Joseph Grano

President & Founder

Joseph S. Grano, Jr., has a record of success providing vision and strategic direction to organizations experiencing rapid growth and change. He is one of those rare individuals who have made a successful transition from corporate leader to entrepreneur and owner of his own growing company.

With more than 25 years of comprehensive marketing communications, business development and public relations experience, he has held key executive management positions in healthcare, technology and financial services. They include leadership roles as chief marketing officer at two public health systems and as vice president of marketing for a health information organization and a pharmaceutical technology firm, in one case leading marketing efforts that grew revenue from $40 million to $120 million.

In 2005, Joe founded Next-Mark, LLC leveraging his years of managing award-winning corporate marketing and communications for private, public and international organizations. There, he has built a practice that boasts an international client base representing some of the most noted brand in healthcare, retail and technology, among others. He is a selected member of the Forbes Agency Council and is a regular published contributor on www.Forbes.com

Joe is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and has an M.B.A. from the F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College in Massachusetts. A sought-after professional speaker, executive performance coach and facilitator, he has served as an adjunct professor of business at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Read Joe’s Latest Blog

Ryan Hoevenaar

Director, Creative Strategy

As Director of Creative Strategy, Ryan leads design, brand, and digital strategy at Next-Mark. His experience includes wide-ranging expertise in fine art, illustration and design across a wide variety of mediums; he has even had his work as a fine artist displayed nationally. A strong conceptual thinker, with more than 10+ years of experience in visual communications, he has a deep understanding of brands and strategic brand development. Ryan, who discovered his passion for design whilst growing up in Central Illinois amongst vast cornfields and farmhouses, has a B.S. in Graphic Design and Multimedia from Bradley University. As the leader of creative strategy, Ryan’s focus at Next-Mark is the conceptualization and development of creative assets across both print and digital channels.

Joseph “JT” Grano, III

vice president, digital marketing

As Vice President, Digital Marketing, JT takes an analytical approach to increasing client performance and digital reach. He is keenly focused on client experience, guiding projects from conception to completion. His overall objective is to bridge the gap between marketing communications and CRM software, ultimately maximizing client profitability.JT’s previous experience includes more than five years of managing end-to-end Salesforce and Kronos Software implementations for notable healthcare and financial institutions throughout the United States, and he is certified in both Salesforce and Google AdWords. JT has a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Marketing and Finance from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, (Go Dawgs!) and held internship positions with the Indiana Pacers and women’s professional soccer.

Travis Cornwell

Sr. Client Experience Manager

Travis’s focus at Next-Mark is on building client relationships from inception to overall client experience. After earning his B.A. in Communications from Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan, he worked his way through both non-profits and broadcast stations as well as developing his skills with national sports organizations. His proven track record of managing public relations and marketing campaigns, as well as his background in journalism, give him a broad view of strategic marketing that includes everything from long-term planning to content creation. As Client Experience and Development Manager, Travis is able to leverage his skills into effective digital solutions for our clients that help increase their brand recognition, while at the same time continuing to build strong relationships with various stakeholders within the region to develop new business for Next-Mark.

NICHOLAS GRANO

Manager, Client Experience and Project Development

As a Manager of Client Experience and Project Development, Nicholas’s focus is on clients’ overall experience with Next-Mark and our services, including project management and interface between our team members and clients. After earning his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from The University of Central Florida, he gained significant experience in commercial and residential construction project management, working with brand leaders in the building industry, before transitioning to a career in marketing. Nick brings with him precise operational skills to support client needs across Next-Mark’s core capabilities. Leveraging creative skills, he also curates and crafts strategy for client social media, market research, and asset development.

Kaitlin Milke

Salesforce Administrator

Kaitlin Milke is a highly skilled Salesforce Administrator who excels in leveraging automation to solve complex work challenges and streamline client workflows. With a robust background in relationship management and hands-on experience in healthcare, she brings a unique blend of expertise to our organization. Kaitlin began her academic journey with an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College before earning dual bachelor’s degrees from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2013.

