Who We Are

John K. Addis is passionate about the advertising industry and enjoys the creative challenges behind every endeavor. An national award-winning designer and novelist, John has personally tackled more than 500 unique projects for businesses, organizations, and individuals. As owner of Addis Enterprises, a 16-person full-service design and marketing firm, his work has been discussed and highlighted in local and national press, including CBS News, CNN, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and even parodied on The Tonight Show. John is a Past President of AAF Lansing and the 2024 Silver Medal Award recipient.

Bridget Lescelius holds an MBA from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; MS in Public Relations from Boston University; BS in Radio-TV from Southern Illinois University. Her career spans over 30 years in advertising and marketing, working with a wide variety of clients, from engineering firms to government agencies, associations, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Bridget returned to her alma mater in 2017 as an instructor of advertising at Southern Illinois University’s School of Journalism and Advertising where she teaches a variety of advertising classes from copywriting to digital advertising.

Lisa Verkamp, Marketing Director for the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, has been active in the advertising industry since 2004 and made the leap onto the client side in 2013 working as a department of one managing all marketing and communications for the YMCA. She has been on the Board of Directors for AAF Greater Evansville since 2009, having served in every major executive role throughout her tenure, and is also a Silver Medal Award recipient of her chapter. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, where she also teaches as an adjunct instructor of Advertising Strategy.

Amy Dion is a marketing strategist, educator, and community leader with 20+ years of experience in marketing, design, journalism, and publication development. She teaches marketing and advertising in a university journalism program, mentoring students through hands-on, industry-driven learning. Amy holds a B.A. in Photojournalism and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. A former Illinois SBDC advisor and creative director of award-winning regional magazines, she has led high-impact marketing and economic development initiatives. She currently serves as President of AAF Southern Illinois.

Aleks is a native Russian, award-winning (and award-losing) illustrator and graphic designer with a degree from the College for Creative Studies. Currently serving as President of the American Advertising Federation of Fort Wayne Board of Directors, he brings bold leadership and creative energy to the region’s advertising community. Aleks is the Creative Manager at Pathfinder Services, a nonprofit in Northeast Indiana that supports individuals with disabilities. Aleks is a storyteller at heart, whose work includes key art, covers, promo materials, and editorial pieces, with notable recognition like the 2022 ENNIES Gold Award for Cults of Cthulhu.

Mark Rowland is an accomplished marketing and digital strategy leader with extensive experience across various sectors. As Vice President of Client Growth at Publicis Groupe since June 2024, Mark continues to drive client success. In addition, Mark serves as President of the Chicago Advertising Federation and has been actively involved in several committees. Mark's entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in the founding of rowlandcontemporary, a contemporary art gallery that contributed significantly to the Chicago art scene. An educator as well, Mark served as an Adjunct Professor at Dominican University. 

Marissa is an award-winning strategist whose work drives effective earned media, brand activation, and stakeholder engagement for clients ranging from late-stage startups to major brands and cultural institutions, including Google, Johnson & Johnson, and Harvard. Her ghostwriting has appeared in InformationWeek, Huffington Post, VentureBeat, and Inc.  After a decade at boutique and global agencies, she founded Goodfellows Creative, specializing in experiential design and integrated marketing. In 2024, she launched Great Lakes Tinned Fish, applying creative leadership to grow a CPG brand from the ground up.

Steve Hall is a nationally recognized advertising educator, leader, and volunteer with a decades-long commitment to advancing the industry. A Senior Lecturer in the University of Illinois’ Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising, he teaches, mentors, and connects students with industry. A recipient of multiple teaching and AAF honors, Steve has served for over 20 years in national AAF leadership roles, including committee chair and board member. He also chairs the National Advertising Review Board and advises the nation’s largest AAF student chapter while championing diversity, ethics, and student success.

Dave Perry is a Marketing Consultant for Spectrum Reach in the Flint Michigan DMA. Dave has been in the digital and traditional media arena for over 25 years and has worked at several media outlets along the way, including a CBS television station TV5, a large radio station group and the MLive Media Group. Dave has been a leader within the American Advertising Federationat the local and District levels for over 15 years, and was awarded the Silver Medal Award in 2015. Dave is a two-time past Governor of District 6 and has also served as AAF Central Region Chair. Dave is the current President of AAF Greater Flint.