SOCIAL MEDIA SPEAKERS

Social Media Boot Camp Speaker Bios

Matt Hooper
Senior Communications/Digital Strategies Director, American Heart Association of Greater Birmingham

Matt serves a dual role with the American Heart Association here in central Alabama, working closely with traditional media outlets, while also developing and implementing social media strategies. He knows first-hand the challenges that come with bridging the gap between “old” and “new” media. As a communications director for the local Birmingham office of the AHA, Matt has developed key partnerships with local broadcast and print media outlets. Those partners help the AHA promote its broad lineup of events and campaigns, including the Birmingham Heart Ball, the Go Red For Women luncheon and the Birmingham Heart Walk. As the Greater Southeast Affiliate’s digital strategies lead, Matt oversees almost 100 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest feeds based within the affiliate’s six state area. He works to develop and implement plans that will help each site recruit followers and broadcast the AHA’s life-saving message across these 21^stcentury platforms. Matt’s background is print journalism and sports marketing. He has been with the AHA for two years.

Social Media Links
Twitter: @HeartAlabama
Facebook: American Heart Association - Birmingham

Hunter Lake

Owner, Avondale Brewery & Red Mountain Crawfish Co.
 

Hunter Lake, co-owner of Avondale Brewery. Graduated from the University of Alabama in 2006 with a major in biology and minor in business. As a licensed contractor, Hunter is involved in commercial and residential rehabilitation, investing and building. Hunter was the contractor for the build out of the Brewery, which involved a complete restoration of the historic building. Hunter is also owner of Red Mountain Crawfish Co. which caters crawfish for functions. Hunter and his brother Coby’s real-estate enterprises introduced them to the Avondale neighborhood — and to Craig Shaw, who the Lakes hired as head brewer when they opened Avondale Brewery in 2011. Lake works 12 to 14 hours a day, balancing his tasks at Avondale, with Red Mountain Crawfish Company, real estate and contract work. The brewery’s success has also led to more businesses locating in the neighborhood and revitalization. “That’s more fun in itself than I ever could ever imagine.”

Social Media Links
Twitter: @AvondaleBrewing
Facebook: Avondale Brewing Company

 

Nick Dobreff

Director of Media Relations, Birmingham Barons

Nick is in his third season as the Director of Media Relations for the Barons and his fifth season in professional baseball. The 26-year-old native of Grand Rapids, MI, arrived in Birmingham after serving as the Public Relations Assistant for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in 2011 and previously worked as the Media Relations Intern for the Frontier League's Florence Freedom in 2010.

Along with managing all team media inquiries, Nick is responsible for creating the Barons' souvenir program and media guide, managing the team website, spearheading the team's media efforts, coordinating team travel and overseeing the Press Box during game days.

Nick graduated from Michigan State University in 2009 with a degree in Communication. A proud supporter of Spartan Athletics, Nick enjoys spending fall Saturday's on the banks of the Red Cedar rooting on the Green and White of his Alma Mater.

Social Media Links
Twitter: @Bhambarons
Facebook: BirminghamBarons



Carrie Rollwagen

Photo credit: Morgan Trinker

Co-owner and Social Media Director at Church Street Coffee & Books & copywriter/blogger at Infomedia

 

Social Media Links

Twitter: @crollwagen

Facebook: @crollwagen

Instagram: @crollwagen

 

 

 

Josh Simpson

Chief Strategy Officer, Intermark Group

Experience and bio: 22 years
Before Intermark Group, Josh spent 20 years with BBDO and Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis, leading strategy for a variety of consumer and business to business categories including Harley-Davidson, 3M, Delta Airlines, Formica, Porsche, Caribou Coffee, American Express, IKEA, OfficeMax, Coca-Cola, Walgreens and many others.

Social Media Links
Twitter: @IntermarkGroup
Facebook: Intermark Group
LinkedIn: Intermark Group

 

 

Wes Wyatt

Meteorologist, WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham

After graduating from MSU in 2000, where he received a Bachelors of Science degree in Broadcast Meteorology, he then moved to Meridian, MS to join the team at WTOK-TV. Wes returned to Tuscaloosa in 2003 and spent seven years delivering weather information to the citizens of West Alabama. During this time he also completed a Master's of Science degree in Geography from the University of Alabama. Wes continues to teach broadcast meteorology at the University of Alabama during the fall and spring.

His honors include the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal from the American Meteorological Society and the Seal of Approval by National Weather Association. He was also named best weather anchor by the Associated Press in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2009. The State of Alabama House of Representatives passed a resolution #767 in 2005 to honor Wes for his coverage of severe weather in West Alabama. He also has a published work involving a climatological investigation of the greater Tuscaloosa area.  

When he's not forecasting the weather, Wes spends lots of time speaking to students and organizations throughout our community. He also spends time out of the weather office with his wife Nicole and little chihuahua Baxter.

Social Media Links
Twitter: @weswyattweather
Facebook: weswyattfox6

David Griner

Digital Content Strategist

David has built a national reputation as a strategist and public speaker focused on the ever-changing role of digital content, from Facebook and Twitter to microsites and mobile applications.

He has coordinated several high-profile and successful digitally integrated campaigns for Luckie clients and has been quoted on social media marketing trends by news outlets such as The New York Times, CNN.com, ABCNews.com and Brandweek. He is a contributing editor for Adweek's blog, AdFreak, and frequent presenter at large national events such as BlogWorld and Internet Retailer Conference.  

David’s primary expertise lies in the domains of: social media, Facebook promotions, content strategy, integrated promotional campaigns, tourism, consumer packaged goods and emerging technology. Additionally, David has worked with clients such as: Little Debbie, McAlister's Deli, Alabama Tourism Department, Asheville CVB and Bayer Advanced.

Social Media Links
Twitter: @LuckieAndCo
Facebook: Luckie&Co

Javacia Harris Browser
Writer, Educator, & Blogger, See Jane Write

Javacia Harris Bowser is the founder of See Jane Write, a networking organization for women writers, bloggers, and journalists in Birmingham.

In July 2013 she launched See Jane Write Magazine, an online lifestyle publication for women writers. Javacia is also a freelance journalist who writes regularly for several media outlets including Birmingham magazine, Hispanic Executive magazine, and USA Today’s glossy publications. 

Social Media Links
Twitter: @writeousbabe
Blog: www.seejanewritebham.com
Magazine: www.seejanewritemagazine.com