The sky's the limit when your feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Somewhere between the magical intersection of earth and sky, Vicky Jones found the inspiration for her life’s work as the artistically gifted leader of one of Atlanta’s most vibrant brand and design firms. The first glimmer came through the lens of her Minolta X-700 camera while growing up on the island of St. Thomas. Later, at the International School of Brussels, while studying the relationships that define the natural spaces between clouds, sky, water and land, she discovered “the color you think you see isn’t the color that’s really there.” She developed a keen eye to see beyond the surface. To read between the lines. To do the homework behind first impressions. To seek deeper meaning and purpose. To desire authenticity and speak the truth. These lessons endured through her days at the Atlanta College of Art and early career positions at prominent Atlanta brand firms such as Wages Design, TW Design and SA+A. 

Vicky brings that unique perspective to the work performed by The Jones Group, the company she founded in 1997. Whether directing a rebranding initiative for Cox Communications, creating an astounding multi-sensory exhibit for The Coca-Cola Company to employ at the McDonald’s International Convention, completely revamping Coca-Cola Enterprises’ website, or developing a national brand identity for Lydia Mondavi’s exclusive Neiman Marcus cosmetic line, Vicky serves as a leader and coach. Her honest communication and ambitious expectations inspire her staff to push beyond convention. A belief in each individual’s ability to excel and a desire to see them succeed results in work that consistently delivers business-building results for clients. 

“We’ve been fortunate to forge long-term client relationships and attract the highest caliber of talent that enables us to perform on the leading edge of creative marketing and visual challenges.”  While her visions are lofty, Vicky’s feet are firmly planted on the ground. If she could stop time you’d find her snuggling blissfully with her much-loved children and husband, watching the 76th viewing of Polar Express. She starts every morning with a visit to e-Bay and, like Popeye, spinach fuels her day – although hers is sipped in a juiced concoction.

The staff she leads thrives on a collaborative atmosphere that hones conceptual aptitude. The firm’s efforts are recognized year after year through industry awards and acknowledged by globally acclaimed clients who seek the thought leadership Vicky provides to promote and protect their brands. “It’s rewarding,” she says, “to see our work become a part of human interaction.”

Enchanting moment: Transfixed by the brushstrokes of Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon," at MOMA in 1989, she felt the presence of greatness.

Who would have guessed that the bean counter is a creative genius?

Like the intricate fine art collages he creates in his spare time, Chris Miller is a mosaic himself, comprised of many intriguing bits of seemingly disparate matter. Officially, he’s the go-to man for finance, operations, technology and human resources. He oversees budgets and invoicing - and the buck stops with Chris. He’s the first person clients call if a decimal point becomes adventurous, he tracks estimates through an entire job cycle, and he actually understands the tangle of wiring snaking off the back of designers’ computers. As COO, Chris oversees financial operations and works closely with the firm’s customers to address budgets and accounting inquiries. Clients and colleagues praise his responsive and reassuring nature. But everyone who works here knows that many of his most significant contributions emanate from the more creative portion of his cerebrum.
 
Since joining the firm in 1999, Chris has launched a variety of successful branding campaigns. He’s pulled the cork on award-winning event branding concepts for the High Museum Wine Auction, rolled out an original idea for the Shepherd Center Peachtree Road Race Wheel Chair Division, and considers the brand identity he developed for The Abernathy Group a “feather in his cap.” His work with The Jones Group has received national attention and awards from Print Magazine and Graphic Design USA, and an identity system he created for The Abernathy Group was selected for publication in Logo and Letterhead Design 9.

While Chris’ artistic endeavors make a certain order out of chaos, his presence has the same effect on the workplace. Like clockwork, he appears at his desk 30 minutes early every day. Every file, every system he handles is meticulously organized numerically or alphabetically. If he can’t find it, he’ll track it down.  Is this the behavior you’d expect from a man who once played bass and piano for a local rock band whose eclectic tastes defied genres? “I like to juxtapose items that seem familiar alone,” this enigma says, “but whose combination creates an entirely new entity.”   

Speaking of creating entities, Chris and his lovely wife have two wonderful boys. “My family means everything to me. I strive to be the best father to my sons and the most loving husband to my wife.” The former Air Force Sergeant holds a degree in graphic design from Georgia State University and is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.  He is active in the local chapter of AIGA and a member of its Management Outreach Committee.  

Why Chris loves his job: “I am constantly inspired by the people who are sitting next to me.”

Erick Pennington is a major
league player.

