Our Executive Team
Tim founded Advantage Newspaper Consultants in 1996. From its early roots as a TV Book advertising sales agency, to its current role as a major newspaper consulting group, Tim has helped guide Advantage thru the challenging and exciting years of the digital revolution. He has re-affirmed his support for helping newspapers build and maintain print revenue while developing innovative digital resources. Tim is responsible for driving the company’s growth in North America and leading its revenue strategies. Tim is a native of Durham, NC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He and his wife, Jeanne, are both actively involved in their children’s school, church and sports activities.
Susan joined ANC in 2000 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth from twenty clients to over three hundred. Her previous experience in the newspaper industry, coupled with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Pittsburgh, provided the combined experience and expertise needed to manage operation of the company throughout its expansion. Susan was promoted from General Manager to Chief Operations Officer in January 2020.
Susan is a native of northwest Pennsylvania. She enjoys being outdoors, riding bicycle and spending time with her two very active children.
Dee graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing. Dee was employed in the newspaper industry for over 18 years. During that time, she held positions as Multi Media Sales Executive, Sales Manager, General Manager, Publisher and Group Publisher. Dee believes in the power of the newspaper, and she will use her knowledge and experience to help newspapers and advertisers succeed. She resides in Geneseo, Illinois with her husband and daughter, who attends Illinois State University. She loves animals, including her dog Nellie, cats Rascal and William, and a chinchilla named Jack at home! In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Marie Smith joined Advantage Newspaper Consultants as a Media Analyst in 2000. Her exceptional sales record and customer service skills led to her promotion to Sales Manager with ANC in 2006. She enjoys working with the Media Analysts and the newspaper management in each market and is devoted to making each entertainment magazine ad sales campaign a huge success. Prior to her career with ANC, Marie worked at The Fayetteville Observer in Fayetteville, NC for 15 years as an Executive Sales Associate. Her last 10 years at the newspaper were devoted strictly to handling automotive advertising. Marie attended Lenoir Community College and Fayetteville Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree in Business and an Associate’s Degree in Marketing and Sales, respectively. She is a travel enthusiast and is a native and resident of North Carolina. When not on the road for ANC, her interests include volunteering, reading, enjoying good movies and spending time with her family.
Saundra attended the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (Chickasha , OK) to pursue a degree in education but fell in love with the newspaper business along the way and changed her career path. She has over 25 years of experience in the newspaper industry and has held roles in Oklahoma, Missouri and New Mexico. Saundra’s passion has always been on the advertising side and she has held leadership positions as an Advertising Executive, Advertising Director and Regional Advertising Director. Saundra lives in Lawton, OK with her husband, David. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, quilting and golf but most of all, spending time with her family and her goofy Sheepadoodle, Winston.
Our Sales Team
Michele graduated from Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois, with a degree in Marketing Communications. Her concentration was Advertising. Michele has had an extensive career within the newspaper industry for over 20 years. She has experience in all aspects of the newspaper business which include Circulation, Advertising (Print and Online), Marketing, Promotions and Training. She has worked extensively with Publishers and Ad Directors as a Consultant at newspapers varying in circulation from 550,000+ daily to 3,000 weekly throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Michele joined ANC as a Media Analyst in 2009. Michele is an Illinois native but currently resides in Scottsdale, AZ. Her interests include travel, photography and volunteering.
Ray has a vast background in the newspaper industry, having started his career as a sports stringer for newspapers such as the Orlando Sentinel and Charlotte Observer and eventually making his way to Gannett Corporation. He has more than 30 years of experience in the newspaper and media industry. While with Gannett, Ray worked in business and digital development, creating new products and publications – both in print and online – and redeveloping others. In this role, he quickly learned that the key to success is a strong advertising foundation. Ray is a Florida native and currently resides in Rock Ledge, FL. In his spare time, Ray is a fan of movies, pop culture, and enjoys creative writing.
