Strategic Marketing, Inc.

Team >> Sales Team


	Torey Strause Vice President of Sales/Marketing Consultant 800-693-4215 Torey was born and raised in Louisville to a family with a very strong work ethic. These values were instilled in him at a young age and he has consistently been known as an extremely hard and dedicated worker. He began his work experience by cutting grass during the summer and shoveling side walks and driveways in the winter for his neighbors. Upon his sixteenth birthday he received his drivers license and his work experience continued at Kroger as a bag boy, Emperor of China Resturant as a bus boy, and lastly as a doorman & valet at a local upscale residential building. After high school Torey continued to work hard, holding down two jobs to pay for his education at the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. After graduating from college, Torey began working for an automobile dealership and quickly became their top salesperson. He moved out of sales and into the F & I office earning a top award and a trip from Chrysler Service Contracts. He credits his years at the dealership for providing him with the experience that he carries with him today at Strategic Marketing. Torey has been married for three years and has three children. He has been with Strategic Marketing for over 11 years as the Vice President of Sales. In his free time he enjoys boating, fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.

	Janey McKenna Vice President of Sales/Marketing Consultant 800-693-5197 Janey is from Louisville, Kentucky and is one of the owners of Strategic Marketing, Inc. She has 10 years of Automotive Marketing experience and has participated as a guest speaker at several Automotive Conferences nationwide. Janey graduated from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina with an Economics Degree and played Varsity Tennis. In 2001 she was inducted into Furman University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Before joining Strategic Marketing, Inc., Janey played the professional tennis tour where she achieved a world ranking in doubles. In 1990 she pursued a career in Collegiate Coaching and was eventually awarded the position of Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. Janey is married (Peter) and has 3 children (Sydney 8, Megan 24 & Kelly 26). In her free time she enjoys cooking with her husband, collecting wine and participating in all sports; especially tennis, golf, running and watching college sports. Janey is a member of Furman's Tennis Hall of Fame. In Spring 2007, she received the honor of being inducted into the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame.

	Jud Souers Director of Sales Although I enjoy the challenges and victories in my professional life, I love my family. I have a beautiful wife Jennifer who teaches, a tall, strong son Samuel who will be 12 this April, and the only girl more beautiful than my wife, my daughter, little sister Sarah who just turned 10. Both children are good students and athletes. Samuel is more serious about sports however Sarah has other interests beyond sports. She also likes to perform in plays. We spend most of our time together in church, school, or athletic activities. Through our involvement in the community we have developed many wonder friendships. Our social time is spent with our extended family simply enjoying time together whether it is a Bible study or a cook out. My experiences are varied and many. I was a naval officer and pilot for 7 years. After leaving the Navy I got into sales and soon found that I was meant to be a sales manager. The last 9 years of my professional life before coming to Strategic Marketing I was in sales management at one level or another with Auto Trader Magazines. One of the many things that Auto Trader did well was relationship-building with customers. My hope is that we build wonderful friendships with all of our customers.

	John Lesch Regional Manager of Sales 800-693-4698 John Lesch lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife (Denise) and four children (Keith 18, Kyle Michael 15, Keeley Marie 7 and Kristen Megan 5). He has been in the Direct Marketing Business for eight years and five years ago became the Director of Sales for Strategic Marketing, Inc. John enjoys the hands on relationship he has established with his Sales Reps and Dealers across the country helping everyone to meet and exceed their goals. John attended Western Kentucky University and received his Bachelors degree in Economics. While there he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. John graduated from Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky where his oldest son now attends. His hobbies include golf, tennis, boating, watching his two daughters excel in gymnastics, and his youngest son play wrestle. John dedicates his time as Communications Director for Saint Martha’s Boosters as well as other Stewardship Committees. He also is part owner in a Restaurant Chain in Louisville, "Soupy’s" that was inspired by his mother’s recipes. Competition has always been a motivating force for John in both sports and in business. “You can’t steal second if you leave your foot on first”, is what you might hear around the office or even at home. Favorite movies include “The Godfather”, “The Untouchables”, “Sea Biscuit”, and his daughter’s favorite as well - “Shrek”.

	Bill Tabor Regional Manager of Sales 800-693-5193 Bill, a native Kentuckian, joined the Strategic Marketing team in January of 2004. He studied business at the University of Louisville while working in the field of horticulture. Afterwards, he spent eight years with the Ford Motor Company as a production supervisor, and was owner/operator of a landscape maintenance company. Bill has been married for 9 years to wife Jill, and has two girls Audrey (5) and Mattie (3). He enjoys all family activities; especially coaching several of his daughter’s sports teams. He is an avid sports fan and is especially fond of the Kentucky Wildcats and the Dallas Cowboys. The Rolling Stones tend to put a little spring in his step and he could sit and watch Shaw Shank Redemption as if he’s never seen it before.

