OBSESSED WITH EXCEEDING OUR CLIENTS’ EXPECTATIONS
OUR VISION
To be the best full-service marketing-communications agency known for strategic thinking, ethical practices and meaningful results; always exceeding our clients’ expectations.
OUR MISSION
JDPR is a trusted partner providing best-in-class strategic brand elevation by ensuring each client receives white-glove service and excellent results. Exceeding client expectations is at the core of everything we do.
OUR TEAM
MATT LOCHEL
PRESIDENT & CEO
Matt has been instrumental in JDPR’s growth over more than a decade, supporting leadership, bolstering client teams, providing strategic direction and helping to implement new service offerings. In February 2026, he purchased JDPR and now serves as the agency’s president and CEO. Since then, he has dedicated time and energy to helping usher in a new era at JDPR, fully embracing the agency’s role as a full-service marketing-communications agency that strategically elevates brands.
Select past experience: Head of Strategy & Client Service, Director of Media & Content Strategies (JDPR), Director of Account Service & Public Relations (Walker Marketing), Network News Producer (NBC News).
JDPR tenure: Matt started at JDPR in 2013 as an account executive, becoming Head of Strategy & Client Service by 2019.
A favorite JDPR win: Helping institute National Tradesmen Day for IRWIN Tools and supporting the launch of 4G LTE for Verizon.
“The opportunity to lead JDPR into a new era is the proudest moment of my career. It marks an important progression for our agency as we continue to raise the standard of excellence that we provide. I am inspired by the dedication of our team to exceed the expectations of our clients.”
RAINE RILEY
VP STRATEGY & CLIENT SERVICES
Raine supports the agency’s growth and leads the agency’s client service team, providing strategic insight and guidance in strategic implementation, media relations and program development.
Education: Clemson University – B.S. Travel and Tourism (’16), M.A. Communication, Technology and Society (’21)
Recognition: Greenville Business Magazine’s 2025 Best & Brightest 35 & Under
A Favorite JDPR Win: The Kress North America launch in 2022.
Dogs: Lebowski (pittie, 5), Scout (“Jean Louise,” pittie, 3)
WENDY HENRY
SR. DIRECTOR OF CONTENT INNOVATION
& EARNED MEDIA
Wendy manages the agency’s content strategy across its client portfolio, driving earned media excellence while pioneering innovative content formats, AI-enhanced content systems, media intelligence software and relevant storytelling that delivers measurable business impact.
Experience: Over 25 years as a nationally published journalist, editor and public relations professional.
JDPR Tenure: More than 11 years leading account teams for some of JDPR’s key clients from a variety of categories, including tech, lifestyle and healthcare.
Recognition: SC Biz’s 2026 Top 100 Women
Fun Fact: Ohio native and lifelong Cleveland sports fan
LIZ MALY
HEAD OF PAID MEDIA
Liz supports the agency’s paid media initiatives, providing strategy, performance optimization and ROI-driven planning. She identifies the right media mix for each client, aligns tactics with business objectives, and translates performance data into clear, actionable insights.
Education: University of St. Thomas – B.A. Print Journalism (‘05), Strayer University – MBA
Past experience: More than 22 years of experience spanning internal communications, executive communications and public relations.
Exceeds Expectations by: Going beyond execution and thinking proactively about growth opportunities.
Fun Fact: Liz is a big outdoors person — she loves skiing (water and snow), hiking, traveling and spending time with her two West Highland terriers, Cali (6) and Lily (5.5), and two horses Otillia (7) and Lando (15).
EMILY SCOTT
ACCOUNT GROUP MANAGER, SPORTS GROUP
Emily leads the agency’s sports and lifestyle group, helping brands reach their business goals through clear brand positioning, strategic storytelling and strong media relationships.
Education: University of South Carolina – B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications with a Public Relations focus (’16)
Past Clients: John Deere, The Ritz-Carlton, Microsoft
A Favorite JDPR Win: Exceeding 1 billion impressions for the 2026 Bridgestone TOUR B launch
Dog: Sadie (Husky / White Shepherd mix, 1 yr.)
GRACE DAUGHTRY
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Grace supports JDPR’s B2B and consumer clients with strategic communications across highly regulated industries, bringing a focus on compliance, legal nuance and reputation management to her accounts.
Education: College of Charleston – B.A. Communication (‘21)
Past Experience: Communications intern for the Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force; background in pharmaceutical PR supporting AbbVie Gastro, Sanofi and Astellas
Client Categories: Fintech, business, lifestyle and hospitality
Fun Fact: Grace has 23 legs worth of pets! She loves her two cats, Winnie (6) and Jericho (1), and two jumping spiders.
ISABEL MATOS
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Isabel supports her clients through strategic plan implementation, media relations and reporting. She exceeds expectations by delivering best-in-class analysis and insights-driven recommendations for her clients.
Education: Southern Wesleyan University – B.A. Media Communication (‘23) + Women’s Golf scholarship player
Client Categories: Sports and lifestyle
JDPR Tenure: Hired in 2023 after taking part in two semesters of JDPR’s Executive Management Assistance Program.
Fun Fact: Has played golf with two Hall of Fame golfers. Ask about it next time you see her!
KAITLYN TURNELL
ASSISTANT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Kaitlyn is an assistant account executive for JDPR’s lifestyle and OPE/professional trades clients. She supports tracking and reporting initiatives, brand building and media relations.
Education: Clemson University, B.A. in Economics (‘25)
JDPR Tenure: Kaitlyn began as an intern in JDPR’s Executive Management Assistance Program before joining the team full-time in November of 2025.
Exceeds Expectations by: Managing timely tracking and reporting requests with a keen eye for detail, helping tell her clients’ ROI stories with critical added context and value.
Fun Fact: Kaitlyn is a St. Louis native and proud Cardinals fan.
MAKAYLA RENNER
OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
MaKayla supports operational efficiency by implementing new systems, organizing internal records, providing financial tracking support and maintaining internal processes.
Expertise: With over 7 years of administrative and HR experience, MaKayla specializes in operations and administrative management. She has extensive training in workflow coordination, internal systems organization and process improvement, and is currently pursuing her SHRM-CP certification.
Exceeds Expectations by: Providing experience-based administrative support to agency leadership as well as support for the client service team.
Fun fact: Outside of work, she and her husband enjoy scuba diving and flying their Cessna 150. They also have a Bernese mix named Uri.
JEFF DEZEN
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT EMERITUS
Jeff launched JDPR in 1991, building on career experiences as a college professor, non-profit marketing director and PR Group Chief at two ad agencies. His philosophy for the agency was built around a single-minded mantra: to exceed client expectations. Jeff now serves as a consultant, supporting the entire agency in high-level strategy.
DREW DEZEN
PAST AGENCY DIRECTOR, CONSULTANT
Drew led JDPR as agency director for nearly six years. Now, with expertise in outdoor power equipment and professional trades, sports, lifestyle and hospitality, he serves as a strategic consultant, providing valuable support for the JDPR team as well as a variety of clients.
MIKE CHWASKY
SPORTS GROUP CONSULTANT
Mike brings more than 25 years of passion, insight and storytelling to the golf world. As sports group consultant, he helps support JDPR’s sports group, cultivating genuine connections with the media that translate into lasting impact.