During college, baseball outfielder Erick Pennington had his sights set on the big leagues. A rotator cuff injury tossed him a change-up. He bounced back by switching his focus to a career outside the diamond into the field of sales. He teamed with Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks – then parlayed those skills into the agency realm.  

Erick’s career success is rooted in a leadership style that builds trust and credibility, a characteristic that serves him well as Business Development Manager at The Jones Group. “My job is to provide solutions to prospects – not to sell them services. I believe in a long-term view, and sometimes that means not asking for the order, but building a relationship. I won’t tell you we can do something just to get your business.”  

Erick’s prior experience includes securing NASCAR sponsorships and working as project director at an international brand consulting firm where he was instrumental in the development of strategic marketing and branding solutions, brand research and product naming. His clients included DuPont Teflon, Russell Corporation, North American Honda, Cooper Bussmann and Elavon (formerly NOVA Information Systems). As inside sales manager for the Hawks, Erick was part of a team responsible for maximizing revenue and attendance. While managing 20 full-time seasonal employees, his group remarkably outsold the more veteran corporate sales team, and he scored one of the lowest turnover rates in the NBA. He motivated his team by putting his money where his mouth is, once peeling a $100 bill out of his own wallet as an incentive for the top producer. He takes that winning attitude wherever he goes. At another marketing agency, he was the highest grossing first-year business development person in the firm’s history. Don’t be fooled into thinking that he only cares about scoring; the career highlight he cherishes most occurred when the wife of a former employee thanked him for instilling the confidence that changed her husband’s life.

At The Jones Group, Erick applies lessons learned on the field to build camaraderie, as well as inspire – and rib –  his colleagues. “If they don’t do good work, I don’t have much to talk about. Fortunately, I’m privileged to work with people who make my job very easy.”  

Former University of Alabama football coach Bear Bryant provides inspiration on and off the field: “If you believe in yourself and have pride and never quit, you'll be a winner.  The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.”
 

She's one step ahead. So clients never get left behind.

If you could peek inside the mind of Kendra Lively, you’d discover a kaleidoscope of powerful ideas, innovative cultural trends and the active imagination of a visionary who is always one step ahead of the crowd. In Kendra’s world, every thought has the potential to transform into visually groundbreaking material.

As the creative director for The Jones Group, she leads the design team, motivating individuals to develop new dimensions to their performance. The result? Fresh conceptual interpretations and compelling, impactful designs that build business for the firm’s clients. With expertise in brand identity, comprehensive design campaigns, collateral systems and web/interactive design, Kendra is a talented leader with keen insights for what’s next.

Kendra’s imagination works around the clock. An eye-catching shopping bag she sees on the street or a tattered piece of paper might lead to an innovative design. Everything she sees has the potential to transform into something enchanting. Industry peers have certainly fallen under her spell; in her first five years with The Jones Group, she received 44 industry awards for her copious body of work and has guided the creative team to many more. She is a devoted leader and mentor with a clever eye for detail who inspires the production of work that is individually stunning and collectively powerful.

She once longed to be a fashion designer - and adorns herself accordingly. Behind the doors of the eight pocket-sized closets that line the attic walls of her Victorian bungalow, you’ll find a color-coordinated wardrobe that displays her affinity for clothing organized in a manner that showcases her meticulous personality. Her husband teases her about the purse museum, a collection of vintage clutches she picks up during forays to thrift and antique stores.

The Savannah native holds a degree in fine arts from Georgia State University’s acclaimed graphic design program. While she found designing report covers more intriguing than the content behind them, this proclivity didn’t interfere with a successful quest for a 4.0 grade point average. Prior to joining The Jones Group, Kendra completed internship engagements at FPD3 New Media and Lasertech Color.

Eight words that define Kendra: “I can’t imagine life without a creative outlet."

The force is with him. Just ask
the police.

Chris Lowndes’ creative process always begins with a cup of Dunkin’ Donut coffee. Always. If the nearby shop ever closes down, he’s in big trouble. His brain even operates like a percolator. He pores over creative briefs, then waits for things to bubble up.  

This process fuels an extraordinary ability to lead teams that produce captivating conceptual pieces, trendsetting visuals and a multitude of exceptional choices. The Art Director’s strong work ethic and an affinity for impressive creative expression help clients discover innovative solutions to business challenges. Chris offers special expertise in tradeshow/environmental graphics, brand identity, sales and marketing tools, multi-page print collateral, print advertising and web design.  

