In previous decades I’ve worked in higher education with students, learning from their work, and helping them to craft writing that communicates their ideas as clearly and authentically as possible. I look forward to bringing this same skillset to the clients of 5Points Creative. I’m also thrilled to join such an esteemed group of ingenious professionals. In academia, I often worked alone—a challenge for a people person like me. The ability to work with such talented and energetic team, therefore, is the change I’m most excited about.

Bruce C. Bryan is an author, entrepreneur, and connector of people. With 20 years of experience in the television industry, Bruce managed broadcast advertising departments at television stations in Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia. Winner of the 2006 National Association of Broadcasters “Best of the Best” Sales Promotion award, he now develops and implements creative solutions to everyday business problems.

In 2009, Bruce founded 5Points Creative, a full-service advertising and marketing firm based in Roanoke, Virginia. Throughout Bruce’s leadership as President of the firm, 5Points received scores of accolades, including numerous American Advertising Awards, Communicator Awards, and Telly awards. His company was named the “2019 Small Business of the Year” in business-to-business services by the Greater Roanoke Chamber of Commerce. In 2023, 5Points Creative was awarded the Howard Packett Award for Creative Excellence, the Best in Show – Broadcast ADDY, a Gold ADDY, and three Silver ADDY awards at the annual AAF Roanoke ADDY Awards Ceremony.

In addition to helping businesses succeed, Bruce fosters multiple organizations through volunteer work. He is a founding board member for the national non-profit Help Save The Next Girl. After six years of running The Down by Downtown Music Festival, Bruce founded The Spot on Kirk in 2015 and remains President of their Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Healing Strides of Virginia.

A lifelong lover of writing, Bruce published his first book in 2021 titled 40 West: Two Brothers Take the Trip to Mark a Lifetime. It chronicles Bruce’s cross-country journey with his brother to honor and celebrate their late father. Bruce is an avid fan of the Detroit Pistons and the Michigan State Spartans. He also appreciates time with his friends and family; they will be the first to tell you he enjoys the experience of having a great meal or a lovely glass of red wine. 

Bruce and his wife Laurel live in Roanoke and are often busy spending time with each of their children and six grandchildren.

Always in search of inspiration for her next stunning, original design, Hannah brings a keen eye for detail and a fresh perspective to her role as Graphic Guru at 5Points Creative. A lifelong passion for intentional storytelling shines through her dynamic illustration and branding, and her thoughtful approach creates unique visual connections for both 5PC and our clients that can only come from a true creative.

An graduate of Texas A&M University at Commerce, she has continued building on her degree in Visual Communication through 7+ years of in-house, freelance, and agency design experience. While her experience ranges across clients of many industries and sizes, she especially enjoys working with mission-driven organizations who are passionate about their goals.  

A native of Dallas, TX, Hannah enjoys the outdoor recreation opportunities here in Roanoke. Just as wide and varied as her creative range, her hobbies include hiking, swimming in nature, embroidery, hula hooping, reading, and spending time with her pets.

Adam Thompson is a Graphic Designer on paper, but more of a Jack-of-All-Trades with moderate to high skill in several visual mediums. His focus is primarily on websites; however, his skill with image processing comes in handy for the occasional image enhancement.

Born in Roanoke and educated locally, Adam enjoys being in nature and photographing our beautiful region. He has spent much of his childhood and beyond experimenting and learning a great deal about computers, web design, graphic design, photography, video, and communication. His experience with graphic design and print production allows him to create highly precise works for the specific demands of the client while adhering to tight deadlines.

Adam joined 5Points Creative with intentions to learn and refine his skills by listening to clients and ensuring that their vision is executed with thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

As Director of Account Services, Bryan has an excellent eye for identifying the right creative solutions for his clients and a natural gift for communicating with everyone involved in a project to create proven results-driven campaigns.

Bryan will tell you that one of his most incredible talents is paying attention to details and using that information to become a successful leader who creates an environment rooted in team building and shared experiences. He's always ready for the challenge, from developing and nurturing close relationships with his clients to working alongside the 5PC creative team to create strategy-driven campaigns. Previously, Bryan was Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Roanoke College.

Originally from a small town north of Seattle, Bryan has a bachelor of arts in history from Portland State University and a master's of education from Florida Atlantic University. Bryan relocated to the area 16 years ago and loves the Roanoke Valley. You will often find him spending time with his wife and two daughters or golfing with his friends on weekends. He is also a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and loves to listen to live music.

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As 5Points Creative's Digital Detective, Grayson is a pro at going behind the scenes and investigating data. From digital marketing analysis and ad buying to account management, CRM strategy, and support, Grayson is always ready to take on his next case. A logical thinker who stays prepared to find proven solutions for any challenge, there is no piece of data that he can't research and analyze to create the best possible advertising strategies for his clients.  

