PETER GETMAN_CEO / Brand Strategy

Peter brings more than 20 years of brand marketing communications and entrepreneurial experience to MicroArts Creative Agency. He was instrumental in growing MicroArts from a three-person team to an eighty-employee agency and facilitated MicroArts' acquisition in 2000 by a public corporation. (MicroArts has since been reacquired and is once again privately held).

With boundless energy, Peter motivates and enables the entire MicroArts team to achieve the extraordinary. His primary responsibility is brand positioning and product-launch strategy; his goal is to provide the highest level of this service to a small number of select clients.

In addition to being the chief creative at MicroArts, Peter is a principal shareholder and partner in 16 fast-growing companies—specializing in a diverse range of industries, including iPhone lifestyle software, personalized cancer strategies services, hip iPod accessories, resort real estate development, datacenters, a destination health care website, a footwear brand, a popular handbag brand and commercial real estate. His sole responsibility as a partner in these companies is laser focused on leading MicroArts to create the big idea that drives new revenues.

Peter has presided over 300 brand launches over the past 20 years. He likes to say his passion is "taking the horse in third place to win a two-horse race." Outside of the agency, Peter is skiing, no doubt about it. His personal slogan is "Live life now."

"You know when you're excited to share a really big surprise? That's the energy around here when we know we've landed the big idea to launch a new product."

RYAN WIDRIG_Practice Director of Brand Design

Ryan brings more than a decade of experience in design and art direction to Microarts. During that time, he honed his clean and progressive style working on marketing and product design initiatives for such clients as Burton Snowboards, Anon Optics, R.E.D. protection equipment, Timex, STX Lacrosse, Bauer Nike Hockey, Eastpak, Sony Music, Mastercard, Pepsi, Sobe Adrenaline Rush, Power Puff Girls, and MTV.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design from the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. When he's not busy doing his part to make the world a more attractive place to look at, he can likely be found behind his fly-tying vice, painstakingly creating beautiful flies to lose in famous fly-fishing rivers around country. Ryan's other favorite indulgences also include Cuban cigars and fine spirits.

"Bear with us, we are an intellectually curious team that digs and digs until we find the position we can launch on."

KAREN SCHAFFER_Senior Director, Client Services

Karen has been championing the cause of her clients for over 15 years. As an agency veteran, she has helped companies craft and implement business changing marketing communications strategies in a broad range of disciplines. She has successfully guided her clients through the details of creating new brands, websites, user interfaces, e-commerce applications, customer experience strategies, branded environments, merchandising systems, and internet marketing programs.

As a true client advocate, Karen is proactive in establishing measurable program objectives, keeping the voice of the final customer at the forefront, and mitigating any potential obstacles to success.

Karen graduated with honors from University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business & Economics.

When not working, she can usually be found traveling, honing her skills as an amateur landscaper, or taking chances with power tools.

"The most rewarding moment is seeing a client's excitement when they discover we have created something they hadn't even dreamt of."

ANN MARIE NISWENDER_Agency Manager

Ann Marie Niswender started with MicroArts in May 1995 as Finance Assistant. She quickly worked her way up to Finance Manager and then to Controller when a publicly held company purchased the company in 2001.

As primary accounting and finance person Ann Marie was instrumental in both the acquisition and buy-back of MicroArts. MicroArts had been through many organizational and accounting changes, which has been an excellent learning experience.

Ann Marie managed the accounting department for MicroArts when it was a publicly held company and now handles every aspect of the accounting and operations for the company.

"I strongly believe that in order for a company to survive, it must adapt to its environment and MicroArts has proven that possible."

JEAN RYAN_Launch Specialist

Jeanie Ryan is a launch specialist with 25 years' award-winning marketing communications launch experience in both the client and agency roles for numerous global products and services.

From "first-to-market" launches — today's mobile phones (Sprint) and Internet /online services (AOL, AIM) — to increasing sales for established industries — Ryan's programs have created ground-breaking successes that influence audiences from Capitol Hill decision makers (three Administrations) to mainstream consumers.

At Shandwick, Burson-Marsteller and Rogers & Cowan, Jeanie's teams won the highest awards for creativity, weaving together the public, corporations, technology, celebrities and causes. At AOL, Jeanie's team in Strategic Development/Product Marketing launched products such as AOL Instant Messenger - now in the Smithsonian Institution's Permanent Innovation & Technology Exhibit. Ryan credits success to Disney University training as a PR rookie for "the Mouse," which impacts her consumer orientation to this day.

Jeanie is a mom of a teenager and toddler and has a Semiotics degree from Brown University (music, dance and arts). She teaches yoga and has led 11 yoga eco-retreats in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.

"I love this business. It is so creative, and through it, we help our clients transform the world in a positive way. How cool is that?"

WALTER ELLY_Senior Director of Internet Marketing

Walter is a true champion of the internet. His career kicked off in 1995 with FOX Television, launching one of the first television station websites and setting an industry standard with ground breaking features like weather radar, webcams and television signal imagery. In the late 90s he researched and taught courses about the web as a training specialist for the Center for Instructional and Research Computing Activities at the University of Florida.

