We’ve found the “you” in teamwork.

Our fearless leaders have a way of making things like that possible.

  • Mike Burns
    President/Chief Executive Officer
  • Since opening the Burns Marketing doors in 1972, Mike has repeatedly proven himself as one of the leading marketing minds in Colorado. During this time, he has grown the agency he founded into one of the largest full-service marketing firms in Colorado. His expertise with the power of persuasion has helped Epsilon Sigma Alpha raise more than $132 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, assisted numerous political initiatives to gain public approval, and generally advanced the effectiveness of advertising throughout the region. Mike is involved in nearly every aspect of positioning, messaging, and marketing for each of our accounts. He specializes in creating convincing messaging, effective strategies, and highly successful public relations campaigns. Beyond his visionary marketing duties for the agency, he’s also deeply involved in the northern Colorado community. Mike is a former chair of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce board, Mountain States Better Business Bureau, and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation.
  • Doug Mills
    Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
  • A Burns Marketing veteran, Doug oversees budgeting, accounting, human resources, and finance. Since leaving Peat Marwick in 1990 – an accounting powerhouse that has since become a part of KPMG – Doug has played a key role in Burns Marketing’s success. Aside from keeping everything running like clockwork, he assists clients with business planning and management, database management, and information systems. In addition, he is active in many charitable activities, devoting time and expertise to a number of nonprofits. A member of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, Doug holds a degree in accounting from the University of Northern Colorado.
  • Laurie Steele
    Vice President – Client Services Director
  • A fixture in the northern Colorado business community since the early 1980s, Laurie is the real deal when it comes to making sure that clients succeed. She joined Burns Marketing in 1987 and has been instrumental in managing all aspects of campaigns, technology conferences, road shows, and events. Laurie contributes her marketing expertise to leading technology companies like HP, Arrow Electronics, Cognizant, itSMF USA, Logitech, Intel, and NVIDIA. She is a former elected official for the Health District of Northern Larimer County, and currently sits on the founding board of University of Colorado Health system. She previously served on the boards of Poudre Valley Health System and Medical Center of the Rockies. She has served on many other charitable committees and boards including the Mountain States BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, United Way, Poudre School District, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, and Partners of Larimer County. Laurie holds a B.S. in business administration from Colorado State University.
  • Travis Barhaug
    Creative Director

  • Whether they’re launching new products or looking to ensure internal success, clients around the world know that Travis can add the business-focused creative brilliance to make things work. His colorful marketing career has included work for Fortune 500 clients like HP, Intel, and Agilent Technologies and other stand-out companies such as Vail Resorts, SolidFire, WebCollage, and Comverge. His successful work has received acclaim throughout the region, and provided clients with significant returns on their marketing investments. A board member for Foothills Gateway, Travis received his B.A. from Colorado State University.

  • Robert Bean
    Interactive Media Director

  • Rob is one of those rare technologists who’s able to look at online projects from a business perspective, and he’s got a wide list of satisfied clients to prove it. He’s been an interactive guru since the infancy of the web, and has provided significant returns on interactive investments for Comverge, WebCollage, Nurse-Family Partnership, PCS Wireless, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurants, Vail Resorts, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Hach, and itSMF USA. A master of using interactive applications in powerfully innovative ways, Rob is always focused on advancing business goals and achieving results while creating the optimum user experience. He is the social media team leader, and specializes in using online media to facilitate efficiency and help brands stand out from the competition. Rob earned his B.A. from Colorado State University.

  • Tracy Earles
    Digital Marketing Director

  • Tracy helps clients market themselves online. With nearly 20 years of technical marketing experience, Tracy leads Burns Digital, ensuring that our clients’ interactive assets perform as productive lead-generation or revenue-producing engines. By combining traditional branding and promotion with advanced online techniques and tools such as pay-per-click and retargeting campaigns, web analytics, and conversion optimization, he maximizes revenue growth and helps clients align their marketing and sales efforts. Tracy has a master’s degree in business administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College and a master of science degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University.

