Our Team

Kenny Ridgell

Kenny Ridgell is the founder of Ridge Media, LLC. Ridgell began the company while attending the College of Charleston in 2014 where he graduated with honors and gained a BA in Business Administration with a focus in entrepreneurship after beginning his college career as a Biochemistry major.

Today’s age of data-driven marketing offered the unique opportunity to merge his love of innovation, art, and science into a digital marketing firm that practices the scientific method daily through setting up experiments that use modified variables to impact the outcome based on hypotheses.

WHAT IS THE MOST ANNOYING HABIT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE?

Not refilling the ice trays in the freezer.

WHAT IS ONE SONG YOU HAVE COMPLETELY MEMORIZED?

Lil Wayne “Sky is the Limit”

WHAT GAME OR MOVIE UNIVERSE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LIVE IN?

Star Wars

Chris Collins

Chris brings more than 30 years of senior management experience working domestically and abroad to his role as a Business Development Strategist for Ridge Media. Leveraging significant leadership and broad industry experience, Chris leads ongoing corporate strategy development, strategic marketing, product marketing, and corporate communications functions. Chris’ teams are responsible for generating programs that increase demand for all our services, assessing and targeting key customer segments, and building the company’s brand and customer awareness. Prior to Ridge Media, Chris was VP or Marketing at IMI Worldwide Properties. Where he and his teams were responsible for the launch and marketing strategies of over 100 real estate projects that resulted in billions in sales across the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Chance Massey

Chance is from Sandhill, MS, but currently resides in New London, CT, where his wife is stationed in the Navy. Although Chance works remotely, he doesn’t miss a beat and is known for continuously going above and beyond for his clients! As the firm’s BOSS Director, Chance specializes in accounting, tax, and business consulting services for small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to joining Copper Advisors, Chance spent seven years with Greene Finney & Horton LLP and three years with Dixon Hughes PLLC. He has earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration, both from Charleston Southern University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

When Chance isn’t working, you can find him scuba diving, mountain biking and hiking with his wife and three young children. He also enjoys weightlifting, playing the guitar, and is the movie quote guy you want on your trivia team!

Sarah Tate Calhoun

Sarah joined the Ridge team in 2017 as a graphic designer after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Visual Communications and has made her way to the Creative Director role over the years. She wears many hats at Ridge but her primary responsibilities include: overseeing the account executives and our contractors, project management on projects such as websites, branding, and production, front-end website design, interviewing internship and job candidates, and debriefings with Kenny.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY?

I love starting the day off with a workout

WHAT TV SHOWS ARE YOU INTO?

I love it all. Anything from Reality TV to the classics

WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GO WHEN YOU HAVE TIME OFF?

Anything outdoors – whether it’s hiking, a rooftop bar, or wherever that allows my dogs.

Lauren Williams

Lauren is from Charleston, South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University in August 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications. Lauren originally joined our team as a Graphic Design intern back in 2020 during her time studying at Clemson University. She fell in love with the Upstate and decided to move up to Greenville, South Carolina after graduating. Fresh out of college, she gained strategic marketing experience working as a Channel Marketing Manager at ScanSource – managing and supporting the marketing needs and relationships of their partners. She decided to rejoin the Ridge Media team in April 2022 as an Account Executive.

What fictional family would you be a member of?

I loved the Cheaper By the Dozen movies growing up, and always thought it’d be fun to be part of a huge family. Either them, or the Tanners from Full House.

If you could time travel, which period of time would you go back to visit?

Definitely the 70s. I love the music and fashion from that time period and would love to go back and experience the music festivals.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Otto Izakaya, they have the best sushi in town.

Erin Danfy

Erin is from Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from the College of Charleston in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Looking to move back home to the Upstate, Erin was hired at RelayPM gaining experience in SEM Management helping to budget and manage several companies’ campaigns. She joined the Ridge Media team in November 2020 as the Digital Marketing Analyst managing our client’s SEM campaigns. Erin quickly grew into an Account Executive role managing several of our client’s social media campaigns while still having a hand in SEM. Erin is now our Senior Account Executive.

