Our Team

Todd combines strong business management skills with an unmatched understanding of economic development and technology, cementing Zone 5's reputation in the region as a respected innovator and a great place to work. Todd founded Zone 5 in 1989. He was educated at the University of Albany and has over 20 years of experience in the field of marketing and communications. His background includes management and finance, strategic planning, marketing and Web development as well as business development for Zone 5 and clients alike. Todd holds a leadership role in regional economic development and global technology attraction initiatives. Specifically, he helped develop and promote the New York Loves Nanotech, New York Loves Energy and New York Loves Bio sub-brands from the "I Love New York" travel and tourism brand. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) and on the Executive Board for the Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association. Todd is also an active member of New Energy New York, the Center for Economic Growth, and the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, and is currently working on initiatives involving photovoltaics and other clean technologies. Todd leads Zone 5's Technology and Economic Development practices and directs strategic marketing efforts for clients in those sectors.

A strategic thinker and accomplished designer, Paul brings a unique left- and right-brain approach to the science of marketing and advertising. Paul joined Zone 5 in 2003 with a diverse background in account management, production and creative. With 20 years of experience in nearly every area of marketing and advertising, he brings a vast array of expertise to our clients. Internally, Paul provides ongoing counsel to the president in areas of business development, HR and finance. Externally, he manages all aspects of an account — from initial research through strategic planning and tactical execution. Going beyond his expertise in marketing strategy, he provides enormous value to clients in identifying fundamental business issues throughout the marketing process. Paul was recognized in 2007 as one of the 40 under Forty by the Albany Business Review and serves on the Board of Directors of the Children's Museum of Science and Technology.

Ray is the newest member to the Zone 5 team. He brings over 20 years of distinguished experience in higher education branding communications having worked personally with over 50 colleges and universities throughout the country. Ray has handled everything from client development to account management to overall day-to-day internal agency operations. He has an unmatched talent for developing long-term client relationships and is dedicated to ensuring all client expectations are met from day one. At Zone 5, Ray spearheads engagements with prospective new higher education clients while also working in a senior advisory role in the ongoing work for our existing clients. He takes a personal, hands-on approach, monitoring every aspect of a clients’ partnership from the initial strategy through creative development and execution, while identifying opportunities for continued client growth and success. Ray has a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. John Fisher College. He is a regular attendee at higher education conferences and events sponsored by the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the National Association of Collegiate Admission Counseling (NACAC). He also is a member of the Diocese of Albany School Board.

Michelle guides the creative effort at Zone 5. A firm believer that the difference is in the details, she finds strategic and creative ways to blend public relations with traditional communications. With a strong background in event planning and creative writing, Michelle offers clients unique approaches to reaching intended audiences. Prior to joining Zone 5 in 2003, Michelle was VP of Marketing at Berkshire Marketing Group, where she developed strategy, provided creative direction, wrote copy and managed accounts for various for-profit and not-for-profit clients. She also served as Assistant Director of Alumni Programs for the University at Albany, handling all aspects of alumni events, as well as managing alumni volunteers. Michelle is a past Vice President and Social Chair for the The Albany Ad Club Association of Professional Communicators. She holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Michelle enjoys volunteering her time and event expertise to local organizations and charities.

Loren offers over twenty-five years of compelling experience and success in the sales/business development, marketing and senior management of capital equipment, materials and services within the electronics industry. His background includes extensive experience with leading OEMs and advanced electronic materials suppliers as well as start-ups.

Loren is a well-known and recognized semiconductor industry supply-side executive. He maintains high visibility as a leader of many industry activities and programs that include the creation and/or management of several key SEMI executive programs and supplier sponsored technical conferences and symposiums.

Dave Homsey joined Zone 5 as Creative Director in March 2003. Dave's diverse set of design skills and strategy offers clients a perfect blend of know-how and talent. He leads the Zone 5 creative team on projects for Columbia-Greene Community College, SEMI, Healthcare Association of NYS, The DR Group, Clarkson University and Union College. Prior to joining Zone 5, Dave was VP of Creative Services for Berkshire Marketing Group (BMG) in Troy, NY. During Dave's 12 years with BMG, he worked on such impressive campaigns as HANYS' "Some Cuts Never Heal," Richmond NetWorx's "Local Roots. Global Connections." and Jiminy Peak's "So Much So Close." Dave also worked as a Senior Designer at Lafayette Graphics and at MicroAmerica's in-house agency in Marlborough, MA. He received his BA in Graphic Design from SUNY Binghamton and earned an MFA in Graphic Design from Boston University.

Fluent with both mouse and markers, Dave possesses versatile design skills, extensive knowledge of the production process, and an eye for great design. In his 23 years as a designer Dave has developed a clean, effective, innovative design vocabulary. After obtaining a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1983, Dave worked as a draftsman at New York State Historic Preservation in Saratoga Springs, and as a graphic artist for the Professional Insurance Agents Association. Dave then spent 12 years as a graphic designer and marketing agent for the NYS Credit Union League, helping the League expand membership and services throughout the state. In addition to creating unique design solutions, Dave contributes to the creative process with his writing skills. He is responsible for cracking the whip on quality and graphics standards at Zone 5, and utilizes his wealth of photographic experience as Zone 5's in-house photographer.

With more than 25 years in creative, deadline-driven environments, Spencer possesses a strong mix of organizational, communication and problem-solving abilities. His comprehensive knowledge of Web and print production methodologies is supported by a philosophy of design and marketing strategy that is focused, distinctive, results-oriented and audience-centered. With a background in journalism, print design and typography, he has handled concept-to-completion marketing and branding projects for a broad range of corporate, agency and institutional clients. He has been engaged as a consultant for clients as diverse as a disabled sailing association in Calgary, Canada, and the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Russia. On Zone 5's Web development team Spencer concentrates on strategy, user experience and interface design.

The newest addition to Zone 5, Colleen brings 14 years of experience creating websites and the interactive assets that comprise websites, including blogs, videos, podcasts, applications, and social media campaigns and advertising. She specializes in content/messaging, site architecture, social media, and mobile strategy.

Prior to joining Zone 5, Colleen worked in-house at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Emma Willard. She was the 2009 volunteer of the year for the Northeastern New York affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where she serves as webmaster and a young survival advocate. Colleen is also the published author of LUMP, a book of monologues, and is a blogger for the Times Union.

Colleen earned her BA in Magazine/English from Syracuse University and her MS in Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.