People

People

Team JSA is made of 35 people who work together to make the world a better, funnier, smarter and happier place by partnering with clients we believe in to create work that helps people believe in them, too. We’ve been around for going on 46 years. And when you’ve been around that long, you’ve gone through a lot of ch-ch-ch-changes. Today though, we have a team of some of the most talented creative professionals in the business, an in-house audio studio, our own photographers and videographer, and an account team made of veteran media buyers, public relations specialists and marketing strategists to put our ideas to work.

Explore the image to meet our staff

staff member

Bruce Batti

President
JSA Class of 1986

Bruce has played nearly every role in the agency, from account manager and strategist to creative director. He leads our agency with endless energy and understands our clients’ marketing objectives from every perspective. Because of that, he leads his team and clients to create campaigns that move people, reshape brands and win awards. And this guy’s got a big heart. He’s served as chairman of the board for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Valley Crime Stoppers and Make-A-Wish Foundation; he’s a founding board member of the Children’s Movement of Fresno and Central Valley Honor Flight, and he’s currently the Board Chair for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno and Storyland/Playland Parks.


AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Board Chair, Storyland / Playland, 2019
  • Board Chair, Catholic Charities, 2019
  • Board Chair, Fresno Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Chair, Crime Stoppers
  • Board Chair, Make-A-Wish
  • Board Member, Central Valley Honor Flight, 2019
  • Board Member, President’s Commission for Art’s & Humanities, 2018
  • Board Member, Children’s Movement of Central California
  • Advertising Federation Hall of Fame (Elected into)
  • Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award
  • The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • Jim Tucker Media Service Award, Fresno State, Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
  • Fellows Recipient, Fresno State, Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
  • Spirit of Philanthropy Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2016
staff member

Wendy Batti

Owner/Chief Financial Officer
JSA Class of 1979

We call Wendy the Oprah of our office. She says what she means and does what she says. She runs a company, volunteers her time to make her city and community better and always has her door open to offer a word of advice or support, or to talk politics. Wendy has served many roles with the Chamber of Commerce including the Chair of the Board and was intricate in re-establishing Storyland/Playland. Wendy has been with the agency longer than anyone else. She supervises all of JSA’s financial aspects, including accounts receivable/payable and client billing as well as handles all human resources and personnel for the agency.

staff member

Cat Figura

Vice President of Accounts
JSA Class of 1991

Cat’s experience ranges from media strategy and negotiation, to account management and client relations, to assisting in the operations of the agency. Cat is the one of the most tenured at JSA, having started her career with the agency over 30 years ago in the media department before moving into account management. She currently oversees the client services department of the agency and works closely with other account managers and coordinators on client needs, while managing the day-to-day for some of the agency’s largest clients such as Sun-Maid Growers, EECU and Bonadelle Neighborhoods and also serves on JSA’s management team.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Professional Advisor for the Junior League of Fresno
  • Board Member of Central Unified Foundation of Fresno
  • Chair of Apex Fun Run Fundraiser
  • Chair of Carnival Fundraiser
staff member

Shantel Maiorana

Controller
JSA Class of 2005

Shantel revels in repetition. With over 20 years of Finance and Human Resources experience, she makes sure the financial faucets of JSA are running smoothly, including billing, balancing, and accounts receivable/payable. Also, she keeps it on the DL, but the camera loves her and she’s appeared in several client videos.

