Imani Wright, President
Zoofari Parks
imani1129o@gmail.com
LinkedIn
A Florida native and art lover, Imani received a degree in Graphic Design from Pensacola State College. Right out of college she became a Marketing Coordinator at a local nonprofit. After spending some time at Signarama as a Graphic Designer, Imani transitioned to a Marketing Manager role at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.
With her passion for design, marketing , and her community. Imani hopes to use her skills to help clients grow their businesses across the Emerald Coast in new and creative ways. In her free time, Imani is always trying out new hobbies. That could mean learning aerial silks for one week then pottery making the next week.
Allison Ling, Vice President
GovCIO
allison@allisonling.com
LinkedIn
Allison Ling is a graphic designer with in-house experience in digital and print design - including presentations, email marketing, digital campaigns, training material, event design, promotional items, and more. She’s also highly skilled in photography and social media.
In 2020, Allison graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Graphic Design. She currently serves as the Communications Director for AAF District 4, and has previously served as a judge for the 2023 District 7 National Student Advertising Competition. She is also a 2-time ADDY award winner.
Currently, Allison works on the corporate marketing team as a Creative Marketing Specialist for GovCIO, a government IT contracting company based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Jodi Bell, Secretary
LOCALiQ
jbell2@localiq.com
LinkedIn
Jodi Bell is the vice president of advertising and marketing for LOCALiQ, the digital advertising agency for the USA Today Network. She is based in Pensacola and is responsible for the Panhandle region. In this role, Jodi leads a team that consults with businesses to build creative marketing plans that leverage digital and print advertising to help businesses grow and thrive. During her career, she has worked with hundreds of businesses in a wide variety of industries from national law firms and retailers to regional hospitals and car dealers to local builders and small mom-and-pop businesses. She loves brainstorming solutions and building ideas that make an impact and drive results.
She has a heart for her community specifically in the areas of education and mental health. She serves as board chair for ReadyKids! and the Gulf Breeze Chamber Foundation and sits on the executive board for Junior Achievement and Autism Pensacola. She has served as a Reading Pal for four-year-olds for six years and is currently a mentor in the UWF Executive Mentor Program and Take Stock in Children. She is also involved in statewide industry associations serving on the board of Florida Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives, Florida Press Foundation and as board chair for the Florida Press Intersect Media sales association.
Jodi earned her BA in Advertising and Journalism and a Masters in Human Resource Management from Troy University and her MBA from Columbus University.
Mike Craney
Pen Air Credit Union
mikecraney@cox.net
LinkedIn
Mike Craney is the Marketing Operations Manager for Pen Air Credit Union. With $2.9 Billion in assets, 11 branches (and growing), Pen Air serves the the Gulf Coast from Mobile, AL to Tallahassee, FL. An accomplished executive-level marketing professional with more than 30 years experience, Mike has a proven track record in strategic planning, budget management, operational leadership, program implementation, branding development, staff coaching, media planning, research and data analysis.
Over the course of his career, he has garnered numerous accolades, including over 300 American Advertising Federation ADDY Gold and 15 Best of Show awards as well as a national Travel+Leisure Smitty Award. Mike’s work is consistently recognized for his creative, innovative, enthusiastic and forward-thinking leadership in a team environment with a focus on achieving continuous, audience engagement and improved business performance.
Mike is a three-time AAF Pensacola President and is currently in his third term as treasurer. He has also previously served the AAF 4th District as Social Media Chair, Programs Chair, President's Council Chair and Membership Chair. He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and an MBA with an emphasis in Management Information Systems & Marketing, both from Auburn University.
Benjamin Van Der Like, Treasurer-Elect
Hellcat Hangar
benjamin@hellcathangar.com
LinkedIn
Bio Coming Soon…
Nicole Esquivel, Communications Director
Zoofari Parks
esquivelng@gmail.com
LinkedIn
In 2022, Nicole Esquivel graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at the University of West Florida. From there, she became deeply fascinated with solving visual design problems and capturing the essence of visual storytelling.
