiors division. Lauren has experience in Web development, audience insight and analysis and content creation with nine years of experience in digital and print publishing. Prior to joining Vance, Lauren was a founding editor of Beep, an integrated Web site and magazine owned by The Daily Herald, a newspaper in suburban Chicago. Lauren has experience as an online producer and reporter at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fast Company Magazine and the Daily Local News in West Chester, PA. Lauren holds a Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelors of Arts in History from Tufts University. |
Melinda Ivey – Project Manager
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Melinda handles project management, content management and maintenance of Web sites and newsletters for agricultural-related Web sites, such as The Packer, Produce Merchandising, Citrus and Vegetable Magazine and The Grower magazine. Before joining Vance, Melinda spent 13 years working in business communications and technology for the banking, architecture/engineering and media industries as well as for a variety of ad agencies. Melinda earned a Bachelors of Science in Communications Management from Missouri State University. |
Michael Hoffman – Project Manager
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Michael's responsibilities include project management, content management and maintenance of agricultural-related websites and newsletters, such as Doane, AgriTalk, Doane Advisor and AgServ. Before joining Vance, Michael spent six years in the emerging digital technologies marketplace, including developing cutting edge digital properties for major companies in the healthcare field. Michael holds a Bachelors of Journalism with an emphasis in photography from the University of Missouri. |
Mike Ebner – Project Manager
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Mike's responsibilities include project management and maintenance for Vance's protein and agricultural related websites and e-newsletters. Mike has more than 20 years of experience designing and developing database-driven software applications for both desktop and web platforms. Prior to joining Vance, Mike has developed software for clients such as Sprint, Informix, Honeywell, Lee Jeans, Helzberg, Jantzen and the American Angus Association. Mike earned a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from Kansas University. |
King-Pui Leong – Multimedia Production Manager
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King Pui handles content management and maintenance of websites and e-newsletters for sites such as ModernSalon.com, SalonToday.com, and WoodworkingNetwork.com. He is responsible for the creation of multimedia content on those sites and is proficient in video and audio editing. Before joining Vance, King Pui edited podcasts at an NPR-affiliate radio station. King Pui earned a Bachelors of Science in Broadcast Media from the University of Central Missouri. |
David Wexler – eMedia Production Specialist
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David is responsible for content management and maintenance of websites and e-newsletters for Vance's agricultural- and protein-related websites. These products include Dairyherd.com, Drovers.com, Porkmag.com, BovineVetOnline.com, FoodSystemsInsider.com and AgProfessional.com. David has more than 10 years of experience in the digital publishing realm. Prior to joining Vance, he was an Associate Editor for The Sarasota Observer in Sarasota, Fla., and an editor for BizSpace Inc., a Kansas City, Mo.-based business-to-business publishing company. David holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri. |
Rebecca Ruhlman – Graphic Designer
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Rebecca is responsible for website and interactive ad design for Vance Marketing Solutions' digital products. Prior to joining Vance, Rebecca spent five years in design, publishing and community messaging; working with the Balonek political campaign, Toledo New Urbanist Society and Kent Regional Transportation Services. She also has been an editor and art director for numerous publications including, Prairie Margins, Mid-American Review, Luna Negra and Artemis magazines. Her work has been featured in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, on Vocalo.org and on CNN. Rebecca is a journalism graduate from Kent State University specializing in magazine publishing and management. |
Leon Sandler – Information Architect
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Leon is responsible for information technology and programming for clients of Vance Marketing Solutions. His expertise is in developing strategic, easy-to-use websites and content-management systems with strong functionality. Leon is a Certified Microsoft ASP.net Professional. Prior to joining Vance, Leon spent five years in the information technology industry. Leon has worked on several complex projects including an e-commerce site, a web-based legal practice management system and a global simulation learning website for an leading insurance company. He is an expert in cutting edge technologies including ASP .Net, Ajax, XML, Flash, Dreamweaver, PHP, SQL Server, JavaScript, CSS and DHMTL. Leon holds a Master of Science in Computing from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from Victoria University in Australia. |