Park&Co

Park Howell - President

When Park and his wife Michele started Park&Co in 1995, they began with one goal in mind: Run a profitable, socially conscious company. Park's focus has always been not to just create campaigns, but to build movements. He and the agency's sustainable marketing work have been recognized in many publications, including Stanford University's, "Social Innovation Review," Philip Kotler's college textbook, "Corporate Social Responsibility, Doing the Most Good for Your Company and Your Cause.

Park is a graduate of Washington State University, where today he combines his two degrees - communications and music - to craft compelling stories on behalf of the people, products, causes and organizations that have aspirations to create movements bigger than themselves. He shares his approach to responsible marketing on his personal blog, "A Brighter Shade of Green Marketing," at ParkHowell.com

To learn more about Park, visit I'll Raise you a Rabbit

Stan Yamamoto - Director of Client Services

Stan was once described as the Swiss Army Knife of account management due to his extensive, in-depth experience on a wide variety of businesses, industries, and clients.

He's worked on such major accounts as St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center, Osco Drugs, The Dial Corp, KFC, Motorola, the Flamingo Hilton and Bank of America. He's also worked with a variety of non-profit organizations and foundations, including Diamondbacks Charities, Phoenix Suns Charities, The Phoenix Zoo, and the Harvest for Humanity Foundation.

Prior to joining Park&Co, Stan managed the day-to-day operations of the 18-member staff at SRO Communications. Stan was responsible for overall supervision of the marketing and advertising campaigns for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phoenix Suns, America West Arena, and the Phoenix Open.

To learn more about Stan, visit Two Entree Stan

Luis Medina - Creative Director

Luis has been the chief creative mind at Park&Co since mid-2008. Prior to his work here, he was creative director and art director at a number of Phoenix advertising agencies, including SRO Marketing, Moses Anshell, and Off Madison Ave.

Luis's creative work has garnered many awards, including numerous Addys. His other client work includes the Phoenix Suns, Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Best Western, Peter Piper Pizza and PetSmart.

Luis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University.

To learn more about Luis, visit Does Juggling make you Popular?

Shawn Hardy - Senior Art Director

Shawn Hardy is an art director with an eclectic style and a passion for thoughtful, concept-driven work. Throughout his ten years in visual arts, Shawn has worked with award-winning, industry-leading agencies and for exceptional clients of local, national and global prominence. He has an extensive background in creating advertising, websites, microsites, games, applications and web video for clients like Mazda, Ford, Chrysler, Target, Boeing, Nivea and Dove Chocolate. Other clients of Shawn's include Nike, Mercedes Benz, Nicktoons, Nivea for Men, Metro Light Rail, Rio Tinto and YMCA.

Shawn's formal schooling as a creative began at Fordham University in New York City and finished at The Art Institute of Phoenix, where he completed his B.A. in graphic design.

To learn more about Shawn, visit Shawn Hardy Raced Sharks and Won

Casaundra Brown - Senior Account Executive

What Oprah is to daytime TV, Casaundra is to client branding. She’s developed and implemented brand image campaigns, social media, and media relations for such major brands as Paradise Bakery & Café, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Casino Arizona, Coca-Cola, Allstate Insurance, Verizon and ASU Athletics. She also previously served as marketing and communications director for the Downtown Tempe Partnership, overseeing all marketing and public relations programs aimed at attracting tourism and economic development to Downtown Tempe.

Casaundra is a Minnesota native and graduate of the University of Arizona. When she’s not traveling around the world, you can find her riding her horses, at the Apple store, or trying out the latest recipe featured on Epicurious.

To learn more about Casaundra, visit Gabbings of a Globetrotter

Chris LaRocque - Senior Copywriter

After graduating from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in Advertising and Miami Ad School with a portfolio full of crazy ideas, Chris set out on a cross-country journey to hone his craft.

Stops included small, local shops such as Push in Orlando and O'Brien Advertising in Denver, and international big boys, such as DDB in New York and Crispin Porter + Bogusky in Boulder. Chris spent his time at these agencies working on accounts like Banner Health, Burger King, Domino's, Best Buy, EA Sports, Bolthouse Farms, and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Along with being recognized by some of the industry's top award shows, including the ADDYs, CLIOs, and One Show.

To learn more about Chris, visit I Fear a Certain Shrubbery

Tarah Eland - Production Manager

Tarah brings energy and expertise to her position of production manager. She manages the creative shop at Park&Co, keeping schedules, costs and resources on track to ensure the quality, affordability and timeliness of all Park&Co projects. Details are Tarah's specialty. She's the first one with questions and the last one to approve work before it goes out.

Prior to joining Park&Co in 2008, Tarah held positions in the design, photography and merchandising industries, gaining a range of experience in artistry, creative services and account management. Tarah graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University. Her passion for fine art also led her to study abroad at Dante Alighieri and Penland School of Art in North Carolina.

To learn more about Tarah, visit Troubbubble

Leslie Quinn - Controller

Leslie joined Park&Co recently in an effort to put her budgeting/forecasting expertise to use in a more "stimulating" environment. With 20-plus years as an accountant in various creative industries ranging from fashion design to architecture, she's thrilled to be finally practicing accounting for an advertising agency. She claims she's always had a latent desire to be writer and has a genuine interest in the ability of creative marketing to influence and motivate people.

