Our Talent Pool Team

We are a group of experts in the creative, technical, and consulting fields. Some of us work under the same roof, others from remote locations. All of us employ customer loyalty tactics into our philosophies and our work. The Talent Pool structure makes the process quick and effective, whether you're just looking for ideas or launching your next marketing campaign. We're anxious to collaborate with you, so state what's on your mind.

Jason E. Steed	President and CEO	Member since 2002
Maile Keone	Loyalty Marketing Specialist	Member since 2009
Benoy Tamang	Online Conversion Specialist	Member since 2007
Mike Larsen	CRM Specialist	Member since 2004
John Dubock	New Business Specialist	Member since 2009
Scott Taylor	Architecture Specialist	Member since 2002
Bear Files	Graphics Specialist	Member since 2009
Christina Johnson	Content Specialist	Member since 2006
Valerie Chereskin	PR Specialist	Member since 2009
Bryan Green	Interactive Specialist	Member since 2006
Kellie Nilsson	Communications Specialist	Member since 2005
Lynn Backman	Direct Response Specialist	Member since 2003
Holly Caughron	Eco-Marketing Specialist	Member since 2007
Janet Driscoll Miller	SEO Specialist	Member since 2009
Shelly Storey	Media Planning Specialist	Member since 2009
Kip Henrie	Branding Specialist	Member since 2004
Carrie Schafer	Production Specialist	Member since 2007
Suzy Naschansky	Development Specialist	Member since 2003
Joy Lyn Shaw	Audiocast Specialist	Member since 2009
Amy Wadsworth	Copywriting Specialist	Member since 2009
Jean Scothorne	Logistics Specialist	Member since 2002
Wade Palmer	Publication Specialist	Member since 2005

Jason E. Steed, President and CEO |
With 15 years of marketing, design and corporate promotion experience, Jason has designed solutions for Logitech, Novell, Intel, 3Com, NextPage, Alianza, Utah Department of Health, Yale University, Allegiance, Lifetime Products, and others. Recognitions include the AIGA 100 Awards recognizing a Novell branding piece, and the Addy Awards recognizing inventive direct marketing campaigns. Jason began with a Degree in Graphic Design from BYU, and has since embraced the motto, "Learn it, do it, teach it," as an Online Marketing and E-commerce instructor at the University of Utah. He is actively involved in the community by serving on the boards of Leadership Utah, the Utah Advertising Federation, and the Davis Applied Technology College.

Accomplishments: Blackwater rafting in New Zealand. Never lost money in a vending machine.
Favorite Holiday: Groundhog Day


Maile Keone, Marketing Specialist |
Maile is a high energy executive with broad business management skills and expertise in strategic aspects of marketing with a focus on early stage start-ups. Her goal is to save them time and money by laying a foundational marketing plan and establishing best practices early on. Maile is driven by a passion to find the best possible methods to position and market products and services, leading to increased visibility and sales. Additionally she is highly competent in team development and management, from small departments to enterprise-level logistics. Her strengths include corporate marketing, marcom expertise, channel sales and marketing, business development, and partner marketing.

Things I Love: Teenagers hanging out at my house, tennis, hiking, fast cars, dancing in the rain, fireplaces, really nice shoes and Sunday dinner.
Favorite Foods: Chocolate, sushi, tempura anything, fondue and any Hawaiian food.
Favorite Holiday: My birthday, the one day a year that is all about me!


Mike Larsen, CRM Specialist |
Mike has over 15 years of experience in developing and measuring marketing tools and campaigns. His responsibilities include campaign development, stats tracking and reporting, CRM programs and tools, and customer opt-in strategies. With his experience in the gaming industry, Mike has a solid mastery of usability principles as they relate to all aspects of 1-to-1 marketing. Mike has experience in senior level management positions for California companies Sega of America, Sierra On-Line and The Learning Company in California, and Electronic Arts in Vancouver BC. Responsibilities included managing user Interface design teams and projects, contract negotiation, developer training, and subscriber list management.

