Mspark Leadership
Our leadership team works tirelessly to always find new and creative solutions for our clients.
Mspark Leadership
Our vision is to be the leading print distribution company delivering results by connecting businesses to consumers in Rural America.
Steve Mitzel
Steve Mitzel
Chief Executive Officer
Responsibilities– Steve is Chief Executive Officer of Mspark, leading and developing the overall long-term goals Mspark has set forth.
Background– Steve has been with Mspark since September of 2015. Prior to joining Mspark, he was President of C Street Solutions, a consulting firm that he founded in 2014. Before that, he worked 14 years at Valassis Communications in various executive-level roles of increasing responsibility culminating in General Manager/Senior Vice President – Shared Mail. In this position, he had P&L responsibility for a $1.4 billion direct mail division that contributed 90% of profit and 65% of revenue for the entire company. Earlier in his career, he served in finance and accounting roles at Dynamis Solutions, SmithGroup, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Education– Holds both an MBA and bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In His Words– “The direct mail and the shared mail industry are experiencing some exciting changes, and we are seeing a lot of innovation within the space – from more personalization, to increased frequency, to more sophisticated targeting. Direct mail continues to be a high-response medium and works better than any other print media. We are consistently executing upon our vision to delight our customers, optimize operations, and deliver cost savings to back to our clients. The mailbox has never been more powerful with over 92% of households interacting over eight minutes a day sorting and scanning their mail. Through acquisitions, innovation and working with our customers we believe that our continued efforts to be better, faster, and more efficient will continue to grow the relevancy of our products.”
Outside Mspark– Steve is a passionate crusader in the fight against cancer and has made it his philanthropic mission to do everything humanly possible to help end it. Steve is dedicated to fundraising for various cancer organizations through his marathons and half marathons. He supports organizations that not only provide research, but provide support to families and patients. He serves on the board of the Dear Jack Foundation and is proud to support Andrew McMahon’s mission to help the underserved adolescent and young adult cancer community. When he is not working, spending time with his family, or crusading against cancer, he has taken up the joy of surfing!
Lori Sigler
Responsibilities– Lori is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Mspark, and is a key member of Mspark’s executive team, responsible for leading strategic growth, financial initiatives, and information technology, as well as all aspects of the Company’s manufacturing, print and paper organization.
Background– Lori joined us in January of 2013 and previously held the positions of chief financial officer, vice president financial planning and analysis, as well as corporate controller during her tenure at Mspark. Prior to Mspark, Lori held various positions of increasing responsibility in her field most recently serving as Controller at Atherotech, Inc., a private, equity-backed company headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
Education– Cum laude graduate of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., where she earned both a Master of Accounting degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting.
In Her Words–“The mission of most accounting and finance departments is to manage and accurately report the financial position of the Company. This is part of our everyday culture. We make sure that the numbers reported are accurate and timely and that we stay on top of the latest accounting guidance, but there are other important factors that contribute to a successful accounting and finance team. Our team strives to be a strategic partner to the Company. We assist in developing and executing strategies that are meant to grow our business and drive profitability. Lastly, we have an accounting and finance team that is driven, collaborative and fun! We work hard, and we play hard. We spend many hours with our “work” family, so it is great that we can have a laugh and enjoy time together. It creates an environment where people want to go above and beyond.”
Outside Mspark –Lori enjoys going to Lake Martin with her husband, kids, and Weimaraner. She calls it her “happy place” and is instantly relaxed when they pull in the driveway. She and her family love riding on their boat, jet-skiing, and tubing. You will find them at Chuckwalla’s Pizza almost every Saturday on Lake Martin during the spring and summer. When fall rolls around, they spend most every weekend going to Georgia Southern football games.
Mike Kowalczyk
Responsibilities – Mike is Senior Vice President of National Sales and is responsible for leadership of our National Sales Division and the respective teams within it as they partner with both prospects and clients to exceed their expectations and craft winning marketing solutions through Mspark’s portfolio.
Background – Mike joined Mspark in May 2015 as Vice President of National Sales and has consistently led his team to achieve growth and quota. Mike has over 30 years of sales and sales leadership experience in the direct mail and digital media spaces, including executive-level roles with Pro-Motion Technology Group, Valassis and American Greetings.
Education – Mike holds a Bachelor’s Degrees from Southern Connecticut State University and an MBA from UCONN.
