ALISSA RICCI MAFFETT

VP, Strategic Planning

Alissa comes to JACKSON from an ad agency life as a media buyer, and also has experience in research and account planning for advertising sales. She is a Furman University graduate (go Paladins!) with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and Spanish. She has retained the skills of one of those degrees. Her interests outside of work include running, hiking, reading and hot power yoga, which sounds frightening. Alissa loves pizza, Dave Matthews Band and the New England Patriots. Her personal motto is "work hard and be nice to people."

BLAKE ROSS

Lead Front-end Developer

Prior to joining JACKSON in 2013, Blake worked as a traditional artist, helped plant a Bible-based church and ran a one-stop web shop as both an interactive designer and full-stack developer, working for clients such GM, BMW, Noxzema, Avaya and Soul Train. Yes, that Soul Train. Eventually his work in Adobe Flash (may it rest in peace) became so in demand that for three years he worked almost exclusively as a Flash developer, designing and developing a wide variety of richly animated user interfaces. All this experience eventually brought him to JACKSON as our lead front-end developer.

CHAD RUCKER

VP, Creative

Chad is creative director and a copywriter by trade. Luckily, he is a much better writer than whitewater kayaker. (Ask him about the stitches.) Before joining JACKSON—for the second time in his career—Chad worked as senior writer on accounts such as Uniroyal Tires, Dunkin Donuts, Wachovia Sports Marketing, Greenville Drive baseball and BMW Performance Center. He hasn't hit the whitewater in quite some time, however, as he's busy chasing his two rambunctious boys around the house.

CHRIS BRADY

Creative Technolgies Director

Chris holds a bachelor of science in Integrated Marketing Communication and a minor in sarcasm, both of which come in handy in his position as the Creative Technologies Director. His prior agency experience, combined with his knack for development and planning, make him your go-to guy for all things interactive. His portfolio includes work with brands including BI-LO, Bojangles, BMW Performance Center and Uniroyal Tires.

DARRELL JACKSON

President/CEO

Darrell knew his calling at age eight, when his father brought home a De Tomaso Pantera from the Ford test track. Vroom vroom. His love of all things engines, events and marketing was born, and it intensified every summer as he accompanied JACKSON (then called Jackson-Dawson) on Ford and GM product launches across North America.

Since then, Darrell has been actively involved in most every account on the JACKSON roster in a variety of positions, including Account Executive, Account Supervisor and Vice President. In 1997, Darrell was instrumental in starting the JACKSON Motorsports division and has been actively involved in day-to-day operations since. Engines, events and marketing.

Today, Darrell's responsibilities include overall management of daily operations, long-term planning and directing JACKSON's strategic vision and senior level client relationships. His responsibilities outside of JACKSON include graciously taking orders from his wife, Alicia, and trying to keep up with his two children.

DAVID JONES

EVP, Chief Brand Officer

Feel free to call him "DJ." We do. DJ has been at JACKSON for two decades. Before JACKSON, he was brand director at Michelin and director of marketing for Umbro International (where he worked with agencies including DDB Needham, The Martin Agency and Goodby Silverstein & Partners). DJ is known as our resident "sports nut." Not only was he a sports writer for four years, he named his son after the Baltimore Orioles stadium ("Camden" for all of you sports challenged readers).

DAVID MADSON

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

David oversees the accounting and finance of JACKSON. His additional responsibilities include oversight of human resources. Before joining JACKSON, David helped Adidas America enter the North American retail market. (He was there from Store 1 to Store 50.) David is a married father of five busy children, which makes him a busy father. He gives time to help organize two charitable golf tournaments when not following his children to basketball and volleyball courts. He is also a financial counselor in his church.

EVAN WRIGHT

IMSA Sales Director

Evan got his motorsports start at a young age, and his experience with some of racing's top brands makes him a valuable asset on the team. He has worked on both sides of the wall and brings extensive race knowledge to his position as IMSA Sales Director. He has an affinity for anything with a motor, but his boat, Stormy, is by far his favorite mode of transportation.

JAY WRIGHT

Vice President

Jay was once a client. Odd transition for some, but not for him. His expertise as a Brand Marketing Director at Michelin and experience in event activations, advertising and operations give him unique insight into the pain points (and wins) of a worldwide brand. Husband to Monica with three kids below seven years: Emmy, Lincoln and Lawson. Hobbies include watching Lilo&Stitch, tee-ball and swim team.

JENNIFER IGNACIO

Motorsports Logistics Director

With 15+ years of administrative and event experience, Jennifer makes the perfect Motorsports Logistics Director at JACKSON. She's been with JACKSON since 2006, and her laidback, versatile personality has allowed her to contribute in various roles since then. She doesn't hang glide, zip line or rappel anymore, but she has become an off-roading enthusiast, jumping behind the wheel whenever she can to chase that adrenaline rush.

