About Us
DVL is a full service public relations and advertising agency. Founded in 1980, we have grown to become one of the largest independent agencies in the Southeast. Our roots are in Nashville, but we help clients around the world communicate more effectively.
partners
John Van Mol
chief executive officer
John’s strengths are in overall strategic counseling, issues and crisis management, and media skills training. He serves clients ranging from the Tennessee Valley Industrial Committee to Prison Health Services. He has particular expertise in the health care and energy industries and served as director of information for the Tennessee Valley Authority. John was a public affairs officer for the Army in Vietnam and executive vice president of another Nashville public relations firm before helping establish DVL in 1980. He is chairman of the board of directors of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and serves on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., the Pencil Foundation and the Nashville Songwriters Foundation. He is a past chair of Goodwill and the Nashville Downtown Partnership and a past member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce executive committee. B.S. Journalism, University of Tennessee.
Tom Lawrence
partner, vice chairman
Tom’s principal areas of activity are corporate communications, financial communications and marketing communications. He serves clients such as CLARCOR, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women and J. Alexander’s Corporation. Tom has led creative teams in the design, writing and production of more than 150 annual reports and directed an agency team in a branding campaign for an international fraternity with more than 150,000 members. Tom is also active in local community organizations and is a former board member of Junior Achievement of Nashville and the Nashville-Davidson County chapter of the American National Red Cross. Tom is a past president of the Nashville City Club and Hillwood Country Club. B.A. Journalism, Florida Southern College.
Jerry Southwood
partner, chief financial officer
Jerry has responsibility for all financial areas of the agency, including management of the agency’s billing system and administration of the benefit and retirement programs. Jerry also lends his knowledge in support of many client activities. Jerry, who was captain of the 1967 Vanderbilt University basketball team, was previously in the oil and gas business. He has been president of the Nashville Vanderbilt Club and the Vanderbilt Rebounders and serves on the board of directors of Martha O’Bryan Center, as an Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church and on the Vanderbilt Alumni Board. B.A. History, Vanderbilt University.
Ronald Roberts
president, chief operating officer
Ronald is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the agency and serves clients such as Bridgestone Americas, Inc. and the Tiger Woods Foundation. He is certified in crisis management via the Institute for Crisis Management and has participated in extensive crisis management for clients throughout the country. He is a leader in meeting and event production, executing annual sales meetings and special events for many DVL clients. He previously worked at The Nashville Network (TNN) and taught public relations at Middle Tennessee State University. He is a member of the Nashville Chapter of 100 Black Men, the Nashville Downtown Rotary Club, the Nashville Sports Council, and Bethlehem Centers of Nashville and serves as a deacon at Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church. B.S. Mass Communication, Middle Tennessee State University; M.A. Education, Middle Tennessee State University.
Nelson Eddy
partner, creative director
Nelson’s expertise is developing creative concepts – uncommon communications approaches and vehicles. His background is copywriting, with a focus on feature writing, live performances, video scripts and corporate-sponsored books. His work has garnered numerous local, regional and national awards, including an American Advertising Federation Gold Addy Award, Advertising Club of New York’s Andy Award of Excellence and a One Show Bronze Pencil. In 2001, he was named the Nashville Advertising Federation’s Copywriter of the Year. He wrote a successful toast book for the introduction of Gentleman Jack whiskey and his “Wingtips On A Ledge” feature for Johnston & Murphy brought awards and considerable media reaction. Before joining DVL, he was an English teacher. B.A. English & Psychology, Lipscomb University; M.A. English, Middle Tennessee State University.
Jimmy Chaffin
partner
Jimmy helped establish the agency as one of the leading area resources for broadcast and interactive work. His experience ranges from marketing and branding videos to documentaries, television spots, live productions, satellite media tours and electronic press kits. Interactive initiatives include CD-ROM technology for education and marketing, custom-designed online workrooms, interactive press kits and online media rooms, as well as traditional websites. His work has been recognized with hundreds of awards, including the Emmys, the Tellys, New York Film Festival, U.S. International Film Festival and the London International Advertising Awards. He has produced hundreds of videos, commercials and live shows for DVL clients all over the world, including Saturn, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Martha White, Dollar General, Jack Daniel’s, Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen, Fruit of the Loom and Blockbuster Video. B.A. Communications and Marketing, Lipscomb University.
senior management
Jonathan Carpenter
Vice President, Senior Art Director / Interactive & New Media
Jonathan is a seasoned designer and developer, focusing on multi-media projects from web to broadcast. He has managed projects for many of DVL‘s clients including Jack Daniel’s, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, the Tennessee Lottery Education Corporation, Johnston & Murphy, Prison Health Services and Perry Ellis. He volunteers with Metro Schools, ONE campaign, World Hunger Fund and DATA. B.A. Graphic Design, minor in Advertising, Memphis College of Arts.
