Centers of Excellence & Subject Matter Experts

Patrick Van Gorder

COE Lead

Patrick X.W. Van Gorder has been part of the leadership team of Level Agency since the company’s founding in 2010. Starting as Lead Copywriter, Van Gorder has made measurable, significant contributions in each subsequent role he has held; as Director of Campaigns and Platforms, as AVP of Client Services, as VP of Operations, as Senior Vice President and Head of Accounts, and in his current role as Executive Vice President.

Van Gorder’s responsibilities as Executive Vice President include the strategic performance marketing success of the Agency’s clients. That encompasses fostering healthy, trust-rooted partner relationships, developing increasingly ROI-effective ways to digitally reach target audiences, and consistently delivering attention-grabbing and relevant advertising creative. He directly or indirectly oversees more than 40 employees across four distinct cross-functional teams and has led the agency through a sustained period of double-digit agency growth.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Agency, Van Gorder serves on the Board of Directors of Advantage Credit Counseling Services, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that is an industry leader in credit counseling, debt relief, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling services. He also volunteers with the Action and Outreach working group of the nonpartisan criminal legal system reform group Alliance for Police Accountability.

Van Gorder attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a B.A. dual major in Journalism and Political Science. A son of missionary parents, Van Gorder grew up in five different countries across three continents, before coming to the University of Pittsburgh to study Journalism and Political Science. He lives in Pittsburgh’s East End with his wife Sophia, golden retriever Lily, and cat Basil.

Amy Stettler

Research and Strategy SME

Amy Stettler studied Journalism & Communications at Point Park College before embarking on a career in Advertising. She brings over 25 years of blue-chip marketing and media experience to Level.Agency on such brands as Apple, Intel, IBM, Amex, Chevrolet and Microsoft. Along with performance marketing experience at Smile Direct Club and StitchFix. She has held senior leadership positions at global agencies including Ogilvy, Havas, and Omnicom and ran her own independent digital marketing consulting firm prior to joining Level.

Amy is known for driving strategy in communications planning that produces results. Her approach is audience lead – channel relevant. She builds efficient and effective integrated communications strategies that are grounded in consumer insights discovered via research & testing. Just ask her to develop a strategic roadmap for your brand and then hold on!

When she’s not building out road maps or driving campaign development, she can be found running around Pittsburgh with her 2 dogs, paddle boarding on the rivers or teaching yoga at her home studio.

Jessica Echement

Testing SME

With client services and media management skill sets, Jess has experience in higher-ed, non-profit, retail and sports marketing among other industries. She received her Master of Science in Digital Journalism from Syracuse University and joins level after living in Erie, Pa for undergrad and beyond. As a client services team member, Jess has a passion for problem-solving through data-driven marketing and helping her clients exceed their goals.

Outside of work, you can find Jess at a Pittsburgh Penguins game, hunting for the best coffee shop, or reading a professional development book.

Ian Herzing

Process SME

Ian studied communication at Saint Vincent College, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Project Management at Chatham University. At Level Agency, Ian works within the client services team to develop project workflows that meet or exceed deadline expectations.

In his free time, Ian enjoys going to the gym and playing soccer.

Brad Stephenson

COE Lead

Brad Stephenson studied arts management at Carnegie Mellon University (MA) and acting at University of Kentucky (BFA). His nearly two decades of experience includes marketing leadership in the arts, education, and healthcare. Brad combines data-driven marketing expertise with a creative storytelling background to deliver ad campaigns that effectively connect Level Agency’s clients with the right customers.

His past successes include increasing annual attendance at Carnegie Museum of Art, a major contemporary art museum, by nearly 25 percent during his tenure.

Brad produces and stars in Knights of the Arcade, an award-winning Dungeons & Dragons-themed comedy show and podcast.

Jenna Bluedorn

Nurturing & Marketing Automation SME

Jenna received her MA in Business with a focus in Marketing from Oxford Brookes University and has in-depth marketing experience in both B2B and B2C industries. She joins the team with agency experience managing direct response marketing, organic social media traffic, SEO, and brand development. Her work on the Client Services team helps her clients meet and exceed their business goals, keeping data at the forefront of every decision.

In her free time, Jenna enjoys rock climbing, yoga, hiking, and surfing.

Micah Brightwell

Ad Formats SME

Micah Brightwell studied graphic design at Arkansas State University. He brings 6 years of professional graphic design and motion graphic experience to Level Agency. A recent transplant from the South, he’s spent most of his career as the sole graphic designer for a regional network of libraries. This involved handling a major rebranding effort, executing video campaigns, driving social media graphics, and even wrapping a bookmobile. Today he ensures Level’s ads are unmissable by applying the principles of motion design to our clients’ social and web display creative.

When he’s not making pixels move, you can find Micah walking his dachshund Milo around his neighborhood.

Jonathan Gaugler

Messaging SME

Jonathan Gaugler studied philosophy at Cambridge University (M.Phil) and Capital University (BA). He brings 10+ years’ experience in marketing and public relations, including strategic messaging, social, and web content in academic and museum settings. In between, he spent three years as an entrepreneur. As Level’s copywriter, he collaborates across departments, guiding conversations toward core messages.

His most rewarding professional moments include everything from landing exclusives with national news outlets to watching multi-month web builds take their maiden voyages.

Jonathan lives in a 125-year-old house: Half of his vacation time (and most weekends) is spent on renovation projects. He’s also a gardener, cook, and home brewer.