During his tenure with the brand and design firm, Chris has earned numerous national awards and has directed projects for The Coca-Cola Company, including development of phenomenally sophisticated tradeshow booths to showcase the beverage giant at semi-annual operator gatherings of its biggest client – McDonald’s as well as the National Association of Convenience Stores and the Food Marketing Institute. Other clients include Georgia Pacific’s Growth magazine, produced six times annually for 50,000 employees, and Whole Foods.  

The road to a career in graphic design was paved with a disdain for numbers and a penchant for doodling. He graduated from Georgia State University’s acclaimed design program. Before joining The Jones Group in 2004, Chris gained valuable experience while working at Wages Design and CNN Headline News, where he experienced the professional thrill of seeing his work broadcast across the entire nation.  

He’s been described as a caffeinated prankster whom colleagues adore when he’s not a suspect in the latest office caper. He keeps friends in all the right places by occasionally volunteering with the police department. While the officers share his passion for java, he swears that while he’s with them they’ve never stopped for donuts.

Chris sees the work he produces as a visual timeline of his contribution to the world. “In the end, I’ll have something to show for what I’ve done.”

The road to success sometimes begins with a red Ferrari.

Matt Worsham is a visual explorer. Whether helping clients strategically solve complex communication challenges or leading a design team’s conceptual endeavors, he drives outcomes toward solutions that produce results and stake out new creative territory. The Art Director leads the firm’s brand identity and architecture programs, as well as interactive development. He spearheaded a comprehensive rebranding initiative for Cox Communications, which was honored as an AMY Award finalist for Business-to-Consumer Visual Branding. The Coca-Cola Company, Mohawk Industries, Marine Products Corporation and RPC are among the other clients he serves.  

Prior to joining The Jones Group, his journey ventured through other agencies including Bright Impact and MK Studio. He also worked for the graphic division of Sky Design, an architectural firm that strongly contributed to his expertise in environmental graphics and compliance with LEED certification - a green initiative which ensures buildings are designed in an environmentally responsible manner. His work also took him to the head of the class - quite literally - when he taught at the Portfolio Center. As students turned to him for insight and direction, he mastered new leadership and communications skills - an experience that prepared him for his role today, mentoring The Jones Group’s design team.  
 
As a child, a neighbor’s red Ferrari set the wheels to Matt’s career in motion. The flashy vehicle ignited a desire to become an automobile designer. While studying engineering at the University of Tennessee, he became captivated by graphic design and was on the road to a profession where he broadens horizons with his innovative perspectives.  

On a personal note, Matt is an approachable fellow who likes pot roast, coffee with cream and sugar - nothing fancy - and despite his childhood fantasy, drives a white Nissan Xterra. There is nothing sweeter than hearing that he’s the world’s greatest daddy. The work of architects and artists are his sources of inspiration. “There is so much inventiveness in building and home design,” he says. “At the other end of the spectrum are artists, even the unrecognized names you see in little galleries. They have a passion for their craft. They may never be famous, but they love what they’re doing. They throw caution to the wind because they want their work to hang in a gallery. That’s brave.”
 
The gift of silver linings:  When Matisse was confined to a wheelchair and no longer able to paint, he created art from cut paper and drew using a 10-foot stick. “It’s inspiring how he used his limitations to become even more expressive.”

The remarkable talent of this gifted manager lies between the heart and the head

When things move smoothly behind the scenes, Angela Moland Barnes is hard at work managing people, processes and resources so that The Jones Group delivers seamless service to clients. She assembles exactly the right combination of creative professionals to address each assignment, manages budgets, and oversees schedules and production processes. Her eye for detail ensures that every job that leaves The Jones Group’s door is top-notch. She’s a problem solver and the fix-it specialist, holding chaos at bay with a calming countenance.

Angela was studying to become a physician when a teacher inspired her to follow her heart rather than her head. She was blessed with natural artistic abilities, expressed at an early age by her interest in photography. The child who never missed a day of school spent her free time photographing animals and found objects, experimenting with unusual angles to capture interesting perspectives.  

Prior to joining The Jones Group, Angela worked as a design director for boutique studio Function, a graphic designer for CNN International and an instructor at the Portfolio Center, teaching a curriculum she created herself, Professional Practices: The Business of Graphic Design, to help students bridge the gap between academia and the real world. Angela’s proudest professional accomplishment was establishing a successful stationery business before the age of 30 as co-founder of Paper Dolls Design.  

