jmc team
Our philosophy is to provide capabilities and corporate experience with the breadth and depth
of a major agency, along with the personal service of a small organization. To that end, we have
assembled a core team that is supplemented with specialists in a variety of disciplines.
John Mallen - President and CEO
John has extensive experience in journalism, public affairs and public relations. He served for
nine years as Associate Director of the Business Financial News Department of Carl Byoir &
Associates, Inc., where he established the company's Far East Division, providing support to
clients in Japan, China and other parts of the world. After Carl Byoir's merger with Hill and
Knowlton, John served as Senior Vice President, managing regional, national and international
accounts, including AlliedSignal Inc., Eastman Kodak, Engelhard Corporation, Glaxo PLC, Honeywell,
Steelcase, Metropolitan Life Insurance and Northwestern Mutual Life.
Previously, John was Associate Director of Information for the Committee for Economic Development,
a group of Fortune 200 CEOs and university presidents; a technical editor for The Regional Plan
Association in New York; a staff editor of the Manpower Development Research Corporation and a staff
reporter for the Providence Journal-Bulletin newspaper in Rhode Island. John is a graduate of
Providence College and holds a MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
Passionate about the art and science of communications, John is a member of the International
Association of Business Communicators, the Counselor's Academy for the Public Relations Society of America,
the Council of Public Relations Firms and Public Relations Global Network. John also serves as a board member
for the Safe America Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County.
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Sylvia Murphy - Vice President and General Manager
Sylvia brings over 17 years of business management experience to her position as Vice President, General Manager. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations, financial and staff management, and strategic business planning. She also helps to drive the agency’s growth through recruitment, collaborative partnerships and business acquisition management.
Before joining JMC, Sylvia held operations positions with Prudential Insurance in Horsham, PA, and Model Optics in Woodstock, NY. She heads the steering committee of The Northern Hudson Valley Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC), and is on the boards of Gateway Industries Foundation and Trailsweepers Snow & Sports Club. She is an active member of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce and graduate of its Ulster Leadership Development Institute.
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client services
John McGowan - Director of Materials Segment Communications
John has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing for international clients.
He has developed new product applications and business-development strategies in the automotive,
textile, nonwoven and filtration industries. He served as President, Director and Group Manager
of the Americas for The Woolmark Company, owner of one of the world’s best-known brands.
He was also Division Manager for The James Thompson Company, a 140-year-old manufacturer of narrow
fabrics, twine and sewing thread. John holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Central
Michigan University and an MBA in Marketing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
He is an active member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the American Filtration
and Separations Society (AFS) and the American Association of Textile Colorists and Chemists (AATCC).
With special attention to the channel and technical issues, John and the materials team
develop programs that communicate clearly to support brand awareness and drive sales.
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Edward Bergstrasser – Thought Leader
Ed is a communications strategist and writer with more than 20 years of experience in creative program development, with strong emphasis on media-driven project leadership, editing and public affairs. His primary expertise incorporates media relations and marketing and issues communications, both domestic and international.
Ed has also worked with McGraw-Hill, AOL, AARP, Concert (joint venture between AT&T and British Telecom), Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Gateway, Compaq, Geodesic Systems (telecom software), Sorrento Networks (optical networking), Teleution (telecom systems), Moving Station (executive e-relocations), JET-A.com (jet fuel e-distribution), Summit Industries and Actenra (communications systems testing.)
He has a degree in political science from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota.
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Sonia Persichilli - Account Supervisor
Sonia joined JMC in 2001, with a diverse background in event planning, marketing and sales coordination.
As Account Supervisor, Sonia utilizes her ten years of experience to deliver marketing and communications
services to various JMC clients and business prospects. Employing her strengths in project, production and
time management, Sonia specializes in the execution of national and international trade show/event programs
and the development and execution of global change communications campaigns. She also provides a full range
of services such as advertising, promotions, internet communications, direct marketing and collateral
development. Prior to JMC, Sonia worked for MIM Corporation, The Dannon Company and Aenta U.S. Healthcare.
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editorial & media services
Sandy Frinton - Director of Media Relations
Sandy joined JMC in 1998 with eight years of experience as a journalist and editor. Her previous positions
include business reporter at the Times Herald Record (a Middletown, NY-based daily newspaper owned by Dow Jones),
editor at Fairchild Publications' HFN, a leading home furnishings trade publication and business reporter
for the Daily Freeman of Kingston, NY. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of
Buffalo with a certificate in public relations and advertising.
Sandy provides a full range of media services, including writing, editing and placing press releases,
feature stories, by-lined articles and sponsored columns. In addition, she regularly works on Web site
copy development and press kit materials.
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Gretchen Reed - Director of Editorial Services
Gretchen brings over 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing to her position as Director of
Editorial Services. Prior to joining JMC, she was a research director at Euro RSCG, a leading international advertising
agency, where she worked with a diverse group of clients including Intel, MCI, Volvo, Nestle and Schering Plough.
As account manager on the Ramada and Parker Pen accounts, she was responsible for the initiation and execution
of all marketing, creative, media and strategic planning projects for the brands.
The author of several books and articles on advertising and marketing, Gretchen received a MLS from Rutgers
University. She is involved in a number of Hudson Valley civic organizations and serves as president of the
D&H Canal Historical Society & Museum in High Falls.
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operations
Roxie Newberry - Administrative Assistant
Roxie received her BA in English and Secondary Education Professional Certification at the University of
Hawaii, and completed her Master's work in Dance and Dance Education at New York University. Roxie works
with the JMC team, providing support in all areas.
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creative services
Laurie Heaven - Creative and Copy Director
Laurie joined the JMC team in 1999, bringing more than 20 years of experience in B-to-B copy and creative
development. She has experience across a broad range of disciplines, including advertising, direct marketing,
collateral, public relations, promotions, broadcast and electronic media. She holds a bachelor's degree in
psychology from the University of California and has worked for agencies on both the West and East coasts.
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Pamela Zarella - Art Director
Pam brings a depth of creative expertise developed by working with such clients as Revlon, IBM, General
Foods, British Telecom, Nokia and Nabisco. A former Manhattan-based art director/designer, Pam produced
consumer and B-to-B advertising, promotion, direct marketing and Web site design for a number of agencies
including Alcone Marketing, Kenyon & Ekhardt and Bozell Worldwide.
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Lisa Longto - Production Manager
Lisa has over 25 years of experience in all phases of production, including print advertising, direct
marketing, trade show programs and collateral. A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, she brings solid vendor
relationships to the JMC team. Her strengths include production and fabrication of complex dimensional
items and expertise in electronic retouching. She has produced domestic and worldwide campaigns for
dozens of national and international companies.
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market response
Renee Kristol - Director of Research
Renee has over 20 years of experience in domestic and international market research and strategic planning,
working with leading companies such as Colgate-Palmolive, Playtex and Pfizer. Renee's advertising agency
experience includes research roles at Kenyon & Eckhardt and Carl Ally Advertising. She is a graduate of
Fairleigh Dickenson University.
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