G-Force Marketing Solutions

Kristi Griggs

The G behind the Force is none other than Griggs, Kristi Griggs. Kristi is a marketing veteran with in depth knowledge of all marketing communications practices, such as strategic planning, media planning and execution, Event-planning and web communications and creation of business development centers. If case you haven't guessed it already, she's also great at multi-tasking.

Kristi is a native of the Tarheel State. She earned her BA degree in Journalism with a concentration in Advertising from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also attended the Kenan-Flager Business School Executive Management Marketing Program at UNC-Chapel Hill and acquired Leadership Training through CAI.

Kristi's other full-time job is wife and mom.  Yep, she's one busy lady, but with great powers, comes great responsibility.

Kristi is certainly a FORCE to be reckoned with.

Katherine Barker

The self-proclaimed "Green Guru of G-Force", Katherine is the one that keeps us on our toes when it's comes to recycling, reusing and protecting the environment. In addition to her mission of making the world a better place to live (and breathe), she's also an Account Coordinator.

For the past few years, Katherine worked in corporate marketing/branding/design for the medical device industry. After she perfected that, she decided it was time for a change and G-Force quickly snagged her.

Katherine enjoys Fly Fishing, loves to cook and ride horses and is Mom to 2 beautiful rescue dogs.

She's also one hard-working lady, but handles it all in stride. This makes us green with envy.

Erin Haneline

Erin knows how to walk the straight and narrow, but she's at her best when she's coloring outside the lines. Erin is an account coordinator at G-Force Marketing Solutions.

This girl has never met a stranger. She could have a conversation with a tree. If you know Erin then you know these are some of her favorite things -- music, hanging out with her nephew, Appalachian State Football, Charleston, cool mountain mornings, flip flops, boating, making people laugh, the history of baseball, best friends, Boone, family, traveling, NASCAR, pictures, spending time with her sister, new friends, smiling as much as possible, working out, LIFE!

Erin loves her Southern roots; Mama certainly raised this child right.

Robin Raimo

In a perfect world, Robin believes she should be winning Oscars and receiving invites from the royalty of Hollywood. Is she dramatic? Yes. Model-esque? Sure. Unforgettable? Absolutely.

When she isn't dazzling everyone with her star quality, Robin is an Account Coordinator at G-Force Marketing Solutions.

Since graduating with a degree in Marketing from UNC-G, Robin has spent her time obsessing over every aspect of Advertising. This includes reading all the tabloids and style magazines she can get her hands on. The fashionista claims it only for the ads, but it's strange how she also knows (in detail) what Beyoncé was wearing to some new hot nightspot in L.A. Strange, indeed.

Toni Ray

When Toni was asked if she wasn't the Senior Account Executive at G-Force Marketing Solutions what would she be? She replied "A Soap Opera actress. Because I could cry, drink, laugh, have dinner, fool around and slap someone all in one hour... now that's time management". With that one statement, it's easy to see why everyone loves Toni Ray.

She's also a dutiful wife to husband Brandon, a doting mother to daughters Samantha and Peyton and one of the best storytellers you're ever likely to encounter. As a matter of fact, even if you've heard the story she's telling more than once, you'll stick around just to witness her ability to make others laugh. Plus, she may change the ending, she's been known to do that. After all, she does have a BS degree in Marketing from Appalachian State University (and yes, she can BS with the best of them).

Odetta Semple

Having lived most of her life in New York, Odetta expected several things when she packed her bags and moved to North Carolina: friendlier people, better traffic and milder winters. While the first two were met with aplomb, the jury - unfortunately - is still out on the third.

No matter, G-Force's feisty Executive Assistant never let a snowflake or a chilly thermometer reading stand in her way. That's the reason, when things need to get done, you go to Odetta.

In her spare time, she loves to cook, is very into her Caribbean heritage and loves decorating her home. She also values her many friendships. This is ironic, because we certainly value her.

