Our People
Agency Principals – Executive Leadership Team
Luke A. Lambert, President and Chief Executive Officer – Luke drives the vision of the agency and is responsible for its global operations and performance, including the firm’s client service. His diverse, 20-year background of agency, corporate and consulting experience brings clients a fresh perspective on their business with an eye toward fully integrated marketing and communications programs with results that resonate in the boardroom. Luke joined G&S in 1996 after holding senior marketing positions at one of the 30 largest CPA firms in the U.S. and a national software company. Luke is a prominent leader of the Council of PR Firms and serves as co-chair of its Agency Management Committee. He is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and Public Relations Society of America, and is a frequent industry speaker and media contributor on the topics of management, public relations and marketing trends. Luke holds a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from Utica College of Syracuse University, which honored him in 2011 as an Outstanding Alumnus.
Richard Greulich, Chief Financial Officer – As CFO, Richard acts as a strategic partner and adviser to the CEO while also allocating the agency’s resources to optimally align with the needs of its clients and the demands of the business. Over the course of his more than 35 years of experience with G&S, Richard’s role and responsibilities have included establishment of numerous financial internal controls, agency budgeting, forecasting and reporting, tax planning and risk management, oversight and direction of the HR and IT functions, agency relationships with outside legal, investment and accounting advisors, as well as development and negotiations of client agreements. He holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Bernard Baruch College of the City University of New York.
Jeff Altheide, Executive Vice President – Jeff leads the agency’s business development and growth efforts, including building new capabilities and partnerships to serve clients’ evolving needs. In 30 years with Gibbs & Soell, including 15 as Managing Director of the Chicago office, he has managed a broad range of marketing and corporate communications programs across many different industries. Jeff’s expertise spans various communications disciplines, including strategic consulting, marketing, corporate identity and public affairs programs for industrial, agricultural, technology and professional services clients. He is the architect of the firm’s global expansion through its membership in Public Relations Organisation International (PROI), the world’s leading partnership of independent agencies, and manages relationships with the 50+ partners in the network. He has a B.S. in Agriculture Communications (Journalism) from the University of Illinois, and an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School.
Agency Principals – Managing Directors
Ann G. Camden, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Employee Engagement Practice – With more than 20 years of experience, Ann has extensive communications management and PR experience. In her current role at G&S, she leads the Employee Engagement practice, building comprehensive programs that help establish the culture and brand at client companies and G&S. Ann joined the firm’s Chicago office in 1993, and transferred to the Raleigh office in 1996. She has overseen client work in public and media relations efforts, crisis communications management, employee outreach, marketing programs, service and corporate initiative introductions. Ann is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and International Association of Business Communicators, and serves as a regional director of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and a member of the Communications Advisory Board at Elon University. Her honors include recognition in 2011 as a Triangle Woman Extraordinaire by Business Leader and in 2012 with a Horizon Award from NAMA for her volunteer work. Ann earned a B.S. from Purdue University.
Steve Halsey, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Business Consulting Practice – Steve is a senior strategist with significant experience helping Fortune 500 and Blue Chip clients establish differentiated brand and business positioning; launch new products; build, protect and manage reputations; ideate and explore new concepts and models; and, map out winning strategies that help increase market share. He challenges conventional wisdom and has a proven track record of successfully building value and increasing awareness, use, trial and loyalty for brands and their parent companies in both B2B and B2C environments. Steve led the development of the agency’s proprietary I Power™ strategy and messaging service and serves as G&S’ lead facilitator. In addition to his role as head of the Business Consulting Practice, he has leadership responsibility for the agency’s digital and social media offerings. Steve is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and Public Relations Society of America. He graduated from Truman State University with a B.S. in Political Science and a concentration in Journalism.
Doug Hampel, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Chicago – Doug joined G&S in 1986 and currently manages operations for the agency’s Chicago office. During his tenure, Doug has provided strategy recommendations and guided communications programs for a wide range of clients within several of the agency’s core industry segments, including building solutions, consumer lifestyle, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness. He holds a B.S. in journalism from Northern Illinois University and earned the Certified Business Communicator professional designation from the Business Marketing Association.
Kerry Henderson, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Raleigh – Kerry manages Gibbs & Soell operations, clients and staff in the agency’s Raleigh office. With a focus on strategic counsel and messaging in corporate and marketing communications, Kerry currently oversees multiple account teams and has extensive experience serving clients in the agribusiness, advanced manufacturing and energy, and home building products industries. Kerry was recently appointed to the inaugural Industry Advisory Council of the North Carolina Solar Center and inducted as a Goodmon Fellow through Leadership Triangle in N.C. She serves on the Board of Directors for Read and Feed, a non-profit organization committed to improving literacy among school children in the community. Kerry earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Audra Hession, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, New York – Audra is responsible for managing client service, office operations and staff development in the agency’s New York headquarters office. Armed with experience in consumer and business-to-business communications, she guides account teams in the consumer lifestyle and building solutions sectors. Prior to Gibbs & Soell, Audra held communications positions at Revlon Corporation and Exxon Company International, where she focused on corporate initiatives ranging from internal communications to crisis management. She is a member of the International Furnishings and Design Association and an associate member of the American Society of Interior Designers, National Kitchen & Bath Association, and the U.S. Green Building Council. Audra holds a B.A. in Advertising from the University of Bridgeport and an M.S. in Corporate Public Relations from Boston University.
Ron Loch, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Sustainability Consulting Practice – Ron joined G&S in 1987 and has served clients in various market segments, including agrichemicals, advanced manufacturing, performance chemicals and plastics, biotechnology, green technologies and healthcare. He has been involved with a broad range of marketing, public affairs and corporate communications programs and leads the agency’s Sustainability Consulting practice. A leading voice in the CSR movement, Ron collaborates with global Fortune 500 companies, green technology start-ups and international trade organizations to develop strategic, integrated communications programs that help commercialize clean technologies and implement sustainable principles that drive business value. Ron is a co-author of the annual G&S Sense & Sustainability® Study, which gauges the perceptions of than 2,500 consumers and corporate executives on business efforts to develop sustainable products, services and practices. In addition, he serves as moderator for the firm’s series of thought leadership programs that bring together senior communicators, sustainability advocates and journalists in an exchange of ideas on the environmental, social and governance issues at the center of sustainable development. Ron graduated with a B.S. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Iowa State University and received a Master’s Certificate in Managing the Sustainable Enterprise from the Illinois Institute of Technology Stuart School of Business. He has also completed the certified GRI sustainability reporting curriculum.
Mark Monroe, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Global Syngenta Account – Mark has 30 years of experience in agricultural public relations, including marketing communications, issues management, internal communications and corporate PR. He has worked in the crop protection, biotechnology, seeds, animal health, livestock marketing, turf and ornamental, and pest control sectors. Mark and his account teams have been instrumental in broadening G&S’ scope of communications services, from media PR to collateral, sales support, video, relationship-building, programs and events, and digital communications services. Mark serves as overall manager of Gibbs & Soell’s Syngenta business and a subject matter expert in the agribusiness industry. He is a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Mark holds a B.S. in Communication Arts from Cornell University.