Team Bios

Scott Smith 

Title:  President and CEO
Education:  AA at Cypress, BA at CSUF and MA at USC Annenberg School of Communication
Brands Served:  Anheuser Busch, Pioneer Electronics, Nintendo, Coors Brewing Company, Sprint, Technicolor, Toyota Motorsports, Gardenburger, Alaskan Brewing Company - to name a few.  
What I love most about working in PR:  Coming up with great programs that enhance our clients’ reputations
How life has prepared me for the world of PR:  As a youngest child I loved to talk. I enjoy selling - was the only kid on my block to hold yard sales to sell my used toys.   
Campaign/project/media hit I’m most proud of: Getting Katie Couric and Bryant Gumble to sing karaoke on the Today Show back when we were first introducing this new concept to the U.S. market.
Career highlight: Building two agencies with many of the same friends and team members.  
My greatest adventure: Riding my bike from Canada to Central California
My favorite quote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot
When I’m not working, you can find me…:  Running, biking, playing golf or tennis

StrengthsFinder: Strategic | Input | Learner | Individualization | Achiever

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Carrie Gilbreth

 Title: Senior Vice President and General Manager
Education: B.A. from Chapman University in Communications
Brands Served: AQMD, Caltrans, SANBAG, Coors, DeVry University, KB Homes, Macy’s, Rentech, OCTA, City of San Bernardino EDA, Sprint
What I love most about working in PR:  The power of persuasion and how communication influences people to live better, work harder and play more.
How life has prepared me for the world of PR:  I was raised to be loyal to where you came from and always help those around you.  With more than a decade of experience working for national brands and commuting, my backyard came calling.  We opened an office in San Bernardino and were able to bring our national expertise to our own region.  
Project I’m most proud of:  The I-215 groundbreaking, only one of six $100M+ transportation projects to be awarded stimulus funding. The project is launching a revitalization of the entire Inland Empire.  We put San Bernardino on the national radar -- and AP, the Wall Street Journal, and even Vice President Biden and Congress took note.
 My favorite quote: “This too shall pass” - my grandma
When I’m not working, you can find me…:  With my family!

StrengthsFinder: Achiever | Positivity | Communication | Individualization | Arranger

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Rick Miltenberger

Title: Senior Vice President
Education:  B.A. from CSUF in Communications/Public Relations, Minor in English
Brands Served: Allergan, Kofax, Mission Hospital, OCTA, Pioneer Electronics, St. Joseph Health System, Technicolor, Toyota
What I love most about working in PR: Much of public relations is about shaping communication in a way that’s most meaningful to recipients. On the surface, it seems so simple. Yet communicating well is so intricately complex. I find the challenge to help others connect fascinating.
A business moment I’ll always remember: Having Larry King personally call me to apologize for being rude…I knew I had arrived!
I’m most proud of: Being a dad, coach, playmate and mentor for my three boys.
My dream vacation destination: The Italian countryside…for months and months!
My guilty pleasure: Mountain Dew!
My favorite quote:  “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
When I’m not working, you can find me…: On the baseball and soccer fields with my boys.

StrengthsFinder: Achiever | Competition | Context | Deliberative | Maximizer

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Sandra A. Bernardo, APR

Title: Vice President
Education: B.A. from UCLA in English Literature; Certificate in Marketing, UC Irvine  
Brands Served: LACTAID, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johnson & Johnson, Splenda, Marshalls, Nutrilite, DeVry University, and Transitions Optical, among others. 
What I love most about working in PR: I love the variety and that your role in PR can be a touch point in every channel of communication for an organization. Every day is different and you are constantly moving from one task to another – writing a press release, planning an event, creating a presentation, or speaking to a reporter.  It’s an interesting, exciting and challenging field. I wouldn’t do anything else.  
A business moment I’ll always remember: Sitting at my former agency’s table at the PR WEEK Awards in New York at Tavern on the Green restaurant with the CEO and other senior executives – while I was just a junior account executive. But a campaign I led was up for an award and I attended on behalf of our team. And we won! 
My dream vacation destination: I’ve been to many countries but my favorites are Italy and Spain-I would love to stay at a villa in a small town for an extended period and immerse myself in the culture and people.
My guilty pleasure: Buying too many shoes. 
My favorite quote: “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” St. Francis of Assisi 
When I’m not working, you can find me…: At the gym, dancing, or enjoying good wine and food at a restaurant. 

