OUR BLOG

If you’ve stopped by Alpha Dog lately, you’ve probably noticed a few new faces. Our agency continues to grow, and we’ve steadily been adding additional skill sets and expertise to better serve our clients. We’re excited to introduce our newest team members, who are adding fresh perspectives on social media, graphic design, user experience, and more to an already stellar lineup.

Kacie Berger, Social Media Specialist

An increasing number of clients tapping into the power of social media made specialist expertise a necessity at the agency. A graduate of Temple University, Kacie comes to Alpha Dog with four years of professional experience in the field. She creates content for our clients based on their short-term and long-term goals and monitors their social media performance to make data-based decisions that lead to higher levels of success.

According to Alpha Dog CEO Craig Trout, “Kacie’s knowledge of social media and how it applies to a brand’s overall marketing plan is what makes her a valuable asset to the team. She understands the big picture of how to maximize ads and create valuable organic growth online.”

When you meet Kacie, it’s clear she has a knack for connecting with people through social media and sharing the heart behind the businesses we work with every day.

Kacie grew up in a small town in PA before moving to Philly for college. After experiencing both ends of the spectrum, she said she loves living in Lancaster because it’s the perfect-sized city, not too big and not too small. Among her favorite downtown spots, Building Character and Southern Market rank high on her list.

Chris Norton, Brand Manager

The agency’s newest brand manager, Chris Norton, has a wealth of experience in the marketing scene. According to Craig, “Chris has a strong background in digital marketing, which is an asset to our clients in this digital age. He’s also really down-to-earth and willing to jump in right away.”

One of Chris’s favorite parts of his new position is the ability to collaborate with a team to bring together the best solutions for clients. He loves overseeing projects, communicating with clients, and making sure everything comes together smoothly.

Chris is originally from Philadelphia, which explains his enthusiasm for Philly sports. What he loves most about living in Lancaster, though, is the big-city vibe with a small-city feel. Lancaster’s vibrant art and music culture means there’s always something to do downtown. As a musician himself, Chris is oftentimes spotted enjoying shows at Tellus and other local venues. His love for music and writing also helps him find creative ways to share a brand’s message and get it in front of the right audience.

Kate Cox, Senior Designer

Kate is no stranger to the world of graphic design. With over 10 years of experience, she has seen and done it all. But at Alpha Dog, her particular area of expertise as a senior designer is in web-based services.

When working on projects, Kate says, “I like being a voice for the user.” She brings a passion for creating human-centered UX designs in each project because she understands the importance of creating something not just beautiful but intuitive as well.

According to Alpha Dog’s art director, Matt Hollenbach, “What makes Kate an important addition to the team is her years of industry experience in the realm of web design and user experience. She prioritizes the needs of the end user so they can quickly and easily get to the information or outcome they are seeking.”

While Kate has lived in a variety of places, she has proudly made Lancaster home. She loves the quirky parts of the city, like the unique shops and unusual parks. When it comes to working at Alpha Dog in particular, she loves the ability to work on a variety of projects — and getting to bring her dog, Rigby, to work with her is an added bonus.

Aftan Hoffer, Content Specialist

With a growing number of clients at Alpha Dog, and a growing need for creating compelling content, we’re excited to welcome Aftan in the new role of part-time content specialist. As a former English teacher, she has always had a love for words. If you ask for her favorites, she’ll probably say “whimsical” and “loquacious,” but the truth is she loves the way all words work together to build meaningful communication. It’s important for people to understand others and feel understood.

Aftan uses the power of words to help clients share their message with clarity and passion. Clients come to Alpha Dog because they have their own unique passions, and they’re looking for the best way to communicate it to others.

When making hiring decisions, Craig believes a good agency helps employees develop the necessary skills to thrive in a new position, so finding the right personalities to join the team is sometimes the most important part of the process. He said Aftan’s personal nature and upbeat attitude are what helped her land the new role at Alpha Dog.

Abby Harris, Graphic Designer

A native of Hershey, Abby is Alpha Dog’s newest graphic designer. After originally considering a college degree in fine arts, she found the scope of career opportunities in graphic design alluring. We’re glad she made the switch because Abby does an incredible job helping our clients think outside the box to tell their brands’ stories. She has an eye for visually communicating to a specific audience and helping brands maximize their reach.

In fact, Craig was drawn to Abby’s style and approach because “she’s able to find creative solutions from a visual standpoint. She also has a fun, positive attitude, which makes her a valuable part of the team.”

When it comes to what she appreciates most about Lancaster, you don’t have to look too far. Abby loves all the unique shops and restaurants within walking distance of the agency. If you catch her on a lunch break, you might find her stopping by Madcap to buy a quirky gift or grabbing something delicious at Roburrito’s or Sprout. On the weekends, she’s more likely to be playing outside with her dog, Marley, or tending to her 10 chickens and rooster named Rocko.

If you’re interested in learning more about everything Alpha Dog offers its clients, contact us to set up a meeting. We’d love to help your business grow.