JESSICA CUNNINGHAM

Director, New Business

Jessica manages our day-to-day new business operations. Having been a client of JACKSON’s, Jessica knows what brands need to succeed. Her wide range of experiences in the investment, audiophile, wine and spirits, and motorsports industries create a unique blend of expertise to help lead our new business efforts. You might see her around town checking out the Upstate food scene (she gives the queso at Tipsy Taco a 10/10) or catching a game with friends and family.

JOHN MININGER

Senior Video Producer

John loves telling stories through video and sound. His first love was working in graphics and animations (and still is) and he started at JACKSON nearly 20 years ago as a production assistant providing equipment setup for video and television shoots. Now as Senior Producer, he oversees video and other digital content creation for Michelin Truck, Michelin Earthmover, Sage, Hyster and TBC. His favorite films are Lawrence of Arabia, Citizen Kane (of course) and Batman & Robin (kidding).

JORDAN FRETZ

Creative Director

As a JACKSON creative director, Jordan is not only responsible for the  look  of an ad but is also part of a creative team responsible for developing the big idea that drives every look. A graduate of Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in graphic design and a minor in business, Jordan has created award-winning work for JACKSON clients including Hyster, Michelin Truck, BFGoodrich, The Palmetto Bank and Big League World Series (which won an Obie Award in 2014). Jordan is always trying to stay ahead of the curve, whether it's learning a new programming language or staying up to date on current and progressive design and advertising trends.

JULIE FROELICH

Experiential Marketing Director

Julie decided at age 13 that she wanted a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management (because what 13-year-old doesn't?), and she has been planning trips and events ever since. Since joining JACKSON in 2000, she has managed events for BMW Manufacturing Co., Michelin, BFGoodrich and Volvo, just to name a few. When she isn't planning or coordinating, you can find her cheering on the Miami Hurricanes, managing her children's club soccer teams or beating her Super Bowl-winning brother in football. Go Julie!

KASEY TANT

Account Director

Kasey brings valuable leadership skills to JACKSON's account team with her management experience on both the agency and corporate side of the world, including corporate stints at Zaxby's and Denny's. When Kasey's not working on our clients' businesses, you'll probably find her doing things with her three children or cheering on her Clemson Tigers.

KEVIN JOHNSON

EVP, Chief Services Officer

Kevin is a true Detroit export. He still roots for the Tigers, Lions, Wings and Pistons—when there's actually something to cheer about. With more than three decades in the marketing communications business, his passion has not waned a bit. (You can hear him cheering on a project from down the hall.) He has four children, including a set of twins, and he's a closet gourmet chef. (Though the jury is still out on that one.)

KRISTIE GRAYSMITH

Executive Director, Human Resources

Wrangling, encouraging and instructing are things Kristie GraySmith has mastered during her 35-year-long dance career and over her two decades of human resource management. She has managed thousands of people in varying fields, from law firms to electronic companies and eventually in the automotive sector. Whether it is an eight-count or a timesheet, Kristie has a way of teaching, training and acquiring talent that helps others reach their goals.

MONIQUE BEARDEN

Account Director

Please call her "Mo." (Everyone else does.) Mo has been at JACKSON over 15 years, helping a variety of accounts not only find their footing in the marketplace, but succeed. She’s worked on tires, automotive technologies, trains, you-name-it. When she's not working, you can find her at the beach on her stand-up paddleboard or spending time with her husband and son. Oh yeah, Mo once managed a dude ranch in Colorado, but don't tell her we put this in her bio.

MYLES GRIMM

Creative Director, Digital

When he's not climbing mountains on his bike, he's climbing ladders in the creative world. Myles' start as an Interactive Designer led him to the User Interface Design Supervisor role and then to Senior Art Director. It wasn't long before he shifted gears again and became Creative Director of Digital at JACKSON where he collaborates with the interactive team to create innovative digital solutions for our clients.

SCOTT TAYLOR

VP, Experiential & Motorsports Marketing

Scott has held financial executive roles with Coldwell Banker Caine, IMI Resorts and The Cliffs Communities and has been a CPA since 1992. Most likely, you cannot outthink Scott. And you most definitely cannot outrun him. Scott has completed more than 35 triathlons, including four Half Ironman distances. Fun fact (for us, not him): Scott once shattered his collarbone while filming a commercial as the "body double" for professional cyclist George Hincapie.

TODD STEEN

Executive Director, Business Development

Todd is one of our many gear heads and has more than two decades of experience helping clients trackside. Prior to joining Jackson, Todd managed BFGoodrich Tires Motorsports, after which he led a variety of motorsports programs for his own clients for more than five years. His knowledge of mobile marketing, motorsports and sponsorship activation has helped clients, such as Volkswagen, Scion and Mazda leverage their involvement with both automotive and brand enthusiasts. In addition to having a love for things that go zoom, Todd has a passion for the outdoors and serves on the board of a non-profit men's ministry that does 60-70 hunting and fishing retreats each year.