About Us

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Gail Emery

Emery is an IT knowledge powerhouse with expertise spanning public- and private-sector markets and technologies and companies including CDW-G, GDIT, and Citrix. Emery leads a team of professionals engaging in media relations, market research, event management, and website design and management. Before joining O'Keeffe & Company in 2004, she wrote for Washington Technology magazine, providing executives with the business intelligence necessary for success in the competitive federal marketplace.

Emery holds a Master of Arts in journalism and public affairs from American University (AU). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and Bachelor of Arts in international relations from AU, where she taught journalism as an adjunct professor.

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Janice Clayton

Clayton knows technology marketing inside and out. With extensive experience in the IT industry, Clayton leverages expertise in specific markets – including education, government, telecommunications, and utilities – to develop and manage integrated marketing communications programs for clients including General Dynamics Information Technology, Oracle, and Symantec. Focused on strategy development and precise execution, Clayton provides clients with strategic counsel and manages initiatives including messaging and collateral development, media relations, market research, and event management.

Clayton holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising and public relations from The Pennsylvania State University.

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Martin Nott

Nott's experience in the technology and energy utility industries runs deep. Using this extensive experience, Nott has, in agency- and client-side capacities alike, led teams in development and execution of multimillion dollar marketing and communications programs for organizations including CDW, Compaq Computer Corporation, HP, Kodak, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, plus a variety of banking and financial institutions.

Nott holds a Bachelor of Science in liberal arts from Ithaca College and pursued graduate studies in marketing at Syracuse University. Nott is also a member of the Communications & Global Engagement Committee for the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, in Rochester, NY.

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Johanna Schmitt

Known for her positive attitude and tireless work ethic, Schmitt excels at collaborating with clients to achieve their strategic objectives. With a background in journalism and non-profit communications, Schmitt brings creativity, resourcefulness, and flexibility to her work for clients including CDW, Oracle, Brocade, and Symantec. Schmitt has managed projects across multiple marketing communications disciplines, including event program development, social media campaign building, marketing collateral creation, and public relations initiatives.

Schmitt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and History from Boston University and earned her MBA from The Pennsylvania State University.

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Lacy Cooper

With extensive experience across public relations, marketing, advertising, research, and event planning, Cooper brings a passion for precision, strong work ethic, and stringency for deadlines to all projects. Cooper persistently tackles any opportunity or challenge to help clients – across the utilities, financial services, insurance, communications, public sector, and higher education industries – achieve success. From developing public relations initiatives to content for motion graphics videos, infographics, and case studies to managing logistics for large- and small-scale events, Cooper provides sound strategy and counsel to her clients – which include Oracle and Symantec.

Cooper holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and Communications from George Mason University.

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Mary Tobin

Tobin's capabilities are tried, tested, and true. Joining the firm at its inception, Tobin has developed, managed, and executed impact-driven marketing communications initiatives – as well as provided value-added strategic consulting – to clients including Oracle, CDW, Unisys, General Dynamics Information Technology, CSRA, Citrix, and IdenTrust. Tobin currently leads the CDW corporate communications account and led the agency’s work on behalf of Oracle’s vertical industries and customer programs for more than 15 years. She leverages significant expertise across several vertical industry markets, including healthcare, financial services, and public sector in her work at O'Keeffe & Company.