John Lee

Account Executive

John is the latest account coordinator to join the Third Rail Creative team. As a native Texan, he graduated with a marketing degree from Texas State University and interned at various agencies in Austin. Home must really be where the heart is, because he decided that he wasn’t ready to let go of his Austinite title. When he’s not working, you’ll find him sewing clothes, catching some live music shows or chomping on some local bites.

Abbey Dandy

Interactive Designer

We’re excited to welcome Abbey and her passion for web design and typography to our creative team as our new Interactive Designer. Drawing inspiration from contemporary and classic fashion and graphic design, she has always used art to express herself. Outside of designing, you can catch her riding her bike, collaging, and relaxing with family and friends.

Lauren Busche

Account Executive

Lauren is a University of Texas Alumni with a passion for advertising. After four years in Washington DC, Lauren made her way back to her hometown of Austin, Texas and couldn’t be happier to join the Third Rail team as an Account Executive.

In her free time you can find Lauren swimming or breaking in her hiking boots, curating a playlist for every occasion or planning an elaborately themed dinner party.

Gabi Ficano

Jr. UX/UI Designer

Gabi is a New York native who studied graphic design at The College of Saint Rose. Upon graduating, she worked with startup companies and local creative agencies in Albany, New York.

Gabi now joins the 3RC team as a UX/UI designer. When she's not creating for clients, you can find Gabi swimming or planning her next hiking adventure.

Irene Monokandilos

Content Strategist

Irene is a Content Strategist from the publishing and online media worlds. She’s worked with both global and local brands to cultivate growth for companies and superior experiences for consumers. Irene is currently based in Austin, TX, where she lives with her Sterling bass guitar and a collection of leather jackets that would make Billy Idol jealous.

Ally Wheeler

UX Designer

Ally graduated from UT Austin with a BA in Rhetoric and Creative Writing. She started her UX career as a content designer at PayPal where she created strategies, content, and design for their Checkout experience.

Outside of work, you can find Ally exploring coffee shops, seeing live music all over Austin, or playing with her English Bulldog. She also enjoys thrifting and playing pool.

Nguyen Pham

Design Lead

Nguyen is a multi-disciplinary designer with a focus in print design and production. Her experience working with various print and design software enables her to work behind-the-scenes to ensure all files are ready for the next stage.

Outside of the office, Nguyen enjoys finding the best karaoke places to belt out some classics, going to local breweries and shows, and embroidering on a quiet evening.

JJ Livesley

Head of Design & Interactive

JJ joined Third Rail with over 12 years of experience in the design industry. He supervised a team of 12 designers as Art Director at the largest publishing company in Europe and since moving to Austin, has worked for countless local and national clients.

When he is not in front of his computer, you can usually find him relaxing with his lovely wife and black pug, playing video games or watching movies with a good stout or scotch.

Matthew Brunicardi

Account Coordinator

Matthew is a Texas native and University of Texas alumnus joining Third Rail Creative as an Account Coordinator. After spending several years working in the corporate sector for luxury fashion brands, including Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors in New York City, he returned to his home state to attend grad school. He received his M.A. in Advertising and Public Relations.

In his free time, you can find Matthew traveling the world or planning his next adventure abroad. He also enjoys playing video games, attending music festivals, cheering on the Texas Longhorns and Austin FC, and cuddling with his dog, Tina, and two cats, Momo and Aslan.

Cara Clear

Group Account Director

Cara is a University of Texas at Austin alum with over 7 years of experience in advertising and public relations. She started her career as Publicist at the Frank Erwin Center, then switched gears after 2 years to advertising as an Account Executive at a local agency.

Born and raised in Austin, Cara is a fan of all things Longhorns (Hook 'em!). She also enjoys playing golf, watching movies, going to open houses, board games, and of course, playing with her adorable son, Liam.

Mark Scholes

Partner + Executive Creative Director

After graduating from the University of Texas, Mark started at The Richards Group working on national accounts including The Home Depot and Chick-fil-A. Moving back to Austin to be with his soon-to-be wife, he started Third Rail Creative building relationships with local clients as well as a few Fortune 500 clients.

Mark and his wife, Anissa, have 4 children, and when he’s not stepping on Legos, you can find him on the tennis court, golf course, or with Anissa at the Paramount Movie Theater watching the classics.

Chris Sandoval

Associate Creative Director

Chris has spent the last three years of his decade-long career crafting copy at Third Rail. From emails to websites to employee bios, he does it all.

When he’s not writing for work, he’s writing for pleasure. He also enjoys swimming and biking in the great outdoors as well as drumming and watching movies in the great indoors.

Hanna Holt

Jr. Production Designer

Hanna is a graphic designer with a background in fine art and illustration. As a native Austinite, she graduated from Austin Community College and has experience working as a freelance designer for local musicians.

She enjoys trying out new crafts, hobbies, listening to local bands, and hanging out with her cat in her free time.

Jill Bailey

Account Executive

Jill's experience is diverse and unique, and she brings humor and hard work to all of her projects. Jill loves process, documentation, and over-communication, making her an asset to the team. Ask her about her expansive knowledge of one of America's favorite fast-food restaurants if you're interested.