However, she wanted more. Through the word of fellow designers, she came across UX design. After giving it a try, she fell in love with the career. It combined everything she was looking for: her passion to create beautiful products while telling a story and empowering people. So, she decided to continue her education by enrolling in UX/UI Google courses and taking her graphic design knowledge to the next level while problem solving and helping people and technology become closer.
When she’s not designing, she is scrolling through corgi profiles on Instagram or playing with her very energetic corgi. She also spends some of her free time looking at travel destinations or listening to true crime documentaries.
Megan Celis, American Advertising Awards Gala Director
Lamar Advertising
megancelisdesign@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Bio Coming Soon…
Liz Dupaw, Programs Director
Hatchmark Studio
liz@hatchmarkstudio.com
LinkedIn
Hailing from the dairy farms of South Dakota, Liz joined Hatchmark Studio in 2019. Kicking off her career as a designer, she has risen to lead alongside Veronique as the agency’s associate creative director, leading brand design and strategy.
Her time in the publication and magazine industry fueled her passion for helping small businesses achieve their goals through branding and ongoing support. Liz is forever forward-thinking, assisting Veronique with HatchMark’s growth strategy and business development as the agency continues to reach new heights.
Catch her spending her free time geeking out on fashion and interior design or following her dream of becoming an SNL cast member.
Christine Deckert, Education Co-Director
idgroup
LinkedIn
Christine Deckert has worked with corporate, nonprofit, and governmental agencies to solve complex communications and marketing challenges throughout her career. An award-winning storyteller and former agency owner, Christine aligns business and creative objectives to produce strategies that elevate reputations in the marketplace. At idgroup, Christine uses her storytelling superpowers as a Communications Strategist and Dialogue Facilitator. As a From the Core® Consultant, she conducts and cultivates idgroup’s From the Core® research, a proven stakeholder engagement framework and process that clarifies the organization's intentions, energizes teams and activates action through identity-based corporate and brand strategy.
Hailing from the Washington, DC area, Christine earned a BA in Communication Studies and Media Arts in Design from James Madison University, and has shaped national, regional and local marketing and communications campaigns, specializing in video editing, animation and creative direction. In Pensacola, her leadership has contributed to the advancement of the local creative industry, serving as a founding member of Emerald Coast Filmmakers and a committee member for DesignXL. Christine is an energetic leader and avid storyteller. She believes her purpose is to unite communities through the stories they share. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Pensacola Class of 2022.
Mason Guttery, Education Co-Director
Escambia County Public Schools
mason@iharpoon.com
LinkedIn
Mason is a 32-year veteran in marketing having earned a BA in Advertising from the University of Alabama, followed by an MA in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. He has directed work for companies like Southern Living Magazine and J. Walter Thompson while designing for brands like Ford Motor Co., Kohler, and Home Depot.
He is a longtime Pensacola resident having first moved here in 1999. Not long after, he provided branding creative direction for Pensacola’s first and only Gulf Coast Technology Summit and Exposition. Since then, he has excelled in many genres of marketing across the Southeast including B2C, B2B, Healthcare, Real Estate, and Tourism to name a few.
Mason has served on the boards of AAF Pensacola, 1 Million Cups Pensacola and Pensacola Designers Group. He also organizes the Pensacola Small Business Alliance, a group of more than 1100 local small business owners and independent contractors. PSBA can found on LinkedIn, Facebook and NextDoor.
Michael Daw, Public Service Co-Director
3SIXTY Marketing
michaeldawdesign@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Michael Daw is an award-winning logo designer, illustrator, and cat dad from Pensacola, Florida. He specializes in creating ownable visual identity systems that tell the brand’s story.
Over the past ten years he has partnered with a diverse range of brands along the Gulf Coast to create timeless logos, illustrations, and design work. With Jackdaw Design Company, he hopes to help more brands level-up their visual identity systems.