Tom Caprio
Responsibilities – Tom is Senior Vice President of Local Sales and Sales Enablement with responsibility for the development of the company’s local and national sales organization, and successful execution of the company’s local sales strategies. He leads the local sales, virtual sales and sales enablement teams.
Background – Tom joined Mspark in January 2014 as Director, Corporate Sales Development and has held several positions of increasing responsibility in sales leadership and development during his tenure at Mspark.
Tom has more than 30 years of experience in sales management, sales development, and marketing and has held a variety of senior-level positions in the direct mail and digital media spaces, including roles with Cox Target Media/Valpak, Newark Electronics, and First Class Marketing. He was the former CEO/Owner for 12 years of Meyer Associates, a 450-person B2B direct marketing advertising agency specializing in customer contact centers, digital media and direct mail.
Anna Marie Chapman
Responsibilities– Anna Marie serves as our Senior Vice President of Human Resources and is responsible for leading and developing Mspark’s strategic Human Resources initiatives. She brings to Mspark over 25 years of progressive human resources experience, strategic HR planning, talent acquisition, talent development, compensation, benefits, and safety and risk management.
Background– Anna Marie joined Mspark in March 2017 at Vice President of Human Resources and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources in March 2020.
Prior to joining Mspark, she served as Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Administration at The McPherson Companies. She also held senior-level human resources roles with Saks, Inc., and Mercantile Stores Company.
Education– Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
In Her Words– “The role of Human Resources (HR) has historically been the paper pusher, party planner, and benefits administrator because hiring employees, paying employees and dealing with benefits were the first needs of a Personnel Department. Things have certainly changed in my years. HR has evolved into a critical strategic business partner and change champion for companies. Our role today is leading the strategic utilization of employees to serve our business goals. We have to think like business people, know finance/accounting and be accountable and responsible for budget management and the measurement of all HR programs and processes. To keep your seat at the table you have to prove that you are business savvy and contribute at a high level. Here at Mspark, we are most fortunate to have a CEO like Steve Mitzel who values HR and our partnership! Because of our culture and executive leadership, I can truly say that Mspark has been the best place I have worked (and the most fun!).”
Outside Mspark– Anna Marie is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Birmingham Society for Human Resources Management (BSHRM). She also serves as the Director of the Helena Belles, a service organization that helps young women get involved in the local community. She enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her favorite SEC team – THE Alabama Crimson Tide. She and her husband have 2 children and have been long-time residents of Birmingham.
Brian Blackman
Responsibilities – Brian serves as Vice President of Account Services and Creative Services. His responsibilities include leading and developing Account Services and our award-winning Creative Services team. His focus is on innovation, process improvement, increasing velocity and creating a culture that produces valuable customer experiences.
Background – Since joining Mspark in 2012, he has held various leadership roles within Mspark. These roles have included Creative Director, Senior Director of Creative Services and most recently, Vice President of Account and Creative Services. Brian is also a member of the Mspark leadership team.
Prior to joining Mspark, he held a variety of senior-level positions in the corporate and agency spaces, including roles at blr|further, o2ideas, Healthsouth and Collegiate Sports Partners. In these roles, he worked with large brands like Verizon Wireless, Chick-fil-a, Honda, Toys “R” Us , American Red Cross, The PGA Tour, Arby’s, Subway and The Southeastern Conference.
Education – Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from University of Alabama – Birmingham with a minor in Psychology. He studied Spanish at the University of Guadalajara – UAB Study Abroad Program and is currently studying at the University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Strategic Leaders Program.
Ron Pennington
Responsibilities– Ron serves as Vice President, Manufacturing for Mspark, and is responsible for leadership of all Mspark plant managers and facilities, and driving continued manufacturing efficiencies and improvement.
Background– Since joining Mspark in 1997, Ron has held various facility leadership roles, including his most recent role as Plant Manager at Mspark’s Brompton facility. During his tenure at Mspark, Ron has gained valuable leadership experience and insights into our facilities.
Albert Braunfisch
Albert Braunfisch is Chairman of the Board of Mspark. He also served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer from August 2005 through March 2014.
Prior to Mspark, Albert was President and Co-Founder of CAP Media, Inc., from 1997 until CAP Media’s acquisition by MailSouth (now Mspark) in August 2005. In 1989, he founded and became President of Image Checks, Inc., which was sold in 1997 to Toronto-based MDC Communications after becoming the fourth largest direct-to-consumer check printing company in the United States. Throughout his career, Albert has been involved in the ownership and formation of companies across many industry sectors, including direct response marketing, publishing, technology, real estate, temporary staffing and craft beer.