We are fueled by passion, good stories and fire puns.

Mike Grice

Co-Founder
Chief Fire Officer

Mike is our co-founder and Chief Creative Officer and has overseen Wildfire’s creative operations across a wide range of brands and disciplines since its inception in 2002. In addition to the critical business decisions that come with being a founding partner.

Throughout his career, Mike has created award-winning ideas for brands of all sizes. From mom and pop shops to Fortune 500 companies. His work as Wildfire’s Creative Officer has been recognized by Communications Arts, Clio Awards, Addy’s Awards, Print Regional, Archive-World 200 Best Packaging, The Dieline, The Richmond Show, How Magazine and others. Before settling down in North Carolina, Mike worked at agencies in Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Louis.

In addition to enjoying his craft and business in general, Mike enjoys fitness, golf, the outdoors, and most importantly, spending time with his young adult children whenever possible.

Brad Bennett

Co-Founder
Chief Fire Starter

Brad is our Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer. His focus is new business and developing relationships with world-class clients — some of which have been going strong for all 18 years of Wildfire’s existence. Additionally, he helps guide the administrative functions of the agency.

A proud UNC-Chapel Hill Tarheel, Brad began his career in fundraising working first on the local, state and national level for the American Heart Association and then for his alma mater. He jumped to agency life, joining Long Haymes Carr (now MullenLowe MediaHub WS) where he served in many roles during his 7 years, including Chief Marketing Officer.

Brad is a proud Winston-Salem native, an avid fiction reader, a fitness freak, loves to cook and, more than anything, a husband to wife Paula, a dad to their two children Abbi and Beau, and a dedicated volunteer at their school.

Tory Gillett

Firebrand

Tory graduated from the University of Virginia and did post-graduate work at New York University. At this point, she’s got 20+ years of experience in marketing communications, having worked at LongHaymesCarr, Oasis International, and Mullen/Frank About Women prior to joining Wildfire in 2006. Over the course of her career, she has guided strategic brand development and marketing communications planning for numerous brands across a multitude of categories, including Toyota, Wachovia, T.J. Maxx, Thomasville Furniture, Kimberly-Clark, Lennox, and GMAC Insurance. And then there was that brief stint running marketing at the United Way, when she attempted to save the world—or at least the county!

She is now a key member of the agency’s senior leadership team, heading up the Strategic Planning and Account Management disciplines. Tory believes that creativity and creative problem solving are the responsibility of everyone at Wildfire.

Tory is active in the local non-profit community and volunteers globally with Habitat for Humanity International. Travel is a passion. A few years ago, she took a six-month sabbatical to explore the world and experience different cultures—hitting 5 continents and 11 countries.

Traci Naff

Graphic Arsonist

Traci is the Creative Director for the Richmond creative team. During her near decade in the field, she has produced uniquely creative concepts for a wide range of clients, from passionate startups to established global brands.

A big picture thinker with an eye for details, Traci has produced award-winning work for brands like Wake Forest University, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hanesbrands, Lowes Foods, BB&T, and Red Hat, just to name a few.

Outside of the office, Traci is a part-time wanderer, avid DIY’er, amateur baker, and aspiring plant supermom.

Bryan Flynn

Ignition Agent

As Creative Director, Bryan enjoys working with national brands and local businesses alike to help them tell their stories, forge connections and achieve success.

In this office, he considers himself fortunate to work on teams of folks with admirable dedication toward producing thoughtful work – regardless of industry or medium – that happens to be award-winning.

Outside the office, his world stays immersed in creativity. Between personal projects, exploring ideas and destinations with his wife, Bobbi, an elementary art teacher, and fostering the imaginations of their two daughters, Bryan strives to enjoy the colors each day offers.

Katherine White

Bonfire

Katherine is a Group Account Director and business strategist with deep experience in the financial, fashion, beauty, restaurant and hospitality industries. An anthropologist at heart, she loves to talk to, shop, and dig into the minds of consumers to identify new insights and opportunities for brands. She’d love to talk to you about value-minded consumers, generational differences, macro trends affecting brands, and her latest e-commerce find.

Originally from Raleigh, Katherine has been dedicated to the Winston-Salem community since 1999 and loves to travel both near and far. She is a short order cook, an “expert” shopper, and a mom to four girls who are learning about retail therapy by example.

Brenda Swain

Fire Ant

Brenda is a native of Winston Salem. After 29 years with HBI, Brenda retired and joined Wildfire in Oct. 2005 as Office Manager/Office Mom. She enjoys volunteering for Senior Services and NC Food Bank/Empty Bowls. Brenda’s motto: Life is too short to drink bad wine!