After hours, Jill likes to bake, explore Austin, and spend time with her fiancé. She's always ready to watch a movie, especially if you don't mind her running commentary on every scene, actor, and plot.

Annie Blalock

Account Coordinator

Annie joins the Third Rail Creative team as one of our new Account Coordinators. Born and Raised in Nashville, TN, she moved to Austin, TX from Oxford, MS where she attended The University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) While in Oxford, Annie earned her B.B.A. in Marketing and is currently finishing up her M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications. In her free time, you can find Annie adding to her garden, paddle boarding on Lady Bird, trying out new restaurants, and going on walks with her dog, Bella.

Desiray Davis

Account Executive

Desiray is our Account Service intern in her second year of grad school at the University of Texas at Austin, Stan Richards School of Advertising and PR. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Advertising focusing on Account Planning and Media Insights. When she is not discovering consumer insights, you can find her yelling "Texas! Fight!" at UT football, volleyball, and basketball games. Hook'em!

Marissa Chumbley

Sr. Account Executive

Marissa has been with the Third Rail team for the last two years on the account management side. She primarily focuses on managing Schwab Trading Services client marketing, Schwab Retail and optionsXpress. After receiving her MA in Advertising, she spent time at a local ad shop honing her digital marketing skills focusing on email, web, and social channels.

In her spare time, Marissa enjoys being outdoors on the trail or at the lake with her husband and two pups, Ava and Max. She loves traveling, concerts and a good cocktail. You’ll also find her cheering throughout the season for the Cowboys, Spurs and her alma mater, the Longhorns.

Laurel Martin

Account Executive

Laurel joins the 3RC team as our new Account Coordinator. Hailing from the Windy City, she moved to Austin in search of warmer weather and weekend hikes. After getting her undergraduate degree in Advertising from the University of Oregon, she made her way back to Chicago and spent the beginning of her career as an Account Management Intern. Now, she’s looking forward to finding the best breakfast taco, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, and getting comfortable saying “y’all” in conversation.

Harry Manning

Senior Motion Designer

Joining the Third Rail Creative team as our Senior Motion Designer, Harry is an all-around creative who specializes in video and motion graphics. Originally an East Coast native, he’s living life frame by frame in the sunny mountains of Boulder, Colorado where you’ll find him skiing, playing guitar, and illustrating.

Holden Christiansen

Lead Developer

Holden joined the Third Rail team as Sr. Developer. With more than 7 years dedicated to front end web development, he has a diverse array of experience building mobile apps and websites for Fortune 500 companies including AGCO, Cox Media Group, and Walgreens.

In his spare time, Holden enjoys traveling and being active by biking, running, or hiking. You’ll also find him at home with his husband and two adorable cats.

Mariana Rodriguez

Design Lead

Mariana graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Advertising Design and a minor in Photography. She started her career at a design shop in California where she did everything from print to social media projects. She is an amazing designer and a bright personality to add to the Third Rail team.

Mariana enjoys being active by attending fitness classes and taking long walks with her husband and rescue dog. She likes outdoor activities like hiking, paddle boarding and landscape photography.

Jessica Hooper

Copywriter

Jess is a writer, storyteller, and creative wordsmith with nearly a decade of experience in marketing. She has a unique perspective gained from diverse backgrounds, including welding, fashion, hospitality, and advertising.

When she's not writing copy for clients, she's crafting non-fiction blogs and memoirs. Outside of the office, you can catch her riding her bicycle through the city and searching for the next winery with friends.

High-voltage creativity with purpose.

Our People

The Agency

Bryan Branam

Dani Broadwater

Kristi Helm

John Lee

Abbey Dandy

Lauren Busche

Gabi Ficano

Irene Monokandilos

Ally Wheeler

Nguyen Pham

JJ Livesley

Matthew Brunicardi

Cara Clear

Mark Scholes

Chris Sandoval

Hanna Holt

Jill Bailey

Annie Blalock

Desiray Davis

Marissa Chumbley

Laurel Martin

Harry Manning

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Jessica Hooper

We’re looking to add to our growing team.
Check out our open positions.

High-voltage creativity with purpose.

Our People

The Agency

Bryan Branam

Dani Broadwater

Kristi Helm

John Lee

Abbey Dandy

Lauren Busche

Gabi Ficano

Irene Monokandilos

Ally Wheeler

Nguyen Pham

JJ Livesley

Matthew Brunicardi

Cara Clear

Mark Scholes

Chris Sandoval

Hanna Holt

Jill Bailey

Annie Blalock

Desiray Davis

Marissa Chumbley

Laurel Martin

Harry Manning

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Jessica Hooper

We’re looking to add to our growing team. Check out our open positions.

Bryan Branam

Dani Broadwater

Kristi Helm

John Lee

Abbey Dandy

Lauren Busche

Gabi Ficano

Irene Monokandilos

Ally Wheeler

Nguyen Pham

JJ Livesley

Matthew Brunicardi

Cara Clear

Mark Scholes

Chris Sandoval

Hanna Holt

Jill Bailey

Annie Blalock

Desiray Davis

Marissa Chumbley

Laurel Martin

Harry Manning

Holden Christiansen

Mariana Rodriguez

Jessica Hooper

We’re looking to add to our growing team.
Check out our open positions.