SAA College - faculty

Tim Potter

owner
Mr. Potter has forty years of advertising art/college administration experience. He has worked as a graphic designer in art studios, advertising agencies, corporate art departments, and as a director of graphic design at a national publishing company prior to founding the school of advertising art in 1983. He serves as a business consultant to saa. Tim was awarded the Silver Medal [lifetime achievement] from the American Advertising Federation in 2005.

Linda Potter

counselor + accounts payable
Ms. Potter has a Master Degree in Counseling from Wright State University with post-masters course work from the University of Dayton. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with more than twenty-five years of experience in the mental health field, including fifteen years as a supervisor/manager. Linda provides brief professional counseling as requested, and on-site crisis counseling as needed.

Jessica Graves

president + creative director
Ms. Graves is a 1997 graduate from saa, and has 11+ years of experience as an award-winning art director in various agencies in Dayton and Cincinnati. She has been instrumental in creating campaigns for companies such as Anheuser Busch, Duncan Toys Company, Huffy Bikes, Dell, The Iams Company, The Longaberger Company and the school of advertising art. Jessica has been honored with two Gold ADDY/Hermes and three Judge’s Choice Awards by the Greater Dayton Advertising Association. She was awarded a Silver ADDY from the District Five Advertising Federation in 2007. Jessica’s work has also been honored by GD:USA magazine, the American Institute of Graphic Arts [AIGA], the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts [CSCA], Art Center Dayton and the Admissions Marketing Report. Jessica is saa’s president overseeing the admissions process, advertising and the future growth of saa.
[ E-mail Ms. Graves ]

Matt Flick

vice president, creative director + instructor:
Mr. Flick has 13+ years of industry experience as an award-winning art director while working at various advertising agencies in Dayton and Cincinnati. His clients have included Titleist and FootJoy Worldwide, IMG Canada, PGA Tour professional Mike Weir, Pediatrix and others. From 2005–2008 Matt’s work has received over 25 awards by numerous organizations including the Greater Dayton Advertising Federation [GDAA], the District Five Advertising Federation, the American Institute of Graphic Arts [AIGA], the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts [CSCA], Admissions Marketing Report and GD:USA magazine. Matt has been awarded 3 Gold ADDY/Hermes awards by the Greater Dayton Advertising Association and a Silver ADDY from the District Five Advertising Federation. Matt is saa’s vice-president, creative director and instructor, teaching graphic design to both first and second year students.
[ E-mail Mr. Flick ]

Nathan Summers

vice president + director of human resources
Mr. Summers has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Notre Dame. He has held a variety of positions, including a park naturalist, a substitute teacher, and an excavator at an archeological site. Nathan is an saa vice-president. His duties include registrar, office manager and director of human resource.

Michael Bonilla

illustration instructor:
Mr. Bonilla has thirty five years of experience in advertising and fine art. His award-winning paintings are sought after nationally and internationally. During his career, he has received many advertising illustration awards from: New York Art Director’s Club, The Visual Club N.Y., Print Regional Design Annual, Art Director’s Club of Cincinnati, Columbus Society of Communication Arts, Greater Dayton Advertising Association and others. Michael teaches traditional drawing and painting to all first and second year students.
[ E-mail Mr. Bonilla ]

Jonny Butler

instructor
Mr. Butler has nine years of experience in web design and development. He attended Anderson University from 99–01, where he discovered the excitement of web technology. He later attended The Recording Workshop, graduating in the top 10% with High Honors. He recently worked for Clear Channel Online Music & Radio, helping program, maintain, and develop 850+ radio station websites. At Clear Channel he also designed ads and individual web pages for musical artists such as Sting, Radiohead, The Police, Avril Lavigne, Snoop Dog, The White Stripes, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, and more. In the summer of 09' he and wife Shannon an 04' SAA Alumni, launched their design company, RUBYHAUS. He is the CEO // Web Designer-Developer. Visit RUBYHAUS.com. Jonny also is an on call touring guitarist currently playing for Brent Reed, goto brentreedmusic.com. Jonny teaches Web and interactive to all first and second year students.

Perry Edwards

senior computer director + computer graphics instructor:
Mr. Edwards has twenty four years of experience in computer graphics, working as a graphic designer, and providing training in various art studios and Fortune 100 corporations. His current focus is mainly 3D animation and illustration for which he has won nine international awards. Perry teaches advanced computer graphics and computer animation to all second year students and computer illustration to first year students.
[ E-mail Mr. Edwards ]

Laura Halsey

instructor
Ms. Halsey is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Dayton with a BFA in Visual Communication Design. Laura also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Visual Communication from Sinclair Community College. Laura is an award-winning art director and copywriter with 10+ years experience. Currently, she is a successful freelance art director working with both local and national clients. Laura teaches graphic design to first and second year students.

Michelle Moor

graphic design instructor:
Ms. Moor earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Columbus College of Art and Design, where she majored in Advertising Design. Her professional advertising career spans 15+ years, including positions as graphic designer, art director and creative director at various art studios and advertising agencies. She has been awarded numerous national graphic design and marketing awards. Michelle teaches graphic design to all first and second year students.
[ E-mail Ms. Moor ]

Amy Niswonger

instructor
Ms. Niswonger is a graduate of Miami University with a dual degree in both graphic design and marketing. During her professional career she has worked for several international clients including JCPenney, Toys R Us, Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay and Time Warner Cable. Utilizing both her design and marketing background, Amy has won many local design awards including a Gold ADDY/Hermes Award in the Best in Self-Promotion category. Amy teaches graphic design to all first and second year students.