staff member

Jessie Irwin

Vice President of Creative
JSA Class of 2013

Jessie will take the lead on all creative strategies and concepts and ensure creative objectives and deadlines are met. As JSA’s creative director, Jessie has produced award-winning creative and has spearheaded record-breaking multimedia campaigns. With extensive experience in fine art, commercial photography, digital advertising, video production, script writing and graphic design. Jessie has a unique ability to envision all parts working together before the pieces have been built and to execute seamless campaigns across all platforms. She’s driven by data, planning, new media and meeting new artists as a volunteer with Fresno State’s BFA Graphic Design program. She knows what people are looking at, what they want to see, what’s new and what’s next, to create campaigns that resonate with and engage audiences of all ages.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Gold Telly Award, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Win for Fun Campaign, 2019
  • Muse Award, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Win for Fun Campaign, 2019
  • Gold Addy, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Fun for Life Campaign, 2018
  • Webby Award Honoree, Derek Carr Goes Platinum EECU Campaign, 2017
  • Best in Show Addy Award, 2017
  • Best in Show Addy Award, 2016
  • Gold Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC) Awards, 2017 (3)
  • CUNA Awards, Brand Awareness, Complete Campaign, Commercial Video, 2017
  • Instructor of Graphic Design, California State University, Fresno 2019
staff member

Sarah Krupp

Crisis Management, JSA Town Kryer
JSA Class of 2013

A former journalist for newspapers and digital media, Sarah knows how to unearth a good story and how to pitch it. She does not believe in sending out form emails to hundreds of media targets. Rather, she does careful research on media targets and crafts each pitch individually to the journalist and publication. This approach works. It has helped her cultivate relationships with traditional and social media influencers and garner the kind of coverage that raises the profile of our clients. While she prefers pitching happy stories, her experience in journalism also gives her an insider’s understanding to crisis communications. She knows just how to turn the tide of a negative story.

staff member

Elida Aviña

Research Marketing Specialist
JSA Class of 2005

Elida has a deep understanding of the Hispanic market, which allows for a culturally sensitive approach to her marketing efforts. Her extensive experience in cultural communications includes developing creative strategies for the Hispanic market, managing promotions and events, and conducting focus group research. Years of working in business development in the media sector has provided her with a broad perspective of the elements that affect market research, advertising and marketing. Elida leads the cultural adaptation of our Spanish campaigns, is a skilled moderator of Hispanic focus groups and is an integral member of our research team.

staff member

Angela Corbett

Senior Copywriter
JSA Class of 2015

We shipped Angela here from Ohio to bring clients a megaphone. As senior copywriter, she’ll complete any campaign objectives requiring copy. Angela is a collaborative problem solver; she works closely with designers and our creative director to create a unique, concise and consistent voice for every client. Her job is to thread an idea throughout all aspects of a campaign, from digital ads requiring bare-bones messaging to sixty second video scripts that tell a complete story. She has her MFA in Creative Writing, along with experience in public relations, social media and publishing, giving her the flexibility to tailor her writing style to any client or project.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Gold Telly Award, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Win for Fun Campaign, 2019
  • Muse Award, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Win for Fun Campaign, 2019
  • Gold Addy, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino Fun for Life Campaign, 2018
  • Webby Award Honoree, Derek Carr Goes Platinum EECU Campaign, 2017
  • Squaw Valley Writers Conference Fellow, 2016
staff member

KRISTIN MOLINA

Media Buyer
JSA Class of 2021

There are two types of people in this world: people who like spreadsheets and people who get hives when they look at spreadsheets. Luckily for us, Kristin is the first type. Her current focus is traditional media, but she’s done it all, and for agencies and clients of all sizes. With over ten years of media buying experience and an enduring love for a good puzzle, she knows how to make every budget and placement work its hardest.

staff member

Jennifer Seita

Account Manager
JSA Class of 2005

A veteran in the public and media relations area, Jennifer works as one of JSA’s account managers and a chief communication strategist. Jennifer works closely with multiple government and healthcare clients, leading the agency’s planning, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies and campaigns. Jennifer reviews market research and trend data, analyzing the perceptions and attitudes of clients’ priority audiences and key stakeholders. She consistently monitors evolving trends to guide the most relevant initiatives to deliver the appropriate messages directly, interactively or by leveraging the relationships with existing and new media partners.

staff member

RICK BUBENIK

Audio Engineer
JSA Class of 2021

Rick and JSA president, Bruce Batti, go way back–like all the way back to when bell bottoms and mustaches were in style. An old friend, Rick brings the newest audio technology backed by five decades of talent. From audio engineering and playing an instrumental role in the early development of the FOX TV network show “FOX Kids Club,” to being heard for over a decade coast-to-coast and worldwide as on-air personality “Rick Alan” on the K-LOVE Radio Network, not to mention being a KYNO Boss Jock—he’s truly done it all, and on local, regional and national levels. In 1997 he put all his talents and years of experience together to form Ricana Media Group, a full-service regional advertising, marketing and production company, and in 2014, he was inducted into the prestigious Fresno Advertising Federation’s “Hall of Fame”. 

