Let us help you become extraordinary. We are a full-service design agency dedicated to helping our clients establish impressive identities through various forms of visual media. What do you want to be? We don’t just hear you — we listen — and build for you an effective plan that works best for YOU.
Think. Create. Launch.
Russ Edwards | Founder & Creative Director
Russ is the Founder and Creative Director of Active8 Communications and has spent more than two decades building brands, designing compelling websites, and creating strategic marketing campaigns. Russ understands the importance of building collaborative customer relationships and works tirelessly with customers to identify their growth strategies and marketing needs. His incredible artistic ability, commitment to understanding the latest marketing strategies, and customer-focused attitude make him an excellent visionary leader for Active8 Communications.
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Russ is a proud alumnus of the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. With an established presence in Huntsville (20 Years Strong!), his love for this community permeates his mission for Elev8ing Huntsville through effective marketing and design.
In his spare time, Russ enjoys hunting and spending time with his wife and four awesome kids.
Bill Neiland | Managing Partner
Immersed in Huntsville’s entrepreneurial culture early in his career, Bill has over 25 years of executive management experience in a variety of environments and industries, including technology companies, start-ups, fashion & apparel, and nonprofits. He has always been comfortable in high-growth environments and has held leadership roles in Sales & Marketing, Product Management, Professional Services, and Operations.
At Active8, Bill’s diverse experience allows him to provide an important bridge that ensures creative work and marketing programs align with the customer’s goals and are fine tuned to have the maximum impact. In addition to managing day-to-day operations at Active8, Bill helps customers with Organizational Strategy, Marketing Strategy and Messaging.
Bill holds both an undergraduate degree and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. When he does have free time, he enjoys traveling with his family and playing golf…lots of golf.
Becka Christian | Director of Operations
Becka has over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and business operations, with a proven record of scaling businesses from start-ups to multi-million-dollar companies using successful digital advertising strategies and effective organizational structure. Becka collaborates with our clients and internal team to develop clear, measurable goals, organize tasks, and analyze results, and as our in-house digital ads expert, she also drives those results. She works to put the right message in front of the right people to achieve the greatest return on investment from advertising budgets.
Becka graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in Public Communications and several digital marketing certifications, including Google Ads. Beyond her professional achievements, Becka is actively involved in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for The Downtown Rescue Mission and being very involved in her church. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Morgan W. Reed | Senior Graphic Designer
Morgan is a Graphic Designer who produces social media graphics, logo designs, print materials, environmental branding, and much more for many of our clients! Her goal is to learn and grow in her design skills at Active8 while using her exceptional creativity to showcase our clients’ best features with modern elegance.
Morgan went to college at Auburn University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. Born and raised in Huntsville, she decided to move back to our great city upon graduating. When not producing beautiful graphics for our clients, she’s likely hanging out with her Cockapoos named Maggie and Lucy.
Heather Smith Price | Content Manager
Heather is an experienced marketing and communications specialist with more than 20 years of experience in a variety of industries. A Huntsville native, Heather has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana State University. She learned to gather and write stories as a young newspaper reporter in Southern Indiana before coming home to Alabama to raise a family.
Heather has had a fun yet challenging career so far with opportunities at NASA, the U.S. Army, a leading biotech research institute, and a top building materials supplier. Heather is also co-author of Bold They Rise, a book about the early years of the space shuttle program. When not writing, you can find Heather spending quality time with her family, which includes two young adult sons. She also loves reading, traveling, and coffee shops.
Jordan Hollister | Video Specialist
Jordan is a skilled video specialist specializing in recording and editing short-form videos. A native of Chicago, Jordan has a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from Alabama A&M University.
In his spare time, Jordan has an active lifestyle, playing sports and socializing with friends.
Jake Keel | Graphic Designer
Jake is a graphic artist specializing in custom graphics and logo designs. Born in Huntsville and raised in nearby New Hope, Alabama, Jake has a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design. As a graphic designer, Jake likes to use his skills and talents to be purposefully creative, crafting solutions that are rooted in strategy and resonate with a client’s target audience. He enjoys finding ways to blend concepts from both art and design to devise unique solutions.
Outside of work, Jake can be found spending time with family, playing video games, or riding bikes.
Cara Thornton | Account Manager
Cara is a Project Management and Marketing professional who has a passion for nonprofits and emerging businesses. A Huntsville native, Cara has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of North Alabama.
Outside of work, Cara enjoys attending concerts and comedy shows, has a passion for traveling, is a huge dog lover, and spends time with her Bernedoodle pup, Rigsby. Her active lifestyle and involvement with the community fuel her creativity and passion for new experiences.
Grace Piercey | Account Manager
Fueled by a passion for social media and content creation, Grace holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, with two minors in English and Marketing. As an accomplished writer, Grace is proud to say she can find her name in the acknowledgements of two books. Grace is a “big picture” thinker with a diverse range of skills, such as social media, campaign development, and video editing.
Grace was born and raised in Connecticut and enjoys spending time with her husband and at the farm with her horse, Caspian.
Cody Edwards | Marketing & Administration Support
Cody is an enthusiastic marketing strategist who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Management from the University of Tennessee Southern. Cody played baseball at UTS for over three years and was a member of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). When Cody is not enjoying a sports game, he likes hunting and fishing.
Jeff Cason | Accountant
Jeff has a career in the accounting profession, having served in various financial leadership roles for small family companies to large multi-nationals. The industries he has served include automotive, apparel, technology, and other manufacturing businesses. Originally from Nashville, Jeff has an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from Lipscomb University and is a Tennessee CPA (retired). He brings a passion for financial accounting and business processes to Active 8.
He is an avid fan of University of Tennessee sports and is an author, having one book published and two others in the works.
Jennifer Edwards | AR & Contracts Manager
Jennifer is responsible for several functions at Active8. With 15 years of administrative, contract management and customer support experience, she is an integral part of the team. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Athens State University. When not in the office she spends her off-time raising four beautiful children.
