Rural For A Reason

HERE ON PURPOSE

We’re Rural for a Reason

At Paulsen, being here means a lot. Generating ideas. Designing great campaigns. Crafting stories that resonate. Yep, we're here for all of this – and you'd better believe we have fun doing it. 

But more than anything, we're here to help you connect with the folks who carry the success of our country – and the whole world, really – on their shoulders.

A GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING

Something Bigger Than Ourselves

Giving back to the places we call home is integral to our work at Paulsen. It grounds us in the values we hold dear and connects us to good work happening right here in our local communities. That is a gift that keeps giving.

OUR TEAM

Leadership That Moves Rural America Forward

Our executive leadership team leads by example, rolling up their sleeves to fight for what rural America needs. They believe in our mission, this team, and that the best work happens when people know they belong to something bigger than themselves. 

 

But good leadership is only as effective as the team behind it, and the Paulsenites you see below are the ones making it happen every single day: Building campaigns that connect, solving problems with purpose, and leading from a deeply held commitment. 

 

Together, we’re not just running a marketing agency. We’re building something that matters — for our clients, for the communities we serve, and for the future of rural America. 

 

This is who we are. And we’re just getting started.

Marcus Squier

Marcus Squier

Partner | President & CEO

Mark Smither

Mark Smither

Partner | CSO

Allyse Steffen

Allyse Steffen

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Jane Harms

Jane Harms

Partner | CFO

Thane Paulsen

Thane Paulsen

Partner | COO

Thomas Kamnikar

Thomas Kamnikar

Director Of Technology Engineering

Brian Paff

Brian Paff

Content Writer

Alicia Heun

Alicia Heun

Director of Engagement

Bryan Middleton

Bryan Middleton

Audio/Visual Specialist

Elise Hickey

Elise Hickey

Director of First Impressions

Matt Merritt

Matt Merritt

Director of Public Relations

LeNear Douglas

LeNear Douglas

Associate Account Specialist

Isaac Druin

Isaac Druin

Front-End Developer

Catherine Spader

Catherine Spader

Digital Media Ops Specialist

Jake Zastrow

Jake Zastrow

Creative Director

Meghan Lane

Meghan Lane

Senior Graphic Designer

Brett Somsen

Brett Somsen

Director of Paid Media

Karmen Groos

Karmen Groos

Media Accounts Payable Coordinator

Tessa Erdmann

Tessa Erdmann

Account Coordinator

Evan Wibben

Evan Wibben

Front-End Web Developer

Maxwell Bultena

Maxwell Bultena

Associate Account Specialist

Dayna Bastian

Dayna Bastian

Account Specialist

Sheila Rozeboom

Sheila Rozeboom

Accounts Payable Specialist

Courtney Haberl

Courtney Haberl

Senior Art Director

OUR EXPERTISE

Recent Articles

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Earning the Trust of Landowners to Power America

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How To Engage The Next Members Of America's Rural Boardrooms

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ARTICLE

Cooperatives Build a Better World—And Paulsen Is Proud to Build Alongside Them

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