Blog : Meet The New Team Members

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Spotlight Media is constantly growing and changing. As we’re sad to see team members go, we’re always excited to announce our newest hires. Since all our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, each member offers unique skills that help the Spotlight Media team become even stronger and more well-rounded.

Meet our new senior sales executive, Ryan Courneya, and learn what makes him a perfect fit for our company.

“I received my degree in mass communications and public relations from MSUM. Through my professional journey after graduation, I’ve had the privilege to work for the Boy Scouts of America primarily in fundraising and recruiting, Newman Signs, managing and working in the advertising field with outdoor and then I had a short run working at Sanford in the marketing department and had the honor of helping with the opening of the new medical center. All of these places have given me valuable skills and insight to bring my expertise and knowledge to this amazing team at Spotlight Media.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“I have been following the success and work that has been done at Spotlight Media for several years now and have always been so impressed with the quality of the content and the dedication that I’ve seen from this company. I loved what the company stood for in trying to unveil all the good that is in the Fargo-Moorhead area. After trying out the several places I had worked, I got a sense of what I liked from each place and Spotlight Media seemed to fill the criteria of what I was looking for. The energy, passion and vision of the company really motivated me to learn more and want to be a part of an innovative and creative team.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“I’m an outdoorsy person but also appreciate style and class and being enriched in the city culture. I like to network and know a lot about Fargo and be sort of an expert on the area. I also like to hunt, camp and fish. Growing up in a small town in Minnesota, it almost came standard—plus I’m an Eagle Scout. I also enjoy going to the Family Wellness and being health conscious and focused on my well being.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“My favorite book as a kid was ‘Hatchet,’ now I mostly read motivational books.”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“Last December, I had to have shoulder surgery because I tore something in my shoulder while playing a game of kickball for the Fargo Parks league. Happy to say, my team, ‘The Average Toes,’ won the championship game. Sadly, it probably wasn’t because of my awkward throw.”

What’s the most useless talent you have?
“I don’t know if it’s a talent but I do use it to freak people out sometimes, I can hyperextend my left elbow because I broke it in the 3rd grade.”

What’s a ridiculous fact you know?
“All the water in Lake Superior would cover North and South America in one foot of water.”

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Spotlight Media is constantly growing and changing. As we’re sad to see team members leave, we’re always excited to announce our newest hires. Since all our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, each member offers unique skills that help the Spotlight Media team become even stronger and more well-rounded.

Meet our two new sales executives and learn what makes them a perfect fit for our company.

“I lived in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, until I was eight and then moved to a little lake just outside of Frazee, Minnesota, where I graduated from high school. I went to NDSU after high school and took the long route by quitting and I headed to Portland, Oregon, for a couple of years until I decided to come back and finish school. Since then I’ve sold books, Red Bull, supervised three departments at a hospital, and worked for a while as an environmental consultant. I also managed to get married about 10 years ago to an amazing woman and we have two awesome sons and more pets than I care to list.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“I’ve been in Fargo for most of the last two decades and I really wanted to be more involved in all of the positive change and growth that I’ve seen over time in the Fargo-Moorhead area. I think that Spotlight Media has been a big part of that and I wanted an opportunity to be more involved in the community with a fun company that supports it.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“I like to run, read, write, take pictures, golf, play guitar and quite a few other things. I’m pretty passionate about good food and beer, too. I also try to spend as much time with my family and friends and include them in the things I like to do as much as possible.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“I have always said that I don’t have favorites, but ‘Under the Volcano’ is up there as far as books go. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“I’m terrified of public speaking.”

What’s the most useless talent you have?
“Self-deprecation, it’s literally useless to everyone, but I’m really good at it.”