Patrick Patterson

COE Lead

In his 9-year tenure as president of Level Agency, Patrick Patterson oversaw its transformation from a pioneering, fast-growing higher education shop into the performance-marketing powerhouse it is today. Under his leadership, the agency’s revenue grew 2100%; profit margin increased 4X; its marketing spend now tops $21M annually; and its capabilities have broadened to serve enterprise B2B and major ecommerce clients.

Great marketing starts with asking great questions. From the outset of his career, Patterson applied his background in computer science and math to the challenge of reaching and engaging audiences (and carefully measuring every result). In an industry increasingly driven by automation and machine learning, he excelled, ultimately managing a $30+ million budget for Education Management Corporation. Patrick then took his passion for creating value to product development, implementing lean methodology at a technology startup that focused on using data to drive efficient sales enablement. His drive for efficiency, performance, and continuous improvement led him to join agency founder Thomas Donohoe in 2012 to oversee Level’s operations and strategic direction.

Patterson’s vision for Level Agency is to be the go-to performance marketing agency when clients want real, measurable results. Reaching this goal requires an uncompromising commitment to performance: platform excellence, compelling creative, client partnership, growth mindset, and constant innovation. By surrounding himself with talented, adaptable colleagues, he knows that he’s set the agency up for success.

Dan Dix

Tracking SME

Dan studied Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management at Point Park University. He brings several years of web development, media and database management, and content strategy to Level Agency, where his work focuses on building and maintaining high performing, interactive experiences including websites and landing pages.

In the winter, Dan coaches an alpine ski racing team based in the Laurel Highlands, east of Pittsburgh. In the summer, he enjoys hiking and kayaking.

Jordan Grace

Integrations SME

Jordan studied web and multimedia management at Pittsburgh Technical College and brings nearly a decade of experience in web development and data management to Level Agency. A specialist in back-end development, he spearheaded Level’s API and data warehouse restructuring. This major undertaking allows for improved tracking and integrations with all aspects of our ad data, from client CRM, to reporting and analytics dashboards. He continues to optimize datasets for Level, aiming to automate “everything he can.”

Jordan is a hiker, gamer, and a traveler aiming to see all 50 states by age 30.

Tim Fitzgerald

Attribution SME

Tim Fitzgerald graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in both Economics and Music. He specializes in Social and Display advertising while maintaining a passion for large analytics projects. For Tim, effective marketing lies at the confluence of art and science.

His major analytics projects include customer lifetime value analyses and Level Agency’s cross-channel attribution tool, which allows Level to get more for our client media dollars. Passionate and resourceful, Tim believes in the words of the founder of his alma mater “My Heart is in the Work”.

In his spare time Tim continues to explore his love of music as a multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Tim Fitzgerald

COE Lead

Tim Fitzgerald graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in both Economics and Music. He specializes in Social and Display advertising while maintaining a passion for large analytics projects. For Tim, effective marketing lies at the confluence of art and science.

His major analytics projects include customer lifetime value analyses and Level Agency’s cross-channel attribution tool, which allows Level to get more for our client media dollars. Passionate and resourceful, Tim believes in the words of the founder of his alma mater “My Heart is in the Work”.

In his spare time Tim continues to explore his love of music as a multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Keefer Kopco

Display, Video, OTT SME

Keefer Kopco graduated from Gannon University’s Theatre and Communication Arts department. He specializes in social media and display marketing, working with clients and Level’s creative team on targeting, testing, and ad design strategy.

During his time in undergrad, he served as Editor-In-Chief of the student-run blog Gannon Edge. Has served as social media production and strategy roles for NYC indie comic publisher Drumfish Productions, and Erie-based digital marketing agency Epic Web Studios. During his time at Epic he helped get the Socialism: The Game Kickstarter-funded through securing spots on Fox’s After the Bell and Vice. He promoted undefeated boxer Gennady “GGG” Golovkin on behalf of Golden Boy Productions for his Monroe, Lemieux, and Wade fights and managed paid media for several notable stand-up comedians including Eddie Griffin and Tom Green.

In his spare time, Keefer’s a huge comic book collector and board game enthusiast.

Geoff Roebuck

Search SME

Geoff Roebuck studied psychology at University of Maryland and pulls from five additional years of academic research experience developing statistical analyses, efficient processes, marketing surveys, and using data to solve puzzles in human experiences.

Geoff leads Level’s media team in omni-channel digital marketing strategy, tactics, and full-funnel advertising measurement to bring our clients ROI-focused digital marketing efforts that drive real business results. He has worked in performance digital marketing since 2013 in a variety of specializations, from paid search, social, and display to landing page and creative A/B testing & development.

Geoff has been personally been involved on nearly every client project that’s come through Level Agency’s doors in recent years, ranging from media lead for our largest Education clients, to one-off marketing analysis and survey development and testing projects for a Fortune-500 financial client.

In his downtime, he enjoys woodworking, snowboarding, and generally finding excuses to hang out with his dog.

Jesse Witham

SEO SME

Nathan Zoob

Social SME

Nathan comes to Level via the arts, where he was a DIY marketer and freelance copywriter for 10+ years. He leverages his unique experience into a creative and dynamic approach to B2B marketing, managing media for companies invested in connecting and educating the world. Nathan has a degree in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and lives/works in Pittsburgh, PA.

When he’s not neck deep in DV360, you can catch him performing solo or with his band Wreck Loose. Unfortunately, he owns no dogs.