Our Team
p: 734.205.1532
e: conlin@rjconlin.com
In 1988, Bob Conlin our CEO, opened the doors to R.J. Conlin Inc., in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Mich. As a local entrepreneur, his budding company quickly took root in familiar soil, resulting in more than 29 years of long-term clients and dedicated staff. Since the early days, Bob’s kind and laid-back demeanor was always present – and so was his love for Michigan football. Go Blue!
With a BFA from Eastern Michigan University as well as a short stint as a character artist at a local bar, clients looking for creative guidance have stuck with him for years on end. That and his stories about riding in the Baja 1000 in a super truck! Although we typically describe him as calm and collected, don’t let him fool you. He also has an adventurous side.
p: 734.205.5922
e: wagner@rjconlin.com
Angela brings over 30 years of agency experience to R.J. Conlin. As our leader, she works on translating the company vision and strategy into action plans. Her passion is brand-based marketing and she is dedicated to seeing clients and their projects succeed.
In her spare time, Angie enjoys swimming, running and spending time with her family. She is known for her homemade chocolate chip cookies and bubble-gum chicken (but for different reasons).
p: 734.205.1536
e: rae@rjconlin.com
Our resident creative director, Rich, is a graphic design wizard and a virtual encyclopedia of creative knowledge and strategic marketing principles. His BFA from Eastern Michigan University forms the foundation of his artistic wizardry, but it’s his 20+ years of design, art direction and marketing experience that makes him such an invaluable resource and the creative anchor of the RJC team.
In his spare time, Rich likes to go hiking in the national parks with his camera strapped across his back. His passion for taking photos of beautiful, remote landscapes and dangerous wildlife has led to many an interesting story. He also grudgingly admits to wearing parachute pants while rocking out to hair bands in the 80’s, but his true musical passion has always been the Beatles.
p: 734.205.5925
e: maisano@rjconlin.com
Laurie knows a whole bunch about a whole lotta stuff, which is essential with the wide range of clients that we have at R.J. Conlin. But don’t get her started on pop culture! Unless you have a lot of free time on your hands, that is.
After returning home to Michigan after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Magazine Journalism from Columbia College Chicago, she had a hankering to write for the web. So, she did what any cash-strapped recent grad would do: She went back to school. Eventually, she received her advanced certificate in Web User Experience from Washtenaw Community College. Today’s she’s nothing short of a usability expert.
p: 734.205.5923
e: zorn@rjconlin.com
Since the day Kelly joined the R.J. Conlin graphic-design dream team, she’s been our MVP. After all, she’d been honing her skills since the early 90s and had long since perfected the process of bringing a project full circle. Whether it’s doing agency work or working with non-profit and educational organizations, Kelly goes the distance when it comes to marketing and brand development.
Beyond the foundation that she set for herself by earning her fine arts degree from Kendall College of Art and Design, Kelly is a true triple threat. She plays a mean game of backgammon, parallel parks with the best of them and cultivates the (self-proclaimed) best heirloom tomatoes in the world.
p: 734.205.1540
e: fischbach@rjconlin.com
Dirk has a way with words – and thank goodness, considering he’s our in-house copywriter. As an honors graduate from the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science & the Arts, he was a shoe-in for taking the role of managing editor at Heritage Media’s Western Region Newspapers. We’re glad, though, that he made his way to R.J. Conlin in 1989 after all of those years of, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Dirk also knows his way around a fly-fishing rod, working as a professional instructor and guide and as the owner of his own full-service fly shop and adventure clothing retail store. When we have to reign in his outdoorsy side, though, we ply him with coffee. But not just any old cup o’ joe. After making the innocent mistake of trying his wife’s creamer one day, it was a slippery slope into his current state of craving vanilla-flavored, half-and-half infused faux-lattes.
p: 734.205.5924
e: dreffs@rjconlin.com
Lauren Dreffs knew what she was getting into.
Before joining the RJC team as a full-time account coordinator, she interned with us while she was a student at Grand Valley State University (BBA, Marketing, 2014). She gained additional experience in the art of client-support working for a specialty food broker after graduation and before relocating to the Ann Arbor area.
Away from the office, Lauren’s fun-loving personality lends itself to relaxing with friends and hosting live trivia at local bars. But she’s no stranger to the limelight; her first brush with fame occurred early on when she appeared on Nickelodeon’s Slime Time Live.
p: 734.205.5927
e: sutter@rjconlin.com
Leigh Sutter started early on her marketing path – serving as vice president of Advertising and Promotions for Eastern Michigan University’s Marketing Club while working on her BBA (marketing, naturally). She fine-tuned her skills working in social media marketing after graduation, and also learned a lot about psychology working full-time as a bartender.
Truly an old soul in a young body, Leigh notes that classic rock makes up a good portion of her playlist. When she’s not helping clients or making her co-workers laugh, Leigh is usually outdoors, and can be found at local parks with her dog, Bane, or kayaking nearby lakes and streams. She also enjoys spending time in her father’s wood shop and working on craft projects.