The Team

Caitlynn Jones

Jr. Graphic Designer

Caitlynn is a skilled designer with a specialty in 3-D modeling. She has a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Marshall University.

Lauren Barker

Account Project Specialist

At Digital Relativity, Lauren is responsible for account management and strategic planning. She has over 10 years of professional experience in advertising, marketing, and public relations, including 4 years of experience with print production design and agency coordination. Lauren has developed, implemented and managed a variety of large-scale advertising campaigns, with a focus on public health and non-profit organizations. Her work has taken her to the mountains of Montana and West Virginia, to the music city of Nashville, TN and to the happiest place on Earth, Walt Disney World. She has a B.A. in Communications Studies from Marshall University.

Kelli Steele

Account Executive

Kelli is responsible for account management and strategic planning for Digital Relativity partners. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing, advertising, event management, and graphic design. Kelli has worked in a variety of industries including tourism, healthcare, nonprofit, and beauty. A West Virginia native, she earned her B.A. and in journalism and M. A. in counseling from Marshall University.

Lila Thomas

Ad Ops and Outdoor Account Specialist

Lila is a sales and marketing professional with over fifteen years of experience in the outdoor industry. After receiving an M.A. in Journalism and Communications from the University of Oregon she served as a Dealer Service Rep, Sales Rep, Sales Manager, and Retail Marketing Manager for several of the most prominent outdoor brands in the industry. In her most recent role as Online Key Account Manager at Confluence Outdoor, she drove online sales and marketing strategies for Amazon and other top e-commerce players. At Digital Relativity, Lila helps manage partnerships with outdoor partners and develops and executes digital and e-commerce strategies.

Emily Akers

Content Coordinator

At Digital Relativity, Emily is responsible for social media and content coordination. She has a background in public relations writing, content creation and experience in the tourism industry. Emily has a B.A. in public relations from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Alyssa Dreihaup

Media Coordinator

Alyssa is responsible for developing and managing media buys, coordination of digital campaigns, tracking placements, and reporting. She has been a radio DJ and News Director and has managed promotions for stations. Alyssa has a B.A. in journalism and mass communications (broadcast specialization) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Abbey Reifsnyder

Creative Director

Abbey understands client needs and has been producing award-winning advertising campaigns for over 14 years. She started her career in retail advertising prior to moving to West Virginia and has worked with clients both large and small including The Hartford Financial Services Group, the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation, to name a few. Her unique skill set paired with an understanding of the big picture means advertising campaigns are executed seamlessly under her direction. She has a B.F.A. from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

Meghann Ferguson

Account Executive

Meghann is responsible for account management and strategic planning for Digital Relativity partners. She has a background in marketing, public relations, event management, business development and community outreach. Meghann has worked in a variety of industries including campus ministry, nonprofit consulting, small business management and legal marketing. A Charleston native, she earned her B.A. and M.A. in journalism from Marshall University.

Kadin Tooley

Multimedia Intern

Kadin Tooley has been working in both filmmaking and fine-art photography for 6 years. During his time as a filmmaker at Marshall University, he focused on commercial and narrative filmmaking. Since then, he has produced or photographed multiple award-winning short films, as well as two feature films. At Digital Relativity, Kadin handles both on-location and remote video production, as well as motion graphics.

Elizabeth Pabst

Sr. Graphic Designer

Elizabeth has a background in publication, layout and ad design, the latter of which has earned her various West Virginia Press Association awards. She is an experienced designer for a variety of mediums. She has a B.S. in graphic design from West Liberty University.

Jim Strader

Business Strategist

Jim is responsible for business and financial affairs at Digital Relativity. He also facilitates strategic planning for partner organizations and businesses. He is a seasoned executive, serving as the general manager of Simonton Windows’ Vacaville, CA plant from 1996 – 2000 and as the organization’s Vice President of Organizational Development from 2000 – 2007.

Sarah Powell

Chief Operating Officer

Sarah has over 15 years of professional experience working in marketing, sales, and project management roles, including the creation of marketing plans and brand development. Work experience has taken her from the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL, to Wake Forest University and the Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem, NC, and finally back home to West Virginia and Digital Relativity. She has a B.S. in business administration (marketing emphasis) from West Virginia University and a master of business administration from Wake Forest University.

Ashton Harvey

Marketing and Content Strategist

At Digital Relativity, Ashton is responsible for crafting marketing and content strategy for a variety of partners. She has experience in the financial services industry, studied destination marketing in the UK, and was an intern at the Walt Disney World Resort. She has a B.S. in marketing from Clemson University.

Aaron Gooden

Web Developer

Aaron has a wide range of skills and experience that he gained over 20 years of service in the nonprofit world. As a web developer at Digital Relativity, he focuses on back-end development — helping to make sure that everything is working “under the hood.” A West Virginia native, Aaron holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion from Ohio Northern University and two master’s degrees in Christian education and divinity.