Carolyn Sigmon

Carolyn believes a good round of retail therapy is good for the soul. Dashing off to the mall or visiting her favorite shops around town is the perfect remedy to a long stressful day. Her rehabilitation may be unconventional, but it works wonders for her wardrobe.

Carolyn is an Account Coordinator with G-Force Marketing.

A Virginia native, Carolyn just recently finished up her Bachelor's Degree in Business at UNC-G. To compliment that, she has over 10 years of experience in media, including both Radio and TV. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, frequenting any and all Starbucks within a 10-mile radius...and did we mention shopping? Thought so.

Lesley Thompson

Lesley considers herself a chowhound. This is ironic, because she's also extremely fit. Lesley is the Communications Director at G-Force Marketing.

Maybe this is an indication that she enjoys the best of both worlds. After all, she's not afraid to sweat it out behind the desk. She's enjoyed over 17 years of successful media planning and buying in the Triad. By the same token, she's not fearful of getting a little dirt under her fingernails. Case in point: her 2,000 gallon lily pond at home.

Or maybe it as simple as Lesley enjoys working hard AND playing hard.

Whatever the case may be, she seems to have it all under control. Which makes us wonder - what's her secret?

Donna Welker

Legendary country singer Johnny Cash was nicknamed "The Man in Black", around the halls of G-Force; Donna is referred to as "The Lady in Black". With good reason, she's always immaculately clad in the dark hue. Though every once in a while, she'll throw some pink in there "mix it up" as she puts it. Donna certainly knows how to keep things interesting, which makes her perfect for her job as Account Executive at G-Force Marketing Solutions.

Donna loves style - and shoes, especially strappy heels. She's also been known to throw around the word "love" when she speaks of Michael Kors, a famous designer known for his show-stopping foot adornments. Which makes it sounds like she may have more in common with Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) than any singer known for singing about prison and heartbreak.

Donna also admits she's an eternal optimist and has a date night - every week - with her daughter Victoria. No doubt showing her the difference between what's trendy and what's tacky - like any good Mother should.

Jennifer Van't Wout

Originally from Greensboro, but also a former resident of London, England, Jennifer is the Production Manager of G-Force Marketing Solutions. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, but then decided to move to "The Big Smoke" (aka London, as the Brits call it) after a summer course abroad caused her to fall in love with the city. Apparently that was the right decision, because that's where she fell in love again - this time with a Brit by the name of Chris. They soon married. In '06, Jennifer shipped her furniture, cat and husband back to Greensboro to start the next chapter of their lives (plus, Chris had promised her parents he would bring her back home one day). She's now enjoying a truly American lifestyle with a big house, big yard and big cars.

On the weekends, Jennifer can be found in front of the tube watching HGTV in long marathons. She loves being inspired by all the decorating and renovations. This is one of the reasons you'll find her re-decorating the office every few weeks. There's nothing quite like having your very own little Candice Olsen (and if you're a fan of HGTV's Divine Design, you'll know exactly what we're talking about) on staff.  She's bringing some color to the G-Force office, one wall at a time.

Mandi Wagoner

The G-Force numbers runner, Mandi Wagoner, started her accounting career 20 years ago while attending NC State University. There, she met her husband Bruce, married & moved to Greensboro in ‘92. She now leads a very busy life as wife, mom to three sons (John, Bryce & Jake) and business owner. She & Bruce own a wholesale nursery & Christmas tree operation. She also handles all company accounting & internal affairs for an event planning company she started along with three partners started in ‘07.

When her head isn't buried in the company books they are buried in her sons' homework books. Mandi prides herself in being homework director, school volunteer, band booster, team coordinator and newly nominated Treasurer of Northern Middle School PTSA. With all the men in her life, it's great that she loves all things sports. Her hobbies include fall tailgating & football games at NCSU, watching her oldest son play middle school football, younger sons play year-round baseball and soccer and Bruce coaching in all of the above.