  • Adrian Hanft
    Interactive Designer/Developer

  • Adrian is our hybrid designer/developer, just as comfortable designing a website as he is writing the code that makes it click. He is also our resident WordPress expert and iPhone app developer. Prior to joining Burns Marketing, he worked with organizations such as Jayco, Focus on the Family, and Group Publishing. Adrian specializes in helping our clients HP, Plugless Power, PCS Wireless, and Baxa create engaging interactive experiences through social media, mobile apps, and websites. He has a B.F.A. in graphic design from Concordia University in Nebraska.

  • Amanda Bodak
    Account Strategy Director
  • Amanda possesses exceptional digital project management skills as well as account strategy with a strong sales focus. She joined the Burns Marketing team in 2010 after having spent 13 years in B2B sales and marketing posts with technology giants like Iomega and Exabyte. Amanda has led international product development teams, including engineering, manufacturing, finance, channel sales, and channel marketing components. She is experienced with CRM database implementations and systems integration project management and currently supplies or has supplied strategy and/or account management for clients such as OpTerra Energy, Woodward, Syncroness, Merrick, Zila, Baxa, SAFEbuilt, and StarTek.
  • Amy Stinar
    Account Coordinator

  • An attentive account specialist with years of experience, Amy has a proven track record with coordinating event logistics, allocating marketing budgets, and implementing online marketing tactics that include social networking, lead generation, and Internet marketing. Datalink, Hewlett-Packard, SAFEbuilt, and Roundup River Ranch are several of the Burns Marketing accounts that she manages. Stinar has a master’s degree in sports administration and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

  • Cadie Berrian
    Account Executive

  • Cadie joined Burns Marketing in 2010, leveraging 12 years of sales and customer service experience at email marketing giant Constant Contact and Colorado-based biotech firm Heska. In those roles, she was involved in new product launches, consulted with businesses on email marketing and social media strategies, implemented new CRM solutions, and developed a passion for social media. At Burns Marketing, Cadie helps dial in our business development and social media initiatives, and serves clients such as HP and Poudre Valley Health System. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

  • Dawna Susa
    Account Executive/Production Manager
  • Since 2000, Dawna has been providing strategic planning services and managing marketing campaigns and promotions, ensuring the projects run smoothly and are completed on time and within budget. In addition to her role as an account executive, Dawna oversees the agency’s proposal process and manages procurement. Her work has included developing integrated marketing campaigns for Graebel, corporate America’s relocation provider, and monitoring brand execution for start-up companies like Microphage and established firms like Advanced Energy. She received her B.S. in environmental health and her M.B.A. from Colorado State University.
  • Dillon McElwaine
    Account Executive/Traffic Manager

  • Dillon has focused his efforts on marketing since 2003, specializing in technical and interactive accounts. He uses his marketing expertise and technical know-how to coordinate marketing promotions, tradeshows, special events, and interactive campaigns for clients such as Datalink, HP, EMC, Lenovo, and Circadence. In addition, he manages our ever-changing traffic schedule. Dillon has a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in computer information systems from Colorado State University.

  • Dion Dolva
    Producer/Editor, Photo and Video

  • Dion is the mastermind who has been transforming raw video footage into sophisticated, effective marketing campaigns. His career in video production began in 2003 and has given him the opportunity to work on projects within the commercial construction, healthcare, nonprofit, and tourism industries – and with Burns Marketing clients such as HP, Comverge, Woodward, and Roundup River Ranch. A trained hand with most types of cameras, Dion has a B.A. in graphic communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

  • Eric Weber
    Life Sciences Business Development Director and Subject Area Specialist

  • Eric drives our involvement in the bioscience industry, helping to represent our services to clients and assisting our team with understanding the science, language, and nuances of the life sciences industry. Following the completion of his post-doctoral research, Eric was involved in diagnostic assay development and responsible for overseeing gene discovery at a veterinary biotechnology company in Fort Collins. He is currently involved in developing a single-injection permanent sterilization solution for the veterinary market. Active in the biotechnology industry, he is a member of the Colorado Bioscience Association and the Northern Colorado Bioscience Initiative. Eric received his undergraduate education at UCLA, his M.S. in virology from the University of Utah, and his Ph.D. in cell biology and biochemistry from the University of Arizona.