Matt Rowland

Flame Thrower

Matt came to Wildfire in 2012 by way of Southwest Virginia where he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Graphic Design.  He now calls Winston-Salem home, along with his wife Lauren, daughter Abigail, and son William.

Matt has a diverse background in design and development and has worked in the online space since 1998. Matt embraces the latest web trends and leads the development team deliver world-class interactive experiences.

Jonathan Reed

Pyro

Jonathan is an award-winning ACD Art Director with over 20 years of experience and is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design – Pasadena CA. Jonathan’s motto is “leave a mark.” And over the course of 20+ years, he’s done just that with both big and small agencies alike.

As a creative, Jonathan has overseen integrated advertising campaigns and led rebranding and design efforts for many regional and national brands. In working directly with clients, he has developed strong relationships to deliver strategic and emotionally-resonant creative that also successfully achieve business goals.

In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and friends, as well as being herded around by his two German Shepherd dogs.

Alex Liddle

Incandescence

Alex is a multidisciplinary designer that lives for illustration, lettering and all things paper. Even her hobbies revolve around creating – printmaking, baking, and gardening.. and she hates talking about herself in third person.

Riley Hill

Incendium

Riley Hill is a graphic designer from Richmond, Virginia. He is passionate about generating strong creative solutions for clients and welcomes the unique challenges and perspectives of every new project.

Christine Zimmerman

Welder

Christine is a designer that specializes in all forms of media. With a background in event design, her knowledge has allowed her to work over multiple platforms. At Wildfire, she merges her love for powerful visuals with brand development.

Carlee Dempsey

Controlled Burn

Carlee hails from Greensboro, NC where she returned after graduating from UNC at Wilmington with a double major in Communication Studies and French Language. Before Wildfire, Carlee spent 5 years in the craft beer industry where she learned to market local businesses in a competitive landscape.

Greg Masters

The Human Torch

Greg loves the Wildfire environment and enjoys everyone he works with.  His passion is accuracy and efficiency and loves making sure the books are in proper order. You can “Count” on him to get the job done.

Kevin Brooks

Burninator

From the mountain tops of North Carolina, Kevin brings gifts of web and custom application development to Wildfire. A graduate of Appalachian State University, he is a husband and father (2 boys, 2 cats, 2 dogs). He claims Sparta, NC as his home, but Winston-Salem as his second.

Wanda Miller

Extinguisher

I have been in the accounting field for 39+ years. My hobbies are paper crafting and diamond painting. I have two beautiful granddaughters and love spending time with them.

Anneli Grove

Contained Fire

Anneli has been working in Human Resources for over 20 years after receiving her HR Degree from Syracuse University. She has been with Wildfire since 2018. She has a wide range of experience in areas like talent development, recruitment and general HR management. Growing up in the UK and New Jersey, she is a proud “Jersey Girl”. Her proudest accomplishments are her 2 children, ages 17 and 20.

Eli Baker

Axon Ignitor

Eli works as a Web Application Developer. His most commonly used saying is “Google it”. His favorite midnight snack is a handful of Doritos. His favorite thinking spot is out in the woods. You will definitely find hot sauce in his refrigerator. His life theme song is “Nothing But Time” by Royal Fingerbowl.

Sarah Chandler

Firebird

Favorite midnight snack: Krispy Kreme Doughnut (Original glazed)

Who or what inspires me: My boys: Oliver, age 3.5 and Henry, age 1

In my desk drawer, you’d find: Lots of Pens! I’m always on the hunt for the perfect pen.

Obsession you can’t (or don’t want to) kick: Shopping – believer in retail therapy and shop-a-holic

Best place I’ve ever been: Florence, Italy

Wes Lawson

Illuminator

Favorite midnight snack: A bowl of Frosted Flakes w/ Bananas.

Best time of day: I’m a night owl.

In my fridge you’d find: Eggs. I eat at least 4 every morning.

Who would play me in the movie of my life: Ryan Reynolds

Best place I’ve ever been: Riviera Maya, Mexico

Alex Patton

Firework

Favorite midnight snack: Pasta! I am ashamed to admit how many times I have made pasta at 11 PM!

Strangest hobby: Paint by numbers

Movie I watch way too often: Hunger Games

Who would play me in the movie of my life: Bradley Cooper

Best place I’ve ever been: Sorrento, Italy

Daniel Oberti

Forest Fire

My motto: You make a commitment, you keep a commitment!

Favorite midnight snack: Cashews, Pickles, tomato soup, and Babybel Cheese!

Who or what inspires me: Maya Angelou, as she was one of the world’s leading ambassadors of empathy.

