© 2023 Signal
About
Built to deliver exceptional work exceptionally well.
Signal’s well-seasoned teamwork flows across disciplines to craft customer-focused solutions.
Signal is built to deliver exceptional work in an exceptional way.
Experienced
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ExperiencedWe have nearly 30 years in the business, and have enjoyed 15-20 year relationships with some of the world's leading companies. With Signal, you'll get a partner, not a vendor.
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EfficientWith an average employee tenure of 13 years, you can think of our veteran team as your “special forces” unit, known for a unique ability to make challenges easy for you. With Signal, you'll get the A-Team.
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Multi-DisciplinedWe are strategists, writers, designers and technologists with a superior mix of services, who will never lean to one solution. We figure out what is right for you.
Meet Your Signal Team
With every individual contributing their unique talents and vision to our collective Creative Intelligence, this is the Signal business family.

Ricky Haynes
President
Ricky originally joined Signal as a designer, later becoming web director and a partner in 2001. In the early years of our company, Ricky began developing cutting-edge expertise in the areas of UX/UI design, web development, digital strategy, content management systems and information architecture, becoming a go-to technology resource for our clients. He was named Signal’s President in 2014. A North Carolina native raised in Durham, Ricky earned his B.F.A. in Communication Arts from East Carolina University.

Phil Stephens
Partner / VP Client Services
Phil is a seasoned professional with nearly four decades of expertise in project management, client services, and marketing communications. He joined Signal in 2005 and was made partner in 2017. As Vice President of Client Services, Phil plays a pivotal role in overseeing key accounts and nurturing strategic partnerships. He believes that every customer deserves an exceptional experience, a mantra he strives to bring to practice in all his endeavors. Beyond business, Phil is a man of diverse interests as a prolific reader, fitness enthusiast, and avid traveler. He received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. Currently, he and his wife call Raleigh, NC home, along with their extended family of two daughters and four granddaughters.

Jim Ellis
Partner / VP Business Development
Jim joined Signal in 1999, bringing us his formidable skills in project management, client relations and number-crunching. He became a partner in 2017. Jim manages the business development team and offers seasoned expertise in account management, digital marketing and brand strategy. As a songwriter and musician with a business degree, he believes this “dual personality” gives him the understanding needed to be an effective liaison between business owners and Signal’s talented creative team. Originally from Ohio, Jim graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Abby Ballard
Digital Marketing Specialist
Abby joined the Signal team in 2023. She is a Google Ads expert with certifications in both Search and Display Ads, and also well-versed in Facebook Ads Manager, email marketing, paid social and SEO. Abby resides in Charlotte, NC and enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time with family and friends. She earned a B.A. in Public Relations and Communications from the University of South Carolina.

Lori Belk
Art Director
Lori is a native of Raleigh, NC, currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, who joined the Signal team in 2022. Previously she worked as a graphic designer for IBM developerWorks, and as a marketing & communications art director at a North Carolina science museum. Lori has expertise in digital and print design, art direction, brand management, promotional campaigns, and large-scale event and exhibit branding. In her spare time she enjoys museums, chess, science, and video games. Lori earned dual degrees from NCSU College of Design in Graphic Design (BGD) and Art and Design (BAD).

Pam Brennan
Senior Designer
Pam’s versatile design skills have boosted the creative output of Signal’s Raleigh studio for more than a decade. She is a chameleon, working across clients and industries to offer her expertise in graphic design, corporate identity, logo design, typography and photography. Pam is usually pretty quiet, except for when she issues forth the occasional supersonic yelp of laughter. Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Pam earned her degree in Art with emphasis in Graphic Design from Lynchburg College.

Robert Brown
Digital Designer
A native of Cleveland, OH who joined Signal in 2021, Robert works remotely from Akron. With a strong skillset in user research and information architecture, he has a passion for creating successful user experiences and helping clients leverage their product or service online. He enjoys traveling, tinkering on his car and watching the latest Star Wars movies and/or shows. Robert earned his BFA in Graphic Design at Cleveland Institute of Art, and is currently wrapping up his Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design at Kent State University.