“I was born and raised in Hot Springs, South Dakota, where I also graduated high school in 2001. I attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology until 2004, where I studied history. I moved to Moorhead that same year and transferred to MSUM where I continued to study history. I have done a little bit of everything for jobs. I have been a radio DJ and a barista. I have sold leather coats, eyeglasses and cell phones. I even owned a liquor store for 2 years. My last job was as an inventory buyer for Cellular Communications.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“I was drawn to Spotlight Media because of how well it represents the community and how well respected it is everywhere I go. Owner Mike Dragosavich has done an excellent job of building a publication model that appeals to many types of people. The content of the different magazines is always relevant and interesting, and the photography is always stunning.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“My hobbies include anything music! I love live music—especially going to rock shows. I listen to everything, from bluegrass to hard rock and country to EDM. I love music.

“I also love to tinker, whether it’s building something with wood or tearing apart and repairing a cell phone or fixing something on my vehicle. I’m in the process of establishing a wood shop in my garage in my backyard. I’d love someday to build furniture and other wood products as gifts for friends and family.

“My girlfriend and I just got a pug named Bosco in June. He takes up a lot of our time now so lately I’ve been learning more about dogs. I would love to start volunteering in my time at a local shelter or vet clinic.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“My favorite book is one called ‘Villains by Necessity’ by Eve Forward. It’s a non-traditional story where the bad guys are the good guys. It’s a fun story that makes you consider a different point of view. I recommend it to everyone.

“I have two favorite movies. The first one is ‘Fight Club’ and I love it because it makes you think. You never really have the story figured out, even after the credits roll. The second one is ‘A Goofy Movie’ because how does everyone not love that movie?”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.

• “I flew on my first airplane at the age of four but didn’t see an ocean until I was 27.”
• “I have never set foot outside of the US, although I was once on a boat that stopped in Canada. I never left the boat.”
• “My biggest fear is large things falling on me. I hate driving under trains or having planes fly directly over me.”
• “I absolutely love black jelly beans.”
• “Lastly, if I were not in sales, my dream job would be a stand-up comedian.”

What’s the most useless talent you have?
“My most useless talent is also the one that has won me the freest drinks. I’m an absolute trivia nerd. I can remember dates, names, facts and tons of useless knowledge, but I struggle to remember what to buy at the grocery store. I love watching Jeopardy and the looks I get when spewing out the answers to the questions. Maybe someday I’ll make it on to the show.”

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Spotlight Media is constantly growing and changing. As we’re sad to see team members leave, we’re always excited to announce our newest hires. Since all our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, each member offers unique skills that help the Spotlight Media team become even stronger and more well-rounded.

Meet our new office assistant and learn what makes them a perfect fit for our company.

“I grew up in a small Minnesotan town called Le Sueur. Fun fact: It’s the home of the Jolly Green Giant and where Dr. William Mayo began his practice before founding the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I moved to Moorhead in the summer of 2009 to attend MSUM, fell in love with the area and have been a Fargo-Moorhead resident ever since.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“I love to go horseback riding and used to compete in barrel racing events. I enjoy biking, reading, spending time on the lake and mostly just being with family and friends!”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“Favorite books would be ‘The Lovely Bones,’ ‘The Kite Runner,’ the Harry Potter series and anything by Jodi Picoult.”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“I’m legally blind in both eyes and literally cannot function without my glasses or contacts.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“I was looking for a new job and stumbled upon Spotlight Media. I did some research and it seemed like such a cool place to work and a place where I could learn so many new and interesting things about the industry.”

What are you looking forward to the most with your new position?
“I can’t wait to see firsthand exactly what goes into each step of the editorial process and what it all takes to publish a magazine.”

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Spotlight Media for a day, whose job would you want? Why?
“I would say photographer Hillary because photography has always fascinated me.”

Last question, most important, if Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? Why?
“Emma Stone! She seems like the most fun loving and laid back actress out there.”

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Spotlight Media is constantly growing and changing. As we’re sad to see team members leave, we’re always excited to announce our newest hires. Since all our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, each member offers unique skills that help the Spotlight Media team become even stronger and more well-rounded.

Meet our two new senior sales executives and learn what makes them a perfect fit for our company.