Do you prefer mornings or nights?

I prefer mornings! One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is go out for coffee in the morning and walk around downtown.

Who was your childhood actor or actress crush?

My childhood actor crush was Zac Efron. High School Musical is a cinematic masterpiece.

If you could take 3 things to a desert island what would they be?

If I could take 3 things to a desert island, they would be: Netflix, my cat Benji, and soap.

Bain Stewart

Bain Stewart is a Video Producer & Photographer based in Greenville, SC. He is a Cum Laude graduate and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina. With over 9 years of professional experience, Bain has directed teams at various music festivals, and golf tournaments, and has spearheaded video campaigns for several institutions such as Presbyterian College, USC Medical School of the Upstate, and High Point Academy, FIND Outdoors, and many others.

Bain has been the Lead Producer for Ridge Media for 3 years specializing in directing, producing, motion graphic animation, camera operation, and video editing.

If you could be a kitchen appliance, what one would you be and why?

If I could be a kitchen appliance I’d likely be an Air Fryer because I’m so prone to getting sunburnt.

What is your favorite strange food combinations?

There is no doubt in my mind that pineapple belongs on pizza.

Are you a back seat driver?

I am most definitely a back seat driver, so I just prefer to be the driver.

Bryson Bishop

Bryson is a is a recent graduate from Clemson University. He is a content creator as well as a licensed drone pilot! He enjoys spending time outdoors as well as traveling in his Jeep.

If you had a million dollars, what would you buy first?

Definitely a Cinema Drone

You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?

Elon Musk

Charles Richardson

With a Master’s Degree in English and passion for language, Charles is a natural storyteller—and a true left-brain, right-brain thinker: analytical, strategic, and research-oriented on the one hand, and creative and conceptual on the other. Well-versed in both traditional and digital disciplines, he’s worked with a number of national and international brands to engage prospects and customers at each stage of the sales funnel. Charles has more than two decades of experience working with several national agencies, including DMB&B and IMI Living. He has spent his career working on national and regional B2C, B2B, and Resort/Hospitality accounts.

What song do most associate with your childhood?

Ticket To Ride (Beatles)

What major historical event took place when you were born?

The dinosaurs became extinct

What’s your favorite joke?

There are 3 kinds of people in the world: those who can count and those who can’t.

Kathy Do

Kathy joined our team as a Graphic Design intern in the fall of 2021 and then came back for a second internship for the summer of 2022. Today, Kathy is currently a student at Clemson University and is continuing to work with our team. She grew up in Fort Mill, SC and has lived in South Carolina for her whole life. One day, she hopes she will be able to have stories of her life around the world.

What was your last song on your spotify?

My last song played on Spotify is Billie Ellish’s new album, Happier than Ever.

When you were six years old, what did you want to be when you grow up?

When I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a gardener because I loved helping my dad out in the garden.

Do you prefer mornings or nights?

I prefer nights over the mornings!

Jack DelGado

Born and raised in New York, Jack has been helping premier real estate and hospitality brands drive leads that convert to customers for more than two decades. He has a deep understanding of the luxury market and the triggers that drive sales. In addition to starting his own company, Jack has worked at Erwin-Penland and IMI, an international industry leader in luxury real estate and resort marketing. Jack’s strengths lie in bringing to life conceptual design ideas that resonate deeply with specific audiences, across both traditional and digital media. He is particularly adept in creating user-friendly online experiences that engage prospects and convert customers.

Justin Merrell

Justin has over 20 years in the digital marketing and traditional advertising industry. He can take something as complex and involved as web development and make it seem easy. Of course it’s not, but he has a unique gift for communicating clearly with clients so that they understand the dynamics of the process and the end result. He creates user-friendly and mobile-friendly web designs that effectively showcase our clients’ offering with targeted audience segments. He is relationship-oriented and works well with clients in a wide cross-section of industries to create optimized online experiences.

What was your last song on your spotify?

Highly Suspect, “Canals”

Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Definitely dogs

Would you rather be able to run at 100 miles per hour or fly at 10 miles per hour?

