"The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." – Mark Zuckerberg

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

John Townsend

Working as Executive Director of Global Edge Consulting, John has over 20 years of experience consulting for businesses international and domestic with a focus on hospitality and tourism. He has an undergraduate degree in Finance, MBA, and Masters of Management in Hospitality and Tourism. While working as an Adjunct Professor for Florida State University at the Dedman School of Hospitality he focused on tourism research.

In addition, John worked with the Florida Department of Health to provide a technical report on Identification of hard to reach populations and improved risk communications. He sits on the board of the veteran non-profit Thyme and Play and is passionate about the services they provide for families in need.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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

My name is Kathy and I am currently a student at Clemson University. I grew up in Fort Mill, SC and have lived in South Carolina for my whole life. One day, I hope I will be able to have stories of my life around the world.

What was your last song on your spotify?

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

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.

David Garrison

David is the consummate professional and web developer extraordinaire. He has 15+ years of experience working in the fields of website design, web development, and graphic design. During that time, he has launched more than 500 websites and finalized over 50 branding campaigns. He has extensive experience working with luxury resorts, high-end real estate communities, technology companies, dentists, attorneys, schools, state parks, local government events, non-profits, worldwide e-commerce stores, and distribution companies. His work was even featured in the HBO Film Mary and Martha starring Hillary Swank.

David met his wife Nan in April of 2018 through a long-time Greenville friend. But there was a catch – she lived 9,000 miles away in Bangkok, Thailand. David devoted countless hours dealing with Government paperwork to help Nan get home to South Carolina. During this time, David flew to Bangkok five times between July of 2018 to January of 2020 – staying about a month every time. In June of 2019, David and Nan were blessed with the news that they were going to have a daughter. She was born in February of 2020 in Bangkok. In March of 2020, just as David and Nan were about to finalize her visa and come home, COVID-19 locked down all American visas – leaving David and his family trapped in Thailand from March of 2020 until August of 2020. David rallied resources and thanks to the help of Senator Tim Scott and Representative Will Timmons, David and his family got clearance to fly home in early August of 2020. David says he was never more happy to see his front door than in August of 2020.

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?

EveryDollar – a budgeting app that I use religiously. I’m a very strong believer in personal finance.
Spotify – Because who doesn’t love music?
Photos – At least once a day I find myself scrolling through photos of my family

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

Michael Roberts

Bio coming soon.