Our Team
Dan Starnes
Founder
Dan Starnes is the founder of Starnes Media, the mothership company which includes Starnes Publishing and Starnes Digital. Since the founding of Starnes Publishing in 2008, the company has grown to a total of seven titles that have won numerous awards from the Alabama Press Association. The company has been recognized both locally and nationally for its growth, including the INC. 5000 Class of 2016.
Alison Grizzle
Director of Organizational Development
Dr. Alison Grizzle leads our team in the creation of best-practice organizational processes and detailed project management standards both internally and for our clients. In an 18-year career, she has accomplishments in leadership development, employee engagement, team dynamics, consensus building, goal setting, strategic planning, and talent development.
Matthew Allen
Sales Manager
Matthew Allen has spent all of his 12-year career in journalism and marketing in the Birmingham market, working with more than 500 businesses and individuals to establish their presence through local marketing. Matthew is actively involved in several local Chambers of Commerce; serves in the Hoover Rotary Club; and serves on the board of Hoover City Schools Foundation.
Mike Knowles
Digital Sales Manager
Mike Knowles is our digital sales manager, his daily challenge is to drive agency growth and ensure world class execution for our Clients. Mike has 25 years of Agency experience with the likes of Y&R NY, Publicis Dallas, and Luckie in Birmingham. Mike graduated from Ole Miss where was an All American tennis player, and he also holds an MBA in Marketing from SMU Cox School of Business. Mike also loves Mad Men.
Kristen Stempak
Account Director
Kristen Stempak is an Account Director here at Starnes Digital, focusing on client strategy, project management, and overall account direction. She is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College where she was a NCAA Division III swimmer. Prior to joining our team she interned with a variety of ad agencies in the Birmingham market.
Drew Young
Video Production Specialist
Drew Young views your business through a lens as our Video Production Specialist. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in English in 2013 from Samford University and a Master’s in Film and Media Studies in 2015 from Emory University. As an FAA licensed drone pilot, motion designer, and videographer, he is passionate about using video to help people grow their business.
Layton Dudley
Account Manager
Layton Dudley is an account manager and photographer at Starnes Media. Layton graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Journalism and took a special interest in visual journalism. During her time at school, she photographed for The Crimson White, covering various events including the 2016 National Championship.
Abby Kirk
Social Media Manager
Abby Kirk manages our social media team at Starnes Digital. Abby graduated from Samford University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a concentration in print media and public relations and a minor in social-entrepreneurship. She has a passion for studying social media trends and implementing social media strategy.
Matt Crawford
Graphic & Web Designer
Matt Crawford is a Graphic Designer & Web Developer here at Starnes Digital. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Alabama in 2010. He loves everything that has to do with web design & development, graphic design, branding and marketing.
Jake Fabian
Digital Advertising Specialist
Jake Fabian is a Google AdWords Certified advertising specialist who manages AdWords accounts for our clients, in addition to aiding with marketing strategy and social media management. Jake graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Telecommunications, Film & Philosophy, and has a varied background in writing, film, and marketing that drives his passion for comprehensive and innovative digital advertising.
Erica Brock
Web Developer
Erica Brock is a Web Developer with a technical background that allows her to take the vision of our creative team and build beautiful, functional, and responsive websites for our clients. Erica is a graduate from UAB with a graduate certificate in software development and a bachelors degree in English.
Emily Vandermey
Graphic & Web Designer
Emily VanderMey has aspired to create since she was a child. She has worked as a member of our team since 2013. Since graduating from the University of Montevallo her work has included graphic design, branding, user interfaces, and web design. Her goal is to create powerful visual compositions that achieve our client’s goals across all platforms and media.
Kristin Williams
Creative Director
Kristin Williams joined the Starnes team in 2015 after transplanting from Decatur, Alabama. Kristin oversees creative concepts, production, and design duties on a wide variety of accounts and projects. Kristin graduated from Auburn University with a journalism degree and was the editor of The Auburn Plainsman, where she discovered a passion for visual storytelling.
Eric Clements
Marketing Consultant
Eric Clements brings 14 years of sales experience to Starnes Digital, with the last 10 years serving as a marketing consultant in the Birmingham market. He values helping businesses grow through strategic campaigns that yield the best results.
Warren Caldwell
Marketing Consultant
Warren Caldwell has been a marketing consultant in the Birmingham area for more than 15 years, advising clients on print, digital and social media strategies. His favorite thing to hear from clients is “We’re doing better now than ever!”.
Don Harris
Marketing Consultant
Don Harris is a marketing consultant with 35 years experience in crafting print and digital marketing strategies. He has seen the evolution of not only how people consume media, but how businesses can best reach their target market.
Michelle Haynes
Marketing Consultant
Michelle Salem Haynes has enjoyed serving clients as a professional marketing consultant in Birmingham for over 30 years. She specializes in building relationships with her clients as well as bringing buyers and sellers together.
Rhonda Smith
Marketing Consultant
Rhonda Smith is a marketing consultant with over 21 years of experience in print and digital advertising sales. She enjoys building relationships and working with the wonderful people and businesses in the communities of Birmingham.
James Plunkett
Marketing Consultant
James Plunkett is a Georgia native and University of Georgia graduate. With 10 years experience as a marketing consultant in Birmingham, James offers expertise and experience to local businesses as he continues to learn from each new client.
Vicky Hager
Marketing Consultant
Vicky Hager has been a marketing consultant for over 25 years and has experience in both print and digital mediums. Her strength is forging relationships with her clients and helping them grow their business by developing and implementing smart marketing strategies using a combination of print and digital solutions.