Her Salesforce career launched in 2018, and since then, Kaitlin has distinguished herself by earning four prestigious Salesforce Certifications: Salesforce Administrator, Salesforce Advanced Administrator, AI Associate, and AI Specialist. She has also secured three Superbadges—spanning Security Specialist to AI Specialist—demonstrating her technical prowess and commitment to excellence. Kaitlin’s deep knowledge of FLOWS and APEX, bolstered by numerous additional certifications, empowers her to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions for clients. Known for her insightful approach and dedication, Kaitlin is a vital asset in optimizing Salesforce environments to meet diverse business needs.

Ester Soltesova

Marketing Communications Associate

Ester Soltesova is a dynamic professional with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from The University of Tampa, where she honed her ability to fuse creativity with strategic thinking. Passionate about both hands-on execution and intellectually demanding challenges, Ester excels in supporting impactful campaigns that connect with diverse audiences.

A former Next-Mark college intern, Ester worked with the Next-Mark team in 2021 where she demonstrated her career aptitude. After graduating from college, she gained invaluable experience before returning to our team in 2025.

Ester is passionate about collaborating with clients and Next-Mark, delivering the highest caliber work, and accelerating client success. Ester is engaged in social media strategy and is adept at managing web platforms, participating in rebranding initiatives, crafting engaging newsletters, and coordinating standout events. Her skills encompass creating compelling content across multiple channels, developing data-driven social media calendars, analyzing performance metrics, and ensuring brand consistency. Ester brings a meticulous eye to content creation, delivering cohesive and visually striking brand identities. Her versatile talents and dedication make her a standout on the Next-Mark team.

Caroline Wojciechowski

Solution Architect

For Next-Mark, Caroline takes pride in providing simplicity, cleanliness and user experience in her solutions and build, while keeping her sights set on clients’ needs. She calls on her experience and knowledge from her time at The Coca-Cola Company to empower Salesforce users. With more than 7 years of hands-on Salesforce experience, 4 years of Scrum Methodologyexperience, and 1 year of Microsoft Dynamics experience, Caroline is well-versed in SaaS and agile ways of working to propel client success and innovation. Caroline earned a bachelor’s degree with a focus on Marketing and Spanish from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN while playing Division I soccer. She also maintains a Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification.

Chris Girandola

Communications Strategist & Senior Writer

Chris Girandola is a seasoned communications expert with an extraordinary track record spanning journalism, marketing, and strategic content creation. Chris graduated with honors from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he earned a master’s in journalism and media studies, Chris launched his journalism career with Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), covering the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, and Spring Training across Florida. During his time with MLBAM, Chris interviewed legends of the game such as Derek Jeter, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Torre, and Joe Maddon, living up to the adage, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”

Over the years, Chris has evolved into a versatile writer and strategist, contributing to prominent outlets like ESPN, FloSports, and a wide array of media entities. His tenure as Senior Staff Writer at Admiral Farragut Academy showcased his multifaceted talents: crafting compelling articles for the website and alumni magazine, scripting marketing videos, managing press releases for administration and athletics, and authoring a grant proposal that secured $4 million for an on-campus multipurpose activity center. His grant-writing expertise extends nationally, having raised over $5 million for nonprofits and organizations.

Chris brings a technical edge to his work as well, having collaborated with engineers and product managers at Panasonic Avionics—a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America—to develop executive profiles and technical articles. His content highlighted customized in-flight entertainment and communications solutions for airlines worldwide, blending precision with persuasive storytelling. As an educator, he has taught courses in business communications, public relations, and journalism at the University of Tampa, inspiring the next generation of communicators.

Whether working in-person or virtually with administrative teams, Chris excels at translating complex ideas into impactful narratives. His comprehensive experience across journalism, marketing, grant development, and technical writing makes him an invaluable asset to the Next-Mark team.