Our Team

ERIC S. TOWNSEND
(Career began 1993)

Visit the “Meet Eric” page under the “About Us” tab in the main menu.

All of the following individuals work with Townsend in specialized capacities for ESTMKTG clients. The one common thread through all of their skillsets is a passion for internet marketing.

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MORGAN C. BENTON
(Career began 1993)

Benton is a web developer and consultant who specializes in online marketing strategy, website usability, accessibility, and search engine optimization (seo). His greatest talent lies in reducing technical challenges to simple choices.

Morgan holds an earned doctorate in information systems from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Benton is currently a professor at James Madison University, where his research into online learning makes him an expert in understanding what it takes to communicate your message to a wired audience. His expertise directly impacts our delivery of web hosting, email, media streaming, and custom websites. He is the reason the firm has transitioned into internet marketing over the years. Benton mentored Townsend in website development.

What powers Morgan outside of his work? Violinist. Food lover and cook. Martial artist (Judo and Aikido). Benton is originally from Lynchburg, VA (USA). After graduating from the University of Richmond with a degree in leadership studies, he spent five years in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, where he taught English and met and married his wife Nozomi, an accomplished Japanese calligrapher. The couple have two bilingual daughters who are as different as the lands of the rising and setting suns. Benton was a member of Townsend’s band 9Davine during the mid-90s and appears on several of the band’s recordings.

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LYNN CARTER
(Career began 1979)

Carter is a business coach who specializes in consultative sales and customer intimacy. Specific competencies include salesforce building, skill development, territory planning and coverage, performance management, prospect identification, touchpoints, and brand captivation. Her greatest talent lies in diagnosing and fixing broken sales processes.

Previously, Lynn worked at Xerox corporation for over 30 years. She began as a top-ranking as a sales executive and led award-winning teams and field operations. After a major restructuring, Carter created a sales, service and financial operation that won the “U.S. Senate Quality Award” for the state of Virginia. Her strong track record with customers and her ability to develop high performance organizations led her to a diverse set of executive assignments in the areas of product development, marketing, graphic communications, and global account operations.

Lynn has been an independent consultant since 2010. She’s a certified Lean Six Sigma green belt. Currently, Carter and Townsend are collaborating on client projects, a sales training program and a series of children’s books.

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XI LIN
(Career began 2002)

Xi is an expert in illustration, three dimensional art, modeling, animation, film, video production/editing. He learned his crafts at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia (USA) where one of his documentary projects was nominated for a Capital Emmy Award.

Lin is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Fuzhou dialect, in addition to English. Currently, lin is building a library of website navigation icons for sale at GraphicRiver and providing artwork for a series of children’s books that Townsend is co-writing with Lynn Carter.

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GREG BERGER
(Career began 1992)

Berger is a video production, editing and sound design expert. He’s also a professional drummer.

His career began as a newspaper publisher in the early 90′s. Berger then worked as a communications manager for defense contractors (where he produced a series of defense-related multimedia projects), as marketing production manager for Lucent Technologies and as creative services manager for Veridian.

These days, Greg is squarely focused on his video craft. What makes him unique is his editing skill. His background in music shows through in a keen sense of timing and flow. His talent and experience make him the perfect choice for any video project set to a soundtrack. Greg knows how important video is to stopping traffic at a website, and he understands the fine art of storytelling through the medium. One of his ongoing efforts is to make steady in-roads with the Nashville TN (USA) music scene.

Berger has enjoyed a parallel (though more recreational) career in the music business. He has produced CDs and singles for artists and has drummed on five records. Berger has performed with Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers), Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) and Dan Aykroyd (Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters and Elwood Blues).

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APRIL SIMS
(Career began 2001)

Sims is a tastemaker, blogger and photographic phenom. She’s a member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). She operates a stock photography store through Artist Rising.

Among photographic formats, April has a deep passion for portrait photography. What makes her unique is a combination of careful consideration and craftsmanship. More than just knowing her equipment and techniques, Sims understands that a picture says a thousand words. The statement’s more true than ever with the lean, visually-driven experiences staged at social media networks like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. April makes a real connection with her subjects, bringing their best to the surface. If subjects are comfortable, then personalities are colorful. We capture those moments for our clientele and their networks.

April’s portraiture (as well as product and action photography) lend a bump to any branding, advertising, website design, or publicity project we pursue. Click an image below to view a slideshow.