About
Our team here at Smith Kroeger is unique in the agency space, bringing together a rare group of savvy creative experts and smart business leaders from a plethora of advertising agencies, publishing companies and digital development shops. Founded right here in Omaha in 1962 by Wayne Smith as Smith, Kaplan, Allen and Reynolds (SKAR), the agency celebrates a rich history while continuing to evolve rapidly. In the past year alone, we’ve expanded our team, diversified our capabilities and had the privilege of supporting a great many new clients alongside our existing valued partnerships.
Today we are led by Terry Kroeger, the former President and CEO of the BH Media Group and longtime publisher of the Omaha World-Herald. Terry has assembled a rockstar cast of art and creative directors, seasoned account executives with decades of combined experience, industry-leading developers and web designers, PR professionals dedicated to problem solving and crisis management and digital marketers with thousands of nationwide campaigns under their belts. We specialize in a variety of industries and sectors, including automotive, education, consumer-packaged goods, finance, insurance, public utilities, government and more.
Our team’s primary goal is to look for the most efficient way to help businesses advance toward their goals in this dynamic and ever-changing landscape. We care about relationships that are built on trust and understanding – the kind where we speak the same language and have the same goals. That’s what moves us to create powerful work and what accelerates our clients’ success.
Meet Our Dynamic Team
He rubs elbows with the owners of the Los Angeles Chargers, admits he watches “The Bachelor” and hopes Led Zeppelin gets back together soon. Meet the big cheese and head honcho at Smith Kroeger.
Terry Kroeger
President, CEO
He’s pretty good with numbers, raises chickens, has gone toe-to-toe with bears and includes cyanide in his daily diet.
Kevin Ames
CFO, Business Manager
Before becoming an executive vice president, co-creative director, writer, producer, head of building maintenance and assistant IT tech, he was an electrician, a bartender and an avionics specialist in the Air National Guard.
Greg Ahrens
EVP, Co-Creative Director
He has an actual gym and bar in his house, safeguards his spaghetti sauce recipe and has 10 TVs tuned to ESPN. Whaaaat?
Mike Duman
EVP, Co-Creative Director
He doesn’t want to see your vacation pics, doesn’t give a damn about your manicured lawn and would prefer you not yammer on about sports. Don’t be scared.
Mark Carpenter
EVP, Creative Strategy
He seeks to identify specific business problems facing clients and develop custom solutions to solve them.
Thomas Kastrup
EVP, Client Development
She’s terrified of ticks, admits to watching “Doctor Who” and can name every U.S. president in order. Intriguing? We think so.
Sara Wilson
EVP, Client Services & PR
She’s a fashion maven, likes to spend time underwater and in front of the TV, and enjoys giving stuff away. Huh? Yeah.
Barb Ruser
SVP, Creative Services
He is new to the Smith Kroeger family and looking forward to heading up digital strategy and operations for the company.
Dave Klemencic
VP, Digital Strategy & Operations
She jams to Bennie and the Gents, picks a mean banjo and would be a cheap date with her favorite meal being a cheeseburger and a glass of ice water.
Lauren Anderson
Sr Media Planner/Buyer
Even though she’s a sushi-loving, Kardashian-watching Belieber, she’s anything but basic.
Annie Bradford
Account Coordinator
He built a pub in his living room, makes a mean guac and just may pop you in the mouth if you’re a picky eater.
Bob Duman
Sr Art Director
She rocks it every day, planning, strategizing and buying digital and traditional media across Smith Kroeger’s clients.
Helen Burns
Media Buyer
She binges on Netflix, was a member of the Gorillas volleyball team and can do a mean Australian accent.
Katie Ferge
Account Manager
He’s a terror on two wheels, looks forward to visiting Wisconsin someday and has a strange but powerful attachment to the Oxford comma. Huh? Yeah.
Michael Guill
Manager, Interactive Solutions
She chases bats and hates cold weather. Use the word “irregardless” and she will take you out at the knees.
Marilee Magiera
Copy Editor/Proofreader
He is not ashamed to admit he’s a Hawkeye fan, he’s waiting for Led Zeppelin to reunite and he is not to be trifled with on the gridiron.
Randy Schnackenberg
Production Manager
She loves cat videos and hates slow drivers. Meet Smith Kroeger’s talented graphic designer.
Liz Scott
Art Director
He has held the Stanley Cup, plays golf (but sucks at it) and chose advertising because it was something to do. He can also be seen frequently at the Early Bird restaurant in the Blackstone District shoveling down various breakfast items.
Matt Vilter
Account Manager
Her home interior was inspired by hippies, her dancing influenced by Patrick Swayze and her childhood shaped by the Magic Wonder Baby.
Jessica Stuart
Accounting
She oversees approximately 30 part-time team members while helping clients with staff events, sample products and gathering consumer feedback.
Nikki Vigliotte
Brand Ambassador Manager
She learned about advertising before she learned to walk, wears a size 5½ shoe, is off the charts on the animal-lover scale and relishes the creative process.