the team
Jeffrey M. Barnes
President & CEO
Agency Role: Jeff is a marketing and PR professional with more than 30 years of experience. He is responsible for overall agency operations, business development and achieving client results. Making sure the agency is moving forward and raising clients’ advertising bar to national quality regardless of the budget is Jeff’s primary objective. Strengths: Film and video creative direction, aggressive media buying, media relations, strategic planning, business development, business to business networking and client results. Background: Prior to launching Barnes Agency in 2003, Jeff was vice president for four large regional and national hospital and healthcare systems. He was held accountable for growth in revenue while maintaining and enhancing the image and brand identity of the organizations he served. Jeff served as a spokesperson for each system and maintains a tremendous relationship with both regional and national media outlets. To date, Jeff and his team have been awarded over 400 regional and national awards for advertising excellence. Prior to establishing his business career, Jeff played professional baseball for the Texas Rangers.
Susan Miller Barnes
VP & COO
Agency Role: Susan is a marketing and PR professional with more than 20 years with the primary role of overseeing the effective delivery of Barnes Agency’s strategic and creative services to clients. Meeting and exceeding client expectations is Susan’s ultimate priority. Strengths: Strategic planning, project management, writing and content development, branding, budgeting, media buying, media relations, event planning, database management. Background: Prior to joining Barnes Agency, Susan was senior vice president of marketing for a large, highly results-driven regional banking system where she was accountable for marketing and public relations initiatives that moved the bottom-line for multiple lines of business across a network of 28 banking centers in three states. She is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and finance.
Lindsey Cheek
Senior Graphic Designer
Agency Role: As a graphic designer, Lindsey plays an integral role in providing quality marketing and advertising material for our clients. She is a problem solver and a provider of creative solutions to visually communicate clients’ messages. Strengths: Lindsey possesses a wide array of design and artistic capabilities including commercial advertising, traditional and digital illustration and photography. She seeks to explore all forms of art and design and is always seeking to learn from the experience of those around her. Background: Lindsey is graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in graphic design. She also holds an associate degree in Illustration from the Florida School of the Arts.
Hannah Saxton
Senior Graphic Designer
Agency Role: Hannah is a graphic designer assigned to providing clients a variety of digital media, such as video editing and web design. She is also highly accomplished in the art of digital and print design. Strengths: Hannah’s strengths include her intellectual and thoughtful approach to every project she tackles. Background: Born and raised in the Tri-State, Hannah received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in graphic design from Marshall University. During her time as a student, Hannah worked with the Barnes Agency as a creative services intern in the summer and fall of 2017 before joining the team upon graduation.
Julie Terry
Associate Director of Client Services
Agency Role: Julie is a marketing and PR professional with more than 20 years of experience. She is responsible for supporting and maintaining a proactive service relationship between the agency and assigned clients and to efficiently move projects through the production pipeline. Strengths: Strategic planning, creative concepts, multimedia, writing and content development, editing, branding, event planning, media relations and graphic design. Background: Julie has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, a master’s degree in Journalism/PR and a second master’s in Organizational Development. Her work has earned awards from the West Virginia Chapter of PRSA, the Kentucky Society for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing and the Tellys. She has experience working with nonprofit and arts organizations, higher education, small businesses, with most of her career spent in the healthcare industry.
Lauren Carey
Client Services Associate & Social Media Specialist
Agency Role: Lauren is responsible for assisting with the management of client workflow for the agency. She also manages and writes content to meet clients’ social media needs and performs a variety of other administrative duties as assigned. Strengths: Lauren’s strengths include exceptional organizational and analytical problem-solving skills, electronic media, social media and content development. Background: Lauren started her career with Barnes Agency as an intern in the summer and fall of 2017 and maintains familiarity with the agency’s client base. Having just graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Design Management, she has just joined Barnes Agency full-time.
Michael Stryker
Director of Videography & Post-Production
Agency Role: As Director of Videography and Post-Production, Michael provides national quality video production, editing and custom music scores for many Barnes Agency clients. A West Virginia native, Stryker is an Emmy Award-winning, Grammy-nominated, nine-time Gold Addy winner, and winner of multiple Telly awards for video production, directing and cinematography. Strengths: His passion for ground-breaking documentary film production has carried Michael to new heights in his professional endeavors. The ability to see the big picture while putting the client’s needs and message first has been a proven factor in his success. Background: His credits also include a variety of videos that have appeared on Country Music Television, a short film that was commissioned by the Thailand Tourism Board to help promote Northern Thailand globally, and many more.
Alissa Lipps
Advanced Media/Digital Marketing
Agency Role: As an experienced Digital Marketing Executive, Alissa plays an integral role in the strategic planning, execution and monitoring of digital campaigns led by the agency. Alissa works closely with the agency to implement digital strategies that are customized to each client’s needs, yielding richer returns and quality analytics. Strengths: Digital strategy, monitoring and editing campaigns for optimal results, marketing, advertising, media relations and strategic planning. Background: Alissa has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in television from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. She started her career as an Associate Producer for WTAE in Pittsburgh, and from there, her experience includes work as a television producer, news anchor and tv production and multimedia advertising specialist. Over the last 15 years, Alissa has developed strong relationships through her work and involvement across West Virginia and surrounding areas. She continues to strengthen relationships with companies and organizations on a local and national level through launching successful digital campaigns yielding optimal results, gaining trust and growth with clients, specifically in the healthcare and tourism industries.