Meet our team, seriously.

Dick Appleyard’s success in business began on the basketball court. College coaches like Dean Smith and C.M. Newton recruited him because of his creativity on the court, his commitment to hard work, and his ability to make others successful. When he completed his college career and earned his MBA, he transferred those skills to advertising. His hard work, dedication, and unparalleled ability to “assist” others were focused on ideas and solutions for business, individuals and community services. Great floor leaders in basketball need to understand the competition and anticipate the future. Under his leadership, the Appleyard Agency has grown to meet the demands of the future with a production facility and a fully staffed digital and social media department. The Agency client list reads like a who’s who of great local and national brands. These brands rely on the Appleyard Agency as their marketing partner because of the great team of highly skilled players and the floor leader who keeps the team focused on making clients successful.

Kate is responsible for setting up and maintaining social media accounts for several of our clients, as well as our Agency. She develops content, posting calendars and schedules regular online posts to all social media outlets. She also handles monitoring and reporting for social media activity.

London joined Appleyard in 2008 and has 18 years of experience in marketing and communications. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in marketing from Mississippi State University. Prior to joining the Agency, she served as a marketing director for a regional wireless company and as an account manager with another local firm. Currently, she specializes in social media, including content development, strategy and account management.

Alison has more than 10 years of experience in retail and corporate marketing. After studying biology at the College of Charleston, Alison discovered her passion for all things marketing. She transferred to the University of North Florida and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Advertising.

Alison and her family moved to Pensacola from Indiana in late 2017. Prior to joining Appleyard, she served as Retail Marketing Manager for IGT Indiana, working on behalf of the Indiana State Lottery Commission, for approximately 4500 retail locations that generated over $1 billion in annual revenue. Before that, Alison was the Media and Marketing Director for GATE Petroleum Company in Jacksonville, Florida.

At Appleyard, Alison serves as an Account Executive and supervises our Digital Marketing efforts, including strategy, creative direction, buying and reporting, to provide turnkey marketing solutions to drive business needs.

Originally from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Alison and her husband are happy to be back in their home state and closer to family. The couple have a young son and a dog. When she’s not working, Alison enjoys spending time with family, interior decorating, and sailing in the British Virgin Islands.

Thanasi is a video production specialist who has worked in the industry for over 10 years. He began his career in Pensacola and has worked in Los Angeles for the past 5 years as an animator, video editor and producer. Thanasi has worked on and produced national television ads with FX, TNT and Taco Bell. He decided to bring his knowledge and experience back to his home town. His passion for the creative industry has only gained strength as his career has blossomed.

Jami Sanderson came to Appleyard Agency in 2000 and has more than 30 years’ experience as a graphic designer, pre-press & production manager and direct-marketing director. She has well rounded technical training in many computer programs and expert photo scanning retouching skills. In addition to designing for print media, Jami has updated her skills to include the design and creation of digital banner ads.

John Appleyard attended Northwestern University School of Journalism, Oxford University, and the University of Delaware where he earned a Bachelor’s degree, graduating with honors in 1947. After college, he worked for Armstrong World Industries and was a partner in the public relations firm of Justin Weddell & Associates. In 1958, he served as State Director for the Florida Quadricentennial Commission. In 1959, he and his wife Eleanor founded the John Appleyard Agency, Inc. and served as CEO until 1993 when his son, Dick, took the reins. He also served as president and CEO of Healthcare Research & Development Institute from 1967-1992, when Diane Appleyard became president. One of the region’s foremost storytellers, John Appleyard has published more than 100 books, including histories of prominent local families, novels and non-fiction works detailing the area’s rich history, and a series of more than 100 mysteries involving two 1900s-era Pensacola policemen. He has authored histories and produced films for local businesses such as Baptist Hospital, First United Methodist Church, the Medical Center Clinic, the Lewis Bear Company, the T.R. Miller Company, Pensacola Junior College, the Pensacola YMCA, the Escambia County School System and First Presbyterian Church. He also wrote the plays “The Second Great Document” and “The Third Great Document” and numerous radio enactments and plays dealing with local and regional history. He and his clients were recipients of over 100 Freedom Foundation medals and awards for patriotic presentations.