Leslie possesses a degree in accounting and quantitative business analysis from Arizona State University. Originally from Chicago but now practically a Phoenix native, she currently serves as treasurer of the Scottsdale Ballet Foundation, a nonprofit organization she's assisted in raising social consciousness for the performing arts.

To learn more about Leslie, visit Hash Marks on a Cocktail Napkin

Holly Lim - Account Coordinator

As a graduate from Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Psychology, Holly knew early on that she wanted to work in advertising. The process of completing her comprehensive honors thesis, “The Evolution and Reinvention of Traditional Advertising Techniques,” only heightened her interest.

Holly has worked with clients in a variety of technical industries, including the medical division of W. L. Gore & Associates, Hamilton CapTel, General Dynamics and Marine Spill Response Corporation. She now brings her background in account management and her social media expertise to the clients and campaigns of Park&Co.

Learn more about Holly by visiting Unintentional Knowledge Gatherer

Kathleen Orazio - Client Services/Project Manager

With over 16 years of experience in the field of advertising and design, Kathleen brings a strong background in web project management and client services to the Park&Co team. Kathleen's strong organizational and communications skills have proven to be indispensable in successfully managing client projects.

Kathleen relocated to Phoenix in 2002 from Seattle, WA. Accounts she worked on in Seattle include the Paul Allen Charitable Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Microsoft. She's a graduate of Western Washington University in Bellingham and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.

To learn more about Kathleem, visit Will Speak Chinese for Food

Patty O'Toole - Media Director

Patty is one of the most highly skilled media planners in the region. After graduating from the City College of New York, she began her advertising career in media research and planning in New York City. Since escaping to Arizona, Patty has worked on a variety of local, regional and national accounts spanning retail, travel, financial and health care. She currently lends her expertise to accounts including Goodwill of Central Arizona, Metro Light Rail and Water-Use It Wisely.

Patty joined Park&Co in 2002 as media director and offers a wealth of experience with print, broadcast and online media. She has served on several local non-profit boards and is currently working with the Phoenix Girls Chorus.

To learn more about Patty, visit What's the Media Frequency?

Bethany Smith - Account Coordinator

While her friends were finishing their undergraduate degrees, and their beer, Bethany was busy working for a well-established advertising agency. Her experience with client services proved to be an excellent match for her detail-oriented and focused nature while allowing her quirky and creative side to happily coexist.

Fueled by a clear calling into the world of advertising, Bethany relocated to Phoenix from Virginia in 2008. She completed her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. During her senior year, Bethany interned with Park&Co as a capstone course experience. Her internship afforded her valuable, hands-on experience with clients such as Social Venture Partners Arizona and Goodwill of Central Arizona.

Bethany is an active mentor with MentorKidsUSA and loves a good pizza pie.

To learn more about Bethany, visit epizzacurean

Christopher Sample - Web Designer

Christopher treats his design & web work as he would a classic, '55, sea foam green Chevy Bel Air, polishing every detail to a glossy shine. His websites are the gorgeous online garages where that work is displayed and driven. At Park&Co, Christopher applies his expertise to fine-tuning websites for ultimate cross-browser and search engine performance.

Christopher prides himself on flawless web executions and a true understanding of user interaction and information architecture. His desk sports several sharpies, a brass elk, a couple of empty Starbucks cups and a BA in graphic design.

Christopher has a dog named Betty Page and turns the color off on his television.

To learn more about Christopher, visit I am Vintagious

Mary Modney - Social Media/ PR Specialist

Mary is working to expand the social media department for the agency and develop social media plans for such clients as Global Water and METRO light rail. Mary also works closely with METRO light rail's communications department, assisting with public relations, event planning and, of course, social media.

Mary's background lies in journalism and public relations. Her media experience began in the traditional—newspapers, radio and magazines—and as media transitioned to social, so did she. Much of her social media experience comes from the startup technology arena, where she has helped launch four web-based product offerings. Examples include executing PR strategy for communication platform GreenNurture at the DEMO conference—the launch platform for Google's mobile search and E*TRADE—and creating the social strategy for Fresh Start Women's Foundation's online learning programs.

Mary moved to Arizona to escape the cold winters of Upstate New York and graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU.

Mary has a love for the four-legged and good food. She volunteers with local animal rescue groups and considers herself a cookbook connoisseur.

To learn more about Mary, visit Finding Cookbook Clarity

Christen Calhoun - Senior Designer

Christen is driven by the desire to do work that not only impacts people, but also sets a precedence amongst her peers. To her, design is not a job, but a passion that lies within. Something that has been prevalent since she began doodling on anything she could get her hands on. As Henry David Thoreau once said, "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

After obtaining a BS in Graphic Design at Arizona State University, Christen has designed for companies large and small - from Fortune 500 corporations to local startups in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles with clients such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Wells Fargo, Banner Health, and Metro Light Rail.

To learn more about Christen, visit I was born with eagle eyes