Stephen Gaither: President/CEO
As the agency’s founder, Steve’s unique formula of business and creative solutions, combined with interpersonal client relations, provides winning results for client projects and campaigns. With more than 15 years of design, marketing and management experience, Steve brings direct accountability and results to each project. An early innovator in the creative field of promotion and strategic marketing, he has helped organizations grow for more than 10 years and brings strategic thinking and tactical execution to every project.
Prior to founding JB Chicago, Steve served as an art director at GMR Marketing and helped build the agency’s creative department in Chicago. He was also a senior designer for Jager Di Paolo Kemp, Scott Ross Limited and MDI Grafx and has worked with a variety of clients ranging from Kraft Foods to Burton Snowboards. Steve received a B.S. from Ball State University’s acclaimed College of Architecture & Planning. He sat on the board for Y-ME and Looking Glass Theater and has contributed services to Chicago’s Gateway Green.
Jonathan Leake: COO
Jonathan has more than 10 years of Internet marketing experience and oversees the day-to-day business operations and finances at JB Chicago. His approach to technology and business process provides innovative solutions in the expanding field of online marketing.
Prior to JB Chicago, Jonathan worked at Draft Worldwide and David Gomez and Associates. Under the leadership of Howard Draft at Draft Worldwide, Jonathan had the opportunity to work with worldwide accounts such as British Airways, Cadillac, General Motors, United States Postal Services and Jack Daniels.
As Director of Interactive Media at David Gomez and Associates, Jonathan oversaw all creative and Web development projects, including the launch of iHispano.com, one of the leading career sites for Hispanic and bilingual professionals.
Jonathan holds a B.A. in Studio Art, Art History and Secondary Education from Ripon College and is a proud member of the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) and the Chicago Association of Direct Marketers (CADM).
Christina Calderon: Creative Director
Christina has over 13 years of graphic design experience and was JB Chicago’s first hire. Currently, as creative director, Christina leads the art department from concept through production for clients like Axe, Wrigley’s, Visa and Orbitz. Her expertise in branding, print, typography, Web design and experiential marketing helps her guide clients in communicating their vision. She is not afraid to push boundaries and set new standards, and has repeatedly established innovative trends. Christina is an expert in developing exactly what a client needs by asking the right questions and understanding their goals. She can easily extend a company’s brand and image consistently across all mediums.
From an early age, Christina knew that she had a passion for design. She attended DePaul University, where she received a B.A. in Graphic Design. Then, she began her career in the agency realm by working with clients that included Cook County Government, where she created the branding of museums and recycling programs as well as political promotion.
Prior to JB Chicago, Christina started her own freelance company, working in the entertainment, retail, health and beauty industries. With her versatile and conceptual thinking, Christina always delivers creative solutions and professional results.
Sara Rose Taylor: Director of Communications
With a unique background in publishing, Sara can jumpstart a project from the beginning phases of creative brainstorming to a successful execution. Responsible for customer interface, strategy and project management related to all major clients, she helped launch several new messaging strategies for JB Chicago clientele to use consistently in branding and promotions. Leading the copy team, Sara takes pride in her ability to use the written word to relay an important, targeted message to meet any client’s needs.
Prior to JB Chicago, Sara served as the marketing manager for a suburban trade publishing company as an essential project leader in developing marketing strategies throughout company departments and implementing necessary tactics with successful follow-through. She has held several editorial roles in her career, enabling her to work under pressure to meet crucial deadlines as a grammar guru.
A graduate of the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, Sara found her niche within the Chicago creative industry immediately. With years of experience in many business-to-business settings, Sara has industry knowledge in various associations, construction, interior design, architecture, not-for-profit, project management and healthcare.