Sales of John’s books benefit numerous local charities and causes such as WEAR-TV’s Community Caring at Christmas, the United Way, and the Arthritis Foundation. With the help of sponsors, John has also donated thousands of books to local public schools. His latest works include a series of reader-coloring books prepared for public school fourth grade students.

A Pensacola native, Leslie returned home and joined the Agency in 2015, bringing with her 15 years of experience in television production, arts and communications. Leslie has worked as a producer in reality television in New York, Los Angeles and most recently Austin, TX. She directed shows, including MTV’s “Teen Mom 2,” TLC’s “My 600 Lb Life,” and HGTV’s “Flea Market Flip” among others. She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Marketing Communications and Journalism and furthered her studies at NYU and North Carolina School of the Arts.

With more than 20 years’ experience in her field, Chitra is a highly-respected graphic artist with a strong eye for design. Her work has earned a number of awards. Before joining Appleyard Agency in 1995, she worked as a graphic artist at Lintas and served as Art Director for both Ogilvy & Mather in Bombay and Creative Advantage in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Karah graduated from Pensacola Junior College with a degree in Photographic Technology. She joined the Agency’s Art Department in 2007. As of 2018, she has transitioned into the bookkeeping department as the billing coordinator.

Kerry has over 30 years of experience in Broadcast Media and Account Service.  Prior to working at the Appleyard Agency, she was the National Sales Manager for KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles.  Kerry is a results-oriented team player known to be a creative problem solver. Very focused on client relationships she always strives to communicate proactively, ascertain needs, create and steward custom strategy, analyze and convey results. Kerry graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego with a BA in Communications.  In her spare time, Kerry enjoys gardening at home, and exploring Pensacola/the Emerald Coast.

George Saunders joined Appleyard in September 2008 with an extensive background in accounting/bookkeeping. Prior to joining the Appleyard team, George owned a successful automotive parts business, served as CFO of Hospice/VNA of the Florida Keys and was finance manager of Rebuild Northwest Florida. He graduated from Florida Keys Community College in Key West, where he earned A.S./A.A. degrees in Business Management/Accounting. George assists with the bookkeeping functions and budget tracking of various clients for the Agency.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a B.A. in English, Jeanie is a 20-year veteran of broadcasting. Prior to working at Appleyard Agency, she managed radio stations in Mobile, Alabama, as well as Pensacola and Panama City, Florida. Her role at the Agency as Operations Manager includes management and coordination of agency staff, and supervision of broadcast and outdoor media buying and account service.

After graduating from the University of West Florida with a degree in advertising, Rick went on to study copywriting at the Creative Circus, an advertising portfolio school in Atlanta. Rick works as part of the Agency’s production team as a video editor and cinematographer. Outside of work, Rick is also an entrepreneur and is disrupting the paddle industry with his invention of Paddle Lacrosse.

Eva Chastain has more than 37 years of experience with Appleyard Agency working in a variety of roles. In addition to her bookkeeping duties, Eva manages Appleyard Specialties and Promotions (ASAP), a special division of the Agency that provides art-branded merchandise and promotional items. Eva assists ASAP customers with everything from product selection to delivery.

A Pensacola native, Brett graduated from Pace High School in 2005 before moving on to the Florida State University College of Business, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2009.

A self-professed music nut, Brett grew up a classic rock fan, but didn’t grasp the full power of the art until his time at FSU, where he took full advantage of free student concerts. The day after graduation, Brett embraced the Kerouac spirit with a cross-country trip to Colorado, where he hopped on board as a digital marketing intern with independent label SCI Fidelity Records.

That experience was invaluable, but he shortly traded snow for sand and the good old-fashioned southern comfort only home can provide. After returning to Pensacola, Brett worked for Hobbs Automotive Marketing, 2010-2015, and served as Director of Digital Marketing for Innisfree Hotels, 2016-2017.

Prior to joining Appleyard, Brett worked as a digital specialist for Sandy Sansing Automotive, where he oversaw every aspect of digital advertising for 12 different brands and 11 local dealerships. As part of Appleyard’s Digital Media team, Brett brings a wealth of experience in digital design and execution, an appreciation for the power of collaboration and a DIY attitude that is evident in his work, which can be found stamped across the region’s digital landscape.