 

staff member

Sarah Pruner Gunlund

Director of Public Relations
JSA Class of 2006

Sarah helps create, articulate and protect our clients’ most valuable asset: their reputation. Sarah is skilled in translating research-based insights into creative public relations campaigns that capture attention, frame agendas and ignite positive behavior change. She generates messaging that engages diverse audiences through mass media and social networks, which has led to local and international news stories, successful initiatives and award-winning campaigns.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • PRSA Campaign of the Year
  • Secured hundreds of news stories from local to International media
  • Served as the local expert for national organizations
  • Garnered millions of dollars in earned or “free” exposure
  • Sun-Maid Raisins (PR/Crisis Assistance)
  • California Fresh Fresh Fruit Association (Re-Branding, Communications, PR)
staff member

Patricia Popescu

Digital Services Manager
JSA Class of 2017

We’re not sure if it’s appropriate to describe a person as a “luxury import,” but we are sure that Patricia is one. Coming to us directly from Bucharest, Romania with a degree in Marketing, Patricia is a no-nonsense business woman who’s on top of technology. As the manager of all digital projects, from website development to digital ad design and social media strategies, her attention to detail is unparalleled, and her ability to organize a timeline (and keep it on track) is second to none.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Local chapter leader of Startup Grind, a Google for entrepreneurs program
  • 2017 Communication and Design Committee Leader for the Annual Conference of Women Techmakers
staff member

Montanna Tilton

Web Developer
JSA Class of 2017

Montanna Tilton is what happens when a genius computer hacker decides to use their powers for good, not evil. A 2020 Fresno State graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design, an emphasis in Interactive Multimedia, and a minor in Computer Science, Montanna is the perfect balance of left and right brain. Her main duties include designing websites, performing monthly maintenance for existing sites, troubleshooting, and creating eblasts. Her unique (some call it quirky) perspective ensures that she’s always thinking outside the box, which helps her solve complex coding problems and find the perfect balance of functionality and design.

staff member

Janis Reboton

Graphic Designer
JSA Class of 2018

Janis Reboton would call her personal style “Fisher Price with a hipster twist.” Her design is clean and playful. And her skills span from hand lettering and calligraphy to layout design, maps, diagrams and infographics. She graduated from California State University, Fresno in 2013 with a BFA in Graphic Design, and has only refined her craft since. Not to mention her rapier wit makes her perfect for dealing with whatever curveballs you throw her way.

staff member

Andy Tapia

Graphic Designer
JSA Class of 2019

You can probably find Andy with an iPad in hand, ready to illustrate anything from storyboards to animated graphics. It’s rare, in a world so driven by photographs, that designers still create from scratch, but Andy is our unicorn. On the flip side, she can also command the Adobe Suite and Photoshop. And if there’s a skill, style, technique or tool she doesn’t have, she’ll learn it. That’s probably her greatest strength—her readiness to learn, experiment and push past the ordinary.

staff member

MONICA SOUSA

Graphic Designer
JSA Class of 2021

Monica enjoys creating brand experiences that leave lasting impressions—and she’s sure left a lasting impression on us! She loves clean lines and minimalist design, but her accomplishments are anything but minimal. She received her BFA from Fresno State’s Graphic Design program in 2021, where she won 2 Gold and 2 Silver Student Addy Awards. She’s been known to geek out on anything handwritten, mostly because each person’s handwriting is unique to themselves. And that pretty much sums up her true talent—being passionate about what makes brands unique and translating that into designs that resonate.

