We are a group of marketing, advertising and sales professionals with decades of experience in marketing, advertising and sales. Conach Marketing Group was formed based on the common beliefs of its principals of how a firm should be run and how its clients should be treated. To keep our overhead low while offering exceptional work, we have adopted a business model similar the Design Build approach in construction or an OEM program in manufacturing. We have gathered a team of talented professionals who share our client-focused philosophy, who have specific expertise in areas such as website production, sales training, video production, and many others. This allows us to deliver the best services for your marketing investment, make a positive impact on your business, and have some fun while we do it.

The Owners of Conach

PAUL KOWALSKI, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

What is a Creative Director? Paul always says it means he “directs creatively.” This is really not just a quip, but pretty close to the truth. As Creative Director, he works directly with clients, develops their strategies and campaigns, writes copy, designs, illustrates, and oversees all the design and production of the clients’ material…that takes some “directing creativity.”

Making a living as an advertising professional since 1985, Paul began his career in the days of drawing tables and key lines. This longevity brings not only gray hair, but quite a bit of knowledge in the world of marketing, advertising, campaigns, strategy, design and production. After all, you would hope he has learned something in nearly a quarter of a century in the biz. He learned a lot working with clients such as: General Motors, Buick, Dow, Dow Corning, Chrysler, Toyota, DeBeers, but keeps an open mind to new techniques and methods to help strengthen his clients marketing programs.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts in Design from Saginaw Valley State University and then returned there to teach for eight years. After a few years as an adjunct professor, they decided to let him head up the Graphic Design program (he suspects mainly because no one else wanted it). While in that position, he developed a BFA of Arts Degree, restructured the Graphic Design curriculum, established and internship program an saw the enrollment double in the program…not to mention forging many wonderful memories of the 100’s of students he taught.

Spending most of his adult life in the field of graphic arts, Paul began his career at Bradford LaRiviere as a Designer/Illustrator, moved to CSC Advertising as Art Director and then to Holt Marketing as Creative Director. Along the way he also created and produced his own comic books, developed in-house graphic design departments and freelanced his services…while having a pretty good time no matter what he was doing.

MIKE SELK, ART DIRECTOR

You might be wondering what the difference is between a Creative Director and an Art Director. Maybe the best way to describe it is that the Creative Director is the Head Coach and the Art Director is the Offensive Coordinator. Mike executes the campaigns; working with clients on the design of their projects, quoting projects, managing the vendors, and campaign implementation.

Mike is a graduate (and a former student of Paul’s) of Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and has worked in marketing and advertising since 1999. Since graduating, Mike was the Creative Director at Envision Communications and Art Director at Holt Marketing. He has also received Michigan Credit Union’s Blue Water Marketing award for outdoor advertising.

As an adjunct faculty member at Mid-Michigan Community College in the Art and Design Department, Mike taught courses in advanced page layout and graphic design.

Outside of his passion for graphic design, Mike also has a background in fine art. His interests include 20th century modern art, music, and the art of snow sculpting. He has been involved in the sport for 16 years and has won numerous awards including First Place and People’s Choice in the State of Michigan Championship.

BRUCE FELTON, SALES DIRECTOR

If you ask people who have known Bruce a long time, they would tell you he has been a salesman all his life, given his gift of having no fear to speak to anyone…anywhere. A graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, he has worked in sales for over 30 years. Over that time, Bruce has learned the value of having a winning strategy or playbook in the sales function of any company.

Working as a Business Manager and Sales Trainer for Unilever Foods for over twenty-five years has given him hands-on knowledge of the challenges facing small and mid-sized businesses to keep their sales program effective. Working for decades with companies such as Meijer, Wal-Mart and Kroger has given Bruce insight into large corporations as well as small business.

During his career, Bruce consistently exceeded his sales goals and won many performance awards, including Salesman Of the Year 1988 and Business Unit Manager of 1997, which included a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Our Group of Professional Associates

Over the years we have built strong relationships with talented professionals to help us meet the various needs of the campaigns we develop. Their skill and expertise are a great asset to our company and strong resource for our clients.

REBECCA DUBAY, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Another of Paul’s former students (are you sensing a trend?), Rebecca graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a BFA in Graphic Design in 1999. She worked with Paul as a Senior Designer at another agency for five years. As talented as an artist as she is as a designer, Rebecca left the agency world to design and create jewelry, which she sells at VernonBea.com.

JEFF CARPENTER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ WEBMASTER/ FLASH ANIMATOR

Jeff was a student of Paul’s too (not surprised are you?). Jeff has worked as a designer since graduating from Saginaw Valley State University with a BA in Graphic Design in 1997. After working at various organizations and an agency, Jeff decided the life of as an independent contractor suited him best. Along with his graphic design business, he also is an adjunct faculty member at a local community college.

JUSTIN BAMBERG, GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ WEBMASTER/ FLASH ANIMATOR

Justin graduated from Delta College with an Associates Degree in Graphic Design with advanced courses in Web design and flash animation with training in the Joomla Content Managment System (CMS). A student of Jeff Carpenter (so he is a student once removed of Paul's), Justin has worked with us as an independent contractor working on print and internet projects.

JASON BICKEL, SALES ASSOCIATE

Jason (finally someone who is not a former student of Paul’s) brings eleven years of sales and marketing experience to Conach. The majority of his career has been focused on business-to-business marketing, which, of course, is a perfect fit with our team.

In his career, Jason has worked for a Mid-Michigan manufacturer where he researched new markets, established new distribution channels, developed sales support material, and managed e-marketing and website analytics.

Working for Padgett Business Services, he successfully managed marketing programs and won two national awards for new accounts generated.

He spent four years with Barnes, Chase & Davis, an advertising agency where he focused on business development and developing effective marketing campaigns for colleges, universities, credit unions, franchises, and manufacturers.

Jason earned Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Management from Pensacola Christian College, and an MBA from Northwood University’s Devos Graduate School of Management.

THE SALES MATRIX

Brian Nixon and Dan Kropchak own the Sales Matirx. Brian and Dan have been involved in sales for both Fortune 200 and closely held companies for 20 years. The Sales Matrix is a sales consulting firm focusing on Michigan based, family owned companies in dozens of industries. The Sales Matrix team offers customized sales training programs by aligning your sales strategy, your sales staff, and the products/services you offer. To maximize time and resources, The Sales Matrix utilizes unique training techniques such as interactive classroom training, role-plays and video, real-life field application, and personal action plans. www.thesalesmatrix.com