Angela’s professional endeavors are matched by a boundless capacity for compassion. She has tutored “at risk” youth, and each year since 9/11 has devoted herself to a worthy cause, such as running a marathon to raise money. She credits perseverance and a stubborn streak for forcing her out of bed for Saturday morning practice. This generous soul is also an “iron chef,” stirring up dangerously delicious Southern-style recipes of cornbread, chocolate gravy and homemade biscuits in her grandmother’s collection of iron skillets. As a student at Auburn University - where she graduated with highest honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design - she entered a rigorous international competition and was selected to study with a collection of globally renowned artists, including iconic graphic designer David Carson.  

Organized, dependable, detailed and self-sufficient, the self-described information junkie eschews television for reading - books, magazine and online. “Everything I’ve done up to this point has given me a vast knowledge base,” she says. “I have confidence in the ability of my colleagues; I like to encourage them as a teacher would. As the creative services manager, the value I bring is a focus on the bigger picture.”

Angela discovered her life’s credo hidden in a book picked up in an antique shop: “The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, this will become you.” - From As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

When it comes to interactive technology, this wizard knows how to cast a spell.

Few non-techies understand what Troy Hipolito does; what they do know is that he has a miraculous way of making the complexities of the interactive world function in a powerful manner that produces business results – and that he wins awards for his work. Through his positions at a variety of interactive firms, he has developed numerous interactive and multimedia installations for Fortune 500 and mid-sized companies.  

His work at The Jones Group includes projects for clients such as Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Cox Communications, among others. For example, he devised a seemingly impossible process to create a water meter gadget for DASANI. The transparent self-updating application tied to the website without using a browser. The novel, fun lifestyle tool appealed to consumers and drove website hits. He also tackled a complex challenge for Coca-Cola Enterprises, developing a content management system that tied into multiple programmable systems operated by outside vendors. The client was thrilled with its simplicity, and the site was nominated for a Webby Award. He has even cast a spell on the virtual world, creating the Harry Potter Chamber of Chat, which combines a CMS system with 3D programming, as well as application and website development. The site was recognized by Adobe® Systems for its groundbreaking Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Game technology.  

Troy’s capabilities include architecture development, design, programming, and multi-player game development, as well as integrating diverse web/Internet technologies. He has expertise in Adobe® Flash®, Director/Shockwave, SmartFoxServer, .NET, ASP, PHP and SQL Server Database technologies. Troy holds a degree in commercial graphics, a certificate in engineering technology and certification in Computer-Aided Drafting.

Troy also runs shocksites.com, one of the largest Adobe® Director® Software 3rd Party learning resources. He works a lot. An awful lot. And all his hobbies are related to work.
When asked in an interview with director-online.com to use three words to describe himself, Troy responded: “In this order: father, nerd, designer, enthusiast and Ninja (well, just when I am playing with my son, he likes playing Ninja). Ummm, sorry I think that is 5 words.”  Just like Troy. You can’t fit him into a box. And if you try to, he’ll find a way out.  

“The one person (I’ve always wanted to meet) is Bruce Lee. He had a way of thinking that was very enlightening. He fought against many struggles and proved to the world that one man can make a difference. I think that in some way I would like to make a difference. - Troy quoted in http://director-online.com
 

It helps to have serenity when you enjoy swimming with sharks.

When a client invests millions in a marketing initiative, they expect flawless execution. Prior to joining The Jones Group, all eyes were on then-account supervisor Amanda Wolski, who had been dealt the Golden Moon Hotel & Casino account. As the company rolled out a large multilevel Braves sponsorship, transforming the ballpark’s club level to promote the casino’s brand, Amanda pulled out a winning hand, proving yet again her ability to perform gracefully under pressure.  

When other people panic, Amanda remains focused and calm. That characteristic has served her well professionally - at massive campus-wide photo shoots she organized for Duck Head apparel, for example, and while underwater in Fiji, swimming with sharks. Her impressive career in advertising, public relations and marketing communications account management includes stops at Osborn & Barr Communications; Grizzard, an Omnicom Agency; and Grey Worldwide. She possesses a bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Alabama. At The Jones Group, she works with The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Communications, AT&T, Mohawk and Rollins.

It requires a long list of adjectives to describe this dynamic woman’s attributes. Among the top contenders: organized, kind and reliable, as well as confident, decisive and creative. She’s a team player and respectful of client’s time and budget. She was inspired by a television character to consider a career in advertising. While she momentarily considered a future as a marine biologist due to a passion for anything involving water, once she discovered that “you had to look at snails,” the lure of a fast-paced life wearing power suits won her over. Once she commits to something, she is in it for the long haul.