staff member

Lauren Ruh

Promotional & Special Events Manager
JSA Class of 2013

Need a petting zoo to come to your party? How about a DJ, a guy with a big white beard to play Santa or an improv comedian? Or maybe you need someone to hand make two-hundred-and-fifty party favors, pick the perfect flowers or style your set? Then you need Lauren Ruh. She’s the life of the party…the commercial and the press event. She makes what you see and experience memorable—and what you don’t see is all the scheduling, organizing volunteers, finding talent, dressing talent and decorating. Lauren plays an important role in the planning and producing of all social media content and video work as well as manages all event planning for the agency’s clients.

staff member

AMANDA RAMIREZ

Social Media Manager
JSA Class of 2021

When she’s not scrolling on social media, she’s probably referencing the latest TikTok trend or thinking about her next caption. With a BA in Communications and a minor in PR, she hasn’t just studied the art of chit chat, she spends all day every day perfecting it. Amanda manages our clients’ social presence from day to day, month to month and campaign to campaign. She is also incredibly organized, creating monthly calendars with content that can shift at a moment’s notice if a new trend comes along.

staff member

Arturo Pineda

Web Developer & UI/UX Creator
JSA Class of 2017

Art’s digital development and programming skillsets are utilized daily to design and build digital ads, websites and custom interfaces. He works alongside a team of graphic designers and content writers, using the latest technology and design programs available. Art is well versed in several programming languages and experience with ADA Compliance implementation. He creates, manages, and modifies Custom Management Systems, using traditional and modern web development best practices. He performs cross-platform browser testing and troubleshooting, and is experienced in server implementation and configuration based on each client’s needs. He is a valuable sounding board for clients to explore interactive concepts and functionality and is highly qualified in: 

  • Mark-Up: HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, Bootstrap, Foundation, Material UI, Tail-Wind CSS
  • Front-end Development: React (Create React App, NEXT.JS, Gatsby.JS) as well as JQuery and Vanilla JS.
  • Back-End Development: PHP, MySQL(i), MariaDB, Next.JS (SSR), Google Firebase, MongoDB
  • Content Management: WordPress, Drupal, Joomla. Headless CMS using Gatsby / Next.JS / Sanity / Contentful
  • Visual Tools: VS Code, Adobe Creative Suite with Adobe XD for Prototyping
staff member

Suzie Mariano

Senior Account Manager
JSA Class of 2017

After receiving her Master’s Degree from the University of Texas, Austin, Suzie came back to California to start her career in advertising. During her time at one of Los Angeles’ top creative agencies, she worked on everything from Star Wars to Sharknado, so rest assured, there’s nothing she can’t handle. Suzie oversees some of our largest accounts, specializing in research, strategy, project management and client communication, all while having her eye on media, production and creative.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • First Place – In-Office Halloween Costume Contest
staff member

Dan Raffety

Account Manager
JSA Class of 2021

Dan is a Los Angeles native that has called Fresno home for four years. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, he began his career in the live events and sports industry where he worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bulldog Sports Marketing, joining the JSA team to lend his creative ideas and thoughtful personality to his accounts. Dan’s enthusiasm is hard to match, but it doesn’t compare to his commitment to his clients and exceeding their objectives. Dan specializes in project management, research, strategy and client communication.

staff member

Marcus Young

Crisis Management, JSA Town Kryer San Francisco
JSA Class of 1994

Marcus has been helping clients tell their stories in a compelling way for almost two decades. He started in the communications arena working with such notables as AT&T, Jaguar, Land Rover, and today has a resume that includes PR and brand management for Chevron, Waste Management, Mirant Americas, Toll Brothers, Shea Homes, Lennar, KB Homes and many more. Marcus managed the San Francisco ballot initiative that created the first chartered Small Business Commission in the country. Considered a crisis and communications expert, Marcus is often called in when the chips are down and tough calls need to be made. He has media trained dozens of corporate officers from CEO’s to corporate communications staff. He has also acted as the spokesperson for a number of clients dealing with issues from labor relations to product recalls, and is considered a media relations expert.