Angela Meluski

Title: Senior Account Executive
Education: B.A. from CSUF in Communications, Minor in Human Communications
Brands Served: DeVry, Macy's, Mojave River Watershed Group, OCTA, SANBAG, San Bernardino EDA, ARAMARK
What I love most about working in PR: Two things - making a difference in my community and working with really awesome clients.
Campaign/project/media hit I’m most proud of: I-215 Widening Project Phase 3 & 4 Groundbreaking. I’ve never had so many sleepless nights – but it all paid off in the end!
A business moment I’ll always remember: My first media hit – a special with ABC’s Denise Dador for my final college project highlighting Ryan’s Reach.
My greatest adventure: It’s a toss up - jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at 13,500 feet or ziplining through the forests of Alaska.
My hidden talent: I danced competitively as a kid and taught tap to little tykes
My favorite quote: “Teamwork makes a dream work…”
When I’m not working, you can find me…: Playing with my son Logan - he's the best!

StrengthsFinder: Learner | Achiever | Input | Intellection | Responsibility

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Robert Chevez

Title: Account Director
Education: B.A. from CSULB in Journalism: Public Relations; Minor in Marketing
Brands Served: SANBAG, Caltrans, OCTA, Rentech, Cambridge Display Technology, BenQ, JVC, Sprint, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Philanthropy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mission Hospital
How PR influences my daily life: I see news and messaging through a public relations lens. I am constantly analyzing news stories and public outreach programs.
A business moment I’ll always remember: Meeting Vice President Al Gore and Jon Bon Jovi at an intimate VIP event in Downtown Los Angeles hosted by our client the Downtown Center Business Improvement District.
Career highlight: Launching the CDC’s "VERB. It’s What You Do" Youth Media Campaign in Washington, D.C. with former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson
 My hidden talent: Playing the piano
My favorite quote: "The more you learn, the more you realize what you don’t know."
When I’m not working, you can find me…: photographing landscapes and cityscapes, watching documentaries, traveling the world or mixing electronic music.

StrengthsFinder: Adaptability | Woo | Positivity | Connectedness | Empathy

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Monica Garcia

Title: Senior Account Executive
Education: B.A. from CSUF in Communications/Public Relations, minor in Spanish, M.A. from Chapman in Organizational Leadership & Health Systems Administration, Certificate in Marketing from UCI
Brands Served: OCTA, Mission Hospital, ReadyOC and Orange Catholic Foundation
Why I decided to go into PR: Growing up, I loved reading the newspaper, watching the news and writing. I was introduced to the profession as a teenager - my former instructor at the dance academy I took lessons at, was a PR student at Chapman University would talk about her classes and how much she enjoyed them. The rest is history! 
What I love most about working at Westbound: The collaborative and positive spirit of the team. And everyone has a sense of humor! You have to know how to laugh! And of course – they are all brilliant at what they do! 
Career highlight: I had the privilege of meeting and interacting with a ton of celebrities as a guide while working at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. And no, I never asked for an autograph – I had to keep it cool and professional!
News source I have to check every day: The Los Angeles Times  
When I’m not working, you can find me…: Enjoying the outdoors – if it’s sunny, I am outside engaging in some sort of recreational activity. 
 

StrengthsFinder: Responsibility | Harmony | Relator | Consistency | Learner

Jessica Neuman

Title: Senior Account Executive
Education: B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Literature, with a minor in Journalism
Brands Served: Baby Looney Tunes, etnies, Fisher & Phillips LLP, LPA, Inc., Pacific West Association of REALTORS®, Schools First Federal Credit Union, The Joy Factory, University of California, Irvine, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Watson Land Company, among others.
What I love most about working in PR: I love being able to work with a client to define their public relations and marketing objectives and develop strategies to generate brand awareness, whether it is in the media or through community outreach. Also, I love the feeling I get when I place a client in a great print, online or broadcast story, and I appreciate hearing how the placement has helped their business. 
Media hits I'm most proud of: I have two: getting my client, the Pacific West Association of REALTORS®, featured in a front page Orange County Register story that ran on Thanksgiving, the newspaper’s largest circulation of the year; and securing placement for the Oregon Bach Festival on NPR’s Weekend Edition. 
Career highlight: Having the opportunity to attend the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and manage/facilitate more than 100 in-booth media editorial briefings.
My dream vacation: Egypt – to visit the pyramids; and France – to attend fashion week.
My guilty pleasure: I am a film and TV fanatic. Some of my favorite movies and TV shows include anything written by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Newsroom), the original Star Wars films, House of Cards, Veep, Downton Abbey, The Good Wife, Mad Med and the Indiana Jones movies.  

StrengthsFinder:  

Kelly Koehler

Title: Account Executive
Education: B.A. from CSU San Bernardino in Mass Communications; M.A. from California CSUF in Communications
Brands Served: Macy’s, OCTA, Omnitrans, Rentech, Rotary International, SANBAG, San Bernardino EDA
Why I decided to go into PR: I knew that a career in PR would afford me the opportunities to write, build positive relationships with clients and work in a team environment.
What I love most about working at Westbound: Having colleagues that share a genuine interest in influencing positive community change. I love working collaboratively with creative intellectuals.
How life has prepared me for the world of PR: I learned that there is no endeavor too large and as long as I invest 120% into what I do, I will succeed.
My favorite quote: "The soul like the moon is new, and always new again."
When I’m not working, you can find me…: I love entertaining friends at home. There is nothing more fun than cooking a great meal and playing Cranium!