“I am from Grand Forks, North Dakota, and went to school there from kindergarten through college at UND and graduated with a major in marketing and minor in management. I then worked in pharmaceutical sales for 15 years.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“My kid’s sports and Bison athletics, as I married a former Bison football player and coach. I love to watch BRAVO and all the reality shows it airs. Also, I work out at OrangeTheory Fitness — actually worked there before here for 3 months.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“Favorite movie is “Pretty Woman” — I could it watch a million times. Books: I could read anything by David Grisham.

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“I was Miss ND USA long ago and was on TV with Dick Clark and Daisy Fuentes.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“Sales position that I know I will love as I read every magazine we print and have for many years. Also NO TRAVEL! In my previous pharma jobs, I was all over three states. I love the culture and people who work here as well.”

What are you looking forward to the most with your new position?
“Adding AWESOME ads to the magazines and getting revenue up. Also, making new friends and team members.”

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Spotlight Media for a day, whose job would you want? Why?
“Mike, so I could understand all the stress he goes through each day running a company he started at a young age and is now thriving.”

Last question, most important, if Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? Why?
“Jenna Dewan. I love her acting and she is a dancer as I was for about 20 years. And her body is rockin’ — way better than mine!”

“Oh gosh, well, originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Born and raised. Then went to Weber State University as a communications major. Life took a major change when I took a job at a record label. The label decided to move and we all caravanned from SLC to Brooklyn, New York City. 13 of us moved. From there, things got a little wild. I tour managed for several bands, traveled all over the country. Then got into events and marketing for an advertising agency, so more traveling the country. Along the way, I found Fargo, immediately saw and felt the magic. So here I am.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“I have become a huge fan of gardening and growing things. I’ve also been skateboarding a good 20 years now. Been working on paddle boarding. I really enjoy learning about ancient civilizations and general weirdness. Oh, and jokes. I like jokes.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
Book: “Right now, the book ‘Ready Player One.’ It’s great.”
Movie: “The Big Lebowski”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“I did several online commercials for Axe hair products.”

What originally drew you to Spotlight Media?
“The good folks over at Preferred pointed me here. I met with them, shared my story and they felt it was a good fit and here I am.”

What are you looking forward to the most with your new position?
“I’m looking forward to learning how a business operates from an internal perspective and how to account for it. Oh, and making new relationships.”

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Spotlight Media for a day, whose job would you want? Why?
“Probably Andrew Jason, so I could get a feel for all the parts of the organization for a day.”

Last question, most important, if Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? Why?
“Probably Neil Patrick Harris. Everyone tells me I look him anyway, so it would make for an easy cast.”

Photos by Paul Flessland

Spotlight Media is constantly growing and changing. As we’re sad to see team members leave, we’re always excited to announce our newest hires. Since all our employees come from a wide range of backgrounds, each member offers unique skills that help the Spotlight Media team become even stronger and more well-rounded.

Meet our photographer and learn what makes her a perfect fit for our company.

“I’m from West Fargo, North Dakota, and attended NDSU for visual arts with an emphasis in photography. Previous to Spotlight Media, I worked for Vanity, Inc. as a product photographer and also own a freelance photography business.”

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
“I love any type of concert or live music, traveling whenever I can, drawing, watching dance, and attempting to garden.”

What’s your favorite book and/or movie?
“My favorite book is ‘The Secret Life of Bees.'”

Share something about yourself that would surprise us.
“I’m super competitive and I’m allergic to basically everything.”

What drew you to Spotlight Media originally?
“The company culture! I had a few friends who worked here and it seemed like they were always having fun and genuinely loved their jobs.”

What are you looking forward to the most with your new position?
“The opportunity to photograph such a wide variety of subjects. Being a photographer is really fun because sometimes having a camera around your neck gives you an automatic backstage pass to places and events you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see or attend. I’m excited to see what kind of cool situations I can get myself into.”

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Spotlight Media for a day, whose job would you want? Why?
“I’d keep my own because it’s the coolest.”

Last question, most important, if Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? Why?
“Jake Johnson (aka Nick Miller from New Girl). He’s a guy but I’m convinced we are the same person.”

Check out Hillary Ehlen’s photography at hillaryehlen.com.