staff member

RENEE’ VON HAGEL

Senior Account Manager
JSA Class of 2021

Reunited and it feels so good! Renee’ was a JSA employee back in 2001, and now she’s back, bringing over 35 years of expertise in marketing, advertising, and public relations with her. Maybe it’s her real life cattle wrangling that makes her so good at herding the creative department–they can be kind of wild if we’re being honest–and managing big, multifaceted projects. Who knows. But she does it expertly. Over the years, she’s led strategic planning, project management, creative supervision and business development for clients including McDonald’s Restaurants, Eye-Q Vision Care and Ashley Furniture, and most recently, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno Greek Fest, Food 4 Less Central Valley and Evans Feed.  

staff member

Duran Hernandez

Art Director
JSA Class of 2016

If our agency was a plate of chicken and waffles, Duran would be our hot sauce. ESSENTIAL. And it’s not just because he’s spicy. With a background in cinema and an eye for architectural design, Duran has an unmistakable style based on clean geometric shapes and lines. He’s an unmatched illustrator and typographer—a meticulous and perceptive creator. Utilizing his broad skillset, and proficiency in identity design and packaging design, he won thirteen 2015 Gold Addy Awards as a BFA candidate at California State University, Fresno. Duran brings his honed problem-solving approach to every project, simplifying each part to create a concise, thought-provoking whole. Duran also loves his community and the arts in the community and serves on the Advisory Board for Fresno Filmworks as well as leads the creative efforts for the local downtown Art Hop.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • BFA in Graphic Design
  • 14 Gold Addy Awards
  • 14 Silver Addy Awards
  • Semifinalist Adobe Design Achievement Awards (x2)
  • Fresno Filmworks Advisory Board
staff member

Craig Cook

Production Manager
JSA Class of 2004

Craig wears cargo shorts because he needs all the extra pockets to hold his skills.  If you need in-depth interviews and research, he’s your guy. He’s worked on just about every project imaginable, from writing copy for everything from collateral to web to television. He most recently moved to a project management position where he manages the creative department’s projects and keeps jobs on track every now and then. As our production manager, Craig makes sure that no deadline goes missed, and that no box goes unchecked.

staff member

Josh Harding

Videographer & Motion Graphics
JSA Class of 2018

You know those freaks of nature who are like self-taught, self-motivated geniuses that we’re all secretly jealous of even though we really like them because they’re super cool? That’s Josh. After college, he was drawn to video production, particularly video editing and motion graphics—so he just taught himself. Yeah. One day he picked up a camera and learned how to film and edit local TV commercials, music videos, and short form documentary pieces and happened to be really, really good at it. A proud valley native, Josh loves learning (obviously) and sharing stories about the central valley region (also, obviously). His other passions include photography, gardening and cats—kind of surprising if you ask us.

staff member

Spencer Sterling

Account Manager
JSA Class of 2019

Spencer is a graduate from the Sid Craig School of Business at Fresno State, where he obtained his Business of Science degree in Marketing. Spencer is an “idea guy.” He knows where he wants to be in 10 years and applies that same forethought to our clients to help bring creative strategies to life. He has a keen sense of all things digital and excels at project management. Day to day, he keeps our client projects running smoothly and on time, managing correspondence, production deadlines and media schedules to ensure continued progress of client workflow.

staff member

Jason Carroll

Photographer & Content Developer
JSA Class of 2018

Growing up in a small, podunk mountain town, you might not think Jason would have what it takes to handle the social network. But take one look at his Instagram, and you’ll see he was pretty much born for it. Upon receiving his BA in Visual and Public Art at California State University, Monterey Bay, he hightailed it back to the Central Valley to work in marketing and content creation for a small, organic dairy while expanding his personal photography business. Now, he’s not only JSA’s in-house photographer, capturing everything from behind-the-scenes shots to stop-motion videos, he helps manage social media for all of our clients. Jason knows timing is everything, small town charm and etiquette goes a long way (especially when your job is to talk to people online all day) and to be ahead of a trend, you have to make the trend. 