	Michele Amstutz Marketing Consultant 800-693-4370 Michele grew up in Indiana where she still lives with her husband Brad and her sons Kaden and Bryce. Michele has been with Strategic Marketing for a total of 11 years and in the automotive industry for 15 years and enjoys all aspects of the job. “I especially like the friendships that I have with my dealers”. When Michele isn’t working hard at SMI she enjoys going to the family lake house and spending time with family and friends. Favorite Color: Red Favorite Movie: Jerry McGuire Favorite Food: Mexican

	Christy Williams Marketing Consultant 800-693-4850 Christy was born and raised in Louisville. She graduated from Ballard High School and then went on to attend the University of Louisville where she received a Business Marketing Degree and also a degree in Communications. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and is still an active member of the Alumni Chapter in Louisville. She has been with Strategic Marketing, Inc. for a total of 6 years and in the automotive industry for 10 years, and enjoys all aspects of the job, especially seeing her clients become more successful in the automotive industry on a daily basis. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, her 11 year old daughter, and her 2 nieces. She is an active member in her church and is involved in many of the outreach community groups for women and families. Favorite Book: "To Kill a Mockingbird" Favorite Food: specifically Mr. Gatii’s Pizza Favorite Movie: Savannah’s Smile

	Jodie Marks Marketing/Sales Assistant Jodie grew up in Louisville and attended Louisville Male High School. She received her BS from the University of Louisville, where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 5 wonderful years. She recently joined the “mommy club” and is the proud Mom of her 8 month old little boy Cameron. Here at SMI Jodie is an Account Coordinator/Sales Assistant, and has been with the company for 5 years. She enjoys the customer relationships she has built all over the country. Jodie stays busy with her new baby and loves every minute of it. In her free time she enjoys boating, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends.

	Raymond Kellar Marketing Consultant Very weird to write about myself…here goes…most important is that I am really, really crazy about my wife Jeana, and really, really crazy(as well as being driven crazy) by my two daughters, 17 year old Phylecia and 13 year old Ashley. I would like to think I am a devoted father as well as husband. I also have an extended family (who sometimes I like better than my kids) they are Scooter(lab), Boomer(lab), Belle(lab), Casey(golden retriever), and last but not least Millie(beagle), she is the doggie Lottery winner…Ashley and Jeana picked her out of a bunch at the pound, her future instantly got brighter that day. I came straight here from Shelbyville Chrysler Products, where after 17 years, I realized the car business simply was not where I wanted to be until retirement age. So, here I am, wish me luck, I certainly hope to be around for a long, long time. Oh…by the way…I really enjoy (much to the dismay of people around me sometimes I am sure) my e-tunes….alot.

	Vicki Jones Receptionist I have been with the company since November of 2006. My husband and I met on a blind date, and have been married for 29 years. My daughter Jacqui is 12 years old. When I am not at work I spend most of my time watching Jacqui play Soccer. I also am very active at my church. I have 3 cats, 1 dog, and a horse. My favorite hobby is shopping!

	Stad Smith Marketing Consultant Stad is a native of NC being born and raised in a small town named Mayodan which is just north of Greensboro, NC. He received a B.S. in Business Management with a Concentration in Marketing from North Carolina State University in 2002 and is a huge fan of the Wolfpack. Stad has stated that his biggest accomplishment is graduating college because he had to help pay his way through with working a part time job and day trading his savings in the stock market. After graduating college Stad worked as a sales consultant for a Chevrolet dealership in Greensboro. In 2003 he moved to Kentucky and went on to become a branch manager for Wells Fargo Financial specializing in subprime auto lending. He now lives in Shelbyville, Ky with his wife Sarah and their four year old chocolate lab. When he’s not helping dealerships pump up their sales he enjoys rock climbing in eastern Kentucky and attempting to play golf.

	Brian S. Byrne Southeast Regional Marketing Consultant Hobbies: Golf, Tennis, Throughbred Horse Racing, Cooking, Traveling Education: University of Louisville with concentrated studies in Liberal Arts. Family: A single bachelor who was born and raised in Louisville, KY. Experience: Mr. Brian S. Byrne has 15+ years of entrepreneurial experience and knowledge of banking, finance and mortgage industry where he has earned several national awards and recognitions. Favorite Book: Daily Racing Form, Ribb Report, Dupont Registry Favorite Quote: "Money never sleeps."

	Mark Peredo Marketing Consultant Mark Peredo has more than 11 years of experience marketing national product lines and has guided companies in corporate positioning, brand management, advertising, and collateral development. An accomplished marketing strategist and designer, his expertise in visual communication and marketing have driven notable enterprise growth in the automotive retail, technology, and consumer goods sectors in general as well as Hispanic markets. Mark offers a rare blend of creative and practical application strengths to automotive dealers in consumer relation building to quickly deliver impressive bottom-line results. His track record of marketing and business development is based on an ability to identify and diagnose marketing and growth impediments that go far beyond just the sale and creating strategies that will help clients attain results. He has been successful working for award winning advertising agencies in the South East, such as Paradigm Communications, Peak Biety Branding + Advertising, Moore and Scarry Advertising, and ran his own marketing and design firm for five years. Mark resides on the Sunny Side of Louisville, KY in Floyd Knobs, IN with his wife and three children.

	Casie Skaggs Marketing Consultant Casie is a native of Paducah Kentucky and attended the University of Louisville where she played tennis and received a B.S. in Psychology. Casie went on to receive a M.S. in Clinical Psychology and joined the Strategic Marketing sales team in 2007. Casie hopes to translate her experience in Psychology to a productive sales career with Strategic. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors. Her hobbies include reading, cooking and participating in sports; especially running and golf, which she picked up after college.

	Christina Cortellessa Marketing Consultant Christina grew up in Louisville and attended Presentation Academy. She studied business at Indiana University Southwest while starting a now 5 year career in sales. In her free time she likes to read and spend time with her friends and family. Also, she is an avid hiker, spending weekends at Red River Gorge as soon as the warm weather hits.