MICHAEL MACKENZIE COMMUNICATIONS - Key Persons
Allison Stephanouk is an Account Manager for Michael Mackenzie Communications where she is responsible for managing all facets of marketing communications for B2B technology and professional service clients.
Allison brings 23 years of experience across multiple industries in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. She was formerly a Senior Consultant in Deloitte & Touche's Audit and Enterprise Risk Services division, where she was responsible for leading data quality and integrity engagements for numerous Fortune 500 clients.
Allison serves on the Board of Directors for Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome (PRISMS) and was previously PRISMS Regional Representative for the state of Georgia. She has been a featured speaker during multiple PRISMS International Conferences, both virtual and in-person. Allison also designed and produced PRISMS first webinar program, with the goal of sharing critical information about this rare disorder with the Smith-Magenis Syndrome community, in an easily accessible format.
Allison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and a Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University. In her free time, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, playing tennis, and water sports.
Job Titles:
- Digital Media Coordinator
Avery Lane is our talented videographer and friendly neighborhood tech wizard. He attended Baylor University and the Georgia Film Academy, specializing in Video Editing. In addition to working here at Michael Mackenzie, Avery also uses his talents to bring worship services to life at Wildwood Baptist Church, where he serves as an Audio Engineer.
Avery enjoys spending his days playing guitar, attending live music, and catching the latest nerdy movie at the theater.
Job Titles:
- Business Analytics and Account Manager
Beth has more than 20 years of corporate accounting experience in the retail, technology, and commercial real estate industries as well as experience as a small business owner with her own bookkeeping firm. A native Georgian, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in accounting, from Georgia State University. She is a licensed CPA in the state of Georgia.
Beth lives in Roswell with her husband of 29 years, Scott. She stays busy with three almost grown and flown children and her good dog, Maisie. An advocate for fine arts education, Beth was a founding board member of the Roswell High School Choral Booster Association. An avid Broadway fan, she enjoys attending choral and theatrical performances at the community, collegiate and professional levels. She is an Elder at Roswell Presbyterian Church where she enjoys volunteering in various capacities. Beth enjoys traveling and can often be found escaping into a good book.
A nationally recognized writer, Cecilia Roach specializes in creating compelling content for email marketing campaigns, websites that differentiate and provocative thought leadership. Her content speaks to prospects and customers about the issues that matter to them, positioning clients' offerings as viable solutions.
She is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Mass Communications, University of Georgia.
Debra Madak, graphic designer extraordinaire, brings a flair for design (especially print) that can only be developed through traditional training and years of experience.
Jennifer Farwell is a journalism and marketing veteran with more than three decades of experience. She has bylined more than 500 articles including hundreds of technical "how-to," business and technology pieces. She has also written case studies, white papers, profiles, and bylined articles for numerous companies ranging from IT providers to real estate firms.
During her career, Jennifer has served as managing editor for several publications, including MAPICS the Magazine, a manufacturing industry trade publication, Microsoft Advantage, a Microsoft Corporation publication and Atlanta Small Business Monthly. Jennifer graduated Cum Laude from Georgia State University with a major in journalism and a minor in marketing.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Principal Consultant
- Strategy & Content Development
As the founder and Principal Consultant of Michael Mackenzie Communications, Jennifer Koon is the chief strategist, business development officer, contributing copywriter and head bottle washer.
Prior to forming Michael Mackenzie Communications in 2001, Jennifer served as a PR and Field Marketing Manager for Microsoft Corporation, a role she landed because they liked the Direct Mail and Database Marketing experience she had gained working for smaller software companies and in an agency environment. In addition to developing direct marketing and sales support programs, Jennifer has produced and promoted hundreds of seminars, product launch events and trade shows as well as managed public relations and community affairs initiatives. Jennifer has an extensive copywriting repertoire - writing on average more than 50,000 words each year for clients representing a broad range of high tech and technically complex services and products.
All total, Jennifer possesses more than 25 years of experience developing and deploying strategic marketing communications programs that drive image, enthusiasm and revenue. She has a bachelor's degree in Creative Advertising from Southern Methodist University and a master's in Marketing Communication and Information Technology from Florida State University.
