Our Contributors
Jamie Westdal, Jamie Westdal Photography
Jamie perfected her skill as a professional photographer while working in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Alta Bates Hospital in the early eighties, taking dramatic pregnancy portraits and artistically documenting the dramas of childbirth. As she dealt with the difficult lighting situations, the spontaneous events, and the human interactions of childbirth photography, Jamie mastered her unique portrait skills and sense of timing. She regards it as a tremendous honor and privilege to document one moment in the life of a family and know that she has created a keepsake that will be enjoyed from one generation to the next. Jamie continues to pursue her passion today as an award winning portrait photographer in downtown Orinda.
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Mark Hall, NetSolutions
NetSolutions is a computer consultancy specializing in the needs of small businesses. As a Microsoft certified Small Business Specialist we offer complete system design and support focusing on Microsoft technologies. We design and implement personalized technology solutions to fit the specific needs of the client to enhance their business value and long reaching success. We understand the needs and constraints of the small business owner from not only the financial aspect but also the need to have your systems up and running during business hours and work with businesses to ensure the impact is as minimal as possible in both these areas.
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Ken Freeze, Brown Miller Communications
Twenty years in the Coast Guard, 17 of which working daily with local, national and international news media, provides Ken with the background to handle just about any media relations situation. Whether it’s getting into the news or staying out of it, Ken’s dealt with everything from major oil spills to tabloid TV crews. Throughout his Coast Guard career, when an event of major media attention occurred, Ken’s talents were called upon. This included President Clinton’s “Safety Net” to interdict Haitians in 1993, the first three weeks of the Exxon Valdez oil spill 1989, the 1988 America’s Cup in San Diego and the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. For the last 14 years Ken has worked with the wine industry at Brown-Miller Communications (BMC) providing account services to a number of wineries, associations and foundations and also provides BMC clients with counsel, communications strategic planning and media relations training. Ken holds a bachelors degree in communications from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey. In addition to winning national awards for layout and design work, he has also freelanced a number of articles and photos to national publications on subjects ranging from computers to scuba diving. In 2006, Ken won the Public Relations Society of America’s top award, the Silver Anvil, for a statewide campaign he created and managed for the Pierce’s Disease Control Board.
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Kelly Vail, Growth Connections
Emerging from Corporate America to focus on small and mid-sized business, Kelly shares corporate best practices with smaller growing companies. As the principal of the company, Kelly’s experience includes diverse industries such as insurance, construction, technology, food services, retail, and franchise-model businesses. Kelly previously held roles in sales and marketing strategy, Marcom, and corporate communications: this involved working with both internal (employees) and external (customers) audiences. Kelly is passionate about the relationships she builds, efficiency of processes, and the results it brings in growing others’ business dreams. Graduating from the University of Dayton, Kelly holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design, Marketing, and Chemistry.
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Lindsay Gower, Blue Ribbon Writing
Lindsay Gower has been writing since 3rd grade—including many years as marketing and technical writer in the corporate world. In 2007, she launched Blue Ribbon Writing. As writer and editor, she helps business people with every aspect of business communication—marketing collateral, web content, business plans, training materials, and sales and marketing presentations. She also coaches those who want to hone their own writing skills. Lindsay is exceptionally fond of active verbs, the em dash and her dog, Johnny Fabulous. More about Lindsay »
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Lee Ann Kleinfelter, Keeping Order
Lee Ann Kleinfelter is a productivity organizer and efficiency expert. She helps executives and business owners improve the efficiency of their business lives, personal lives and bottom line. Lee Ann launched KEEPING ORDER in 2001, after 15 years in the software industry where she was business analyst, trainer and accomplished organizational change agent. A life-changing adventure led her to open her own business: Lee Ann went around the world—on a bike. More about Lee Ann »
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Scott Stiefvater, Blue Sky Video Production
Scott Stiefvater is a corporate video producer with over 10 years of experience. From developing the concept to distributing the finished product, Scott combines both creativity and business acumen. He enjoys the challenge of making videos that get results through a production process that is meaningful and enjoyable for the client. Before becoming a producer, Scott instructed aspiring video makers in studio production, field production and editing, creating and teaching courses in both video and TV production for the Contra Costa Regional Occupation Program.
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Grant Stubblefield, Community Marketing Group
Community Marketing Group is a community-based web service company offering brand identity and websites for small businesses and interactive maps for shopping centers. CMG consults small businesses, chambers of commerce, and non profits on the many possibilities of marketing their organizations on the internet and in their local communities by creating public resources and recognizable brands.
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