In his free time, Brett lives and breathes the Pensacola live music scene. Most of his friends are in bands, for better or worse. If you go to many concerts in town, you’ve probably seen him shamelessly bouncing around. When not at local concerts, Brett can be found in his backyard hammock or knee-deep in the vinyl collection that eats up more of his monthly budget than he cares to admit.

Joining the Appleyard Agency in 2019, Sarah works as part of the Digital Marketing team as a Social Media specialist. She’s data-driven and works to strategize, launch, and optimize online campaigns. She’s a UWF graduate (Go Argos!), and likes to talk with over-the-top hand gestures. Also, this is her dog Remy. 

Susan joined the Agency in 2011 as a project manager, bringing 20 years’ experience in marketing and public relations. She handles project details, from initial concept to completion, meeting with clients and coordinating with the Agency creative team to handle proofing through all of the final details to completion. Every project is designed to delight the audience, from brand wrapping a passenger train or announcing a special event to the tiniest gold foil special event card. A happy Pensacola transplant from the Midwest, Susan is an accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and holds a journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A graduate of the University of West Florida, Carolyn has a B.A. in accounting and B.S. in Vocational Education. She has served as the comptroller and strategic planner for the agency for the past twenty years. Prior to joining Appleyard Agency, Carolyn worked with the Saltmarsh accounting firm. She also has experience in banking and teaching. Carolyn served as chairman of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. She helped establish REBUILD Northwest Florida, a community effort launched after the area was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, coordinating recovery efforts for low-income residents. She was a founding board member of Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area and is dedicated to improving the way of life for many in Northwest Florida.

Lauren graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a minor in Hospitality. Her love of travel led to an internship with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, where she helped manage their social media platforms and developed a love of social media and a passion for Facebook and its capabilities.

Lauren began her professional career in social media marketing at the Nissan North America Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. In 2017, Lauren and her husband moved to Pensacola, where she began work at Sandy Sansing Automotive, managing social media marketing for 12 different brands and 11 local dealerships.

Lauren joined Appleyard’s Social Media Marketing team in 2018. In addition to producing and managing social media content and advertising, she helps manage co-op advertising and compliance efforts.

Originally from Jacksonville, Lauren is excited to be back in the Sunshine state near Pensacola’s beautiful beaches. She and her husband have an Australian Shepherd puppy named Maverick, who is the family’s center of attention. Outside work, Lauren enjoys baking cupcakes, traveling and spending time with friends, family and her congregation at church, where her husband serves as minister.

Carol Estrada is the public face of Appleyard Agency. She retired from a 30-year telecommunications career in 2002, taking computer courses and spending more quality time with her family. Finding herself with some extra time, Carol joined Appleyard Agency in November 2004. You may see her around town, shuttling important documents between the Agency and our clients.

Leah is a senior at the University of West Florida. She’s majoring in Communications and minoring in International Studies. Leah has worked with Appleyard Agency’s social media team since the beginning of her junior year in 2018.

Leah loves working at Appleyard because she is able to incorporate her photography and videography interests and turn them into content for various clients. She also gets to work with her older sister, and learn from many talented leaders in her desired field.

Outside of work Leah loves going to the beach, hanging out around campus, and playing with her puppy, Georgia. Leah is excited to see what the future holds after graduation!

Bart Rowell has been with the Agency since 2006. His duties include copywriting, ad traffic management and project management. He works with our internal production team and other audio and video production studios throughout the region to deliver television and radio advertisements that air along the Gulf Coast. He graduated with a Telecommunications degree from the University of West Florida.

Joining the Appleyard Agency in early 2008, Dana brings her passion for media with over 30 years of marketing experience and 3 careers in this Industry: Advertising Agencies, National Rep Firm, and Broadcast Stations.
She began her career with an international agency DMB&B, working with various clients in multiple categories: Anheuser-Busch, General Motors, Procter & Gamble, General Foods, Amoco, Red Lobster, and M&M Mars to name a few.
Dana manages the client’s media buying and planning needs thru extensive data research and viewing trends. Based on the client’s strategies and needs, broadcast and cable campaigns are then tailored and strategically placed to ensure the maximum media effectiveness.