our staff

Email Ben	Ben Davis - Senior Account Executive Ben Davis is a graduate of Gardner-Webb College where he earned a BS in Business Administration. Davis has accrued over 14 years experience in sales, marketing and business development. His most recent position includes apparel sales and customer relations with G & K Services of Charlotte. A native of Clio, SC, Davis now resides in Gastonia with his wife Betty and two sons.

Email Ed	Edgar Ray - Director, Advertising Specialty Division Ed Ray, graduate of the University of Georgia, has held management positions at Ford Motor Company, BMW, Winnebago, and gained a considerable amount of experience in marketing and sales. His corporate accounts include Eaton Corporation, PPG Industries, Continental General Tire, Polygram and Arnold Foods. Ed resides in the Shelby, NC.

Email Mary	Mary Leonard - Business Manager Mary came to The Sumner Group in 1996 bringing with her more than 13 years of business and bookkeeping experience. She has been an active member of The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers for sixteen years. She resides in Dallas with her husband, Bill and has three children and eight "grand" children. Mary is an active member of Hardin Baptist Church. She also enjoys sewing and is a member of the Sew-Exciting club.

Email Richelle	Richelle Benton - Account Executive Richelle Benton rejoined the agency as Account Executive Executive in June 2001. She is a former employee who held the position of Media Buyer from April 1997 - October 1999. Richelle is a graduate of South Point High School and pursued additional studies at Gaston College and Tarrant County Junior College in Ft. Worth, Texas. A native of Ft. Worth, Texas, she currently resides in Gastonia with her husband, Brad and son, Baylor.

Email John	John Westfall - Art Director John came to The Sumner Group in October of 2000 after working for two years as a graphic artist at The Gaston Gazette in Gastonia, NC. John is originally from Scott Depot, WV, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from Concord College in Athens, WV.

Email Reggie	Reggie Byrum - Creative Director/Web Development - Carolina Web Pros Reggie came to The Sumner Group in June of 2004 after working for over 20 years as a graphic designer and art director for various advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Reggie graduated from Central Piedmont Community College with an A.A.S. Degree in Advertising & Graphic Design, with specializations in Illustration and Typography, Reggie also holds a Certified Internet Webmaster Professional certification from Prosoft Corporation. On August 1, 2007, Reggie started Carolina Web Pros, the internet division of The Sumner Group. Reggie enjoys scuba diving and spending time at the coast. Reggie resides in Indian Trail, NC with his wife Vicki and two sons, Justin and Chris and their pet boxer, Sadie.

Email Michelle	Michelle Fry - Account Executive Michelle joined the Sumner Group in September 2004. Her duties include Account Executive, Administrative Assistant, and Media Buyer. Prior to The Sumner Group she worked for Central Piedmont Community College’s Corporate and Continuing Education Department as a Computer Training Instructor and Program Coordinator. She brings with her extensive computer software knowledge, and a background in design. Michelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Technical Communications and Marketing from the University of Maryland. A native of Western Pennsylvania she now resides in Gastonia with her husband, Ron and their two sons Ethan and Morgan.

Email Anthony	Anthony Rodriguez - Art Director Anthony Rodriguez joined the Sumner Group in the summer of 2007 after spending five years proudly producing all manner of graphic design as a self-taught artist (after realizing his Associate's Degree was earned for gain in the wrong specialization). In his design exploits he's had the pleasure of working with (and for) an array of companies ranging from the super-duper large to the really, really small. He prides himself on treating each project he undertakes as his own; expressing his natural creativity while always respecting the vision and goals of the client. Anthony is a native of the Bronx, NY and now resides in Rock Hill, SC.