Silas Deane
Deane serves as chairman and CEO of DEANE | SMITH, and he founded the firm in 1999. Deane has directed communications and media strategies for clients such as HCA, Phoenix Healthcare, and the National Foundation for Cancer Research, John Templeton Foundation and the TriStar Health System.
For many years, Deane served as the press secretary and legislative advisor to U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, where he handled issue communications, crisis management and political strategies. Deane also managed all political operations for former Sen. Al Gore, Jr., and was marketing director and executive director for the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society.
He is a former executive editor for Advancing Microelectronics. Deane holds a master’s in government and business administration (MGBA) from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Kentucky. He also attended The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.also served as the Advance team lead for the 200th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights National Tour. Deane holds an Masters from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Economics from the University of Kentucky. He is currently Chairman of the Board at Nashville State Community College.
Todd Smith
As co-founder, president and chief communications officer, Smith has a vision, passion and fire for amplifying brands through innovation. He is a senior level PR expert with more than 25 years experience, and specializes in public affairs, government relations, branding, crisis communications, media relations and reputation management.
A former staff writer for The Washington Times, Smith previously served on the executive team of Affinion Group, a global direct marketer, and has held senior public relations, marketing and advertising positions with HCA and Gaylord Entertainment Co. Smith began his agency career at Atkinson Public Relations, where he was a leader in creating the Nashville Health Care Council.
A past president of the Public Relations Society of America | Nashville, he is also a syndicated columnist for the Nashville Business Journal and Mississippi Business Journal, and pens The Spin Cycle, a weekly take on the PR, marketing and advertising industries. Smith earned a degree in journalism, marketing and English at Baylor University, and an MBA on the streets inside the Beltway and traipsing around The Hill in D.C. He is a former speechwriter for the George H.W. Bush for President campaign.
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Laura joined Deane, Smith & Partners in January 2010. Laura holds a degree in public relations from Belmont University and currently serves as Account Coordinator. McClellan spends most of her time at DS&P pitching stories, writing news releases, e-mail marketing pieces, newsletter articles, and copy for marketing materials. Her work has been featured and published multiple times in media outlets around the country.
Other responsibilities include media relations, event planning and social media execution. She has worked closely with clients such as the National Foundation for Cancer Research, Healthcare Information Management Systems Society, the Hutton Hotel and the 1808 Grille.
[/accordion] [accordion title=”David Catterton”]David oversees all aspects of design and web development throughout the agency. His adaptive design work enables him to collaborate with both conservative and modern clients. An expert and avid user of the WordPress framework, David offers a critical aspect to web design and development that provides the client with a keen eye for detail, and the support needed for continual success.
Catterton graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2013 with a degree in Advertising from the College of Communication and Information. Before taking his current position at DS&P, David worked as a design intern for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, The Tombras Group, ASEN Marketing, and Deane, Smith and Partners.
[/accordion] [accordion title=”Kara DiCarlo”]Kara joined Deane, Smith & Partners in April. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Arkansas). Kara works as an Account Associate with DS&P. She works primarily with clients writing press releases and newsletters as well as strategy development and execution for social media marketing campaigns. Other responsibilities include photography and creative design for various projects. Kara has a background in journalism, photography and design, and her skills offer creative direction and innovation to the agency and its clients. She works closely with such clients as National Foundation for Cancer Research, TN HIMSS, Waggoner Engineering, Faces PLLC and Evolve Women.
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