The Smith-Winchester leadership team includes strategists and
creatives – business people who understand the power of customer-centric thinking.
And who know that success rests with talented people, on both the agency and
client side, who share that understanding.
Jay Kargula
Chief Executive Officer As CEO, Jay leads an accomplished team of marketing professionals and guides the agency’s business strategy and vision. In a career spanning over 25 years, he has worked in a wide range of B2B and consumer segments, delivering exceptional results across all facets of marketing communications, from print and broadcast to live shows and interactive.
With his creative guidance, Smith-Winchester has earned awards from Addy, Davey, Caddy, Telly, BMA, Silver Microphone, and others.
Jay is a Michigan State University graduate and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
When Jay is not in the office or with his family, you can find him on the racquetball court. As a tournament-level player, he has won two state championships.
Mike Ladd
President
Along Mike's 28-year career path in marketing communications, he has
founded and managed two agencies, where he directed the creative, account
management and production sides of the business. His second agency partnership,
Weaver Ladd Harries McGowan, merged with Smith-Winchester in 1998. Supervising
both strategy and execution elements of client programs, Mike heads
Smith-Winchester's account services group as well as the agency's new
business activities. Industry expertise includes automotive, transportation/logistics,
staffing services, building products, and others.
When on vacation, Mike can be found straddling his hog on summer excursions through America's finest landscapes.
Frank Morisette Chief Operating Officer
An agency veteran, Frank is experienced in serving industries ranging from
building products to automotive components, both direct and through multi-channel
distribution. His responsibilities include account supervision, as well as management
of agency human resources and financial administration. He has served as agency COO since 1995.
Outside the office, Frank changes hats and becomes an Egyptologist. Bottom line: he's very fond of papyrus.
Jim Meloche Senior Vice President
A senior marketing counselor within the agency, Jim was formerly President
of French & Rogers, a marketing communications company serving clients
in the manufacturing environment. During his 37-year career, he has advised
and implemented programs for a long list of major players in the automotive
engineered products and manufacturing systems industries. In Jim's world,
aggressive impact on a client's sales numbers is paramount. Distributor support,
trade show innovations, and product introductions are among his fortes.
Jim is a frequent lecturer, a relentless networker, and a 25-year member of the National Ski Patrol.
Dave Schmidt Vice President, Public Relations Services
Dave's many years of message development and coordination of integrated B-to-B promotional
programs paid off when he decided to focus on strategic public relations and new
communication techniques. Joining us in early 2005, Smith-Winchester PR clients now
come from the automotive, IT, manufacturing technology, building products, professional
services and other industries.
Music, community and youth activities, and Halloween theatrics fill Dave's off hours.
Charles S. Weaver Chairman Emeritus
Charlie 30+ plus year career in the marketing communications has an emphasis on
business strategic planning and award-winning advertising programs, from both the
client and agency sides. Charlie heads the agency's account planning function, and
provides account supervision for selected accounts.
Charlie is also a patron of the graphic arts, and a collector of antique prints.
