Coming of age in the era of Watergate (see: Woodward and Bernstein) led Steve to pursue a degree in journalism in the nation’s capital. Upon graduating Steve quickly pivoted to the business side of media and communications. Flash forward 20 years and Steve, a lifelong New Yorker, found himself acquiring a business in Minnesota. Now he is thrilled to be leading Touchpoint in the golden age of custom content.
FUN FACT
Steve sold encyclopedias door-to-door while in college.
Jim is publishing executive with over 35 years of experience across several categories of magazine and content ranging from Reader’sDigest, US News and World Report, Time Magazine, Parents Magazine, Fitness and The New York Times Co. Prior to acquiring Touchpoint, he was the Sr. Vice President, Group Publisher of Family Circle and McCall’s magazines, and a Gruner and Jahr USA management board member.
FUN FACT
Jim was recruited by a college and professional football team.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Fantasy footballer, rider of motorcycles, storytelling genius.
Dave has been a partner of Touchpoint Media for over two decades. Was a part of developing USA Hockey Magazine from a newsprint publication to a high gloss magazine boasting the largest circulation of any hockey magazine. Prior to Touchpoint, he spent many years chasing a puck across North America and then Europe playing hockey professionally. When it was time to hang up the skates he found a home in publishing with Touchpoint Media, previously TPG Sports.
FUN FACT
Dave perfected his yodeling skills while living in the Swiss Alps for four years.
Having three small children (including twins!) has prepared Jessica for her role at Touchpoint where she has to be a creative problem solver and manage chaos like a pro. Jessica has over 15 years of experience in media and marketing. She was most recently the director of events for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal before joining Touchpoint. Jessica is a native Midwesterner, but spent much of her youth as a California girl before landing at Iowa State University where she received degrees in marketing and international business.
FUN FACT
Jessica once dined on chicken’s feet, bird’s nest soup and seahorse on a stick while living in Asia.
Born and bred in the Twin Cities and still proud to call it home. Rob designed his first magazine (DINOSAUR!) at age 5 and never looked back. With more than 19 years of experience in marketing and publication design, Rob was most recently the creative director for the award-winning Minnesota Monthly and Midwest Home magazines before coming to Touchpoint Media.
FUN FACT
Rob has won a greased pig contest (whatever that is!).
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Packers superfan, grill master, three-time Bunny Hutch Builder of the Year award winner.
Mike is a lifelong Minnesotan and proud graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth. Mike spent most of his career in publishing at North American Membership Group (now Scout.com) where he held various leadership positions before joining Touchpoint in 2013. An avid runner, Mike has completed more than 120 marathons across the globe.
FUN FACT
Mike’s granddaughter thinks he’s “young” and he’s not telling her any differently!
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Marathon runner, French fry connoisseur, Sirius radio junky.
Jake has more than a decade of experience working as a reporter and editor in newspapers and magazines across both print and digital platforms. From small regional publications to national consumer and business-to-business titles, there’s little he hasn’t covered. Born and raised in Minnesota, he spent a couple of years obtaining his private pilot’s license and college hockey allegiance at the University of North Dakota before graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. Jake is a Midwest ambassador and a year-round outdoor enthusiast who lives in the Twin Cities with his wife, two sons and guard dachshund.
FUN FACT
Drives a 1984 Monte Carlo SS, but doesn’t have a mullet.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Barbecue addict, karaoke junkie, lover of all things vintage.
Mike brings almost two decades of design experience to Touchpoint’s clients. He started out in newspaper design as the editorial art director at the Minnesota Daily. He also spent time at the St. Paul Pioneer Press before joining Touchpoint in 2002. Born in Milwaukee, Mike went to high school in Green Bay, came to the Twin Cities for college at the University of Minnesota, and stayed for the weather.
FUN FACT
Once played high school football on the same field as the Green Bay Packers.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Silent disco dancer, semi-pro happy hour-goer, preacher of podcasts.
The Twin Cities native covered high school and college sports for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune for five years before joining Touchpoint. Aaron has written for numerous publications throughout the country — from the Boston Globe to the Houston Chronicle — and served as media director for the Herb Brooks Foundation for three years. He likes growing something from nothing. You can often find him walking his rescue pup, Ace, on the streets of Saint Paul.
FUN FACT
Aaron once paid a Czech “doctor” $36 straight cash to sew up his leg after a mountain-biking accident.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Hockey player, Hawaiian loyalist, Napoleon Dynamite doppelgänger.