Mark Day
Senior Vice President
Mark heads up the Jack Daniel’s account at DVL and has extensive experience in media relations, crisis communications, public affairs, event management and community relations. He has led the team to great success with events such as the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue and the USO Toast to the Troops. Before joining DVL, Mark was a senior vice president at the Washington, D.C. public relations firm, Powell Tate. He has extensive Capitol Hill experience and was press secretary for U.S. Senator Wendell Ford (D-Ky.) for more than 10 years. In that capacity, he handled all Democratic media activities surrounding the inaugurations of President Bill Clinton. B.A. Political Science and Philosophy, Transylvania University. Graduate work in communications and public relations, University of Kentucky.
Andrea Lindsley
Vice President
Andrea’s expertise in media relations stems from her background in television news, including winning an Emmy Award for her coverage of the Tennessee Titans at Super Bowl XXXIV. At DVL, her responsibilities include media relations, new product introductions, trade shows and special events for clients such as Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Affinion Group and the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors. She also is involved in media training for local and national clients. B.A. Communications, University of Alabama.
Heather MacDonald
Vice President, Senior Account Supervisor
Heather’s deep appreciation for clients’ needs stems from her experience in “sitting on the other side of the desk” when she worked in marketing for Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen and Domino’s Pizza. She has extensive experience in both the restaurant and healthcare industries, and at DVL, she leads the team that represents Danville Regional Medical Center. She also has been instrumental in securing millions of media impressions for Jack Daniel’s, coordinating national programs and events and working with national media outlets for the world-famous Tennessee whiskey. She serves on the board of the Nashville chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. B.A. English, Albion College.
Jan Mattix
Vice President, Associate Creative Director
Jan’s creative work has won several ADDY and Telly awards over the years, including the Best of Show ADDY, and has appeared in Graphis Advertising. She has worked on a broad range of projects in industries from health care to food, financial to non-profit and tourism to retail. Her print projects have included corporate identity packages, direct mail campaigns, annual reports and print ad campaigns. She has also served as an adjunct professor of broadcast advertising at Belmont University in Nashville. BFA Communication Design, University of Tennessee.
Pat Nolan
APR, Senior Vice President
Pat has more than 20 years’ experience in media relations, crisis communications and politics, serving clients such as Nestle Waters North America, Metro Nashville 9-1-1 Board and the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors. His background includes strong agency experience in media relations, political, government and community affairs, lobbying and environmental public relations. He serves as special counsel in legislative matters at both the local and state levels and has extensive experience with Washington activities. He spent more than 15 years as a political reporter and analyst for two local TV stations and was a top aide to former Nashville Mayor Richard Fulton. Well-versed in local council activity, he is often called upon as a political commentator. B.A. Political Science, Vanderbilt University.
Dana Reece
Vice President
A former Vanderbilt University basketball player, Dana learned the value of teamwork and puts it to good use at DVL. As supervisor of the Martha White team, Dana is responsible for planning and executing public relations activities and special events. Her achievements include implementing Johnston & Murphy’s trade and national media program, the launch of Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey and the planning and promotion of “A Gentleman’s Guide To Toasting.” During her career, Dana has also served as communications manager for Lifeway Christian Stores. B.S. Communications, Vanderbilt University.
Cheryl Thompson
Vice President, Advertising Services
Cheryl’s expertise is in the marketing and advertising field. She has a strong understanding of the resources it requires to effectively serve clients, having been directly involved in overall agency administration and the supervision of production and creative departments. Cheryl’s experience includes planning and implementing strategic advertising campaigns for a variety of non-profit, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, restaurant, automotive aftermarket and other business accounts. Currently, she works with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., and Bridgestone Americas, Inc. B.S. Advertising/Public Relations, Middle Tennessee State University.