Brenda joined Advantage Newspaper Consultants as a Media Analyst in early 2011. She is a cheerleader for the newspaper advertising industry and enjoys the challenges of working with a new market and earning the trust of their advertisers. Brenda ignites a sales campaign and she and the newspaper sales team feed off of each other’s excitement and energy to make sales. Brenda has been an advertising professional since 1998. Prior to joining ANC, she worked in hospitality management and as Marketing Coordinator for Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Fernandina Beach, Florida. In addition, she has thirteen years experience in newspaper and magazine advertising sales with various organizations. Brenda has been a sales manager for a magazine, a sales representative at a newspaper and has experience in marketing and training of sales staffs. Brenda resides in Hahira, Georgia. In her spare time she enjoys gourmet cooking, spending time with her family and is also involved in animal rescue efforts.
Fred attended Troy University in Troy, Alabama where he studied accounting and business. He brings over 30 years of newspaper sales and management experience to Advantage Newspaper Consultants, working at various size papers across the United States. In his experience from the Greenville Advocate in Alabama to the San Francisco Chronicle in California, customers all want results from their marketing investment. Fred takes pride in achieving those goals with a “win-win” philosophy; businesses receive cost-effective marketing solutions provided by the newspaper. He is committed to building life-long friendships and enjoys contributing to success of businesses. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, he and his wife Janet currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Fred enjoys college football, golfing and fishing. He also loves spending time with his family, which includes two daughters and grandchildren.
Matt brings over 32 years of newspaper sales and management experience to ANC. Matt’s strength as a Media Analyst is staying relevant with the ever-changing media world. Another strength lies in his passion for the newspaper industry, its importance to local communities, and what its products can do to strengthen and grow local businesses.
Prior to joining ANC, Matt worked for numerous newspapers in Iowa, Missouri, Florida, and Texas – including twelve years as Director of Advertising. Matt attended the University of Iowa with a focus in Advertising and theater.
During his downtime, Matt spends his time in Iowa City with family and enjoys working outside and traveling.
Jamey has nearly 20 years of experience in advertising, with the majority in a sales management role. Jamey has a strong background in print and digital advertising, as well as experience in television advertising. He has a passion for working with small and medium size businesses to help them deliver their message to their specific audience and has worked with advertisers in many different industries. Jamey graduated from Augusta State University in Augusta, GA with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. He currently lives near Charlotte, NC with his wife, April, their three children and their dog Koda. He enjoys RVing, boating, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Mitchell has worked for newspapers in Georgia, Florida, California, Louisiana, Virginia, New York, and North Carolina throughout his extensive, nearly 40-year career in the newspaper industry. He has experience is in all aspects of the newspaper business; production, circulation, advertising, marketing, and publishing. Mitchell attended Valdosta State University where his studies included business and marketing. A Georgia native, Mitchell interests include classic car restoration, golf, farming, and spending time with his wife Dawn and children and grandchildren.
Angie has over 27 years of experience in advertising and marketing with most of that time spent in a newspaper setting as a print and digital Account Executive and two years as an Advertising Director. She enjoys helping small and medium size businesses convey their messages about their goods and services to the right audience. She has the unique perspective of having been on both sides of the advertising/marketing coin as both a seller and as a buyer. Angie lives in eastern North Carolina and enjoys visiting the NC mountains, spending time with family, especially her twin daughters and two grandsons, cooking, reading, and visiting amusement parks.
Deb joined Advantage Newspaper Consultants as a Media Analyst in early 2008 and was promoted to Senior Media Analyst in 2012 as a result of her exceptional sales abilities and high level of customer satisfaction. She has a strong background in sales, with 30 years of newspaper industry experience. She has worked in many capacities, including Sales Manager of a weekly shopper paper, General Manager of a weekly newspaper, and Publisher of her own publications. Deb resides in Michigan and has three children, ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Her hobbies include singing, movies, reading and writing poetry.
John joined ANC as a Media Analyst in 2017. He is a highly respected print and digital leader. For the past two decades, he has built rapport with clients, creative agencies and multi-functional project teams while consistently driving revenue and market share. He understands industry challenges; moreover how to best connect with audiences through multi-channel and value-centric approaches. He earned Masters and Bachelors degrees from Saint Leo University graduating Magna Cum Laude (Business Administration). John resides in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife, three children and miniature red labradoodle, Lulu.