Favorite thinking spot: Pilot Mountain!

Obsession you can’t (or don’t want to) kick: Growing and buying plants.

Dan Deller

Barn Burner

My motto: Commit

Best time of day: Evening

In my fridge, you’d find: Steaks

Pets of choice: Dog

Movie I watch way too often: The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy

Sarah Pinnix

Firefly

My motto: “Integrity is when we say the same things publicly that we say privately.” – Simon Sinek

Favorite thinking spot: In a kayak on the New River

Best time of day: 9:00 – 11:00 am

Pets of choice: My two Goldendoodles (Josephine & Riggs) and Shih Tzu/Maltese (Boneaparte)

Obsession you can’t (or don’t want to) kick: Baking French Macarons

Scott Dickson

Ignition Overhauler

Scott works as a Digital Strategist, with a primary focus on SEO and data analysis. He has been in the digital space since 2003 and ran his own consulting firm from 2008 until March of 2022. Scott has a BS in Communications from Appalachian State University. He enjoys spending time with family/friends, and is a passionate supporter of App State Football.

Jason Mills

Firecracker

Favorite midnight snack:  Homemade energy bars

Best party trick: I know one magic trick that works half the time

In my desk drawer, you’d find: A million highlighters and 0.5 pens

Pets of choice: Dogs (preferably a golden retriever)

Madison Hicks

Surefire

Favorite midnight snack: An Oreo milkshake or cookie dough

Best time of day: Sunset

Pets of choice: Dogs or cats – I love them both!

Movie I watch way too often: Hamilton: The Musical

Best Place I’ve Ever Been: Hawaii or Italy

Briana Gilmore

Fire Harmonizer

What inspires me: What truly inspires me on a daily basis are my children, and making new music. Both require me to look inside and evaluate my own being to grow, and become better every day.

Favorite midnight snack: Nondairy cookie dough ice cream

In my fridge, you’d find: Coconut and almond milk, brussels sprouts, apple cider vinegar, organic fruits and veggies, and pasture-raised/grass-fed meat!

Best time of day: Early evening for a nice walk

One thing I can’t live without: Water (with electrolytes) and yoga 🙂

Victoria Gillerlain

Trail Blazer

My motto: Do your best and forget the rest.

Favorite midnight snack: Popcorn

Best time of day: Mid-day with sunshine

Pets of choice: Dogs

Movie I watch way too often: Legally Blonde

Kinsey Brown

FireBlazer

Best time of the day: Evening time; it’s the best time to wind down.

One thing I can’t live without: My family

Pets of Choice: Dogs

Movie I watch way too often: It’s a series, but definitely The Office

Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere with a nice beach

Ricky Raymond

Charizard

Favorite Midnight Snack: Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Best Time of Day: Dusk

In my desk drawer, you’d find: Flash drives, pens, and many types of wires and adapters

In my fridge, you’d find: Lots of hot sauces

Movie I watch way too often: Suspiria

Ian Klug

Inferno

Favorite midnight snack: Peanut butter, straight from the jar

Most treasured desk trinket: My rubber duck, Edwin

In my desk drawer, you’d find: A tangled mess of cables

Pets of choice: Dogs

Movie I watch way too often: The original Spider Man trilogy

Luke Morales

Sparky

Most commonly used saying: “…And we’ll go from there.”

Most treasured desk trinket: A Brown Lego horse my late older brother kept after stealing it from me when I was five.

Strangest hobby: I love learning about anything counseling and psychology… something about learning about how people think and reason… it’s fascinating!

Who would play me in the movie of my life: Tom Hanks? A much-subdued Seth Rogan? Somebody everyman-ee. (Note: Not Chris Pratt. I googled Everyman Actors and he came up. Maybe Chris Prat in Parks and Rec… now he’s in everything and it’s just too much.)

Favorite vacation spot: Um, ha, anywhere overnight where my wife and I can get some space from the kiddos 🙂

Emily Daniel

Ash Wood

My Motto: If at first you don’t succeed, call it version 1.0

Shelby Nash

Flare

Hector Romero

Blaze

My motto: Always a student

Favorite midnight snack: Frosted flakes with banana slices

Who or what inspires me: David Goggins

In my fridge, you’d find: Hot sauce!

Favorite vacation spot: Disney Dream Cruise

Sarah Stork

Fire Sign

Favorite midnight snack: Buttered sourdough toast

Who or what inspires me: Stevie Nicks

Best time of day: Happy hour

One thing I can’t live without: My friends

Life theme song: Uncle John’s Band by The Grateful Dead