03

about

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Our about page is actually about you.

We're focused on helping you reach things, lift things, aim for things and achieve greater things. We'll help you raise your profile and raise the bar–and also help you look better in the process.

To do that, we hire people that demonstrate these values everyday. Even off the clock. Here are some of our stories, so you can get to know us.

03.01

bios

Christy Gormal

President

By working closely with our agency partners, Christy has brought in renowned clients and unique projects to Matchbook since its inception.

Christy's past experiences in agencies and at the Indianapolis Business Journal bring publishing expertise and sports marketing expertise to the agency. Working heavily in client representation and national public relations, Christy is a specialist in sponsor, partner and media relations, as well as athlete and public figure representation.

Christy earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication from the University of Indianapolis and earned a Master of Science, magna cum laude, in New Media (School of Informatics) at Indiana University. She now sits on the board of the IUPUI's School of Informatics and Computing.

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Christy Gormal

President

Daniel Herndon

COO

With a diverse entrepreneurial background ranging from cafes to consulting firms, Matchbook's Chief Operating Officer Daniel Herndon brings a breadth of experience as a brand strategist and business leader.

Daniel serves as a strategic leader of our team and over client strategy. His desire to understand each client partner, paired with his tendency to question assumptions, brings an insightful angle to the work we provide our clients. His experience includes national and international brand strategies, complex messaging campaigns, and various website projects.

Over the last 15 years, Daniel’s work with clients has reached across the USA. Before starting a creative agency, he launched a fledgling record label and pursued brand endorsement partnerships. This business opened up opportunities that led to the start of his branding agency in 2008, which was acquired by Matchbook in 2020.

Daniel was recognized in the Indianapolis Business Journal's Forty Under 40 in 2011 and co-authored Facebook All In One for Dummies on Wiley Publishing in 2012. He writes (and illustrates) a politics and humor newsletter recapping the weekly headlines at danielkherndon.com.

Daniel and his wife, Carrie, live in Indianapolis. In his spare time, he studies philosophy, charcuterie, and other cured meats. He’s a devout bourbon enthusiast but religiously abstains from soda.

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Daniel Herndon

COO

Andrew Griswold

Creative Director

Andrew has worked with national brands and local nonprofits, producing creative incorporating video, photography and design. His active work in digital mediums means he is able to guide creative deliverables with a modern approach. Before joining Matchbook, Andrew worked in the consumer product space, as an internal creative leader. Prior, he has 10+ years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry serving a variety of clients for holistic creative projects.

If you recognize Andrew, AKA The Gris, it's probably because you've seen him online. His photography and digital creative has been used for social media and website content by large international brands in travel and leisure among other industries. Occasionally, he gets a check in the mail for work he published a long time ago, which has allowed him to feed and raise his two children.

As our Creative Director, Andrew guides our creative development team for brand design, websites, and advertising from concept to final production.

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Andrew Griswold

Creative Director

Riley Higgins

Account Manager

Account Manager Riley Higgins brings a range of creative and analytical skills to her role at Matchbook. Riley’s blend of creative work and account management experience helps her get the most out of any project and score big wins for our clients. By taking an analytical approach to creative work, Riley helps bring impactful results to our clients ads and projects.

Riley has worked in a variety of creative roles with experience in marketing, architecture, and sports medicine prior to joining Matchbook. Throughout her career, Riley has worked closely with clients, maximizing partnerships, and ensuring the best outcomes for all involved. A pro at managing marketing contracts combined with a creative eye, Riley is excited to work closely with Matchbook’s clients to achieve their goals.

Riley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Butler University, majoring in Strategic Communication and Spanish. Riley is a member of the Junior League of Indianapolis, and launched her business, Plant Society, in March 2021 along with her sister. When not at work you can find Riley riding her bike on the cultural trail, working out at Orangetheory, finding the tastiest cocktails in the city, and spending time with her family.

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Riley Higgins

Account Manager

Donna Gray

CEO

CEO Donna Gray has over 30 years of industry experience and, alongside partner Christy Gormal, has led Matchbook since its formation in 2007. Donna's experience, coupled with an innovative, client-oriented approach, has earned Matchbook a reputation of solving complex problems through creative strategy for its notable partners and clients. Donna served previously as VP and Creative Director for San Francisco-based ad agency, Gumas Advertising, earning multiple national awards.

