Arrivals and departures

What can I say, I’ve seen way too many planes overhead the last few months.

There’s been a lot of movement at shops in the past several months. Here’s an undoubtedly incomplete snapshot of things we’ve seen.

At 116 & West:

In: Creative Director Kelly Knopp (who returns to the shop after a period of freelance work that included the launch of Boise OG).

Out: Adam Rosenlund, to a new role outside the agency.


At CLM:

In: Copywriter Cameron Stewart, Account Coordinator Antonio Gallegos, Video Producer Laura Munsil, Digital Media Coordinator Vanessa Almaraz, and Media Planner & Buyer Oscar Mariscal (who returns for a second stint with the agency).

Out: Joelle Alexander (to the Navy), per CLM’s Instagram post.


At Duft Watterson:

In: Account Manager Alyssa Mayer, Account Manager Mckenzie Halling, Content and Digital Manager Cody Howard, Full-Stack Developer and Software Engineer Isaac Borup, Videographer and Photographer Michael Bonocore, and Growth Strategist Jack Loop.


At Foerstel:

In: Junior Web Developer Nathan Montgomery, and Art Director Ricci Gertz, according to recent updates to Foerstel’s website.

Out: Janell Count (Happy Retirement!) and Kaylee Wells (to relocation), per Foerstel’s Instagram post.


At Reynolds + Myers:

In: Director of Partnerships Chris Blanchard.


At Stoltz Marketing Group:

In: Senior Account Manager Kirstin Delp, Senior Account Manager Genny Heikka, Account Coordinator Paige Johndrow, Senior Digital Producer Jeff Mensch, Graphic Designer Deanna Scherrer, and Graphic Designer Clara Thamke.

Out: Katherine Johnson, Jake Smith, and Kyle Fountain, to new roles outside the agency.


Again, this is certain to be an incomplete list of comings and goings. There’s always more happening just under the surface…

In Memoriam: Jeff Harder

Earlier today I came across word that Jeff Harder passed away on Saturday, August 7th.

Jeff was a designer and creative director at Foerstel for more than 15 years before stepping out into the freelance world in 2017. Prior to Foerstel, he was an art director at Creative Source International / Aspen Marketing, and earlier a graphic designer at Typographics in Hailey.

An excerpt from his obituary, recently published online:


Jeffery James Harder
May 24, 1967 – August 7, 2021

Boise, Idaho – Jeffery James Harder: sweetheart husband, number one son, funniest brother, caring uncle, loyal friend, gifted artist, home fixer-upper, snappy dresser, lover of things with wheels, passed away at home Saturday, August 7th surrounded by family and love.

He was an artist in every sense of the word. There were early signs of this watching how he put his Legos together to what ended up on paper when he could first hold a pencil. In fact, his first-grade teacher called Jeff’s mom asking if the drawing of a truck he submitted as an assignment was really done by a first grader. Throughout his life, his talent came through in everything he did.

Jeff was born to Jim and Barbara Harder in Sacramento, California on May 24, 1967. After a move to Los Angeles, the family relocated to Boise, Idaho in 1972. His childhood was filled with bike rides to Delsa’s Ice Cream, road trips in his dad’s orange Chevy K5 Blazer, skiing at Bogus Basin and Baldy, running around with friends, goat farms, lettuce sandwiches, and lots of doodling. But nothing was as impactful as when he walked into English class at Meridian High School in 1982 in his grey Member’s Only jacket and caught the eye of a beautiful blonde who would become the love of his life, Pam Heiken. They dated throughout high school and stayed in touch while Pam attended Boise State University and Jeff went to Illinois to attend Columbia College Chicago, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. Jeff and Pam married at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley in March of 1993. They stayed and lived in Ketchum, Jeff working at a design agency in Hailey while Pam worked at Sun Valley Company. Those years in Sun Valley would cement a bond with the area that started for Jeff in his childhood and would continue for the couple throughout their lives. They moved back to Boise in 1996, eventually settling in the Boise Foothills in a home they loved and were in the middle of remodeling. The couple made friends wherever they went, their infectious laughter when they were together was not only contagious but central to family dinners and holidays. They traveled, often with friends and family from Montana to Mexico to New York, creating the memories of their 28-year love story.


Condolences go out to Jeff’s family, friends, and all who knew him.

People on the move

Catching up on recent (and possibly not so recent) new hires and promotions.

Foerstel shared – via Instagram – that they’ve added Abbi Page to their team as their newest Art Director.

We also got word that Max White has been promoted to Creative Director and Jessica Holmes to Associate Creative Director over at CLM, following the departure of John Liebenthal earlier this year. Separately, they’ve also added Morgan Weber to their team as a Digital Designer.

So, you’re looking for a new gig

Here are a few openings that have popped up recently. In no particular order:

In addition to the Art Director position we previously noted, Foerstel is looking to add a Junior Designer to their team. And for a change of pace, they’re inviting applicants to submit their materials, and if selected, join them for what they’re calling a “VIP hiring event” with a speed dating style interview process. More details about that here.


Drake Cooper is in search of a Marketing Analyst, a Front End Developer / Designer (contract), and an Associate Producer (DC/Studio).


Stoltz Marketing Group is looking to add an Account Manager to their team, according to their recent job opening posted on LinkedIn.


Finally, Quad is after a Senior Graphic Designer to work onsite at a Boise-based client’s location.

Destination CLM

It seems that CLM is the place to take that next step in your agency career as of late, if the trio of new hires they recently announced is to be used as an indicator.

Senior account manager Josh Mercaldo moved to CLM from Drake Cooper, where he spent the past decade as an account director.

Greg Montemurro joined CLM’s creative team as a digital art director, after spending time with shops such as Foerstel, Stoltz Marketing Group, and Wire Stone.

Digital media manager Ben Adams moved to CLM from DaviesMoore, where he was most recently a senior digital marketing and media strategist.

Congratulations to all.