My Favorites: Fly fishing, road trips, road biking, inventing cool things, etc.
My Passions: Team sports with the kids, time to think in open spaces.
Favorite Holiday: March 21 (Spring Equinox).


John Dubock, New Business Specialist |
With 15 years of sales, marketing, and business development John is driven to combine high tech tools with old fashioned relationship building. Past and current projects reveal John's commitment to CRM solutions, social media's future, and bottom line ROI. John embraces the motto, Don't Lament, Invent!"

Life Outside the Office: Snowbird Mountain Host, windsurfer, tennis and mountain biking
Accomplishments: Lived on a beach on Kauai for six months on .75 cents a day, surfing world class waves.
Favorite Holiday: Groundhog Day


Scott Taylor, Architecture Specialist |
For the past 10 years Scott has been helping businesses integrate technology solutions that achieve strategic goals. Scott is a master of web technologies, custom application development and system integration with a keen understanding in a diverse array of business operations. Having developed complete web, software, and database solutions for organizations ranging from independent start-ups to the US Air Force, Scott brings a breadth of IT experience to the team. Scott has a BS in Computer Science.

My Music: Played bass touring the US in a van for weeks on end.
My Motor: Auto/rallycross in the Subie, canyons on the Ducati.
My Meridian: 12 trips to 12 countries...and counting.


Bear Files, Graphics Specialist |
Originally from Alaska, Bear has been helping B2B clients improve their professional image since 1994. He has a reputation for providing creative design work, meeting deadlines, and providing responsive customer service. A graduate of San Diego State University with a BA in Graphic Communications, Bear provides creative Website design and web development services, with a focus on Web usability, analytics analysis, and ongoing Website management. Past and present clients include Santa Monica Seafood, Souplantation, Aperio Technologies, Sorrento Networks, Optical Micro Machines, Genzyme Diagnostics, Paul Ecke Ranch, Nielsen Construction, and the Building Industry Association.

My Favorites: Mountain biking, nature walks with my family, reading, reggae & Johnny Cash.
My Passions: Leading by example, helping people.


Christina Johnson, Content Specialist |
Christina is a valuable member of the Targa Media team working to manage our client accounts by working with and sustaining client relations. She also works with web content maintenance, online marketing, concept development, storyboarding, production design, and consulting services. With expertise in the fine arts, digital media arts, photography, and film and video, she contributes not only to the public relations and business portion of Targa Media, but also the creative process and brainstorming. Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah specializing in Intercultural Communication, Middle East Studies and Arabic.

My Favorites: Saravanas restaurant, Lebanese food, Colombian music, Bollywood movies, Brazilian dancing
My Passions: Dance, art, music, people, and languages
Other Interests: Piano, photography, painting, travel, and fashion


Valerie Chereskin, PR Specialist |
Since 1991, Valerie has been providing strategic marketing and public relations services for emerging high tech companies. She has developed a reputation for responsiveness, hard work, industry knowledge, and media connections. She placed clients' news in major media, including Wall Street Journal, ABC World News Tonight, Fortune Magazine, and others. By understanding how reporters and editors work, she has been able to gain their trust. With several media relations awards from PRSA under her belt, she also has an MBA and accreditation (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.

Outside the Office: Avid flutist, perform with chamber groups, Trio Seraphim
My Passions: Nature Conservancy, Humane Society
My Secret to Success: "Eighty percent of success is just showing up" (Woody Allen)


Bryan Green, Interactive Specialist |
Bryan specializes in user interface design, interactive, animation and broadcast video. Bryan has created inspiring creative work for a range of clients including Zion's Bank, Intel, Ask Jeeves, DirecTV, Xircom, Park City, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the US Ski Team. Among Bryan's recognitions are the Gold One Show and the Gold Utah Addy Awards in 1999, and the Silver Utah Addy Awards in 2000 and 2007. Bryan graduated from Weber State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

My Favorites: Baseball


Kellie Nilsson, Communications Specialist |
Kellie studied Mass Communication with an emphasis in writing and editing at the University of Utah. She then joined the Targa Media team in 2005 as Communications Specialist, creating specialized promotions, Web optimization, and office operations. Kellie spent two years at a medical news and information company providing newsletters, articles and targeted content in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. In addition, she provides writing and public relations services for a dance competition company who recently published her work internationally.