Katy Boykin, Public Service Co-Director
Circle K Gulf Coast
katy.boykin@circlek.com
LinkedIn
Bio Coming Soon…
Joshua Henderson, Networking & Sponsorship Director
Cumulus Media
joshua.henderson@cumulus.com
LinkedIn
Joshua Henderson is an advertising professional with a focus on radio and digital marketing. With over 5 years of experience in the industry, he has developed a deep understanding of the power of targeted advertising and the importance of creating effective campaigns.
In his current role, he specializes in creating advertising strategies that leverage both traditional and digital platforms to reach the right audience at the right time. Whether it's crafting a compelling radio ad or developing a dynamic digital marketing campaign, he is passionate about finding innovative ways to connect with consumers and drive results for his clients.
Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships with clients across a range of industries, from small businesses to large corporations. He believes that communication is key to any successful partnership, and he prides himself on his ability to listen carefully to his clients' needs and work collaboratively to achieve their goals.
Nathan Dillaha, American Advertising Awards Gala Committee
Levin Rinke Realty
nathandillaha@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Nathan is a graphic designer from the Florida panhandle. He specializes in branding, layout, UX/UI, illustration & typography, and photography. He plays guitar in a band and enjoys riding motorcycles in his spare time.
Cameron Pearce, Networking & Sponsorship Committee
Cross Tier Creative
cameron@crosstiercreative.com
LinkedIn
With over 30 years of experience in the video industry, Cameron Pearce is a storytelling expert and an award-winning executive producer. He founded and leads Cross Tier Creative, a specialized content creator that delivers exceptional videos and designs for clients across various sectors and platforms.
Cameron and his team of creative alchemists combine video production, editing, compositing, motion graphics and animation to craft captivating narratives that inspire and enthuse audiences. He has worked with clients like HP, Comcast, Netflix, and the US Department of Homeland Security, producing branded content, promotional material, and a myriad of digital assets. His work has earned him recognition from Regional Emmys, Local Silver Addys, and Best Editing awards. Cameron's mission is to forge genuine emotional connections with viewers, and to ignite their brand stories with a touch of magic.
Mike Bates, Government Relations Director
mbates@gulf.net
LinkedIn
Mike Bates began his radio career in 1980 at age 14 while in high school in Virginia. When in college, he worked at a NPR station in Tennessee. Since 1989, he has worked at radio stations in Florida. He has been on the air in several formats including top 40, country, NPR, and news/talk, his favorite. He owned WEBY Radio from 2000 - 2018 and is now on the air at WPNN Radio in Pensacola.
He has covered numerous events at The White House plus visits to Northwest Florida by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. In March 2016, he was part of the Official White House Press Corps that accompanied President Obama on his historic trip to Havana, Cuba.
Bates has been active in the American Advertising Federation since 1989. He has chaired AAF-Pensacola's Government Relations Committee since 1998 and served as the Government Relations Chairman for the 4th District from 2017 - 2019. In that capacity, he represented the interests of Florida and the Caribbean in meetings with lawmakers in both Tallahassee and Washington. Bates is an AAF Silver Medalist and has won First Place nationally in Club Achievement for Government Relations three times (1998, 2002 & 2018).
In 2018, he was awarded 4AAF’s Governor's Cup Trophy at the American Advertising Awards in recognition of his outstanding volunteer service and dedication to the district.
He and his wife Kimberly reside in Pensacola.
Hannah Pennell, Past President
Naval Aviation Museum Foundation
hpennell@navalaviationmuseum.org
LinkedIn
Hannah grew up all over the world and now currently resides in Florida. When she’s not lounging at the beach, reading up a storm, or contemplating the meaning of life, she serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. She has a background in project management, marketing, and consulting.
She’s always been passionate about communicating complex ideas and important information in creative and succinct ways. She focused on museum communications in grad school with hope of using that passion to educate the next generation. She attained a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Alaska and received her graduate degree in Strategic Communication from Washington State University.