As a faculty member at Butler University for six years and Ball State University for two, Donna shared her expertise and passion with hundreds of advertising and public relations students. At Butler, Donna led student teams to regional first place wins of the prestigious NSAC (National Student Advertising Competition), marking the first time Butler had achieved this recognition.

Donna earned her BFA in Design from Ball State University and her MS, magna cum laude, in New Media from Indiana University in 2005. Donna has served as a board member for multiple nonprofit organizations in Indianapolis and continues to give back to the community.

Donna is now working on her Doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership at Marian University.


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Donna Gray

CEO

Dustin Zimmerman

Art Director

An experienced professional with multifaceted talent, Art Director Dustin Zimmerman maintains and elevates Matchbook’s creative standards across a huge array of media. He carries keen sensibilities in both design and studio art and applies his talent to make our clients shine with each project.

Dustin has spent his career as a graphic designer and art director, both freelance and agency-based, for the development of creative collateral and brand campaigns ranging industries including healthcare, entertainment, ticketed sales, food and beverage, home goods and beyond. He’s a creator and collaborator, always on the lookout for fresh ideas to continue incorporating into relationships with our partners.

Dustin has played the Pokemon Trading Card Game professionally, and at one point was ranked #1 in North America. Today he plays for fun, and spends his free time exploring Indianapolis and connecting with friends.

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Dustin Zimmerman

Art Director

Johan Gormal

CFO

As Chief Financial Officer, Johan Gormal brings decades of experience in corporate finance, human resource best practices, and process efficiency to become an indispensable leader in the trajectory of Matchbook. Her work and advice have ushered in a new era of growth for the agency, as she tirelessly works to improve and maintain a consistent standard of excellence in financial planning, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and human resource management.

Throughout her career, Johan has accumulated decades of experience in financial planning and management, as well as human resources, across multiple businesses spanning the insurance industry, the financial planning industry, and the health and wellness sector. She has consistently provided each business in which she’s been involved a firm financial and human resources foothold, and smoothed day-to-day operations and long-term trajectories alike.

Born, raised and educated in Glasgow, Scotland, Johan has dual degrees in English and French as well as certifications in accounting. Despite living in America, she frequently returns to Scotland and other locations in Europe to connect with lifelong friends and fulfill her passion for travel. Johan is a supporter of the American Cancer Society, as they fight to support patients and find the cures to combat this terrible disease.

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Johan Gormal

CFO

Devon Dean

Senior Copywriter

As Senior Copywriter, Devon brings close to a quarter-century of writing experience to the table, with more than a decade in digital marketing. She has an innate ability to clearly define a brand’s voice and is also able to adapt to already-existing tone and style with chameleon-like precision. Devon’s passion for research and unique understanding of your customer’s needs will be a huge asset as we collaborate.

Devon comes to Matchbook by way of Klipsch Audio, where she served in two different, content-centric marketing roles. Her achievements include owning the Klipsch brand voice for close to four years while creating and managing a comprehensive and successful organic content marketing strategy for Klipsch e-commerce, including Amazon.

Devon earned her B.A. in Journalism from Bradley University with a minor in Speech Communication and spent 11 years as a professional radio news reporter, anchor, host, and assignment editor. She received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in 2003 with WWL Radio in New Orleans, was a member of the New Orleans Saints Radio Network broadcast team for two NFL seasons, and won the Louisiana Associated Press “Best Sports Report” Award in 2003 for her coverage of the NBA’s return to New Orleans. She also won the Indiana Associated Press “Reporter of the Year” Award in 2007 with WIBC Radio.

Devon’s work has been featured in “Indianapolis Monthly,” “NUVO” Newsweekly, and the “Storytellers Project.” Devon is a member of Speedway Running Club and currently holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian jiujitsu. She is a music trivia savant, an unrepentant “Star Wars” fan, and enjoys spending time on her sunporch with her husband Mike and snuggling with her two rescue dogs, Boone and Callie “Potato.”

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Devon Dean

Senior Copywriter

Luke MacGregor

Graphic Designer

Luke comes to Matchbook with in-house design experience from various industries, including collegiate athletics, large-scale events, entertainment, agriculture, government, and education.

