Meet the Team
Julie Dion
Julie Dion is a marketing professional with nearly 2 decades of marketing, advertising, media planning and media buying experience. She is president of Dion Marketing Company, specializing in amusement, hospitality, retail and destination marketing.
Julie is recognized as a leader in the marketing industry and her community. Her company has produced multiple top marketing awards of excellence for her clients. She has also been a speaker for the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA), the World Waterpark Association's (WWA) annual symposiums, as well as other industries across the country. Her topics include Media Negotiations, the Importance of Partnerships, Promotions, Stretching the Ad Dollar and social media.
Julie currently serves on the marketing committee for IAAPA, and she is on the Board for Duval County Research and Development Authority. She is a past member of the University of North Florida's Dean's Education Advisory Council and has served on the Tourism Development Council for Duval County, FL from 2010-2011.
She has a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with her area of concentration in Advertising. Her other work experience includes VP of Marketing for Adventure Landing Companies and advertising positions with full-service ad agencies in Durham, NC and in Neptune Beach, Fl. After college she worked as an Advertising Manager for The Chapel Hill News (youngest department head in company history).
In addition to her work experience, Dion also studied and completed an extensive week-long training course through the Media Buying Academy in Washington, DC.
Julie is married, a mother of three children and enjoys running, biking, swimming, gardening and reading.
What did you want to be when you were little?
A radio disc jockey
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Coffee!
Kellee Zimmerman
Kellee is a Jacksonville Beach native who enjoys writing and all things public relations. She received a B.S. degree in Communication from The University of North Florida with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology.
During her time at UNF, Kellee was part of the Delta Gamma Fraternity and held internships at a non-profit and an advertising agency.
Kellee also has extensive training in customer service and retail, providing her with a well-rounded knowledge of consumer needs. In her free time, Kellee loves going to the beach, traveling and finding new adventures.
What did you want to be when you were little?
A professional Dancer - I loved performing since I started dancing at 2 years old.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
My cell phone and charger because it always dies!
Sloan Searcey
Sloan is a critical thinker with a hunger for knowledge. She loves researching and learning new things to help contribute to our client’s social media marketing, blogs, and news releases as well as interface directly with some of Dion’s key clients. Sloan interned for several local companies including a public relations agency in downtown Jax, a non-profit for ovarian cancer awareness and a lifestyle brand where she assisted with promotional activities, community outreach events, and brand awareness.
Sloan received a B.S. in Communication with a focus in public relations from the University of North Florida. After graduating, she stayed on as an event coordinator with one of her internships to help optimize product placement and promotions of ongoing events, specials, and fund-raising efforts. She later continued her love for event planning with several local companies before taking some time off to welcome her daughter into the world.
Sloan also has 10+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, providing her with plenty of face-to-face client relations experience and an understanding of consumer needs. In her free time, Sloan enjoys yoga, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
What did you want to be when you were little? As a kid, Reese Witherspoon’s iconic role in Legally Blonde was my calling! I wanted to be a lawyer. “What, like its hard?”
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without? Face lotion with SPF, I hate dry skin and we live in the Sunshine State so it should be a necessity!
Ansley Gresh
Ansley is passionate about the ever-evolving world of marketing, with a particular interest in social media, SEO-focused writing, and expanding her knowledge of the advertising industry. She brings previous experience in event marketing and a strong foundation in marketing communications from her time at Flagler College, where she earned her degree in Marketing with a minor in Advertising. During her senior year, Ansley served as president of the American Marketing Association, further developing her leadership, communication, and marketing skills.
In her current role as Marketing Coordinator, Ansley manages social media accounts, writes SEO-focused blogs, creates email newsletters, makes website edits, and develops content for clients. She is passionate about the marketing industry and enjoys finding new ways to help brands connect with their audiences. Outside of work, Ansley enjoys spending time outdoors, taking Pilates classes, and discovering new coffee shops.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A real estate agent. I grew up watching HGTV with my mom and still enjoy walking around neighborhoods and looking at houses.
Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?
Coffee! It is my favorite part of the morning.
Serena Bass
Serena is “all things creative” and brings her amazing graphic design talent to Dion Marketing including original illustrations, animations and large format design. When she is not behind a computer screen, Serena doubles as a mermaid making a big splash at special events and birthday parties. She is also a musician and an environmental enthusiast.
Serena is a Florida native with a fine arts degree from Flagler College. In addition to Dion Marketing, Serena has gained valuable experience working in the design, print production, and creative packaging industries throughout her career.
What did you want to be when you were little?
An Archaeologist
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Earl Gray Tea (Specifically the Bigelow brand)
Brinna Feist
Brinna is part of the graphic design team at Dion Marketing, where she helps create visually interesting pieces for clients. She graduated with her B.F.A. in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2020 and was born and raised in Jacksonville.
Previously, Brinna worked for a government contractor, where she became adept at photo editing, information design, and meeting tight deadlines. She loves all things creative, but in her free time she can often be found running her small business selling vintage home decor--she's even sourced some items that ended up in a Marvel project!
What did you want to be when you were little?
An actress! I even auditioned for several film and TV roles as a child.
Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?
The internet! I literally built my entire career off of it!
Alessandra Montenegro
Alessandra is passionate about all things digital marketing, especially social media and content creation. She brings valuable experience from her internships with Beaches Habitat for Humanity and Bilbao Law, a women-owned immigration law firm in Jacksonville. While earning her degrees at the University of North Florida, Alessandra honed her skills in brand storytelling and client communication. In her current role as Marketing Account Coordinator, Alessandra thrives on creating compelling content, managing social media accounts, writing blogs and press releases, and building strong client relationships.
In 2022, Alessandra received her B.S. in Communication with a concentration in advertising and a minor in marketing from the University of North Florida and went on to pursue her Master's in Management degree in 2024 with plans to continue her education by pursuing an MBA with a concentration in marketing. Outside of work, Alessandra enjoys exploring scenic nature trails, finding new coffee shops, spending quality time with family and friends, and soaking up the sun at the beach.
What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a pediatrician—mostly because my childhood one was my hero and I wanted to be just like her!
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
My phone! It's basically a vital organ to me now, you have to stay connected and in the loop!