Caitlin Carroll
Digital Marketing Specialist
Originally from Charlotte, NC, Caitlin joined Signal in 2023 upon graduation from NC State University with a B.A. in Communication Media. She served as social media manager and content creator for NC State’s WKNC radio station. Caitlin is certified in Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, and Google Analytics, with special skills in social media management, paid social, and content writing. She currently resides in Raleigh and enjoys reality TV, board games, walking outdoors, and listening to music.

Deborah Cruz
Art Director
Prior to joining Signal, Deborah provided graphic design services and art direction for many clients in the Raleigh area. She’s talented in original design for marketing collateral, including logos, brochures, emails, advertisements, business cards, and promotional pieces. Deborah enjoys hiking in the mountains, watching movies and playing video games. Born in Tarboro, NC, Deborah has a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from East Carolina University.

Spencer Dockery
Account Manager
Spencer worked in sales and marketing before joining Signal in 2017. He uses his passion, charisma and keen attention to detail in managing client relationships and the daily flow of creative work. Spencer is well versed in providing an exceptional experience, leveraging constant outreach and exemplary support to delight our clients. He enjoys rugby, playing acoustic guitar, live music and visiting the dog park with his puppy. Spencer is a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he lived until moving to North Carolina in 1998. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Communication Studies.

Greg Galloway
Senior Art Director
Before joining Signal, Greg was lucky enough to work with web start-ups on the brink of the technology boom. Today, Greg offers our clients his expertise in both web design and traditional media campaigns. He’s also especially skilled in conceptual thinking and collaboration, a talent honed in his work with long-term Signal clients such as GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Walex and McKim and Creed. Greg is originally from Rochester, NY and graduated from East Carolina University with a B.F.A. in Communication Arts. He’s known for his resemblance to a certain famous film director.

Emily Hamel
Interactive Design Director
Before joining Signal in 2018, Emily worked in a variety of digital and graphic design roles. Emily has strong creative expertise in visual and interaction design, with a focus on incorporating emerging web and mobile technology, industry trends and standards for our clients. She is also skilled in mobile UX design that delights. She likes to spend her free time cooking, reading and spending time with her family. Emily is originally from Virginia Beach. She graduated from Marymount University with a BA in Graphic Design / Web Design.

Ashley Strange Hunter
Senior Account Manager
Ashley worked in public relations and as a local news broadcast producer before joining Signal in 2012. She uses her account management experience and creative savvy to help generate tangible results for clients like G&S Business Communications and the North Carolina Medical Society. Her insider knowledge of PR, from story placement to event planning and social media, helps us create effective communication programs. She is known for her persistence and focus on giving our clients an exceptional experience. Ashley is from Pascagoula, Mississippi on the Gulf Coast and graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a BA in Broadcast Journalism/English and an emphasis in Public Relations.

Patrick Jones
Video Director
Patrick worked in brand development and web marketing prior to joining our team. He is adept at corporate identity, logo design and interactive design. Patrick is also an excellent illustrator and highly skilled at video production and motion graphics. He enjoys comic books, playing music, painting, movies and travel. Born in Greenville, N.C. and raised all throughout eastern North Carolina, Patrick holds a B.F.A. in Graphic Design from East Carolina University.

April Kilpatrick
Senior Art Director
April’s diverse experience prior to joining Signal included work for university publications, hospital marketing, newspaper staffs and an art gallery. She has honed her expertise in graphic design and creative direction for long-term Signal clients such as IQVIA and G&S Communications. April is also skilled in photo shoot coordination, studio lighting, digital photography, darkroom processing and scanning and correcting photographs. A native of the North Carolina coast near New Bern, April earned a B.F.A. in Communication Arts from East Carolina University School of Art, with concentration in Photography and Graphic Design.

Robert Locklear
Technology Director
Robert joined Signal as a web developer, lending his skills in Internet application development, database administration and Unix system administration. Now, as director of information technology, Robert is responsible for system administration, web development, information architecture, database administration and web and mobile apps. He moved back to Germany in 2005 while maintaining his full-time position with Signal, with the marvels of modern technology making him our only trans-Atlantic telecommuter. A native of Georgia who spent much of his youth living in Germany, Robert holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Ryan Pogue
Director, Strategic Accounts
Ryan has 28 years of communications, brand strategy, marketing & new media, business development, project & account management experience. He’s recognized for his passion for collaborating with clients to find the perfect creative solution, with a focus on growing organizations’ profitability through effective, marketing communications – across all industries, in traditional and non-traditional media. His seasoned, strategic approach creates exceptional customer experiences across many industry segments, including manufacturing, construction, industrial, B2B, B2C, consumer, financial, healthcare, pharma, medical device, real estate, professional services, start-ups, government, K-12 & higher education, nonprofits and sports & entertainment. A native of Canada, he earned his degree in Communications from Queens University of Charlotte.

