Paul got his start in Retail Auto over 20 years ago as a service advisor in a small town Chevy store and fell in love with the industry. From there he became a serial automotive entrepreneur building a regional reconditioning company serving over 150 dealerships a year which led to an acquisition Dent Wizard International. From there he authored his first book, The Automotive Manifesto which is used as a part of NADA Dealer Academy and Northwood University curriculum. He has been mentored by and has worked directly with legendary figures in brand marketing Gary Vaynerchuk and Simon Sinek. In 2020 he founded ASOTU, a Dealer-owned media outlet working to raise the culture and perception of the Retail Automotive industry.
PERSONAL Item
Paul is represented by (a portion of) his extensive hat collection because, well, he wears a lot of them!
Robin was a founding partner of Mark Russell & Associates. During the 20+ years, she helped grow the agency into one of the largest independent ad firms in the country. After its merger with Eric Mower & Assoc., Robin took over marketing for Metro Mattress and then Sun Auto Group. Robin joined Congruent in 2020. Since then, she has helped turn the company from a band of scrappy upstarts into a “real” agency in no time at all.
PERSONAL Item
Robin is represented by a statuette in the pose of Dhyana Mudra. According to Hindu tradition, the pose is meant to bring balance and slow down thought. It also helps release anger. Robin has a personal and spiritual connection to the statuette and what it stands for.
Brian Payne
Creative Director
Brian Payne
Creative Director
Background
Most days, Brian is a true believer in the liberal arts. After graduating from a small liberal arts school in Upstate NY, he traveled to Santa Fe, NM to… get a Master’s in the liberal arts. Since his years in the desert, Brian has bounced around, landing in NYC for about a decade. He’s helped make extremely expensive gold leaf frames, blogged, ghost written books, and product designed for apps. When he’s not at work, he’s almost certainly doing something with his daughter, Luna, watching Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, cooking, or running.
PERSONAL Item
Brian is represented by a 1956 Compass Books edition of James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man because this very book marked the first time he thought of art could be stupid, serious, funny, and truly inspirational.
Peter Schultz
Director of Human Resources / Studio Manager of Tipp Hill Studios
Peter Schultz
Director of Human Resources / Studio Manager of Tipp Hill Studios
Background
Peter helped create what we now know as Congruent! Peter is a polymath, with varying levels of mastery at piano, French horn, bass, guitar, taking things apart, putting them back together again, tea, and physical media collection/preservation. Peter is a proud girl-dad to Penny and Clara, and dedicated husband to Kimberly.
PERSONAL Item
Peter is represented by his 2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Testastretta Tricolore because he is deeply passionate about these things, and he admires the purity of its design and engineering: No traction control. No anti-lock brakes. No fairings. All business.
Jason Monaghan
Strategic Account Director, Automotive
Jason Monaghan
Strategic Account Director, Automotive
Background
Jason is a marketing professional with a deep and varied background. He began his career as a graphic designer, art director, and all-purpose, high-level creative. Jason then put his creative talents to use as marketing director for several mid-sized automotive groups in the Nashville area, where he also honed his data and analytical skills. His career path has given Jason a unique ability to dig through data and find information to build better, more effective marketing plans and ensure that art and branding are consistent across all mediums. This expertise empowers Jason to understand and guide all aspects of automotive strategy, branding, and creative deployment. Jason has a passion for coaching and sports, having played soccer in college and coaching youths today. He believes that success as a team, both on and off the pitch, starts with great communication.
PERSONAL Item
Jason is represented by a Batman figure because Batman teaches audiences that it doesn't take a perfect person to do good things.
Lisa Santoro
Production Manager
Lisa Santoro
Production Manager
Background
Lisa started her career as a graphic designer in Buffalo, New York. She moved to the Syracuse area after making a deal with her then fiancé, now husband of over 30 years. She’s never left. Lisa has been a graphic designer, art director, and creative services manager through out her career. As Production Manager at Congruent, Lisa ensures the best results for clients by coordinating and synchronizing the efforts of account, creative and marketing teams. Outside of work, she loves adventuring with her family, Jim, Grace, James, and Will.
PERSONAL Item
Lisa is represented by a bottle of Hussong’s Añejo tequila and two matchboxes she found in Sayulita, Mexico. One day, hopefully soon, she would like to live in the little town of Sayulita, a perfect place full of sun, ocean, and artsy vibes.