In the early 2000s he directed the creation of an ERP system which leveraged custom web based applications and large-scale web inputs and outputs to transform a law firm of a dozen into a powerhouse that now regularly takes on law firms of ten dozen. At MicroArts he manages our Internet marketing team, delivering the power of the Internet to our clients and providing a solid base with his experience and deep understanding of human communication online.

Walter earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida, graduating with honors.

When he's not tweeting about life the universe and everything he enjoys skiing, video games, digital photography, and spending time with his wife, daughter and son, their dogs and friends.

"The gift of democratized communication that the Internet has given us provides an amazing opportunity for brands. As a result, broadcast media is no longer required for success — it now only takes a tap of the screen or click of the mouse."

TAYLOR LUKE_Kick Ass Senior Designer

Taylor brings raw design talent to our creative team all the way from the west coast! She has a flair for polished, sophisticated designs that enable our clients to project a professional image through all print mediums.

Taylor is well versed in both design and advertising. While studying at Washington State University, she gained experience in account management, served as art director for various student advertising projects, and participated in a national student advertising competition. Taylor also held the position of editor-in-chief of her university yearbook, and performed freelance work for several local companies.

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising with a concentration in Digital Imaging/Graphic Design. When Taylor isn't spending time behind her Macintosh, she enjoys kayaking, horseback riding, photography, drawing, and watching movies. She is up for a movie trivia challenge at anytime!

"We launch brands. Our track record hints that we're good at it, and it's what we love to do."

GREG PETROPOULOS_Practice Director of Big Idea Brand Strategy

Since 1992, Greg has spearheaded campaigns in print, broadcast, and online for a diverse range of companies — from baby food to bulldozer teeth. His experience spans B2B and B2C communications in all media, including ads, annual reports, articles, banner ads, brochures, catalogs, corporate communications, corporate ID, direct mail, multimedia, newsletters, packaging, point-of-purchase, press releases, radio, sales letters, search engine advertising, trade show materials, TV, videos, Web sites, and white papers. He's also been responsible for the brand development and stewardship for several companies.

"If you love a brand, launch it. If it comes back to you with gobs of profits in its paws, then it's yours. If it doesn't, it's time to switch brand launch agencies."

SUNSHINE FOSS_Consumer Lifestyl Photographer

Sunshine brings nine years of portrait and lifestyle photography to Micro Arts. She has a successful portrait studio specializing in children and lifestyle photography. Sunshine graduated from Maine College of Art with a B. S. Degree focusing on photography and graphic design. She has worked as a designer for advertising agencies and printing companies. This love of advertising has given her a passion for consumer lifestyle photography.

Sunshine's free time is spent with her other passions of yoga, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, friends and her beautiful children.

"Success happens when you are tapped into the energy of that moment."

MONICA WRIGHT_Practice Director of Search Marketing and Internet Advertising

Monica Wright is a veteran online marketer specializing SEO and social media, and has worked with national and regional clients in a wide variety of industries including hi-tech, hospitality & tourism, and higher education.

Monica has over 10 years of media and content marketing experience, with a strong focus on driving online audience to media companies. Prior to joining agency life optimizing sites and Audience Development Manager for MaineToday.com, recognized nationally as one of the leading interactive programs in the newspaper industry.

Monica earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Studio Art and Philosophy from Boston College, and is a 2006 Newspaper Association of America New Media Fellow.

She is a regular speaker and contributor to the search & social blogosphere including searchenginejournal.com and the SEO Dojo at huomah.com.

When she’s not online searching, tweeting, blogging or stirring up trouble, she trains in Shotokan karate, spends time with her husband, two sons Trey and Noah, and enjoys painting and discovering new music.

"A committed and talented team creates a culture with spirit, drives you to do your best and encourages you to go beyond your limits. That's MicroArts."

LIZZIE ORMISTON_Practice Director of Internet Ubiquity

Elizabeth joins the MicroArts team to oversee an exciting project, Ubiquity.  She brings with her strong project management skills, lots of ideas and a growing knowledge of internet marketing.  This is her first venture working on the agency side, but she has played the role as client to many agencies through her years of marketing, bringing a unique perspective.

Her entrepreneurial spirit is driven from working with a number of start up companies in the past including a juice company, a microbrew company and a software company.  Most recently she was in the ski resort industry working with leading companies on resort planning and launching vacation home properties with industry leaders.  Here, she refined her ability to collaborate, strategize, create integrated marketing campaigns and execute on those timelines.

"Internet marketing is here. Some companies have crushed it, many are building toward success and others are just giving it a go. .I look forward to finding all of the above."

DAVE PECUNIES_Videographer

Dave brings nearly 10 years of photographic, television, and web video experience to MicroArts. He has managed a Resort Sports Network television station as well as operated a successful video production business specializing in broadcast, training videos and web videos. Some of his clients include Sunday River Ski Resort, CCUSA, Bethel Camp for the Arts, Persistence Media, Racing Ahead Inc, Emery Waterhouse and Media Northeast.

