Meet us
WE COMBINE PASSION, PURPOSE AND PROCESS TO ACHIEVE POWERFUL RESULTS.
Our team is drawn from every continent and corner of the globe—from the bustling capitals of Asia to the isles of the Mediterranean to the farms of the Midwest. Artists, analysts, athletes, sailors, farmers, musicians, engineers, filmmakers, writers all have a place within the Silva Brand team. Our diversity is what makes our work so unique and able to speak to so many audiences and ages.
Tom Silva
Tom Silva is the founder of Silva Brand. A brand strategist and creative director to the commercial real estate industry for more than two decades, his portfolio of work has been recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, International Academy of the Visual Arts, and Web Marketing Association.
Both an active practitioner and brand expert, he’s been keynote speaker twice at Google's Global Startup Challenge, and his thought leadership on marketing and branding has been featured across media, including in Thomson Reuters’ books and London's Hot Topics magazine. Tom was previously Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Alter, and Communications Director at PM Realty—one of the world’s largest real estate management firms. He also created the brandscape for EnTrust Realty Advisors, a billion-dollar financial services company, and for CoreNet Chicago’s flagship Chicago chapter. He holds a Master of Arts in the Humanities from the University of Chicago, a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Columbia College, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Long Island University.
In addition to his branding work, Tom is a working filmmaker, writer and musician whose work has been featured at the Montreal World Film Festival, in Rolling Stone, PBS, iTunes, and by the Art Institute of Chicago. His short stories have appeared in Canada’s The Nashwaak Review, international literary magazine, The Bombay Review, and in the Spring 2023 issue of Witness.
George Vavaroutsos
As Customer Experience Strategist, George Vavaroutsos helps a client see that Brand isn’t built from the top-down by stakeholders, but instead, it is co-created by customers. Identifying both positive and negative customer experiences across every organizational touchpoint, he analyzes emotions and behaviors to determine the key moments of truth in the customer journey. He ensures that customer experiences are in sync with brand messages and deliver on the Brand promise across every customer interaction.
Heather Doucette
Heather Doucette is Project Manager at Silva Brand and a freelance Graphic Designer. A native of California, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Heather has worked with many leading creative agencies such a Dazz Media, Implementation Management Partners, and Creadio.
She graduated with an MFA in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. Heather loves to share her design knowledge and exploring new ways of visually communicating ideas. In her free time, she enjoys photography, arts and crafts, gardening, and living life on her homestead in Kentucky.
Antonio Marmolejo
Antonio has 9 years of experience as a graphic designer based in Guadalajara, Mexico specializing in branding strategy and identity. He produces brand guidelines based on marketing research and corporate identities. He has also worked on real estate projects and brand management for an international architectural firm. He believes design simplifies and harmonizes our daily lives.
In his free time, he goes to the beach, swims, and visits new restaurants with friends. He also loves animals, art, and music.
Michael Lahey
Michael Lahey is an award-winning filmmaker and editor based in Chicago, IL. Over his 20-year career, he has edited programs for PBS, Discovery, History Channel, and National Geographic, among others.
His documentary films have won numerous prizes, including at the Arizona International Film Festival, the Newburyport Documentary Festival, and the Great Lakes International Film Festival. His latest file, Shelf Life, premiered at the Gene Siskel Film Center at the Art Institute of Chicago and continues to screen throughout the U.S. and Canada.
LaVonne Kosmen
Over her 30-year career, LaVonne has worked within the real estate industry, supporting executive teams across the planning, design, leasing, and investment sales process. A self-taught computer-maven, she is passionate about managing the financial planning and forecasting for entrepreneurial teams. Her high energy, attention to detail, cool under pressure, and organizational skills are a key part of Silva Brand. A native of Chicago, she spends her off-hours boating, hiking, and camping with her kids and grandkids.
Florian Auckenthaler
A native of Austria, Florian Auckenthaler currently calls Charleston, SC his home, where fifteen years ago he founded designingIT.com, an international digital agency.
DesigningIT’s mission is to help clients grow their business and marketing ROI, at home and abroad.
Florian’s global team combines international digital strategy, web design and development, and online marketing for brands such as Gulfstream, Norwegian Cruise Line, Harvard University, Nickelodeon, Cnet, as well as small to medium size businesses.
When Florian is not busy driving growth for clients, he enjoys specialty coffee, cycling, traveling, and spending time with his wife and their two sons.