I operate an advertising agency in La Plata, MD just outside of Washington, DC, and have been in graphics, printing, marketing, and related sales for nearly 3 decades. I also am a contributing writer for a local news publication called TheBayNet, which is a relatively recent venture. I appreciate how marketing and story telling have changed so much - and have been passionate about effective business communications and also elevating the conversation in our complicated society for many years.I'm an expert at bringing organizations and teams together - and I thrive in performing those services on projects for my clients through my ad agency Proforma Johnston & Associates, or by working with other companies as an inspirational consultant/trainer to help align their staff's energy until they are all rowing in the same direction toward the promised land!I had the benefit early in my career of working with sales professionals that started their careers at Xerox during it's heyday as a world class sales organization - and of studying sales and communications through the Dale Carnegie course under my mentor, Walt Fales (1946 -2017).I enjoy working with teams that include younger people and passing these fundamentals along - and helping them translate their enthusiasm and brilliance to a broader audience to appreciate and be inspired by.I strongly believe in win-win deal making and long term reputation in business. Ethics, care for the client, and long term thinking are vital to my success. Nothing gives me more satisfaction then telling stories to young professionals (about million dollar relationships in biz) about how one conversation, one "reach out" started the whole relationship. I truly believe with purposeful conversations there are no wasted days in sales when you think long term.I've lived in the greater DC area my whole life. I know it's market well and the interplay between the government and the private sector well. My life is in Southern Maryland, where I raised one son and have lived joyfully for the past 30 years just outside of La Plata, Maryland. I'm a contributing writer to local news publishing company TheBayNet.com where I attempt to tell inspirational stories about good people doing good things to advance the community that are often overlooked by corporate media today.