Grayson started exploring a career in advertising as an intern at 5Points Creative. After graduating from James Madison University with a degree in marketing, he officially joined the company and loves being part of a strong, creative group of professionals. He particularly enjoys the analytical, detail-oriented, and goal-focused nature of his projects and campaigns.   

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Grayson has many different hobbies that keep him busy in town. He is very focused on fitness and working out, enjoys working on producing music, and likes cooking. You will find him traveling and exploring different cities when he's not in the mountains.   

When it comes to design, Alice's collaborative nature produces compelling work that becomes more than just a creative project, it's a fulfilling, imaginative process for everyone involved. As a 5Points Creative Graphic Designer, Alice uses her talents to produce print and web designs and assist in creative and innovative campaigns on the Creative Team.

Alice graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts (VCUarts), where she majored in Graphic Design and minored in Painting and Printmaking. While in school, she worked under one of her professors in a collaborative setting to produce web and print design work for their publishing initiative. She has also produced design work for 2 non-profit organizations.

An experienced Starbucks barista, Alice loves making coffee and creating different flavor combinations and mouthfeels. She also enjoys playing video games and drawing in Procreate. A self-proclaimed thrill-seeker, she loves the electric energy of concerts, amusement parks, and roller coasters. Alice also enjoys experiencing nature by caring for her plants and hiking.

Artistically driven from the beginning, Kym always knew creativity would be her life. She is an award-winning creative with two decades worth of agency experience working for both small creative shops and large, regional advertising firms. Her work has been recognized in numerous shows such as The Richmond Show and the American Advertising Awards, including a Gold National ADDY. 

She easily migrates between big-picture concepts and details that are critical to the success of a brand or project, finding the perfect combination of words, color, and design – and a dash of the fun and bizarre. There’s no creative challenge that is beyond Kym’s mind and her portfolio represents a wide range of clients including large health care systems, universities, high-end retail, and defense.

When not solving creative problems, she’s spending time with her husband and 4 children; hiking and running with her twin sister; and enjoying British true crime procedurals, Marvel movies, and baking. 

Dan is a proofreader for 5Points Creative. He honed his proofing skills by teaching writing competency courses to college students for 20 years--hence, the name Proofing Prof. An undergraduate major in German (along with Business) helped cultivate an appreciation for language, grammar, and syntax at an early age. He’s a self-proclaimed word junkie and grammar nerd. His proofreading mission is to help people Write it Right.

Following a stint in the air force right after college, Dan worked for a Fortune 100 manufacturer in plant, international, and corporate positions. He has owned a business, taught business courses at Mary Baldwin University, facilitated leadership workshops for a local enterprise, and he writes articles and sells ads for a regional business magazine.

When not checking copy for typos and grammar glitches, Dan likes to fill his retirement days with cooking, reading, and spending time with his wife and their daughter and her family who live in Roanoke. They visit with their two sons and their families in Richmond and Fairfax as often as possible. Doting on and spoiling four grandchildren is his new job responsibility, and one he enjoys immensely.

Taylor believes the most valuable experiences are created when you take the time to learn the best ways to communicate with others. That passion and desire to understand people make her a fantastic Associate Account Lead. Always open-minded and friendly, Taylor truly enjoys managing client relationships.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Taylor explored her entrepreneurial side as she began creating and selling her jewelry. Her experiences with her own business helped her develop the well-rounded skill set she uses daily in her current position at 5 Points Creative. 

Taylor grew up at Smith Mountain Lake and has always enjoyed the Roanoke Valley. You will find her spending her free time with her husband and two boys, taking advantage of everything lake life offers. She also loves live music, and you will often see her and her family enjoying the outdoors and jamming to their favorite tunes.

Meet Marlee, the vibrant Business Operations Manager AKA Office Boss at 5Points Creative. With her infectious enthusiasm and sharp insights, Marlee ensures the agency's operations run seamlessly. From overseeing the organization's accounting and administrative functions, to helping manage the LeadGen + CRM system, she strives to keep 5PC moving along efficiently and effectively.

Marlee is a proud VWCC & Roanoke College grad, getting her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. With her experience stemming from hospitality/tourism and CRM systems, she thrives when helping others, and at problem-solving and organization. Born, raised, and educated all in Roanoke, she's a very passionate advocate for her hometown's growth. She is also a 2024 Graduate of the Roanoke Regional Chamber's "Leadership Roanoke Valley" (LRV) program.

Outside the office, Marlee enjoys coffee dates with her friends, and outdoor adventures with her 13yo Alaskan Malamute/Husky mix, Gypsee. She's also a devoted thrifter, plant enthusiast, and a dance floor aficionado. With Marlee at the helm, 5Points Creative combines operational excellence with a spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm.

A talented photographer, illustrator, and graphic designer, Jenya uses her artistic eye and strong attention to detail to create incredible design concepts as part of 5Points’ Creative Team. 

An honors graduate of the National University of Ukraine, Jenya studied finance but has always been interested in art and design. She loves creating vector illustrations and designs, and for the past several years, she has been studying and training to perfect her photography skills. Her passion for photography has also helped her develop an expert-level creative eye when editing photos and videos.

