Gatesman Growth Continues With Advancement Of Three Key Leaders

Agency Promotes Deloe, Zappia and Kellar for Stellar Performance and Team Commitment

From left to right: Rod Deloe, Debbie Zappia and Billie Kellar

PITTSBURGH – Jan. 4, 2018 – Gatesman, one of the fastest-growing, mid-sized privately owned marketing communications agencies, has promoted Rod Deloe to executive vice president, chief financial officer, Debbie Zappia to senior vice president, director of operations and Billie Kellar to associate vice president, director of human resources.

“Rod, Debbie and Billie are a true representation of who we are here at Gatesman,” said John Gatesman, CEO, Gatesman. “These three have not only helped to lay the foundation for our momentous success and continued growth, but have strived to be innovators in this business. I know each of them will continue to exceed expectations in these well-deserved roles.”

Deloe, who began his career at Gatesman in October 2012 as chief financial officer, has helped to accelerate the agency’s continued growth through his financial expertise and skillset. With more than 25 years of corporate, tax and senior financial management experience, Deloe has led all financial functions for the agency and served as an instrumental asset in managing the critical due-diligence process during Gatesman’s two recent acquisitions. He was named Chief Financial Officer of the Year by Pittsburgh Business Times in 2014, which is a testament of his ongoing commitment and leadership within the industry.

Zappia began her career at Gatesman in 2011 as manager, media billing, with nearly 25 years of agency experience under her belt. Since joining, Zappia was promoted to controller and has played an integral role in the overall functionality of the agency. Over the past five years, Zappia has taken the lead in building and directing the entire project management department, and has instituted agency process improvements, including standard operating procedures across all departments and clients. In 2016, Zappia was named accounting SIG for the agency’s software company, Advantage Company, and spoke at the 2016 Advantage Conference on improving agency process.

Kellar joined the Gatesman team in December 2014 and earned her master’s degree in human resources management in 2015 while working with the agency full-time. Quickly moving into the director of human resources role, Kellar made integral transformations in the day-to-day operations of the agency, and enhanced the agency’s benefits package to a robust suite of offerings including unlimited PTO, paid holidays, paid maternity leave and even services to make employee’s lives go smoother like dry cleaning service and fruit delivery. Over the past two years, Kellar enhanced the onboarding infrastructure and performance evaluations of each department, activated a new recruiting system, and continues to make important strides in establishing a diverse and balanced culture.

“It’s hard to imagine where this company would be without the contributions of Rod, Debbie and Billie,” said Shannon Baker, partner, president of Gatesman. “They relentlessly work toward improving not only themselves, but the entire agency, and we have been fortunate to have their expertise and leadership for all these years.”

For more information, please visit gatesmanagency.com or join in on the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.

About Gatesman:
Gatesman is one of the fastest-growing, mid-size, privately owned agencies in the U.S. With offices in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Springfield, MO, Gatesman is a fully integrated, independent marketing communications agency with expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, digital, analytics, public relations, social media, media planning and buying. Gatesman is a partner in AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, and IPREX, a global communications network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.