  • Erica McCary
    Graphic Designer

  • A Michigan transplant, Erica relocated and found her new work home at Burns Marketing in late 2011. She enjoys creating intriguing graphics that tell stories, assisting a varied roster of clients that includes HP, Ascent Sotheby’s International Realty, and Roundup River Ranch. Erica received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Kendall College of Art & Design, and her work has garnered recognition from the ADDY Awards and the Creative Smackdown.

  • Greg Knoll
    Digital Experience Director

  • Greg brings more than 15 years of experience in interactive marketing, web development, and user-focused design to his role at Burns Marketing. In the past, he has been the design lead on projects for Mercedes-Benz, worked as an art director in the music industry, and has won numerous national awards for corporate identity and package design. Currently, Greg works with a variety of clients including Vail Resorts, HP, and Advanced Energy. Greg has a B.F.A. in communication design from Kansas City Art Institute.

  • Jennifer Hohn
    Art Director

  • Pursuing excellence in the creative industry since the mid-1990s, Jen has worked both at large corporate agencies and boutique studios. Prior to joining Burns Marketing, she concepted and art directed dynamic marketing communications for companies such as Waterpik, Atrix Pharmaceuticals, and Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. She uses her skills in idea-driven design, corporate branding, and campaign strategy to develop cutting-edge programs for clients including Colorado Casualty, Plugless Power, and Baxa. An active member in Ad Club Denver and an avid thought leader, Jen has received international recognition and won numerous awards. She graduated from Iowa State University with a B.F.A. degree in graphic design.

  • Jessica Emmett
    Account Services Director

  • With extensive experience in advertising and marketing communications, Jessica develops innovative marketing strategies from start to finish, while making sure projects are completed on time and within budget. Her experience includes managing all aspects of numerous corporate rebrands, detailed campaign planning and execution, and overseeing projects for a wide range of accounts such as Vail Resorts, Comverge, Biodesix, SolidFire, HP, and Ascent Sotheby’s International Realty. She holds a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Colorado State University.

  • Jessie Burnside
    Copywriter

  • Since diving into the marketing and advertising industry back in 1994, Jessie has worked in agencies, corporate marketing, and in the nonprofit and media sectors. She joined the Burns Marketing team in 2010, where she assists clients such as HP, itSMF USA, Foundations Counseling, Roundup River Ranch, and Zila by delivering professional, attention-grabbing projects that get results. She has an M.S. in psychology from the University of Memphis and B.A. in communications from Spring Hill College.

  • Joellen Sarmast
    Senior Copywriter

  • With a B.S. degree in marketing from Colorado State University, Joellen has written creative copy for clients such as HP, Graebel, Baxa, Datalink, Comverge, and SAFEbuilt. Since joining Burns Marketing in 2006, she has specialized in providing companies and products with a unique voice to help them stand out in the marketplace. Joellen’s marketing experience in both the real estate and financial industries allows her to bring a strategic marketing focus to her writing, messaging development, and copyediting.

  • Johnny Hyde
    Account Development Director

  • Having worked in marketing agencies since 1993, Johnny came to Burns Marketing in 2004. He has served as the vice president of marketing and operations for a $30 million restaurant corporation. As an account development director, Johnny is responsible for leading our new business activity and growing the agency. He also provides strategic marketing counsel, brand strategy, and account services for a number of clients. Johnny has worked with local, regional, and national clients throughout his career including Vail Resorts, Life Technologies, adidas America, Nurse-Family Partnership, The Group Real Estate, and Triumph Development. He holds a B.A. in journalism advertising from the University of Nebraska, and is active in the Denver Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Business Marketing Association of Colorado.

  • Katie Matteo
    Graphic Designer

  • Before landing at Burns Marketing, Katie developed marketing collateral for high-end commercial properties. She is an active member of the Art Directors Club of Denver and a recent graduate of the Master of Management Practice program at Colorado State University, where she also earned her B.F.A. degree. Katie creates sophisticated and compelling marketing materials that deliver measurable results for HP, Vail Resorts, Graebel, Biodesix, and SolidFire.

