Fred Nichols joins Simantel as a Senior Communications Strategist. Nichols will be responsible for developing and implementing effective marketing communications strategies and plans for Simantel clients. Nichols comes to Simantel with over 20 years of marketing communications experience, most recently from Rhea & Kaiser, in Naperville, IL, where, as a Management Supervisor, he was responsible for a number of key accounts. Nichols brings to Simantel extensive international marketing experience, having worked in countries such as China, Taiwan and Australia as well as in Europe.

Trevor Brooks joins Simantel as a Senior Digital Strategist. He will work directly with agency client teams to define and implement digital initiatives that enhance and support Simantel client marketing efforts. Brooks brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in digital strategy and development, most recently as Chief Strategist at IDEACLOUD. There, he was responsible for strategy, planning, implementation, training, consulting and support. In 2009 Brooks was given the Gold Quill Award of Excellence for Electronic and Digital Communication Management.

Annette Zehner joins Simantel as an Account Manager. She will have responsibility for managing client initiatives and for handling the primary relationship between Simantel and clients. Zehner comes to Simantel from Bradley University where she was Director of Marketing and was responsible for marketing communications strategies and materials. Zehner holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Illinois.

Courtney Heinzmann joins Simantel for the summer as a Graphic Design Intern. She will be responsible for the execution of creative assignments for clients of Simantel. Heinzmann is a senior at Eastern Illinois University where she is majoring in graphic design. Heinzmann has received a number of art awards including both a regional and academic Merit Award and most recently a Talented Student Award with scholarship.