Bryan is a savvy veteran who has been with the Touchpoint Media team since 2000 after graduating from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. with a marketing degree. He grew up locally playing hockey and golf and has been receiving Touchpoint Media magazines at home since he was a youngster. Current roles include advertising sales, account management, and event sponsorship sales.
FUN FACT
Above average foosball player who can be found on Twitter @Nellsbells8.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Family man, golf aficionado, Minnesota sports superfan.
Tom grew up in the Twin Cities but really “grew up” while living in Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. His resume includes positions such as: writer, public relations account executive, video producer, and government affairs associate. Having spent most of his career at the intersection of storytelling and commerce, joining the Touchpoint team was a natural fit.
Born on the west coast of California, Jenn moved to Arizona on her way to central Wisconsin where she grew up. Before joining Touchpoint Media, Jenn worked as a digital publishing developer for a marketing firm in Minneapolis and brings a great mix of techy knowledge and communication skills. As our digital campaign manager in New York City, she has now completed her journey from coast to coast.
FUN FACT
Jenn was on MTV’s TRL back in the day (shout-out to all the 90s kids).
A hockey and lake lover with a tendency to say ‘you betchya,’ Jessi is a true Minnesotan. She was bit with the writing bug in elementary school and has since achieved mastery-level status for comma usage. Jessi has been a professional word-carver for the past five years. She most recently covered hockey and lacrosse in Syracuse, N.Y. before Touchpoint brought her home.
FUN FACT
Jessi knows every word in Fergalicious (“Hit it Fergie ...”).
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Fluent in sarcasm, mac ‘n cheese club president, proud child of the 80s.
Brandon’s love of drawing began the very first time he picked up a pencil. The proud Minnesotan and UMD Bulldog worked for two years at Saint Paul Media before joining Touchpoint. Just one month on the job, he won the MMPA 2015 Excellence Awards Design Contest. Talk about a classy entrance.
FUN FACT
Brandon was born in Villarica, Chile.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Pizza fanatic, fantasy football wizard, sci-fi thrill-seeker.
Kelsey was born and raised in Faribault, Minnesota, where she was first introduced to hockey because of Shattuck St. Mary’s, the stomping grounds of many NHL greats. She then went to Winona State University and earned a double major in graphic design and photography and digital imaging. Prior to Touchpoint, Kelsey worked in design at the University of St. Thomas, focusing on marketing its athletic teams. She enjoys spending time on lakes, playing beach volleyball, and exploring Minnesota while it is still warm enough to go outside. Kelsey is a mom to a white Maltipoo named Mia, a 20-pound ferocious guard dog!
FUN FACT
Kelsey has been to eight different countries and still counting.
Designer Melanie Schumacher’s artistic journey has included corporate marketing, magazine production, and illustration for a variety of clients. She specializes in visual identity, editorial layout, branding, and pattern design. Melanie is also passionate about painting and drawing, and is currently finishing a fine arts degree.
Outside of work, Melanie loves to bake (her chocolate chip cookies are no joke), travel, and tend to her farm.
FUN FACT
Melanie is a Bob Ross fan. Let’s get crazy.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
"So...I have goats." Usually that’s an easy start to a lot of long conversations.
Born in Minneapolis, Adam has had a passion for video production since he was in middle school. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism and currently works on a wide variety of projects and clients. Adam is a skilled cinematographer and typically shoots with a Sony FS7 and Sony A7sii. He’s also an FAA-Certified drone pilot and an expert editor in Adobe Premiere and After Effects. Adam is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time on the water and ice.
FUN FACT
Adam is a passionate muskie fisherman, with his largest catch being a 49.5" musky out of Lake Minnetonka.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Skateboarding, coffee connoisseur, professional fingerboarder
Elizabeth grew up in Colgate, North Dakota—population: 25 people. Now a St. Paul native, her Midwest roots have shaped her love of hockey, starlit skies and weekends on the lake. She graduated from the University of North Dakota with a marketing degree and communication minor, and served in various editorial roles while covering hockey for the Dakota Student. Though she’s equipped with a digital marketing background, you can still find Elizabeth reading a hard copy of a magazine or newspaper.
FUN FACT
On a random Wednesday evening, Elizabeth once went skydiving—on a whim.
Jack is a full-time student at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management where he is studying finance and accounting. A Minnetonka, Minnesota native, he grew up playing hockey and baseball and has continued to play intramural hockey and softball throughout college, but has started to focus more on his golf game. Jack brings a systematic and detailed approach to Touchpoint’s accounting and finance operations.
FUN FACT
Training to one day make the ACO Cornhole World Championships on ESPN.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Golf and the executive workout at the gym (hot tub, steam shower, shower).