Catherine graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and minor degree in Marketing. She has worked various levels of management for the Bon-Ton Department Stores and also sat on various boards of directors, including Downtown Indiana Inc., Indiana County Community Action Association and Interstate Advertising Managers Association. Prior to joining ANC in 2014, Catherine worked for The Indiana Gazette for thirteen years – including eight years as Advertising and Marketing Director. She resides in Indiana, PA with her husband and enjoys sunny days, road trips with the top down on her jeep, great music and watching the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Steve graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA with degrees in Journalism, Broadcasting and English Literature. Prior to joining Advantage Newspaper Consultants, he worked in the newspaper industry from Alaska to North Carolina in various sales, management and corporate positions. From independent newspapers to corporations such as McClatchy, Media News and Lee Enterprises. He has a clear understanding of the challenges of doing business in today’s economic climate. Steve joined Advantage Newspaper Consultants in 2013 with a strong belief that the daily newspaper is by far the strongest source of news and advertising information that is available. Personal interests include golfing, skiing and reading.
Sam has spent almost 40 years in the media business. His first stop was in television. He spent 20 years at the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis in sales. In 2004, he made the move to newspaper. Sam worked in sales and management at the Brainerd Dispatch, Aitkin Independent Age, and the Minneapolis Tribune, all in Minnesota. Sam has a passion for sales and a drive for success! He will never forget to ask for the order, and he will always have the newspaper’s best interest in hand. In his spare time he enjoys golfing with his longtime friends, often playing 36 holes in a day. Or you can find him out on the hiking trails early in the morning, even during winter in Minnesota!
Lisa attended the University of Oklahoma where she majored in Business and Education. She has a strong background in sales and sales management, with 18 years of newspaper industry experience. Her skills were learned from the ground up, starting as an advertising clerk, moving to an account executive position, and spending the last several years as the Advertising Director of a daily newspaper. Lisa believes in the value of newspaper advertising and is firmly committed to helping advertising clients create additional traffic and grow business. Her experience in the field gives her a distinct advantage in working with and understanding newspaper clients. Lisa began as Media Analyst with Advantage Newspaper Consultants in 2013. She is a native Texan but resides in Ardmore, OK. Her hobbies include spending time with her animals, family, and playing cards and board games.
Our Administrative Team
Shelby joined ANC in 2007 as a Production Assistant after working 15 years in the mainframe software industry in Pennsylvania and Texas. She was promoted to Production Manager in 2008, overseeing the production of sales prototypes, as well as the company’s marketing materials and IT needs. Shelby is a native of the Central Pennsylvania Coal Region and enjoys road trips, cooking, and gardening. She is also very active in animal rescue and has fostered over 100 cats and dogs over the years.
Brie joined ANC in June 2014 as a receptionist and was promoted to billing specialist in 2016. Brie is responsible for customer invoicing for all services and has recently started working on sales prototypes as well. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science – Pre-Law from Michigan State University and previously worked as a Legal Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant. Brie enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Gwen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. Before joining ANC in 2003, she worked in the insurance industry and in advertising for the Fayetteville Observer. Gwen enjoys singing, cooking, exercising and spending time with her family.
Pat joined ANC in 2008 as Administrative Assistant and was promoted to Office Manager in 2011. She was born in Amsterdam, Holland but grew up in Toronto, Ontario where she lived until moving to the U.S. in the early 1990s. Before her position at ANC, Pat managed an insurance adjuster’s office for over 10 years. She enjoys shopping, hosting friends for a delicious home-cooked meal, and traveling to visit friends and family – including trips back home to Amsterdam.
Sandy joined ANC in July of 2021 after a 41-year career with The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. She held many positions within the finance department and was responsible for a lot of advertising’s financial needs. Sandy has been married to her husband Ron since 1992 and together they have four children and three grandchildren. She loves hanging out with her family and going to the beach.