staff member

Kerry Sabbatini

Media Strategist
JSA Class of 2003

Kerry is an SEM Specialist and Programmatic Digital Display and Video Specialist. He is responsible for planning, implementing and interpreting various media campaigns. His sense of urgency and eye for detail makes him a valuable asset, as he continuously strives to improve his level of proficiency through ongoing education and constant analysis of the media environment and market trends. Currently he manages the multi-media platforms for some of the agency’s largest accounts, including Milano Restaurants International, EECU and Amtrak San Joaquins. His strengths include primary and secondary target research, media analysis and planning, media negotiations, schedule management and post-schedule reporting; contextual targeting, audience targeting, hyperlocal targeting for rapid response, SEM marketing and paid social media advertising. He is Google Certified in Search and Video and Centro Certified in Advanced Programmatic Digital Strategies.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Centro Certified – Advanced Programmatic Digital Strategies
  • Google Certified – Search and Video
  • Member of the Fresno State Alumni Association
  • Member of the Fresno Advertising Federation
  • Member of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
  • Board Treasurer – Fresno State Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, Alumni Control Board
staff member

BREE ALVARADO-SARABIA

Account Coordinator
JSA Class of 2021

Bree’s an expert mixologist in more ways than one. She bartended her way through her MA program in Strategic Communications and she’s got her hands in a little bit of everything at the agency—mixing accounts and creative seamlessly. When she’s not wrangling her six dogs (yes, you read that right), she’s wrangling the JSA team to make things happen for our clients. Did we mention she’s actually met Kim Kardashian? That means you’re one degree away. You’re welcome.

staff member

Linda Sommers

Media Strategist
JSA Class of 2016

Linda started her agency experience at Leo Burnett in Chicago, Il. She went on to St. Louis (D’Arcy) then came West to San Francisco (FCB, Saatchi & Saatchi) and for close to 20 years has made her home in Fresno, working at local agencies before joining the JSA Team in 2016. Linda has firsthand experience with all media—national and local, digital and traditional for a wide range of clients, including Anheuser Busch, UAL, Clorox Co, Levi Strauss & Co, Hewlett-Packard, Black Oak Casino & Resort, Table Mountain Casino, EECU, Fahrney Auto Group, West Hills College, Community Medical Center, Mercedes-Benz, CalViva Health, Pickett Solar and many more local retail accounts. She utilizes the organization and tools found in national accounts to bear on local retail. Her strength is in strategic plans that hone in on the target through research dives, thus eliminating waste for smaller budgeted clients. Media negotiation is standard operating procedure for all plans and buys with scrupulous adherence to organization, reconciliation and accountability for all clients and she is skilled in digital media buying through her certification in Centro and Google.

AWARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Centro Certified – Advanced Programmatic Digital Strategies
  • Google Certified – Search and Video
staff member

Natalie Ramirez

Account Manager
JSA Class of 2019

If you could describe someone’s personality through a dog breed, it’s unanimous that Natalie would be a golden retriever. Looking for a friend? She is too. Want a positive outlook? She’s got it. Need someone to get the job done? That’s her. You get the idea. Natalie was the first person in her family to graduate college and she brings that same trailblazing attitude and dedication that got her there to work every day. Her hyper-organization and attention to detail help her juggle all of the projects and communication required to keep the multifaceted and dynamic marketing strategies of some of our biggest clients on track. Plus, you just know that anyone who’s been retweeted by Chrissy Teigen is a force to be reckoned with.

staff member

Mariela Rubio

Social Media Coordinator
JSA Class of 2021

Born and raised in Fresno, Mariela started as an intern at JSA dipping her toes in everything from account coordinating to copywriting—and we just couldn’t bear to see her go! She holds a BA in Mass Communications and PR from Fresno State. When she’s not coordinating social media for our clients, she coaches girls high school water polo and youth swimming. So, you could say she’s pretty good at keeping her head above water.