Wilky Black

Wilky is the Creative Director for G-Force Marketing Solutions - and create he does. He spends most of his time "playing" in G-Force's in-house production suite. Well, he calls it playing, but everyone else calls it working, he just makes it look that easy. He's won just about every visual award there is - The Emmy, The Telly and The Addy. He's also Avid and After Effects Certified. Wilky graduated from East Carolina University and since that time has acquired over 10 years of experience working in television, video and radio. Wow, that's pretty good for a fella that rides a skateboard to work every day and whose greatest achievement in High School was being paper football champion. Pretty good, indeed.

Dan Nichols

Dan is a movie fanatic. Those great CGI scenes that most people take for granted, he views with delight and wonder. It's no doubt due to the fact that he knows the secret to creating those eye opening sights since he's Senior Video Producer / Editor at G-Force.

Creating mind blowing images isn't anything new to Dan; he does it on a daily basis. He's created highly successful commercial /promotional/marketing campaigns for 2 CBS affiliates, directed numerous newscasts and has won writing and directing awards from Greensboro's very own 48-Hour Film Festival. He was also nominated for a regional Emmy just a few years ago.

When Dan isn't honing his Spielberg -like skills, he's husband to the beautiful Amy and Dad to child prodigies Mac and Ina.

Katie Saunders

Katie is the Art Director at G-Force Marketing Solutions. Her duty is to visually communicate what each client has to offer the consumer. It can be a tough job, that's the reason she starts her day early and ends it late - and she wouldn't have it any other way.

In her spare time, she's made it her personal mission to rid the world of homeless dogs - especially Bassett Hounds and Boxers. Just ask her about Emmy Lou and Hank (her "babies" as she calls them). Her favorite book is "The Princess Bride" and that's exactly what she felt like the day she married Grady, her other "baby". Plus, she sincerely believes that spending $100 to save $10 is a great deal and she's completely willing to cut off the circulation in her toes for a pair of really cute shoes. Clearly, a girl has gotta do what a girl has gotta do.

Bryan Smith

Bryan is one smart cookie, which is a good thing. He's a Graphic Designer at G-Force Marketing.

Bryan graduated from Alfred State with a degree in Technical Illustration. Afterwards, he quickly discovered his passion for multimedia then went BACK to school and graduated with a degree in Digital Media. Since that time, he's contributed to numerous high profile projects around the world, winning 2 Thea awards - two years in a row - for the attractions Curse of Darkastle at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and London's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

His latest creation, a baby girl with wife Magan, has just arrived. We're sure the awards committee is standing by.

Joe Urana

Remember the 80's film, "Mr. Mom"? In the Urana household, that movie was very true-to-life.
You see, Joe played that role for 5 years, while the Mrs. made the living. He cooked, cleaned, shopped and tended to his young daughter's every whim. But when the time came to re-enter the work force, G-Force snapped him up quick. With good reason, he makes a mean chicken casserole, oh, and he's a terrific Graphic Artist to boot.

Joe, a South Florida native, has been a designer for over 11 years. He graduated from Barry University with a degree in Photography and also received a degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Plus, he loves music, playing both the guitar and drums. As a matter of fact, he's been known to try and do both at the same time.

When it comes to talent and creativity, this guy's got it in spades. Now, if only we could get him to cook more around the agency.

Mark West

Mark's job is to take all the thoughts and ideas each client has about their business and put it into sentence form. Yes, he's the Senior Copywriter at G-Force Marketing Solutions.

Mark has been in the Radio/TV business for over 20 years. He's written and produced ads that have won many awards, including several from the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters. He enjoys anything and everything pop culture - movies, music, TV - and is absolutely obsessed with Batman, Superman and Indiana Jones. Yep, you guessed it; he's also a big kid at heart.

Mark is always thinking, which can sometimes be a dangerous thing. Whether it's a new campaign idea for a client or a new theory on the mystery surrounding the island on "Lost"; he's living proof that a creative mind never rests.