Pat Strader

Founder & CEO

Pat has 23 years of professional experience in marketing, sales and advertising, working with companies to develop branding campaigns and media, organic search, paid search and social media strategies. He has a B.A. in sociology from West Virginia University. Pat has been invited to speak by numerous trade and marketing associations including PubCon Las Vegas, PubCon Austin, America Outdoors, La Fleur’s Lottery World Austin, the West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Asheville Brewers Alliance, the West Virginia Fairs & Festivals Association and the National Apple Processors Association.

Justin Ferrell

Technical Director

Justin manages Digital Relativity’s development team, coordinating website projects between the development and creative teams, ensuring that website designs meet client expectations and industry standards. He is an experienced backend developer, specializing in responsive web development. He got his start in mobile development almost 10 years ago, shortly after the launch of the App Store. Justin has been invited to present about technology at the West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism as well as regional trainings and workshops throughout West Virginia and Ohio.

Matt Sanchez

Director of Digital Design

Matt is an experienced and award-winning multimedia producer and art director who got his start in video production and animation. At Digital Relativity, he helps lead the creative team in the digital space, overseeing digital ads, UX/UI design, and collaborating with the web development team on visual aspects. Matt has a B.F.A. in Art and Design (with an emphasis in Electronic Media) and a Minor in Art History from West Virginia University.

Ben Amend

Multimedia Producer

Ben is a multi-disciplined artist with over 7 years of experience helping companies and designers create visuals that fit their brand’s needs. At Digital Relativity, he is responsible for video, photography, animation and on-location directing, producing and cinematography. He is an awarded gallery artist and published wedding photographer. He has a B.F.A in intermedia from West Virginia University.

Anna Ward

Web Developer

As a front-end web developer, Anna works to ensure that user interfaces and website content look as great as they perform, and vice versa. She is a West Virginia native with a background in English education from Marshall University and a BS in web and mobile programming from Liberty University.

Jonathan Danz

Director of Ad Ops and Analytics

Jonathan has over ten years of experience in digital marketing including SEM, analysis and reporting, content production, planning and strategy, and account management. At Digital Relativity, he helps to manage the input, targeting, optimization and performance analysis of digital ads. Jonathan has a B.S. in Journalism from Syracuse University and and M.A. in Archaeology from Washington State University.

Katie Washington

Sr. Account Executive

Katie is responsible for account management, strategic planning and content creation for Digital Relativity partners. She has a background in marketing, public relations and content management. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Bonaventure University. Her work has been recognized numerous times by the American Society of Business Publication Editors.

Kristin Steele

Account Executive

Kristin is responsible for account management and strategic planning for our partners. She has a background in marketing, journalism, and creative writing. Over the past 15 years, Kristin has worked in various industries, including publishing, talent management, and higher education as a visiting assistant professor of English. Kristin received her M.F.A. in creative nonfiction from The New School in 2014, as well as an M.A. in english and B.A. in journalism, both from Marshall University.

Josh Adams

Senior Graphic Designer

Josh is an experienced graphic designer, specializing in illustration, digital design and various printing techniques. He received his B.F.A. in advertising and graphic design from The Columbus College of Art and Design. His work has garnered numerous American Advertising Federation WV Addy awards, the Scholastic Art and Writing Award, and he was a SkillsUSA Gold Medalist.

Cheryl Walker

Director of Account Services

Cheryl is a communications professional with over 28 years of experience.  She started her career as a production assistant, assignment editor and reporter in local television. She honed her marketing skills at non-profit organizations, in telecommunications and higher education. Cheryl has worked with partners in the healthcare, gaming, tourism, non-profit, and retail industries, to name a few. Cheryl has a B.S. in communications from West Virginia State University and a M.A. in communication studies from West Virginia University. 

Carrie Nesselrode

Director of DR Accelerator

Carrie has more than 26 years of experience in marketing. She is responsible for account management, strategic planning, event management, and brand identities for Digital Relativity partners. She has worked for several Fortune 500 companies including GE Plastics and Fortune Brands in the home and hardware division. Carrie is a graduate of the Marshall University Page Pitt School of Journalism.

Eric Fizer

Ad Ops and Analytics Coordinator

As an Ad Operations and Analytics Manager at Digital Relativity, Eric helps oversee the input, targeting, optimization and performance analysis of digital ads. Born and raised in Morgantown, he holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University.

Dawn Nolan

Content Creator

At Digital Relativity, Dawn is responsible for the writing and editing of all forms of content. She has a background in communications, public relations and print journalism, including 10 years of experience as a features writer. Her work has appeared in a number of local, regional and national publications. A Huntington native, Dawn has bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from Marshall University.

Seth Burdette

Production Manager

Seth has a background in natural resource development and most recently worked for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. At Digital Relativity, he is responsible for project and production management. He has a B.S. in forest resource management from West Virginia University and a MBA from Seton Hill University with a specialization in entrepreneurship.

Kaleigh Smith

Jr. Graphic Designer

Kaleigh is a skilled designer with a specialty in layout and publication design. While interning at Base Camp Printing in Charleston, she learned the entire letterpress printing process. Kaleigh has a B.A. in visual communication design with a minor in studio art from Cedarville University.