StrengthsFinder: Relator | Developer | Responsibility | Positivity | Empathy

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Amanda Marzullo

Title: Assistant Account Executive
Education: BA from CSU San Bernardino in Business Administration and Marketing; MBA from the University of Redlands
Brands Served: Inland Regional Center, Mojave River Water Shed Group, SANBAG, San Bernardino County, Silverado Senior Living, Time Warner Cable
Why I decided to go into PR: I have always been fascinated by human behavior and I found that PR combined the two subject areas I was most drawn to – psychology and marketing!
How life has prepared me for the world of PR: As the middle child of three girls, I learned from an early age that there are always two sides to a story (sometimes three), creativity can strike at any moment - even over a riveting game of ‘Bananagrams’ and that listening can open the doors to more answers than the most well-thought out comeback.
What I love most about working at Westbound: Having the opportunity to work with incredibly talented (and fun!) colleagues in a professional environment that inspires creativity, drives individual growth and celebrates personal achievements.
My favorite quote: “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are made for.” – William Shedd
When I’m not working, you can find me…: Making candy with my mom and sisters, cuddling with my adorable cats and dancing to 80’s music.

StrengthsFinder: Restorative | Developer | Discipline | Connectedness | Harmony

Samantha Mac Donald

Title: Assistant Account Executive
Education: A.A. Citrus College, B.A. at USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism
Brands Served: Time Warner Cable, County of San Bernardino, Mojave River Watershed Group, Orange County Transportation Authority, SANBAG, City of San Bernardino EDA, Silverado Senior Living
A business moment I’ll always remember: Trailing a 340-ton megalith through the streets of LA with four major news stations in tow. I secured live TV remotes as client Time Warner Cable lifted cable wires to make room for “The Rock’s” trek to the LACMA Levitated Mass exhibit. Whirlwind media fun!
What I love most about working in PR: Getting to work with an amazing team of creative individuals. I love feeding off each other’s ideas and passion for influencing change.
I’m most proud of: Being the first person in my family to earn a college degree.
My greatest adventure: Being Editor-in-Chief of my college newspaper. From the bi-monthly thrill of meeting deadline, to creating lifelong friendships and gaining national recognition – all in all, I came out a winner!
My favorite quote: “A girl has to find out if there’s life before death.” — Loraine Despres
When I’m not working, you can find me…: With my high-school-sweetheart-now-husband, Justin, and our two Mastiffs, Duchess and Brutus.

StrengthsFinder: Maximizer | Achiever | Discipline | Responsibility | Arranger

April Galvan

Title: Assistant Account Executive
Education: B.A. from University of Oregon in Journalism with emphasis in public relations and a B.A. in Spanish. Minor in Business Administration.
Brands Served: Mission Hospital, OCTA, ReadyOC, Alaskan Brewing Company
What I love most about working in PR: Taking part in the creative process that goes on behind the scenes that’s used to enhance the clients’ business and reputation.
How life has prepared me for the world of PR: I’ve learned that there are always going to be those who don’t care much about what you have to say, but if you can get through to just one person then it’s all worth it. Word of mouth goes a long way.
A business moment I’ll always remember: Running eight blocks to Office Depot and eight blocks back to ensure that a client had the exact materials they had desired for an Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) after party.
Accomplishment I’m most proud of: Making it through the UO’s infamous J202 class, receiving an A on my 100-page paper.
My favorite quote: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.” –Abraham Lincoln
When I’m not working, you can find me…: Running at the gym, watching movies with my friends and cheering for the Oregon Ducks.

StrengthsFinder: Ideation | Command | Responsibility | Self-Assurance | Strategic

Jessica Mitchell

Title: Account Coordinator
Education: B.A. from Chapman University in Public Relations/Advertising and Communication Studies
Brands Served: ReadyOC, OCTA, Alaskan Brewing Company, Mission Hospital, DEXUS Property Group
What I love most about working in PR: Being on the cutting edge of communication technologies and trends, and being able to collaborate with team members to inspire and implement change.
I’m most proud of: Outside of PR - getting recruited and playing four years of my favorite sport and long-time passion, collegiate softball!
A business moment I’ll always remember: Having the opportunity to interview Tim Mead and his marketing team in the press box of Angels Stadium.
My greatest adventure: Spending five months living and studying in Florence, Italy. Being able to travel every weekend throughout Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Monaco and of course, Italia!
My favorite quote: “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
When I’m not working, you can find me…: at the beach or trying new and exciting recipes with my friends.

StrengthsFinder: Achiever | Learner | Individualization | Input | Positivity