Ricardo Thompson

instructor
Mr. Thompson is a 2004 graduate of the school of advertising art. During his career Ricardo has held several titles including graphic designer, web designer, senior interactive designer, and web manager while working for several clients including Rogers and Andrews Jewelers, Toyota, AT&T, DP&L, Lexis Nexis, and the Victoria Theatre Association. Ricardo has numerous design awards including a District Five GOLD ADDY as a student in the self promotional category. Ricardo teaches Web and Interactive design to both first and second year students.

Scott Gibbs

general education instructor:
Mr. Gibbs received his art education at the Worcester Museum of Fine Arts and served as a studio assistant for five years in both Manhattan and Paris. Scott has pieces featured in the Smithsonian and his awards include two Montgomery County Visual Arts Fellowships in the Master Category, and a residency at the prestigious Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams, Massachusetts, followed by a showing at the First Time Gallery [North Hampton] in October of 2005. Scott teaches GE 102 History of Art to Year 1 students.

Bob Talty

general education instructor
Mr. Talty has 30+ years of marketing and sales experience in the communications industry, holding executive positions in both small businesses and large global corporations. As V.P. of the NEC America Communications Group, Bob has international experience in strategic marketing and creative team leadership. Bob is currently Director of Marketing for Cassano’s Inc. in Dayton, Ohio. Bob teaches GE 103 History of Advertising to first year students and GE 201 Marketing to second year students.

Norm Vallone

general education instructor:
Mr. Vallone attended Syracuse University and has 30+ years of marketing and advertising agency experience. He founded MessageWorks, Inc., a marketing communications consulting firm, in 1993. Norm has worked with such clients as Harley-Davidson, Minolta Copiers, Reynolds & Reynolds and NCR Corporation. Norm teaches GE 201 Marketing and GE 203 Public Speaking to 2nd year students.

Wil Rowland

recruiter
Mr. Rowland graduated from Cecil Community College in Northeast Maryland with three degrees in art: Graphic Design, Drawing/Painting and Ceramics/Sculpture. Wil is an award-winning artist and has done freelance art and illustration for over three years. Wil has had work published by Word Aflame Publications, has created COSI’s mascot design and continues to work as a freelance artist with clients throughout the U.S. Wil is currently a recruiter and loves sharing the world of art with students.

Andrea Renner

recruitment coordinator + recruiter
Ms. Renner is a 2004 graduate of saa, and has 2 years of working experience as a senior computer graphics artist for The Berry Company located in Dayton, Ohio. Andrea is currently servng as both recruitment coordinator and as a recruiter for  saa. She also works as a freelance designer with regional clients to create print advertising.

Tamara Arment

director of financial aid
Ms. Arment has 20+ years of financial aid experience from four different colleges. She holds an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Data Processing Technology from Somerset Community College, a Bachelor Degree in General Studies and a Master Degree in Public Policy and Administration, both from Indiana University at South Bend. Tamara manages all aspects of the financial aid process and administers all student accounts.

Tracy Gardner

admissions + financial aid representative
Ms. Gardner has 15+ years experience in higher education. Throughout her career she has worked in Career Services, Recruiting and Financial Aid. In addition to being a Financial Aid Representative, she also coordinates student activities, serves as an advisor to the student senate and interviews potential students for admission.

Joanie Spain

director of public relations + career services
Ms. Spain holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Antioch University, McGregor. She networks extensively with graphic design professionals and professional associations listening for what they need, and exploring ways saa can meet those needs. Joanie also spends time getting to know saa students individually—their talents, strengths, personalities, and goals. Then she helps to connect the industry’s needs to the students’ talents.

Abbie Heaney

admissions assistant
Ms. Heaney worked in the travel industry for 20+ years. Abbie processes admission applications and enrollments and helps with other office duties. She enjoys being a part of the admissions team and working with staff and students.

Rachel Summers

admissions assistant
Ms. Summers has 10+ years experience in financial aid administration, office management and legal assistance. She has held a variety of positions at saa, and currently works as an admissions assistant. Rachel enters student contact information into the admissions database.

Karen Walker

admissions assistant
Ms. Walker is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. She has been teaching in the Dayton area for 15 years and has lived in Kettering, Ohio her entire life. Ms. Walker calls prospective students and schedules interviews with the Admissions Team. Karen loves to see the beautiful artwork and talk with the prospective students about their future goals and dreams.

Craig Patrick

IT administrator
Mr. Patrick’s career spans thirty+ years in the graphic arts industry with responsibilities ranging from customer service manager to Vice President of the largest typographer in Cincinnati. Ten years ago Craig started his own IT business targeting the educational and graphic art industry. Craig is responsible for all IT functions and system maintenance at the school and also spends time with  the students resolving hardware and software issues.

John Morris

maintenance supervisor
Mr. Morris’ career spans fifty years, with corporate positions of responsibility in the areas of sales, admissions and marketing. In recent years, he has run his own company cleaning and maintaining businesses and properties. John is responsible for the maintenance, cleaning and overall upkeep of the building as well as the property of saa.

Sally Athmer

librarian
Ms. Athmer has a Bachelor of English degree from Bowling Green State University. She has experience in both public school and college libraries. She worked in the educational publishing field for over ten years as an editor, and has experience in technical writing and newsmagazine publishing. Sally is the saa librarian and also assists staff and students with research, editing, and proofreading.

about saa

faculty