YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Former Marlin Network LLC Chief Financial Officer Todd Carroll’s move to The Whitlock Co. is among several leadership changes in the last year at the Springfield advertising agency after it was purchased by a national firm.
Carroll started Oct. 2 as a manager in Springfield public accounting firm Whitlock Co.’s business management department.
“It felt like it was a great move to come to Whitlock and add to their practice,” he said, noting the switch gives him the ability to “offer CFO services to the public rather than privately for one company.”
Carroll said he left Marlin in September 2016, about a year after the company sold to Irvine, California-based Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC. He had worked with Marlin since 2005, first as controller and, starting in 2010, as CFO.
He said Advantage Sales & Marketing is no longer supporting a CFO position in its Springfield market.
“They made lots of opportunities available, but they’re a very large company. It would have entailed me probably moving my family,” Carroll said, noting they’ve been in Springfield for more than 20 years. “It’s home, so we wanted to stay here.”
Carroll said he and other senior Marlin staffers made an internal commitment to help transition the company under the Advantage Sales & Marketing umbrella. About a year after the mid-2015 buyout, leadership changes began to unfold.
Marlin founder and CEO Dennis Marlin retired in July 2016, and Sheri Austin, Tim Bade and Rob Nelson were promoted to lead the Springfield market the next month, Carroll confirmed. Michael Stelzer, former president of Marlin, also is no longer with the company and continues work for his metalworking business Stelzer Metalworks.
On Springfield Business Journal’s list of the area’s largest advertising agencies — scheduled for the Oct. 30 print edition — Marlin Network reported 120 local employees led by Austin, general manager and executive vice president, and Bade, chief creative director. Marlin’s website lists Vice President of Business Development Nelson on its leadership team with Austin and Bade.
Austin, Bade and Nelson all changed their LinkedIn profiles to show new positions with Marlin in August 2016. Austin previously led Marlin’s Alchemedia Project, while Bade was chief creative director of Alchemedia and Nelson was director of account services, according to their LinkedIn pages.
“They were certainly tapped as the group that was going to take the company forward,” Carroll said.
Earlier this week, Austin declined to discuss the changes at Marlin. She could not be reached for comment this morning by deadline. Attempts to reach Marlin officials in person at the company’s Brick City office were unsuccessful, though the company has two other offices in Springfield.
Other stories that may interest you
Search sponsored by:
It’s golf season again, and Springfield Business Journal is back with the top holes handpicked by those who best know the courses.
Attorney of ex-husband in Greitens case received $100K anonymously
Pence visit to Springfield canceled
Harry Cooper Supply chairman dies at 91
Miller Commerce owner launches subsidiary
Trailblazers: These women forged their own paths in minority occupations
Kelly Lee, Business Program Manager on the Infrastructure Team at Facebook, says not just hiring practices will achieve team inclusion and diversity. Facebook takes a three pronged approach: Look for …
Should you build a new facility for your business or remodel? Many believe remodeling has a higher cost, may require you to close during construction and you still need the services of an architect. …
“I was mentored by some amazing women who run massive direct-sales companies that are CEOs and founders,” says Nancy Bogart, CEO and founder of Jordan Essentials. Bogart says there aren’t a lot …
“We were pretty naive in believing if you build a website, you can sell anything,” says David San Paolo, co-owner of Redneck Nutz. San Paolo says you shouldn’t expect word of mouth and social …
David Brazeal shows how you can turn your smartphone into a scanner and not only digitize that paper, but also organize it. In each episode of our monthly series, App-titude, David Brazeal will …
Are you trying to attract and retain caring, hardworking employees who are passionate about serving your guests? Brad Thomas, President of Silver Dollar City Attractions says it’s important to …
What would you do differently in starting your business? Charity McGill, CEO and Co-founder of Deep Water Software, says she wouldn’t change much, but wishes she had known a better way to balance …
Have you noticed changes in a coworker’s behavior? Are they making odd posts on social media? Have they said things that cause concern? Eric Schroeder, acting Corporal with the Springfield Police …
“It has a lot to do with lifestyle, and health and wellness — having daily practices that are healthy,” says Elle Feldman, co-owner Good Skin Day. Feldman likes the book, “Choose …
Chris and Jessica Ollis, owners of Spring Branch Kombucha, planned on distributing their beverage themselves. “That might actually be the issue of our business that we were probably the most naïve …