When she’s not designing amazing projects for our clients, you will still find Jenya being creative. She loves photographing her son and researching the latest photography techniques and ideas. She also is a talented knitter and has been knitting since childhood. A lover of the outdoors, Jenya enjoys sports, hiking, swimming, dancing, meditating, and any activity that supports better health for her and her son.

Like any great, wise strategist, Karen is focused, detail-oriented, and always interested in learning how things can operate in the best way possible. Using these super talents, she pulls from many resources to help her clients make the best decisions for their success. Full of insightful wisdom and warm energy, Karen is a thorough, professional consultant with many years of experience in HR, finance and accounting, strategic planning, and IT, which comes in handy as the go-to support system for 5Points Creative and its clients.

A proud Roanoke College alumna, Karen was most recently the CEO of a large physician-owned medical practice where she gained invaluable experience in healthcare administration and finance. Consulting has become Karen’s passion, and she is devoted to continually learning and building her skill set.

Karen loves the outdoors, and you can often find her walking, hiking, kayaking, and paddle boarding throughout the Roanoke Valley. She is also an enthusiast of yoga and watercolor painting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren is one of her all-time favorite things. A devoted bibliophile, Karen typically reads 100 books yearly—and she keeps a spreadsheet listing them!

As Director of Communications, Mike constantly explores and discovers the best ways to provide marketing communications, public relations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic guidance to 5PC and its clients. In fact, one of Mike's most incredible superpowers is his ability to listen and learn from his clients, something he picked up early in his journalism career and has perfected over the years. His knack for observing both people and their environment helps Mike give his clients the lasting competitive edge they need.

Mike's talents have led him through several successful career paths in multiple industries. He brings over 35 years of experience in multimedia communications and marketing across the healthcare, higher education, and news media industries. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Carilion Clinic from 2016 to 2021. After capping a 14-year career with southwest Virginia's leading healthcare provider, he and his wife relocated closer to his family in Florida, splitting time between there and Bedford, Virginia. Since moving, he has worked as a strategic consultant and freelance writer for news organizations in both states.

He attended college at the University of Florida, receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Mike is a huge sports fan who cheers on the Florida Gators, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Tigers in his free time. While he played many intramural and rec league sports in the past, Mike has most recently developed a passion for golf and plays at least 2-3 times a week. Mike also enjoys playing guitar, and for two years, was the rhythm guitarist and singer for True Levellers, an Americana band in Blacksburg.

If you ask Stormie, she'll tell you that being 5Points Creative's social media coordinator is a lot like being a professional social butterfly—but it's not as easy as it sounds. You must be a pro at flying between platforms while effortlessly engaging with audiences, strengthening brands, and building relationships. As 5PC's resident expert, she thrives on these interactions, making them look effortless as she helps her clients make authentic connections in the digital space.

Stormie began her marketing career in Scottsdale, Arizona, working for a local luxury real estate brokerage. She managed the company's social media presence, enhanced its digital strategies, and worked with its marketing team on key initiatives. This experience helped her realize she had a passion and talent for crafting creative social media strategies that drive results.

Originally from Phoenix, Stormie spent her formative years in Virginia and earned a degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Inquisitive by nature, you can always find her exploring new places, hiking, practicing Pilates, or seeing the latest movie.

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Always ready with the best ways to connect organizations with the right media outlets,Dan leads 5Points Creative's media and operations team. As Operations Director, he seamlessly navigates the complex media advertising world and is known as a seasoned pro among his media sales and advertising partners. Dan’s strength is being able to see how media strategies support each other and work towards achieving the end goal.

Dan earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo, where he studied political science and public administration. In 2023, Dan and his Labrador Retriever, K9 Artemis, achieved the Disaster Type I (Live Find) certification,making them one of approximately 280 K9 teams in the country to currently hold the certification. When he's not leading the 5Points Creative operations team, Dan can be found training disaster dogs, volunteering with the local fire department, and spending time with his wife and two wonderful kids. 

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A marketing professional known for her strong intuition and ability to adapt to any change that comes her way, Madeline is the Associate Account Lead every client wants. She’s developed an exceptional talent for working with others and is an expert when it comes to collaborating as a team to achieve positive results.  

A graduate of Hollins University, Madeline has a degree in international studies and communication and believes her liberal arts experience is what fuels her desire to follow her many interests, learning as much as she can about each subject. She has gained experience as a professional barista, a horseback riding instructor, and a substitute teacher. These experiences have helped her develop strong listening skills and the ability to see the details of a project from multiple points of view.   

Originally from Rhode Island, Madeline fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains in college. You can find her exploring the mountains and collecting mushrooms with her dog Frankie when she's not working. If she's not in the woods, you can locate her at the barn, riding horses and finding peace. Madeline's other hobbies include reading at least three books at once, learning new languages, and writing about the natural world.