  • Kile Lindgren
    Lead Interactive Developer

  • Kile has been working his behind-the-scenes magic at Burns Marketing since 2004, developing high-context websites for clients. He is fluent in many programming languages, including ColdFusion, PHP, ASP.NET, Java, ActionScript, and Javascript. Kile uses his B.S. degree in computer information systems from Colorado State University to employ the latest in technology and web development standards for clients such as NVIDIA, HP, and Comverge.

  • Michael Wailes
    Interactive Developer/Digital Intelligence Analyst

  • Michael works in the sparsely populated space where creativity and analytics meet. After a decade in print and radio news, he moved over to digital marketing software development and to Burns Marketing in 2009, where he builds mobile applications for Android operating systems and specializes in researching web analytics to give clients actionable insights on their marketing efforts. Michael has an associates of applied science degree in computer science from Aims Community College and expects to get his bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado State University in 2012.

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  • Patrick Hunt
    Senior Copywriter/Creative Brand Strategist

  • You know those people who can tell you which agency created that ad? That’s Patrick. He’s fascinated by the ongoing innovations of marketing and forever intrigued by the inventiveness of the English language. Writing and strategizing for a diverse array of brands – big ones, small ones, and all those in between – since the mid-1990s, Patrick specializes in making sure our creativity moves the needle, delivering big results for companies like HP, SolidFire, Institute of Technology, Ridekick, and Plugless Power. He joined Burns Marketing in 2002 after a stint at Bates Advertising in Irvine, California, and has led our branding and copywriting efforts ever since. Patrick is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, and a former board member of Fort Collins’ Ten Thousand Villages. He holds an M.A. in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University.

  • Robb Copp
    Interactive Project Manager
  • Robb brings nearly two decades of marketing, PR, and creative strategy experience to Burns Marketing. Through his positions with Kroll Factual Data and other marketing agencies, he has assisted national and international corporations with project management and strategic planning for branding, website development, and social media and interactive campaigns. His strong understanding of strategy, creative development, and technical functionality help him deliver data-driven strategies and efficient creative and technical implementations for our interactive clients including Vail Resorts, ProLogis, and Baxa. Robb has a B.A. in communications from the University of Wyoming.
  • Sheila Williams
    Administrative Assistant
  • Sheila is the mover and shaker that makes the office run: the organizational guru, friendly voice on the phone, and Jill of all trades who helps us keep all the projects moving forward, the staff happy and fed, and the office well-stocked for our next big adventure. Before joining Burns Marketing, she honed her skills assisting executives at HP and Poudre Valley Health System, where she supported the CEO and board of directors. Sheila also keeps our account details in order, assisting the CFO with account receivables and payables. She holds an associate of arts degree from Linn-Benton Community College.
  • Steve Jones
    System Administrator

  • As Systems Administrator, Steve keeps the Burns Marketing Communications office moving with his technical savvy and problem-solving skills. With a B.S. degree in computer science from Colorado State University, Steve specializes in network administration, IT and network security, and troubleshooting. His ample information systems experience and proactive approach to systems management ensure that client data remains secure and confidential. He is even known to assist the interactive team with website development from time to time – and as co-owner of the Pateros Creek Brewing Company, supplies the Fort Collins area with some tasty adult beverages.

  • Torrie Grewe
    Graphic Designer

  • With a B.F.A. degree in graphic design from Colorado State University, Torrie has been helping create meaningful brands and developing engaging marketing communications materials for more than a decade. She brings experience working with a variety of clients such as Microsoft, Home State Bank, The Giumarra Companies, and Waterpik. Her work produces real results, re-energizing companies and generating consumer response and preference. Burns Marketing’s clients such as Biodesix, Datalink, Advanced Energy, SAFEbuilt, and SolidFire benefit from Torrie’s creative expertise in brand research and identity through execution of collateral, including brochures, websites, signage and vehicle graphics, and packaging design in particular.