Michael Mark, CEO/creative director. It’s the teeth of Michael’s New York legacy 
and the vibe of California that make NYCA unique. Michael’s future-focus is infectious. He’s an intuitive maverick who creates powerful teams dedicated to building marketing successes. For 20 years prior, Michael worked at elite agencies in New York, Boston, Chicago and Detroit. His brand-growing experience reads like a Who’s Who of iconic consumer brands: Procter & Gamble, Penta Water, The New York Stock Exchange, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Sheraton Hotels, Heineken, 7-Eleven, TaylorMade Golf, The San Diego Union-Tribune. He holds an MFA from State University at Binghamton, published two novels and frequently lectures on growing brands.
Michelle R. Edelman, president, has flourished on both the corporate and agency sides as a strategic visionary during her 17-year career. Her ideas make people nervous because they turn conventions so radically upside down. And they actually work. She has helped grow! revered brands like Dove, Altoids, McDonald’s, Quiznos and Starbucks as a senior planning officer at Leo Burnett and Ogilvy & Mather. Michelle holds dual master’s degrees in business and public health from Northwestern University and has published numerous books and articles on marketing strategy.
Dave Huerta, vice president/associate creative director (art), is on a persistent quest for pe
rfection. His meticulous attention to detail and passion for visual communication have grown the likes of Asics, Oakley, In-n-Out Burger, Marie Callender’s and Kawasaki Motors. Dave has driven teams as associate creative director at vitrorobertson and O’Leary Partners. His work has been celebrated in Communication Arts, Graphis, Print and college advertising textbooks. Dave holds a BFA in advertising/art direction and design from the Art Center College of Design.
Lynne Roswall, vice president/director of production, is in the middle of everything at NYCA, all of the time. Project management, procurement, execution, or negotiation, Lynne makes sure inspired ideas are executed to their absolute fullest potential. First at J. Walter Thompson in San Francisco, where she routinely performed miracles for Clients like Sprint, Sun Microsystems, Jenny Craig, Supercuts, Stuart Anderson’s and Chevron USA, and now for our fortunate NYCA Clients. Lynne has a Master of Arts from Antioch University in painting and drawing and a PhD in people skills.
Kassie Johnson, junior copywriter, has been recognized as an expert in advertising throughout the co
urse of her first year in the working world. She’s touched every brand NYCA worked for in 2008 including TaylorMade Golf, adidas Golf, SkyCaddie, and UC San Diego. Kassie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska. She continued her education in advertising by attending the Chicago Portfolio School, where no certificate or degree is awarded to graduates, but instead the knowledge of ‘do more, and do it better’. Kassie is determined to become a published author of a New York Times Best Seller novel and write extremely witty and charismatic articles for the ad industry over the course of her illustrious career.
Gene Paek, director of interactive. Understanding how to translate offline and online communications into one voice, he has over 12 years of interactive marketing experience, successfully leading top-tier Companies through the online space. Companies like P&G, Microsoft, Snapple Beverage Group, WhiteWave Foods, Coors Brewing Company, and Jelly Belly jelly beans. Gene holds a BS in Advertising, with a minor in Communications from San Jose State University.
Lisa Harder, associate media director, has a passion for giving brands their unique voice through strategic use of media. With her spirit, creativity and commitment, Lisa has had a hand in transforming the communications of past Clients including Walt-Disney Attractions, Cirque du Soleil, Smith and Wollensky Steakhouse, WD-40 Company, New York University and Sean John Apparel. As a California native with a taste for New York City, Lisa blends authenticity with style and sophistication in all that she does. Lisa earned her BA in psychology with a minor in marketing at California State University, Long Beach.
