Jim Whitaker, President
Jim has worked in marketing communications for the past 23 years. He started out in the insurance industry as an underwriter; he has been a broker, an insurance agency consultant and a marketing executive. In 1988 he opened his own public relations and advertising firm, focusing on the insurance industry. That firm eventually became Smart’s Publishing, a specialized publisher of custom client newsletters for insurance and real estate professionals.
Jim is excited to lead Smart’s Publishing back to its roots as a full-service marketing communications firm that provides agents a full array of marketing solutions, from websites and social media to more traditional print newsletters, brochures and promotional products. When he isn’t working or writing his marketing blog, Jim likes to spend time with his family, play piano, swim and watch Pawn Stars (usually not all at once).
Call Jim: 541-482-5189, ext. 2
Brian Tingle, Sales & Service Manager
Brian joined Smart’s Publishing in the fall of 2009. He serves as sales manager and handles all customer service issues. He enjoys working with Smart’s’ customers from all over the country.
Brian has been licensed for life/health in Oregon since 1985 and for 24 years had a small independent practice in southern Oregon. He also carried a Series 6 & 63 securities license for 20 years.
Through his passion for music, Brian has been involved with numerous choral groups, including as co-founder of the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, a 40-voice auditioned chamber choir that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011. Brian and his wife, Deborah, who just retired from a 33-year career as an elementary school teacher, sing together in the Repertory Singers.
Call Brian: 541-482-5189, ext. 4
Shelly Courtade, Production Coordinator
Shelly earned a B.A. in English studies from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. She has spent the last four years in Pendleton, Oregon, working at the East Oregonian Publishing Company managing their Eastern Oregon Real Estate and Homebuilder’s Guide publication.
She likes working in publishing because she finds the process of starting with an idea and ending with a polished print product extremely rewarding. As a mom and wife she is always on the lookout for fun things for her family to do and she believes one way she can help her community thrive is by contributing to the success of its businesses through shopping.
Call Shelly: 541-482-5189, ext. 7
Robynne Whitaker, Managing Editor and Assistant Publisher
Robynne Whitaker has worked in insurance communications for 25 years. She started her career at Paul Revere Life Insurance Company in the sales training department, writing training, recruiting and internal news publications and overseeing production of recruiting and news videos. She also worked at the former LOMA (now merged with LIMRA) and at a large San Francisco-based credit union in their marketing department.
At Smart’s Publishing, she oversees editorial for all publications as well as the training and care of the Smart’s Publishing mascot, Waldo (aka: Waldomort), a 2-year old Boston Terrier with a rogue disposition, and Lloyd, his dim-witted pug sidekick.
Call Robynne: 541-482-5189, ext. 3
Charissa Black-McKay, Graphic Design Manager
Charissa earned her degree in visual design from the University of Oregon. While print will always be her first love, she has greeted electronic and social media with open arms. Here at Smart’s she enjoys creating a range of media options to fit our clients’ ever-changing needs.
Having been in the Rogue Valley for several years, she loves the southern Oregon sunshine but remains an avid Ducks fan making frequent trips to Autzen Stadium… where it never rains!
Call Charissa: 541-482-5189, ext. 6
Michael Clark, Graphic Designer
Mike has been a graphic designer specializing in print since before the Internet. He has stubbornly stuck with print, figuring someone has to. He previously worked as a radio announcer, but traded sound and no pictures for pictures without sound and never looked back.
He has enjoyed helping shape Smart’s Publishing’s newsletters and advertising since 2001. Mike would be looking forward to receiving his ten-year pin this year — if Smart’s had a ten year pin. But we’ll probably just buy him a beer.
Eric Adams, Writer
Eric Adams has been a writer for over 25 years and has served as editor of numerous business and computer publications. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wired and Salon.
Eric enjoys writing for Real Estate Digest because it allows him to keep a pulse on the ever-changing real estate market and dazzle his friends with real estate trends and analysis. He believes now is the best time to buy real estate because, as Will Rogers said, “they aren’t making any more it it.”
