Mike Lepis

Creative Director/Principal

Mike was born on the East Coast and has spent almost equal time in the North, South and Pacific Northwest. His education started with a short stint in Catholic school and continued at University of Georgia, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Northwest Film Center and a few swift water rescue clinics. He has also studied Spanish in Costa Rica and Argentina.

Mike’s professional career began at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and continued to Nike, and then to Sony, back to Nike and then out on his own. Along the way he picked up the event, retail, digital marketing, communications and carnival barker skills that drive Vignette Brand Communications.

Since You Asked

What’s your story?

I am a middle child born on the east coast with a love for cold weather, cold cuts, and cold beer. I grew up fishing, playing soccer, engrossed in video games and talking a lot. One of my earliest memories is of my father at a company picnic handing out peanuts in a Mr. Peanut costume (his company owned Planter’s). My father was a corporate purchasing manager and we had a lot of branded products and communications around the house. This early exposure to brands and my experience at a couple of large multi-national companies turned into an appreciation for brand design and thoughtful employee communications.

Have you ever kicked a vending machine?

I do not believe in resorting to violence to answer my snacking fix. I have pushed a few Canadian coins through the coin slot, though.

What are three interesting things about you?

1. I’m one half Peruvian.
2. I’ve been to every state in the US minus two (Alaska & North Dakota).
3. The one thing I’m most proud of is creating jobs that support and attract amazing and talented people.