Jennifer Silver
Producer / Editor
Jennifer Silver
Producer / Editor
Background
Jennifer directed both her first short film and her first theatrical production at the age of 12, and she decided that she might as well just keep doing that. Jennifer has helped launch a theater company, executive produced a miniseries, won a regional Student Emmy, produced and directed numerous film projects that have screened at festivals across the country, and once road-tripped across Mozambique with four strangers to make it to a shoot on time. At Congruent, she is the one that makes all the video productions happen. When she isn’t on set, Jennifer can be found somewhere in the woods or on a mountain, backpacking with her handsome pup Phoenix.
PERSONAL Item
Jennifer is represented by the hiking packs of her and her dog, Phoenix, because, well, see above.
James Manton
Video Editor / Audio Engineer
James Manton
Video Editor / Audio Engineer
Background
James discovered a passion for video and audio production in his early teens. After graduating from film school at Ithaca College in 2017, he returned to his hometown of Syracuse, NY where he spent several years doing freelance work before taking a full-time position on the Congruent team.
PERSONAL Item
James is represented by his favorite guitar, “Sal,” because music will always be his first love.
Nate Li
Graphic Artist
Nate Li
Graphic Artist
Background
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PERSONAL Item
Nate is represented by the senior year college project of Ron Rabideau, his friend, sometimes-mentor, and former Art Director at Congruent.
Christine Stadler
Graphic Designer
Christine Stadler
Graphic Designer
Background
While pursuing a fine art degree at Alfred University, Christine stumbled into the world of graphic design and found exactly where she needed to be. With a background in drawing and painting, Christine naturally enjoys designing layouts and branding with an artist's passion. When she's not clicking away at a computer, you can find her singing along to her favorite songs at a pop-punk concert, taking care of her garden, or tackling one of the 46ers in the Adirondacks.
PERSONAL Item
Christine is represented by a blank canvas, something that’s equal parts inspiring and intimidating! For Christine, it offers the opportunity to start from scratch and serves as a reminder not to get too attached to an end result, a lesson she learned in an early art school class.
Rob Downes
Junior Graphic Designer
Rob Downes
Junior Graphic Designer
Background
Rob is Syracuse University alumnus and avid NYCFC fan. He was recently traded from the marketing team to the creative club. From the Supporter Section to the Creative Cloud, Rob enjoys designing engaging content to help grow brands and online communities. Born on Long Island, he has traveled far and wide before finding his place with the team here at Congruent.
PERSONAL Item
Rob is represented by a 1994 soccer ball and MLS scarf because that’s the year he was born, as well as the first year the US hosted the World Cup, and he is an avid soccer supporter, for both club & country.
Deanna Burke
Senior Account Executive
Deanna Burke
Senior Account Executive
Background
After earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Deanna hit the gas pedal on her professional journey at the Automobile Club of Western and Central NY. Over the first part of her career path, Deanna became the Regional Manager of the organization; during this time, she mastered the arts of leadership and problem-solving. Deanna shifted gears when she accepted a role at Sun Auto Group, an attractive opportunity due to her interest in the automotive industry. Over the next 11 years, Deanna navigated many roles that honed her skills and expertise across the automotive landscape. She grew professionally and personally, gaining invaluable insights into the dynamic industry.
PERSONAL Item
Deanna is represented by a beach towel, beach hat, shells, and sand because of the items’ meaning to her. She loves to travel with friends and family. She would like to live near the beach or water in the future.
Jon Dufort
Content Creator / Web Developer
Jon Dufort
Content Creator / Web Developer
Background
Jon tries new things to get better at them. Over his life, he has applied himself to web development, social media engagement, print layout, illustration, photography (digital and film), video editing, journalism, advertising, proof-reading, troubleshooting, and brewing coffee.
PERSONAL Item
Jon is represented by a transparent lock because he believes that seeing exactly how something works doesn’t always eliminate the mystery.
Seth Montpelier
Social Media Coordinator
Seth Montpelier
Social Media Coordinator
Background
Seth hails from up way up in Northern New York, but don't call him Canadian. After studying political science, film, and arts administration at Le Moyne College, Seth brought his diverse interests to Congruent. Now, he applies his talents to making creative graphics and copy for our clients. Outside of work, Seth enjoys listening and performing music, drawing, and being something of a cinephile.
PERSONAL Item
Seth is represented by the movies Don’t Look Back, The Royal Tenenbaums, Yi Yi, La Haine, and All About My Mother. As a lover of movies, he always pays close attention and enjoys picking out details, themes, and metaphors. Seth chose these movies because they all represent things that he finds excellent in film and art.