Chad is responsible for strategic oversight of client initiatives. Chad scouts and sets direction for new business opportunities for clients as well as the collaborative team of Spearhead, TaigMarks and Effect Web.
Prior to founding Spearhead, Chad was responsible for business management, sales and marketing at three mid-size manufacturing companies: Fast Heat, Freeman Company and Fremont Die Cut Products. In all three case, he more than doubled sales while increasing gross margin. He accomplished this by closing the largest clients within each industry including Letica Corp, Denso Mfg, Pactiv, Genpak, General Motors, Frigidaire to name a few.
Chad earned a MBA from Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management and a B.S. Architecture from The Ohio State University. He is currently an active member of the American Institute of Architects, American Marketing Association and Elkhart Young Professionals.
Steve Taig, President of TaigMarksSteve is responsible for creative strategic planning. His day-to-day work includes strategic communications planning and brand identity development along with event/show planning and total campaign development for various clients.
Steve has been involved with advertising and marketing since the age of 19 when he held a marketing position at Bendix Westinghouse in Bristol, England. Since founding TaigMarks in 1998, Steve has worked with industry leaders in a number of fields: Navistar, Dometic, Zimmer, Remy Electric Motors, and many others.
Originally from England, Steve is an IU graduate with a degree in Marketing and Advertising. While at IU, he earned the prestigious Wall Street Journal Award. Since then he and TaigMarks have earned numerous advertising and marketing awards at the local and national level.
David is responsible for overall creative direction and brand continuity. David works directly with the marketing team, art directors and web designers to reach the chosen targeted audience in a creative and memorable way.
His prior positions include a stint as Creative Director at “another advertising agency” where he was responsible for creative direction and brand development. There he worked with his current business partner Steve Taig for 10 years before founding TaigMarks in 1998. David has over 35 years experience working with companies in a variety of fields such as agricultural, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and finance.
David earned his associates degree from IVY Technical College many years ago. In his professional life, David has earned numerous awards in advertising and broadcast. David is a current board member of the Samaritan Center in Elkhart and editor of the River Valley Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America.
Steve Schmidt, President and Web Strategist at Effect WebSteve Schmidt plans and leads the development of websites and online marketing. Currently Steve directs a team of 12 web specialists. Steve has planned and developed over 150 websites since founding Effect 7 years ago.
Prior to founding Effect, Steve worked for a traditional web developer. Being unsatisfied with the traditional web developer mantra of churning over projects without any marketing strategy alignment, Steve created Effect Web.
Steve is a graduate of Goshen College with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. In 2007, Steve won the Fort Wayne Business Weekly Innovator Award in the Technology category.
Shawn Nafziger, Natural Search Engine Optimization Director at Effect WebShawn oversees implementation of SEO strategies for clients to create significant long term organic traffic improvements.
Prior to Effect, Shawn functioned as In-House SEO and independent consultant focusing primarily on link-building strategies helping 100’s of businesses gain top rankings.
Shawn is a graduate of Goshen College with a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration.
Rob Hartzler
Art Director, TaigMarks Inc.
Rob has created campaigns for many companies including Selmer Musical Instruments, Godfrey Marine, Workhorse commercial and RV chassis, Zimmer and others.
Jeff Prugh
Art Director, TaigMarks Inc.
Jeff has worked extensively with universities, RV manufacturers and suppliers, appliances, kitchen cabinets, kayaks and more.
Sue Truckowski
Art Director, TaigMarks Inc. Sue has a broad background in design and creativity covering diverse products such as electric vehicles, poultry equipment, RVs, medical furniture, musical instruments, plastics manufacturers and more.
Mike Knaack
Public Relations Director
Mike moved from journalism to public relations 15 years ago and has steered highly successful campaigns for RVs, RV components, commercial trucks, semi-pro basketball, green certification, and other diverse businesses.
Alzay Calhoun
Social Media Director, Effect Web
Alzay planned, directed, and executed Sprite’s very successful “Step Off” social media campaign.
Michal Matsuka
Creative Digital Director, Effect Web
Michal has managed, directed and designed graphic presentations for Nokia, Discovery Channel, Budweiser and others.
Pay-Per-Click Advertising Director, Effect Web
Ryan directs and manages over $3.5M in continue paid search advertising budgets.
Steve Taig, President of TaigMarks, is responsible for creative strategic planning. His day to day work includes strategic communications planning and brand identity development along with event/show planning and total campaign development for various clients.
Steve has been involved with advertising and marketing since the age of 19 when he held a marketing position at Bendix Westinghouse in Bristol, England. Since founding TaigMarks in 1998, Steve has worked with industry leaders in a number of fields: Navistar, Dometic, Zimmer, Remy Electric Motors, and many others.
Originally from England, Steve is an IU graduate with a degree in Marketing and Advertising. While at IU, he earned the prestigious Wall Street Journal Award. Since then he and TaigMarks have earned numerous advertising and marketing awards at the local and national level.