Dave has a B.S. Degree from the University of New Hampshire. When he is not working he can be found skiing at Sunday River or on Mt Washington. He also enjoys both road and mountain biking, fishing, traveling, golf and spending time with his family.

"Half measures avail us nothing. To whatever we do, we give all we have—all we are."

TARA ELLY_Developer

Tara heaps years of development experience onto the table along with a large helping of the knowledge it took for her to be an instructor in a wide variety of subjects, from puppy training to Adobe Photoshop and HTML to general science. She has created websites and web applications for law firms, written database applications for The Office of Academic Technology at The University of Florida and created multimedia presentations for the Management Consulting Division of PriceWaterhouseCoopers in New York.

Tara earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and her Master of Science degree at the University of Florida. In her free time you can find her spending time with her husband and daughter, training her dogs in obedience and agility, crocheting or reading.

"Launching an idea that moves piles of new revenues creates an infectious energy at MicroArts. You certainly don't want to cure it."

BLYTHE LANGLEY_Designer

Blythe's role at MicroArts is focused on all aspects of design. She brings an energetic creative through many mediums of design, including high-impact graphics. Blythe works closely with our Art Director to expand our design diversity and bring new concepts to our clients. Design is something Blythe has been passionate about her whole life ranging from fine arts to digitally created pieces.

Blythe graduated from Endicott College with a degree in Visual Communications/Graphic Design. She has spent time working in a variety of environments from building & architecture to outerwear for skiing and snowboarding. She gained valuable design experience working as a designer for a Massachusetts agency, working on a large array of design projects.

When Blythe isn't designing on her computer she enjoys painting, cooking and baking. She can also be found skiing, playing soccer or tennis and traveling whenever the opportunity presents itself.

"Creating successful design is about finding an atmosphere where you feel comfortable and inspired."

MICHALEEN CRAIG_Practice Director of Conversion Rate Optimization

Known as the "World's Only Human Firebug", Michaleen began working for MicroArts as a freelance developer four years ago. After testing the waters with freelance, she recently signed on to join the MicroArts technical team.

Michaleen got her internet feet wet back in the early 90's when working on a New Hampshire Primary site for the University of New Hampshire's Communications Department. Amazed at how the typings of HTML could transform mere letters into hyperactivity...she was hooked. At MicroArts, Michaleen loves working directly with clients...easing their anxiety about all things web.

When not working (which is not all that often) Michaleen enjoys spending time with her beautiful daughter (and future programmer) Alison ... watching (or listening to) the Red Sox ... gardening ... you know, generally enjoying life. Favorite hobby: Finding typos in children's literature.

"Do what you love. The quality of your work depends on it."

DREW SCHULTHESS_Practice Director of Social Media Marketing

Drew brings an awareness of the rapidly evolving Web 2.0 marketplace and realizes the value of creating digital influence online. By understanding the nature of online social mediums, Drew strives to deliver an online strategy that ignites consumer evangelism and creates brand awareness.

Drew graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire with a focus in Marketing. While at UNH Drew participated within the American Advertising Federation and was part of a team that won an advertising campaign competition sponsored by MicroArts. Drew's favorite part of his education was spending four months abroad in Florence, Italy where, when he wasn't in class, he enjoyed traveling via train, plane, and bus on to various parts of Europe.

Drew's hobbies include golfing, surfing, cooking, drumming, and snowboarding.

"A great brand never sleeps."

WILLIE FORD_Account Executive

Willie is the newest addition to the MicroArts team. As an account executive, he ensures that all client initiatives are completed on schedule and on budget. He is obsessed with making the clients beyond satisfied. He works everyday to guarantee the best possible work will be delivered to the client. Nothing makes Willie happier than blowing the clients expectations out of the water!

Willie graduated from The University of New Hampshire with a degree in communication and business. Willie has true passion in teamwork and leadership, as proven by his results on UNH's division I ski team. Willie was a three-time Academic All American and a two-time Athletic All American, plus he was captain. He is pumped to bring his competitive nature to the MicroArts team.

When Willie isn't at the agency he's most likely spending time searching for the coolest place to ski, shredding the water, volunteering on the fire-squad, all while spending time with his friends and family.

"There is nothing like setting goals as a team, creating a plan and then blowing by your goals and achieving the unthinkable."

AUBREY SAMBOR_Web Developer

An HTML and CSS wrangler since 1998, Aubrey comes to MicroArts with experience customizing and developing for a multitude of content management systems, including Drupal, WordPress and Moveable Type. In the past, she has worked with companies such as the Old Farmer's Almanac, Intuit, The Woodwind & Brasswind and RealClearPolitics. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Indiana University.

In her spare time, Aubrey likes to knit (with yarn she spun herself), travel to new and exciting places, wander on the beach and make things out of paper and glue. She also likes to meet new people on Twitter and attend tweetups and other local events around the Seacoast.

"Working with a creative, vibrant team crafting beautiful and efficient code; this is what motivates me every day!"