Stephen Bloss
Stephen has been in the publishing industry for 19 years, founding his first company and publishing his first directory at the age of 25. He thoroughly enjoys working with LLM’s association partners to find communications solutions that exactly fit the needs of their membership. As communications platforms continue to evolve, Stephen is constantly looking for the latest ways to utilize current technology to help our membership stay current with the information pertaining to their industry.
Sigrund Shoemaker
Sigrund has been in her role as Director of Business Development since 2018, identifying and engaging with potential new association partners and showcasing the many ways that LLM can help an association meet and exceed their communication goals. She enjoys the challenge of finding ways that LLM can best serve an association and developing strong, foundational relationships. Sigrund has held a variety of leadership roles throughout her career ranging from real estate brokerage ownership and sales to running worldwide service sales and delivery organizations for Cisco Systems. While an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, she was responsible for base-level government procurement. She was invited to serve as an instructor for her last two years and was awarded Instructor of the Year. After leaving active duty, she continued as a Department of Defense civil service employee in the procurement field until she was recruited by Cisco Systems. Sigrund holds a B.Sc. from the University of the State of New York in Business and a M.A. in Management from Webster University. She is also an advanced certified business coach, employing those skills regularly to help identify the most meaningful ways that LLM can partner with professional and trade organizations around the world.
Grandt Mansfield
Grandt joined the LLM team in February of 2020, bringing with him over 17 years of Sales, Marketing, Account Management, and Leadership experience with him. He has extensive expertise leading teams of graphic designers, content writers, and marketing support staff in developing and executing marketing strategies across the U.S. Previously working for one of the fastest growing marketing and branding agencies in Portland, OR, Grandt is also well-versed in consulting with small business owners—helping craft strategies that align with their business objectives, then working with multiple team members to execute the planned strategy.

Prior to working for LLM, Grandt was the Director of Marketing for a large Senior Living company, leading a team of graphic designers, content writers, and marketing support staff to develop and execute the marketing strategies for 27 communities in three states.

Marcia Bakst
Marcia came to LLM Publications following a long career in advertising—from production management in advertising agencies to multimedia solution sales. At a major national publishing company, she was responsible for all advertising inventory for 20 sponsored email newsletters, four websites, five Keyword Reference Centers, and seven Online Directories for their premium product: Machine Design. She coordinated ads for 11 senior account managers located in eight states, mastering countless software programs and technology updates along the way. Most recently, Marcia spent a decade working for a regional publishing company, exceeding print ad, digital ad, and sponsorship sales goals in magazines, newspapers, directoriesm and events. In that role, her claim to fame was a promotional idea called “Super Lawyers,” where she succeeded in taking revenue from $0 to $15,000 the first year and which has become an annual 30-page editorial and advertising section.
Ronnie Jacko
Ronnie has been with LLM Publications since August 2018, bringing over a decade’s worth of experience in marketing and sales. Ronnie has been a very successful sales leader at every organization he has worked at, with a passion and drive that cannot be matched. Ronnie has always been at the top of his game in providing amazing solutions for all his customers and is eager to continue this trend for the next decade.
Brooke Anderson
Brooke graduated as a double major in Comparative Literature and Medieval Studies with a minor in English from Penn State. More recently, she completed a master’s degree in English from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She is a literary scholar and historian with 4+ years’ experience in print and digital publishing with a focus on advertising, academic publishing, Catholic publishing, proofreading, and a solid 13+ year background in customer service.
Melissa Engstrom
Melissa has been with LLM Publications as in-house accountant since 2013. She has over 27 years of financial management experience and her expertise ranges from the day-to-day financial tasks, payroll, and HR to larger projects, including profit analysis, profit projections, and financial reporting to the CEO. Prior to 2013, she was the accounting manager for Morel Ink, a large commercial printer with clients nationwide and locations across Oregon and Washington. From 1993 to 2009, Melissa ran the financial side of an Ace Hardware/Home Center that she and her husband owned and operated in Southern Oregon.
Juliette Miratsky
Originally from Nebraska, Juliette graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Advertising. She then moved to Oregon and landed at LLM in 2011, starting in an administrative role that included ad processing and designing. A couple years in, she got to work on the layout of her first publication: the KCBA Bar Bulletin. Shortly after, she became a full-time designer and before she knew it, Juliette was the head of the design department as Director of Design. One of Juliette’s favorite things about her role at LLM is getting to work with associations across the U.S. in a variety of different industries and professions, which keeps things interesting and challenging.

In her time at LLM, she has watched excitedly as the company has grown and evolved into the organization it is today. The team is continually working to expand their skillsets, develop new ideas, and adopt the latest technologies to keep up with and exceed industry trends. Outside of work, Juliette is also a Zumba instructor and enjoys baking, spending time with her dog, and going to karaoke with friends.

Hannah Strong
Born and raised in Michigan, Hannah graduated with two degrees; one in visual communications and the other in liberal arts back in 2020. Hannah has worked with a myriad of non-profit organizations founded in Northern Michigan, as well as worked as a student designer through Northwestern Michigan College. She has a background with working in print media and using progressive systems to further her design knowledge.
Hiakato Draconas
After receiving her B.A. in Media Studies from the University of California, Berkeley in 2016, Hiakato began working in graphic design in retail positions, taking charge of photography, logo work, merchandising, and social media. Joining LLM in 2019, her diverse skillset has lended itself to a range of approaches to advertising, web, and publication design.
Hope Sudol
Hope graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic & Interactive Design from The Youngstown State University. With previous experience in digital, print & website design as well as social media management, she found a special appreciation for publication design during her junior year of college. She has always enjoyed her creative outlet and is thrilled to have made it into a career choice. Hope has been with LLM since 2022. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, baking, Illustration, and acrylic painting.
Jon Cannon
Originally from Texas, Jon has been working as a designer since graduating in 2013 from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Advertising & Print Technology. Jon moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2015 to complete a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Portland State University. Throughout the years, Jon has worked in a variety of mediums—from designing and installing vehicle graphics for emergency services, screen printing, custom lettering and illustration, branding, and digital and print design.
Katie Jo Stewart
Katie Jo, a born and raised Washingtonian, graduated from Central Washington University in June of 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, specializing in graphic design. During her junior year she joined PULSE Magazine, CWU’s student-run lifestyle magazine, where she rose to become the Art Director. During the year she held that position her love of publication design was sparked.

Since graduating, Katie Jo completed a summer internship as a graphic designer for CWU’s Publicity Center and then started at LLM in the Fall. She is excited at the opportunity to continue fueling her love of publication design in her position at LLM.

Outside of work Katie Jo can be found hanging out with family and friends, watching her favorite TV shows and movies, and playing with her dog and four cats.

Shelby Bigelow
Shelby graduated from Northwestern Michigan College in 2022 with two degrees in Visual Communications and Art Direction. While in college she gained an admiration for publication design through her time serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the NMC Magazine. She has experience working with non-profit organizations, as well as with photography, layout design, logo design, and event promotion in both the digital and print format. She is motivated to continue to learn and grow as a graphic design professional and finds great value in having the privilege to have a career choice that allows her to do so. Shelby has been with LLM since 2023. Outside of work, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, crocheting, baking, and photography.
Charlie Prince
Charlie Prince is an esteemed fellow at the University of Cuteness. He completed the Ph.D. program at the LLM Campus where he led the Design Department in conducting leisure walks between cubicles to further research relations between the digital design team and office snacks. Charlie, to his close friends, currently enjoys special privileges as Office Helper under the tutelage of Juliette Miratsky, Director of Design. He splits his time between home and the dance studio.