My Favorites: Running, spinning, hiking, pistachio gelato, reading, writing, and my Black Lab mix, Baron.
My Passions: Dance, teaching dance, watching dance, spending time outdoors, and being active and fit.


Lynn Backman, Direct Response Specialist |
Lynn has over 25 years experience in direct mail design and messaging. National accounts include: Oxmoor House, House of White Birches, F&W Publications, Reader's Digest, and Meredith Corporation, as well as national publications such as Outdoor Life Magazine, Field & Stream, Skiing, Ski, and Outdoor Explorer Magazines. Noteworthy are response rates that Lynn has helped these companies achieve. One among these is a redesign of Annie's Attic, achieving a 76% lift rate. Other factors included refinements to the house list and new product offers. Lynn's work on the Woodworking for Women and Christmas From the Heart book series campaigns helped achieve lift rates above 30%.

My Favorites: Family. They mean everything to me.
My Passions: Traveling the world with my husband.
Other Interests: Using what I've learned from direct mail design in my effort to paint landscapes in oil and abstracts in acrylic.


Holly Caughron, Eco-Marketing Specialist |
A native Texan, born and raised, Holly moved to SLC with her husband's residency in April, 2007. Holly studied Public Relations and Marketing at the University of Maryland. She has followed the marketing industry closely for 6 years, staying abreast of the latest trends with frequent professional development and training in many different fields including: travel, non-profit, film, medicine, and eco-friendly arenas.

My Passions: My first passion is for the environment, followed by a close and endearing second for marketing/travel/outdoor play. Others include writing and photography.
Favorite Job: Working as a concierge at the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas, USVI, where I enjoyed daily perks of sailboat rides and free first-class meals, all in the name of training.
Favorite CD: All of the Putumayo World Music Compilations!


Shelly Storey, Media Planning Specialist |
Shelly has over 18 years experience in broadcast media. As a media planner and buyer she has had experience negotiating multi-million dollar media schedules throughout the West. She understands all aspects of traditional media and is a stellar negotiator. She loves media and helping her clients reach the right people to better grow their businesses. Shelly's accomplishments include the 2007 Small Business of the Year Award by Salt Lake Chamber, and the 2007 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award by NAWBO/SLC.

Life Outside the Office: Biking and playing with my dogs, touring local lakes on my personal watercraft.
Other Interests: Dancing, singing, and reading.


Kip Henrie, Branding Specialist |
Kip brings to the big table over 15 years of dedicated experience in website design and architecture, photography, advertising, packaging, corporate branding, direct mail, tradeshow presentations and digital illustration. Kip recently designed the interface designs and packaging for a FranklinCovey smartphone application - FCmobilelife. Kip has successfully worked with the marketing teams at Iomega, Alianza, Zonder.com, Merit Medical, Intel, Dark Horse Marketing (NY), and The SCO Group. Kip's branding work has been showcased multiple times in Logolounge - a national logo and branding competition.

Work to Live: I'm addicted to rock climbing and the outdoors.
Accomplishments: Living totally and completely debt free.
Family: No success can compensate for failure in the home. Live a balanced life.


Carrie Schafer, Production Specialist |
Originally from Burley, ID, Carrie traveled to the great state of Utah for her college education at Utah State University in Logan, graduating with a degree in Graphic Design. After a brief stint with the local Herald Journal Paper, she followed her true passion to Salt Lake City to delve into the world of graphic design and further her skills. With all the different opportunities and excitement, Carrie says that she's "Never been happier, living life in the fast lane!"

