Graham Advertising -

kirk oleson, ceo : After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1989, with a MBA degree in Marketing, Kirk began working for Ford Motor Company. He came to Graham Advertising in 1998 as ClientServices Manager, heading up new business development and was quickly promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In 2006, he was named CEO.

When not swimming with sharks during his normal workday, Kirk has been known to swim with real sharks in the Carribean. As an avid golfer, Kirk has broken 70 on the golfcourse quite often. Then he tees up for #16.

sandy emmert, president : Having been with Graham Advertising since its inception, Sandy cut her teeth with some of the most demanding clients there are… car dealers! With their expectation of fast turnaround and immediate results, “proactive” instead of “reactive” became a way of life. Her background in Strategic thinking has helped many of Graham’s clients have a clearer vision in reaching their goals and growing their business.

Since her workday goes 100mph all day long, Sandy enjoys the slow lane when she gets the chance by listening to music and reading books.

rhonda maehara, executive vice-president : Combine a MBA in Marketing from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with creative and production experience working in television, radio and newspaper, and you get one tough media negotiator. Rhonda manages one of the leading buying departments in Colorado whose goal is to treat our client’s dollars as if it isour own by getting the most effective buys. In managing digital initiatives, Rhonda also works closely with our Art department and IT team to implement and initiate all digital projects.

When not working, you might find her hacking away on some golf course. But in the winter you might find her inventing some new culinary dish or on her computer doctoring some photos or videos.

bill leonard, creative director : Bill has spent his career in and out of automotive advertising.He has supervised the creative for Chevy dealer groups at Campbell-Ewald. Bill has also managed creative for Ford dealer associations across the country at J. Walter Thompson. At Graham, Bill is focusing on constantly improving the creative product on our automotive and non-automotive business alike.

Born and raised in Motown, Bill has cars in his blood… and advertising in his genes. You see, Bill’s dad and brother were both copywriters before him. Dad went on to write novels. Big brother owns an ad agency. I guess you could say Bill stayed in the family business.

jim weaver, account manager : With a history in such verticals as Healthcare, Automotive, Professional Sports and Retail advertising, both in the accountmanagement and creative sides of the business, Jim is definitely an ad professional capable of wearing many “hats” and doing them all exceptionally well. He holds a degree in Mass Communications /Advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University.

When his workday is over, Jim puts on the last hat of his day as husband and father of three. This keeps him very, very busy, and away from the golf course and ski slopes. You see, Jim likes to live on the edge, so we try our best to keep him occupied by solving customer needs, finding creative solutions, and with daily rochard tests.

steve west, senior account executive : As a graduate of Columbia College, Steve gained experience at J. Walter Thompson, Saatchi & Saatchi and Comcast Spotlight working on National, Regional and Local Retail accounts before joining Graham Advertising. Steve’s primary responsibility is leading and developing strategic marketing solutions forthe Northwest Toyota Dealer Association.

A self proclaimed adrenaline junkie, Steve can be found rafting some of the west’s wildest whitewater, summiting Colorado’s highest peaks in the summer and backcountry skiing steep untracked lines of powder in the winter. And yet he keeps coming back here for more adrenaline.

matt barrett, business manager : Matt became Business Manager of Graham Advertising, Windstar Studios and Media America in 2011 after working as director of the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center for five years. He moved to Colorado Springs from the great state of Iowa in 2006, and remains actively involved in the business community. His passion is helping people accomplish their goals. Matt graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Business-Psychology, and received his M.B.A. from Iowa State University.

Matt not only works with his mind, but with his hands, as a woodworker. He spends good quality time with his wife, sons and dogs. He’s also the guy you want to avoid on the ski slope.

jake rostollan, director of client services : A graduate of Northwood University, Jake gained experience at J. Walter Thompson, Metro Group International, Campbell-Ewald and his own agency (House Advertising); working on National, International, Local, Retail, and Business-to-Business accounts, before joining Graham Advertising. Jake’s responsibilities include expanding the agency’s client base, diversifying the industries Graham Advertising serves, streamlining agency processes and developing the agency team.

When he’s not spreading the gospel of Graham, Jake likes to hike in the Springs with his family, and somehow finds time to do some flatpicking, and hone his impressions of Hans and Franz, Bear Grylls, Jeff Daniels and Johnny Bravo (alone in front of the mirror).

automotive marketing