back to top
business development
Cynthia Howard
Business Development Executive
Cynthia directs DVL’s development efforts and oversees its marketing and sales initiatives. As a former client, she brings a unique perspective to her role at DVL. As the HealthSpring, Inc., senior vice president of sales and marketing for eight years, she managed the public relations, advertising, product development and sales functions for the growing health maintenance organization. She has also worked at the Travelers Health Network corporate offices in southern California, HealthAmerica Corporation and AT&T in Nashville. She has owned two entrepreneurial ventures, one in health care advertising and the other in the automotive aftermarket industry. B.A. Mathematics and Business Administration, Vanderbilt University.
back to top
creative
Carrie Apple
Art Director / Interactive & New Media
Carrie is an interactive & new media designer, specializing in web design and development with a focus on usability. She has worked for HCA’s Internet Strategy department which designed, deployed and maintained more than 500 hospital and facility website accounts. Her repertoire includes other clients such as Bart Durham, BMI, Landmark Digital, A.O. Smith, NASCAR, Jack Daniel’s, Stewart Transportation and Flash Technologies. In her spare time, she served as her neighborhood association president for three years. B.A. Graphic Design, Anderson University.
Brad Bartlett
Editor / Broadcast
As editor of the Broadcast department, Brad’s responsible for editing video pieces for a wide range of clients, including Jack Daniel’s, Comdata, White Lily, Dockers and Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Prior to joining DVL, he edited and produced several acclaimed documentaries and short films, in addition to working on promotional pieces for some of country music’s biggest stars. B.F.A. Editing, Watkins College of Art and Design.
Gary Conn
Producer / Broadcast
Gary has extensive experience in film and video production and post production. He has worked for various film and video production companies, as well as television networks such as CMT, Shop At Home and GAC. Gary also has experience in interactive media project management. For many years prior to joining the agency, Gary worked with DVL on numerous award-winning video and film projects for some of its biggest clients. Certificate in Audio-Video Technology, Nashville State Community College.
Mike Ferguson
copywriter
Mike is a creative writer with experience in multiple media formats including print, outdoor, radio, television and interactive. He has worked for clients in the legal service, retail, non-profit and sports marketing fields. Prior to his time at DVL, Mike was a copywriter at Earnhart and Friends, an agency in Bowling Green, Kentucky. B.A. Mass Communication, focus in Advertising, University of South Florida.
Robinette Gaston
Project Manager / Interactive & New Media
Robinette manages interactive and new media projects. Working with many of our clients, she helps incorporate the latest interactive concepts and technologies into communication strategies. Prior to joining DVL, she worked as a software consultant in Atlanta and later as a project and marketing manager for applications developer Tennessee.gov. B.S. Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology.
Elizabeth Lee
Traffic Manager
Elizabeth is in charge of project management in the creative department, working to ensure projects meet objectives and deadlines. Before joining DVL, she worked in music publishing and business management. B.S. Recording Industry, Music Business, Middle Tennessee State University.
Jeff Porter
Art Director
Jeff has designed many campaigns and collateral pieces for clients such as Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Genesco, Jack Daniel’s, Prison Health Services and Tractor Supply Company. Before joining the DVL creative team, Jeff was a designer at Nashville’s Ellis Kaiser, designing collateral for Tennessee Christian Medical Center and Ruby Tuesday restaurants. B.A. Graphic Design, Middle Tennessee State University.
back to top
account services
Rebecca Barger
Assistant Account Executive
Rebecca manages advertising and collateral projects for various clients including Caterpillar Insurance and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Her previous experience includes a media internship with Laird+Partners in New York and a marketing internship with the North Carolina Aquarium Headquarters in Raleigh. B.A. Communications and Public Relations, minor in Creative Writing, North Carolina State University.
Courtney Eller
Account Executive
Courtney specializes in media relations and event planning and implementation. She is the driving force behind media activity for the annual Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl and for Martha White’s National Cornbread Cook-Off. She is also a member of the Bridgestone Americas, Inc. media relations team. She currently serves as a board member for Leadership Donelson-Hermitage and volunteers in Metro Schools. B.A. Public Relations, University of Alabama.
Rob Hoskins
Account Supervisor
Rob’s responsibilities include media relations and account/event management for Jack Daniel’s, Tractor Supply Company, Civic Bank & Trust and the Tennessee Valley Industrial Committee. One of Rob’s primary responsibilities is running the Jack Daniel’s Ambassador Program, securing media for the brand’s spokespersons on a national and local level. His previous agency work included working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Chicago’s Whitehall Hotel. B.S. Marketing, University of Tennessee. Graduate work in communications and public relations, University of Tennessee.
