Jason Combs
"Where some companies shy away from tough jobs, we embrace them. And once my team and I take hold of a production challenge, we don’t let go until it’s strategically sound and seamlessly executed. One of the highest compliments I’ve ever been paid is that I’m a Pit Bull with a servant’s heart."
Jason Combs
Founder & President
In 1989, at the age of 19, Jason was working with a large insurance company doing telemarketing, list and DM production work. A couple of the agents were so impressed with him they suggested he start his own business. At their prompting, Jason wrote up a business plan, brought in some equipment and set up shop in his parents' 400-sq. ft. garage.
Over the years, his reputation spread and his business grew. In 1997, Strategic Marketing and Mailing acquired a big new client- a division of Saturday Evening Post— and like many of its clients, they are still with SM&M. Today, the company has evolved into a leading-edge direct mail and lettershop production house in an 80,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility.
SM&M continues to raise the bar, surprising, delighting and exceeding the expectations of regional and national clients. Jason considers himself to be a life-long learner. When it comes to serving his clients and doing what's right, he is a self-proclaimed, 'Bulldog with a servant's heart.'
Teri Roberts
"The best part of the job? When a client comes back and says, 'We want to do this again. I can trust you'. They know we'll do it right and take care of them. It's about trust."
Teri Roberts
Operations Support Manager
Talk about well rounded! Teri brings 20+ years of experience to Strategic Marketing and Mailing. She first put her degree in Visual Arts to work as a Graphic Designer then worked her way through direct marketing companies as a Print Buyer, Manager of IT services for account management, to managing client services . And she's also been on the client side. So Teri brings a unique perspective to SM&M. From design to production, to technology, to account management. Plus that ability to relate to the challenges the client faces in direct marketing and direct mail production.
Teri was originally a client of SM&M. She had come to them initially to help solve a production problem that SM&M was uniquely able to crack. When her husband relocated to the Champaign/Urbana area, it was perfect timing to join SM&M to head up the Account Management team.
Now she brings all that experience—plus a high level of energy—to SM&M. She's responsible for training as well as managing the fine team that handles all the clients and their production. And she puts her account managers through their paces. Each of her team spends time in every department and gets hands-on experience in data processing, on the production floor, with the postal products group, the marketing team, with the estimating group. "This hands-on experience makes them much better account managers, " Teri explains. "They not only understand how everything fits together—they gain ways to help clients solve problems since they’ve been in the trenches."
"I'm part mentor, Mom, cheerleader, idea-person, problem-solver. And I love that role. I know it sounds trite, but it's the people that make Strategic Marketing and Mailing shine. I've been in huge corporations where you're often just a number. We're more of a family. Everyone will drop what they are doing to help another," Teri says.
Doug Brady
"We’re a company that keeps its promises."
Doug Brady
Vice President, Operations
Direct Mail is in Doug’s blood. He began working his way through college with a part time job with a printing company. Not too long after he went full time and never looked back. Once he had the experience, he founded and ran his own printing company, Northstar Direct, in New Hampshire and they partnered with a lettershop to provide end-to-end solutions for their clients.
Family matters brought him back to Illinois to take care of the family farm a few years later. He loved coming home and being a “gentleman farmer”. But he couldn’t get direct mail out of his system. He missed the deadlines, the challenges the demands. When his wife saw an ad for a print buyer in the local paper, he landed on Strategic Marketing and Mailing’s doorstep with a resume and close to 20 years' experience.
He didn’t get the print-buying job. Instead, they created a position for him and he quickly moved up to Vice President, Operations. Now he’s responsible for production, transportation and logistics, postal affairs, scheduling, print acquisition and estimating.
What’s the secret to success when your plate is that full? "Surrounding yourself with great people, "Doug says. "With great people, high tech equipment and training, we’ve managed to improve our efficiency, our productivity and the quality of our workdays, as well," Doug adds.
He's even had his production operators factory-trained and certified to maintain and repair their own equipment. Now they "take ownership" of their equipment. "It's their baby. We have better maintenance, less cost, less down time, and higher efficiency. We keep our rhythm going."
Strategic gives people the power and the tools to do what needs to be done. And to do the right thing.
What makes us so different? "We’re a company that keeps its promises. We do what we say we're going to do. And we solve problems."
Jeff Combs
"Our goal is not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them."
Jeff Combs
Chief Operating Officer
Direct marketing is in Jeff’s blood. Jeff, brother Jason, and their father began humbly in the family garage when the brothers were just teenagers. Now, 20 years later, Jeff is delighted to return and lead the operations side of the business. "I’ve watched this company grow, prosper and serve our clients for two decades. Now I get to help shape it for the next decade of growth."
Jeff returns to SM&M with 15 strong years of finance, operations and management experience. During that time, he helped lead one of the fastest growing packaged foods manufacturers in the U.S. to an astounding $130 million increase in annual sales. . Jeff knows SM&M is poised for exponential growth as well.
"The people, their commitment, our focus on solving problems and tackling the toughest jobs around---that foundation is solid here. I learned quickly that my strength is in identifying talent in others and fostering, empowering people to excel." "Bring on the challenges", he adds. "With this combination of talent, creativity, brains and brawn, we’re ready!"