“We guide clients to take a leadership role in the marketplace. We position them to be impactful and relevant without being trendy.  You never know what they’ll bring you, and it’s a pleasure to deliver solutions with integrity and beauty.”

When you demand high performance, someone should help plant the seeds of success.

Whether digging in the garden or helping clients build their business, Lauren Hood likes to watch things grow. It’s a trait that her customers adore. A critical thinker with a penchant for detail and organization, she attributes her success to deeply caring about her clients and a strong desire to guide them to success. Her approach builds confidence and ensures peace of mind. Among the accounts Lauren manages: AmericasMart Apparel; Lightfair International, the world’s largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference; Coca-Cola Enterprises, including management of a newsletter to 64,000 employees which won a Golden Flame Award from the International Association of Business Communicators/Atlanta for best newsletter design; and Coca-Cola Recycling. 

Since attending the University of Georgia’s Henry Grady School of Journalism and graduating with honors with a degree in advertising, Lauren has worked for some of the region’s premier advertising agencies, including Fletcher Martin Ewing and BBDO Atlanta. She helped launch the Cingular Wireless brand and represented Carvel Ice Cream. She later worked with Vera Wang Silver & Gifts for Syratech, supporting the introduction of the designer’s tabletop line by developing accounts in a six-state region. Silver turned to gold when she exceeded the new account goal by 90 percent. 

Here’s Lauren’s mantra: Get to know your client’s business. Care about it. Work efficiently and accurately. Pay attention to details, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. Listen to what your clients say – as well as what they’re not saying. Think quickly and provide solutions. Make sure the work is as strategically sound and smart as it is beautiful.

For vacation, Lauren and her husband religiously commune with saints: St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. John and the like. When at home, she spends her personal time closer to earth, playing with her beloved dogs, feeding the 14 fish paddling around her koi pond and playing in the dirt. “I spend hours planting and moving and adjusting until I get things right,” she says. “It’s a connection that carries over into my professional life. We continually assess our work and make changes to improve and help our client’s businesses grow.”

Words of wisdom: “Sometimes, clients are too close to their business and need a fresh perspective. We create a bridge so they can make the connection between what they need and what we are able to do for them.” 
 

Cream of the crop.

Whether submitting intriguing designs to clients or pursuing academic endeavors, Chuck Huie always rises to the top. Chuck’s remarkable talent and dedication to producing engaging marketing pieces has become integral to the work The Jones Group. He has a natural flair for providing distinctive visual ideas to reposition clients in the marketplace, helping to rebrand Natural Body Spa and Shop, as well as real estate company IDI. He also is a fixture on the Coca-Cola account and the High Museum Wine Auction. Chuck graduated from The Art Institute of Atlanta with highest honors, where he studied fine arts/graphic design. He also attended the Art Institute of Houston, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Auburn University. The fact that he speaks Mandarin Chinese and worked two years as a missionary in Asia is merely icing on the cake. 

Making a mark.

Christina Yoo makes her mark whenever engaging in professional endeavors. Once an intern at The Jones Group, she left an indelible impression, and was invited back to join the permanent staff. She also made a return appearance at the MINT Design Studio, a graphic arts business affiliated with the University of Florida. She first worked there as a designer, then later as a senior designer, supervising website development for the University’s College of Health and Human Performance. Her innovative work caught the eye of Westmark Design in Gainesville, Florida, where she produced a wide array of visual media before signing on with The Jones Group. Her productions have been featured in several art exhibitions, including juried Ligature shows. Christina’s talents extend beyond artistic execution; she also has a way with words, including experience as an assistant editor at Jones Edmund and Associates. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Florida. She majored in graphic design and minored in art history and English with a concentration in technical writing and grammar.

Producing results.

Miranda Wheeler’s resume is peppered with performance indicators - all pointing to significant ways she helped former employers surpass their objectives. The results she produces speak for themselves: increased sales by 30%; enhanced performance by 25%; won first place in a sales contest, outperforming 450 colleagues; boosted sales by 40% by implementing store marketing and merchandising plans. She’s managed as many as 35 employees and operations with more than $2.5 million in revenue. Miranda’s tremendously successful career in retail management has parlayed perfectly into a position as an office manager with The Jones Group, one of the most vibrant brand and design firms in the Southeast. Her gift for organization, a can-do attitude and a felicity for charming just about anyone into doing what is needed to get the job done keeps things operating smoothly behind the scenes. Miranda studied business management at Brigham Young University and Thomas Nelson Community College.