Brett Young, Founding Partner, Creative Director
Brett discovered at a young age that drawing with crayons on his parents’ walls was fun, and he harnessed those skills into a lifelong love of the arts. A graduate of Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), he has spent the last 18 years developing his vast artistic talent through clients that include lawyers, restaurateurs and film directors. As Creative Director, Brett shows his passion for design by helping to develop and refine the natural talents of our design team members. Brett is an avid runner, golfer and Pearl Jam aficionado, and he longs to one day open a winery next to a golf course … and see the Philadelphia Eagles finally win the Super Bowl.
Kathryn Waters Kiel, Managing Partner
Kathryn is the Managing Partner of Top Shelf Design and serves as the liaison between our clients and the design team. She has a strong track record in making companies successful and a passion for business professionalism. Kathryn joined TSD in 2005 from InterSolutions, Inc., where she served as their Sr. Vice President. She is an alum of James Madison University and is pursuing her MBA at the University of Maryland. She will graduate in December 2008. Kathryn is a big Ohio State Buckeye fan and is currently training for her first triathlon.
Brendan Kiel, Founding Partner
Brendan brings more than eight years of Web design experience to Top Shelf Design, which includes serving as a Web site consultant for development, programming and Internet marketing. He has a particular interest in coordinating Web technology with traditional marketing instruments. Brendan received his M.D. from George Washington University and is a resident physician at Georgetown University Hospital, specializing in anesthesiology. He also holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University and is an avid fan of Ohio State Buckeyes football.
Gena Romano, Lead Designer
Gena comes to Top Shelf Design with a strong background in fine arts, where her technical skills are complimented and enhanced by her artistic capability and design sensibility. Her passion earned her the prestigious national Society for News Design award and the international Malofiej award for a Web site exploring Robinson Crusoe (www.rcrusoe.org). Her extensive background in journalism is enhanced by her familiarity with Latin culture and the Spanish language. As part of an elite team at the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Gena holds a Journalism/Visual Communications and Spanish degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and is Tar Heel blue, through and through.
Greg Benninger, Graphic Designer
Greg traveled from the northwest region of Pennsylvania to join the Top Shelf Design team after graduating from Edinboro University. He brings not only a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts with a Concentration in Graphic Design, but he also possesses a thorough knowledge of typography and the historical design process. He put to use his knowledge of Slavic culture and language during a nine-month study abroad in Lublin, Poland, where he studied printmaking and editorial design. Passionate about both language and music, Greg has one of the most eclectic iTunes collections on Earth, with music ranging from “Britpop” to Russian “Trip Hop.” The next time you speak with Greg, be sure to ask him about the latest additions to his music collection.
Katie Costello, Design Consultant
Katie is a native of St. Louis, and advanced to Top Shelf Design after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Journalism and an emphasis in Public Relations. She serves as a design consultant, guiding communication between the client and the graphic designer. An SEC fan, Katie’s favorite time of the year is Fall, where she may be found tailgating in the Grove at Ole Miss and always supporting the Rebels – Hotty Toddy! She also will step up to the tee, always ready for a round of golf.