Kevin Pojman
Creative Director
With 20+ years of experience in designing print and interactive experiences, Kevin joined the Signal team in 2022. His extensive portfolio includes corporate & consumer identity, print collateral design, packaging design, branded interiors & exteriors, motion graphics, website and social media development. His work has been featured in leading design publications and displayed in museum galleries. Kevin graduated from East Carolina University with a B.F.A. degree in Communication Arts.

Meghann Porter
Digital Marketing Director
Meghann manages a wide range of digital initiatives at Signal – including SEM, social, display, retargeting, SEO, mobile, user testing, email and marketing automation. She’s an integral part of our team, working across industries and clients to contribute to the design and build of all web projects.

Chris Robinson
Director of Web Development
Chris is an expert in web development and programming custom web applications – and our clients rely on him for content management systems, information architecture, user interface design and mobile applications. He’s known for getting work done unbelievably fast. “C-Rob” enjoys playing golf, grilling/cooking, playing guitar and hanging out with friends. Originally from South Carolina, Chris lived abroad in the Philippines and Australia before moving to Goldsboro, N.C. Chris earned his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Jennifer Salter
Account Manager
Prior to joining Signal in 2021, Jennifer worked in marketing communications, exhibit management and project management for more than 20 years. She is a detail-oriented organizer, committed to the highest level of client satisfaction. Jennifer is an accredited Pilates instructor and an artist at heart who loves living by the sea in Wilmington, NC. She has a BA in graphic design from Penn State University.

Gabriel Simm
Application Developer
Hailing from Mobile, AL, Gabriel came on board with Signal in 2022. His areas of expertise include cloud architecture, Azure application development, and medical software development, with particular experience in COVID-19 registration and diagnosis software. His personal interests include 3D printing, weightlifting and gardening. Gabriel earned his degree in Computer Engineering from the University of South Alabama.

Shawn Thompson
Application Developer
Before joining Signal in 2017, Shawn worked in web development as a UI developer. He is experienced in HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, Java and Python. He’s also done research on visual servoing (visual motion control of robots!) with drones and stereoscopic camera – and brings this curiosity and creativity to our clients at every touchpoint on the customer journey. In his spare time, he enjoys competing in local autocross events and chilling in coffee shops. Shawn is from Fayetteville, NC. He graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BS in Computer Science.

Donald Trull
Copy Director
Donald has been with Signal since 1995. He offers our clients nearly two decades of experience crafting effective written content for a wide variety of international clients. Donald contributes creative campaign concepting, original copy development and editorial management to deliver professional and polished verbal communications. He is also a master of the tagline. Donald has won numerous Triangle ADDY Awards, including the best overall copy award in 2009. His writing has earned praise online in the fields of humor and film criticism. Born and raised in Waynesville, N.C., Donald earned his B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kyle Wilson
Account Executive
With 9+ years of sales and marketing work, Kyle brings a strong background of agency business development experience to Signal. He has found his passion lies with digital marketing – from brand strategy to SEO – and creating exceptional customer experiences for projects large and small. Kyle played college golf at Western Carolina University where he earned a degree in Communication. He lives in Raleigh but loves to travel, even if that means leaving his golden retriever at home.
Perfect blend of horsepower and efficiency
Signal has more horsepower than freelancers, works more efficiently than larger
agencies, and adds expertise to your in-house teams.

Every customer deserves an exceptional experience.
This commitment is what gets us out of the bed every morning. If Creative Intelligence is Signal’s collective brain, then the exceptional experience is our beating heart. We understand the transitive property of making our clients look like heroes, and helping them make their own customers happy in turn.
Want to join
our team?
If you’re interested in working at Signal, please check out our current job openings on our Careers page.

User-Centered Design Playbook
Improving website usability and navigation can enhance CX and improve the overall customer journey. Our new playbook shows you how.

We’ve earned advanced degrees in the life sciences industry.
Our clients include leading international pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, medical device developers and agri-science companies.