Jennifer June
Account Executive
Jennifer has extensive experience in media relations, special event coordination and collateral production, serving clients such as Bridgestone Americas, Inc. and Metro Nashville 9-1-1 Board. She coordinates the agency’s intern and associate programs. Jennifer also volunteers in Metro Schools and is president of the Kappa Alpha Theta Nashville Alumnae chapter. B.A. Communications, University of Alabama.
Elizabeth Lewis
Account Executive
Elizabeth specializes in writing and interactive projects, special events planning and media relations for clients including Jack Daniel’s, Nestle Waters North America, the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Tractor Supply Company and the Nashville Convention Center. She serves on the marketing committee for Saddle Up!, a therapeutic riding program, the board of directors for the Davidson County UT Alumni Chapter and volunteers in Metro Schools. B.S. Communications, University of Tennessee.
Jill Meyer
Media Relations Specialist
Jill has extensive experience planning and implementing media relations campaigns at the local, regional and national levels. She plays a key role on the Jack Daniel’s team. She also volunteers at Calvary UMC and Calvary Young Children’s School, Neighborhood Association, and is an American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk volunteer. B.A. Broadcasting and Government, Western Kentucky University.
Virginia Pattison
senior consultant
Virginia’s more than 30 years of experience in every phase of communications makes her a valued member of the DVL family. Her specialty areas include strategic planning, product promotion/introduction, grassroots marketing and employee communications. Her particular achievements include strategy development and program management for the national introduction of Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s first new whiskey in over a century, and the creation of a national bluegrass music tour sponsorship program and national food writer program for DVL client Martha White. B.A. Journalism, West Virginia University.
Susan Steeno
Account Supervisor
Susan joined DVL after eight years as marketing director with a Los Angeles-based entertainment marketing firm where she managed publicity and promotions for theatrical film releases, film festivals and special events. Her background also includes several years in advertising agency client service, on both consumer and business-to-business accounts. At DVL, she works with clients including Bridgestone Americas, Inc. and Comdata. B.S. Journalism/Advertising Specialty, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Molly Williamson
Assistant Account Executive
Prior to joining DVL as an intern, Molly completed internships with CBS Radio, the Ohio Secretary of State and CMT. Since joining DVL, she has assisted in media relations for clients including Logan’s Roadhouse, Martha White, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Bravo Gelato, Metro Nashville 9-1-1 Board and Tractor Supply Company. B.A. Communications, The Ohio State University.
Stacey Wilson
Account Executive
Stacey’s areas of focus are consumer public relations, trade and national media relations, and event management. Her clients include Jack Daniel’s and Johnston & Murphy. She joined the agency from KCD, Inc., a New York City public relations firm where she represented clients in the fashion industry including designers Marc Jacobs, Versace and Zac Posen. B.S. Fashion Merchandising, University of Georgia.
back to top
accounting
April Mangrum
Accounting Manager
April’s responsibilities range from billing and financial statements to sales taxes and more. Attended Middle Tennessee State University and Lipscomb University. Associate’s Degree, Tennessee State University.
Ginger Poag
Accounting Coordinator
Ginger works with receivables, payables, advertising traffic and invoice reconciliation. She came to DVL from a pediatrics office where she was the telephone nurse. Attended Nashville State Community College and Watkins Institute.
back to top
administrative
Bonnie Cash
Executive Assistant
Bonnie assists with many accounts, including Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Jack Daniel’s, Martha White and the Tennessee Valley Industrial Committee. B.S. Office Administration, Lipscomb University.
Jessie Gilmore
Creative Assistant
Jessie is the assistant to the creative department and works on numerous accounts and projects, including editing, traffic and production. A native New Orleanian, she is a 2007 Nashville transplant and has worked in the publishing and book industries prior to joining DVL. She has extensive event planning and fund raising experience for non-profits specializing in the prevention of domestic violence. B.A. History, minor in Gender Studies, University of Mississippi.
Shey Jones
Administrative Assistant
Shey assists with many accounts including Jack Daniel’s, J. Alexander’s Corporation, The J.M. Smucker Company and CLARCOR. Attended Northern Illinois University.
Deyonda Sneed
Administrative Assistant
Deyonda helps on accounts that include Martha White, Logan’s Roadhouse, Tractor Supply Company and Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. She came to DVL from Willis. Attended Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University.
Laura Somerville
Account Assistant
Laura is an account assistant responsible for media relations activities for clients such as Johnston & Murphy and Jack Daniel’s. B.A. Journalism and Corporate Communications, Elon University.
back to top