Favorite Movies: Pride & Prejudice (the 6 hour version, because you just can't find a better Mr. Darcy!) Lord of the Rings and Stardust.
My Passions: I love my work and am very passionate about the process of discovery. I love life and don't like to take opportunities for granted. I love to meet new people.
Other Interests: Playing the piano, singing, crocheting, art journaling.


Suzy Naschansky, Development Specialist |
Suzy is responsible for understanding user requirements, offering consultancy on solutions, and designing, developing and implementing turnkey solutions for clients, as well as ongoing maintenance and customer support for existing sites and applications. While executing a project, she makes recommendations and suggestions that are a value-add to the client's business. Development projects include Intranets, catalogs, payment gateways, bulletin board sites, email services and automated newsletters, contests, content management, and more. Before joining Targa Media, Suzy worked with Mayo Medical Foundation, Coors, Time Warner Cable, AT&T Broadband, Chicago Tribune Charities, Exabyte, Tandberg Data, City of Lakewood CO, and others.

My Favorites: author: Stephen King; band: Metallica; movie: The Wizard of Oz; color: #359755
My Passions: Web surfing, home vegetable gardening, adventurous gourmet cooking
Other Interests: reading big books I never got around to in school, collecting dragons, and long road trips


Joy Lyn Shaw, Audiocast Specialist |
Joy fell into radio by accident and has since spent hundreds of hours behind the microphone. She worked in radio for 7 years, learning the ins and outs of audio broadcasting and acquiring the technical knowhow of audio editing. Joy records and delivers audio products to clients all over the world. Her alluring voice and finely tuned ear continue to advance her in the voice and audio production industry.

Life Outside the Office: Family, Books, Music, Travel, Pilates, Walking, Public Radio
My Favorite Foods: Café Rio, Chocolate, Lasagna, Toast with homemade jam
Favorite Places I've Visited: Alaska, St. John Virgin Island, Northern England, Seattle


Amy Wadsworth, Copywriting Specialist |
Amy helps craft the messaging that creates marketing relationships. Amy has been writing since she was big enough to pick up a typewriter—and they were quite heavy back then. For the past eight years, Amy has been writing, critiquing, coaching, and teaching the art of the written word. Between 2002 and 2005, Amy published three novels and participated in the marketing of those novels. Amy has been a computer instructor in an elementary school where she facilitated teacher education using software and educational Internet programs. An advocate of the arts, Amy is the Public Relations Specialist for the Cottonwood Heights Arts Council, and she has participated in multiple community theater production teams. Amy's motto is "there is always more to learn."

My Passion: There is nothing more satisfying than complete communication of an idea, whether it be through music, theater, textile arts, or of course, the written word.
The Best Thing of My Life: my family is my joy. My husband and four children are the motivation behind everything I do.
To Relax: I love to travel.


Jean Scothorne, Logistics Specialist |
Jean is a 20-year veteran of advertising project management and event coordination with a knack for managing the minutia. Her experience ranges from helping small firms and offices to be moreefficient and profitable, to coordinating the details of a million dollar product launch. Jean is focused on keeping jobs on-track, on-time, within budget, and fully streamlined.

My Favorites: Cookies (There is no such thing as a bad cookie)
My Passions: Definitely cookies
My Hero: Cookie Monster


Wade Palmer, Publication Specialist |
Wade has over 13 years of professional experience in graphic design and art direction, including work at a full-service ad agency, a publication firm, and as the Creative Director for a national magazine. He earned his BFA in graphic design from Brigham Young University. Wade has twice founded and managed design departments for other companies. His work has been published in several national design books and magazines including "Print Regional." Recognitions include several regional Addy Awards and inclusion in AIGA 100 Shows.

My Favorites: Asian food junkie. PC gamer. Spanish speaker. I like to run (fast).
My Ambitions: Never been to Europe. Gotta get there.