She is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America, the Technology Association of Georgia and has served on the host committee for the High Tech Ministries Prayer Breakfast for 5+ years. She is also a member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2011, a graduate of the City of Roswell Education Program (CORE 2019) and was the elected parent representative for the Local School Governance Councils for both Elkins Pointe Middle School and Roswell High School.
Jennifer and her husband live in Roswell, Georgia. Their two sons attend Gwinnett Technical College and the University of North Georgia. She is an active member of Roswell United Methodist Church and she counts among her hobbies reading, swimming, photography, retail therapy, agritourism and watching minor league baseball and college football.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
Kayla Travis is originally from Snellville, Georgia. She is currently a student at Kennesaw State University, where she is majoring in Business Management and minoring in Marketing. Kayla is also active in her sorority, Phi Mu. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2023 with the intention of working in marketing or management.
As Digital Media Manager, Kerry works with clients from initial concepts to design, production and implementation on digital media projects.
Kerry's design philosophy centers on function and value. Being less prone to design simply for looks alone, he focuses on what works and why. He doesn't view projects as an opportunity to showcase pricey, superfluous design elements but instead makes certain that designs are cost-effective and serve only to advance business objectives.
Kerry has been developing websites since the inception of the Internet, over 27 years ago, and managed production for his family-owned printing business for nearly a decade. He attended Emory University.
Kerry has a passion for travel and research. His adventures have taken him from the great libraries and museums of Europe to the jungles and ruins of Ancient Java and beyond. Kerry and his wife Nan live with their 4-legged children in Lawrenceville.
Laurie brings more than 25 years of experience in organizational design, application development, business analysis, and product marketing. She was fortunate to join BellSouth, now AT&T, early in her career where she was able to grow and expand her level of expertise in a variety of roles across the organization; most recently leading market trials within the internet technology space.
Laurie moved to Georgia in 1992, primarily to leave behind the harsh winters of the Midwest, but also to experience the 1992 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games in person. Diving is Laurie's favorite Olympic event and she was lucky to get tickets to attend - Check that off the bucket list!
Laurie holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Western Illinois University. She lives in Roswell and enjoys Reading, playing tennis, and dreaming real estate near the beach. She also believes that climate change is real and chooses to drive an electric vehicle and support local, sustainable businesses as much as possible.
Job Titles:
- Media Relations Manager
- Member of Roswell Presbyterian Church
Malinda Lackey brings more than 20 years of experience in public relations and communications to her role at Michael Mackenzie. She began her career working in Georgia politics for both the state legislature and Governor Zell Miller's successful gubernatorial campaign. Subsequently, Malinda served as the Public Awareness Director and spokesperson for a state-wide child advocacy organization.
Over the course of her career, Malinda has directed media campaigns for numerous business to consumer clients and business to business clients, garnering national and local placements in print and broadcast media. Spending the last decade working in the commercial real estate arena, Malinda oversaw communications for a company that has expanded into 13 U.S. cities.
Away from work, Malinda is an active member of Roswell Presbyterian Church where she serves as a Stephen Minister and is active in several community outreach initiatives. A Milton resident, she and her husband are very involved with the University of Georgia, where they particularly enjoy attending football games and visiting their daughter, a UGA student, when they aren't cheering on their younger daughter at her high school events and spending time with all of their family.
As a communications professional for over two decades, Melissa Holder has worked in B2B, B2C, non-profit, and public sectors. Melissa has experience with all facets of communications and marketing, with expertise in writing and editing for all content. This well-rounded background allows her to provide customized strategies for clients that incorporate the most appropriate method to reach company goals.
Her previous opportunities have allowed Melissa to build relationships with a diverse group of individuals, from community leaders to elected officials. As an account manager with Michael Mackenzie, she enjoys learning about a variety of businesses and client passions.
Melissa graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism and a sociology minor. An avid sports fan, Melissa is passionate about college sports, especially Georgia football and Illinois basketball. She loves to read and visit the beach. A near native to the Atlanta area, Melissa is active in her church choir and supports several organizations. She and her husband have a college junior, high school junior, and a spoiled puppy.