A Purdue graduate with a BFA in Visual Communication Design and a minor in Art History, Luke brings a strong knowledge of branding and identity design to the Matchbook creative team.

With a love for photography going back to when he was only four years old, Luke has been known to go great lengths to get the perfect shot.

As an FAA Certified Drone Pilot, Luke is now taking his photographic adventures to new heights.

Luke believes in learning something new every day. This helps him impress his friends on trivia nights. More importantly, this means he loves learning about new clients and new industries so he can help them elevate their brand in a meaningful and relevant way.

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Luke MacGregor

Graphic Designer

Steve Taig

Principal

The co-founder of TaigMarks, a division of Matchbook, Steve Taig brings decades of agency experience to the table. Steve migrated to the United States from England with his family in 1978 and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Marketing & Advertising in 1980. He then went straight to work in RV marketing before helping co-found an agency in Elkhart.

Steve is passionate about connecting with new business and helping address your unique communications and marketing challenges.

Steve has a history in leading teams to develop new and creative ways to make an impact for clients. Steve has led projects including big brand delivery companies competing in “Race to Deliver” through Manhattan streets to promote truck chassis to a televised RV makeover TV show shot live at a NASCAR track during a major recreational show.

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Steve Taig

Principal

Rob Hartzler

Principal

As a principal at Taig Marketing, a division of Matchbook, Rob’s unique perspective is invaluable when it comes to solving client’s problems. Natural curiosity leads him to opportunities to meet people and hear their stories, usually leading to lifelong relationships.

Rob attended Herron School of Art studying Visual Communication and Design, where he specialized in illustration, typography and design.

Seeking adventure, Rob joined the US Army as a Forward Observer serving in an RDF unit working with many NATO units. After a service connected injury ended a promising career, he came back to Indiana.

Rob has worked at several agencies in Northern Indiana, ultimately landing as a partner at TaigMarks.

Ready for any adventure, Rob holds a scuba certification, enjoys hiking and bicycling, a love for kettlebells and a motorcycle license. Motorcycling, a favorite pastime, led him to ride solo from Lake Michigan to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala on a whim even though he speaks no Spanish whatsoever.

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Rob Hartzler

Principal

Jeff Prugh

Senior Art Director

Jeff’s career as a creative has instilled a constant thirst to know more. A need to explore 360° around the challenge-at-hand, then apply strategic creative to triumph.

Living and working in both Northern Ohio and Indiana, Jeff has worked in such market segments as corporate communications, business-to-business, business-to-consumer, higher education, non-profit, healthcare, community associations, music instrument manufacturing, recreational vehicle and outdoor adventure products.

Jeff is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art. He lives with his wife Kerry, also a graphic designer. His daughter Emily is pursuing her dream of helping animals while studying at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Getting outside is important to Jeff when not at his desk. He has served as the Bristol, IN Parks Department President. Jeff’s interest in animals has remained a focus. His involvement as a dog-rescue foster parent and multiple horse owner has kept him in the great outdoors.

He has served as an equine superintendent at the county fair and has traveled the country helping his daughter show horses in the American Quarter Horse Association breed shows.

Jeff’s work has earned awards and distinction within the creative field.

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Jeff Prugh

Senior Art Director

Joe Calcagno

Web Developer

Joe Calcagno is a seasoned web developer with decades of experiencing. He brings a wealth of unique experiences in the dev space to the table. In his spare time, he enjoys smoking meat, building guitars, and doting on his adorable dogs.

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Joe Calcagno

Web Developer

Jessica Whitehead

Account Manager

Jessica Whitehead is an Account Manager and go-to for coordinating all TAIG Marketing projects in Elkhart. Jessica is also a lifestyle and portrait photographer who loves to create content to tell a beautiful story. With her approach, Jess loves capturing the in-between moments that tends to go unnoticed.

She received her BFA of Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2010 and began working as a Lighting Tech and photographer in Los Angeles shortly after. Jessica has also done lighting for some of the top photographers in the industry - Mary Ellen Mathews, Alexi Lumoborski, Stephanie Rausser, Melissa Coulier, and Patrick Giradino.

Most recent clients include Orgain, Little Tikes, MGAE Games, Lillty Tikes, and more. Jessica is now based in Mishawaka, IN.

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Jessica Whitehead

Account Manager