Run at 100mph

JOEY HOELSCHER

After more than a decade editing, writing, and managing in the publishing industry, Joey founded Content for Humans to focus his efforts on creating top-tier written content for digital spaces. He believes passionately that the best digital content is created for humans, by humans— and that whatever else it needs to do it has to speak to human readers first. Content for Humans focuses on tech, software, and services businesses, and works with Ridge on a variety of local accounts.

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?

Seven Wonders is my mainstream (?) pick. Off the beaten path, Castles of Mad King Ludwig is worth a look.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?

Free what? (We have two young kids.)

AS A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I vacillated between backhoe driver or wrecking ball operator. (And look at me now!)

Tim O’Neill

Tim is the guy that takes clients’ messages and turns them into memorable and engaging stories that people like to both listen to and repeat. He is a talker, writer, and overall strategizer. Starting with an education at Syracuse University, time has honed his storytelling skills over decades of experience working with a diverse list of clients and industries, with a special focus on private luxury clubs and communities.

Lauren Newton

Lauren Newton is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has been making her way in the world of luxury real estate marketing since 2006. She began her career at The Reserve at Lake Keowee in South Carolina and spent nearly a decade there “cutting her teeth” and learning nearly every aspect of master-planned community development, private club operations, real estate sales and marketing. From there she has had the privilege of working with many other top-tier private communities and resorts, applying her knowledge, experiences, and creativity across the United States and internationally by working with resort and real estate clients in the Caribbean and Latin America.

A self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades (and master of getting it done!), Lauren’s multifaceted skill set includes marketing strategy, creative direction, project management, media buying, copywriting, and graphic design. Her versatility is complemented by a can-do attitude, resourceful nature, and eye for detail, bringing a holistic view to each job and an intimate understanding of each client’s needs.

Corey Messer

Corey has been a content creator for over 11 years. His background started at a young age making videos for school projects which eventually evolved into a passion for filmmaking. After Corey graduated from Full Sail University, he traveled the world as a video producer and photographer creating content for a variety of clients big and small. Corey says he loves his job and its ever-evolving method.

Michael Davis

Based in Greenville, SC, Michael Scott Davis Jr. is a skilled digital content creator with a background in marketing and communication. With a BA in Communication Studies from Furman University, he has gained valuable experience in multiple marketing firms, specializing in digital content creation. Michael strives to create engaging narratives and employ creative strategies to effectively reach target audiences. His proficiency in social media, content optimization, and digital trends ensures innovative and impactful results. Trust Michael to elevate your online presence and communicate your brand’s message effectively in the digital world.

WHAT WOULD THE TITLE OF YOU AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?

“Chronicles of the Original Michael Scott.”

WHAT”S SOMETHING YOU THINK IS TOTALLY OVERRATED?

Peanut butter. I just can’t get behind it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS?

It’s not very hidden, but I’m a trombonist! You can find me playing gigs downtown!

Lauren Toler

Lauren graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Visualization in 2018 and a Master of Science in Graphic Communications at Clemson University in 2022. Lauren has developed a keen eye for detail and interests in a variety of fields including social psychology, film, illustration, branding, literature, print and publication, printed electronics, and visual effects. She believes that her active interests in these fields give her a unique perspective on problems and solutions that she thinks will be beneficial to projects she works on.

Kyndall Stewart

Kyndall Stewart is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Greenville, SC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic & Web Design from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her areas of expertise reside in branding, illustration, graphic & website design, and photography. With over 10 years of professional experience, Kyndall has produced illustrations for various A-list musicians such as Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and many more. Outside of work Kyndall enjoys live music, kayaking, playing golf, hiking with her pup, and playing banjo.

Ian Paraventi

Ian is a passionate web developer with a knack for creating unique and tailored websites. With a bachelor’s degree in web development, he possesses the technical skills and expertise to bring clients’ visions to life. He thrives on the challenge of understanding clients needs and translating them into a visually stunning and functional online experience. 

Beyond work he loves the outdoors, whether he’s hitting the trails on a mountain bike or traveling to different places to learn new cultures and taste some amazing food!