element-e advisory board

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element-e Team

Jeremy Eckhous, Managing Partner, joins element-e from Chrysler, LLC, where he was Internet Operations Manager on the Cross-Brand Web Team. His key responsibilities included development and management of the Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler and corporate websites, digital promotions, search technology and other assignments. Eckhous has extensive experience in interactive & educational media development and production spanning more than 18 years in advanced technology and performance improvement consulting.

Before joining Chrysler, Jeremy was Senior Account Director and New Business Executive at Collaboration, an integrated marketing communications consultancy in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. There, he was first exposed to the clean-tech and sustainability marketplace, acting as operations director for a ground-breaking GM research project (Pathway Research) to assess the viability of electric vehicles in California, New York and Massachusetts.

Prior to his work with Collaboration, Jeremy held several positions with Campbell Ewald Advertising and Carlson Marketing Group. He co-founded the C-E Digital Solutions Group, led digital new business development efforts on all non-Chevy GM accounts. At Carlson, he headed the Marketing Planning Group, delivering new business strategies and creative ideation across the company's automotive clients. Jeremy has a B.A. in broadcast engineering and an M.A. in communications technology. Both degrees are from Michigan State University.

Curt LaLonde, Managing Partner, has 20 years of experience leading award-winning marketing, training and communications programs for large, medium and small clients. Some of Curt's previous clients have included Consumers Energy, Alcoa, Saturn, Unisys, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, The Home Depot, and Kia. He was formerly a director for a worldwide marketing services company and has held key positions as an executive in other agencies. He has led efforts to create complex communications plans and product launches.

Curt has experience in marketing communications and workforce development, research and brand development, program management and delivery. He also has experience with designing and conducting numerous formative and summative evaluations. Curt has an M.A. in applied behavior analysis (psychology) from Western Michigan University in addition to a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. He is a certified performance technologist (CPT).

Renee Duran, Creative Director, has over 15 years experience creating high profile promotions, brochures, packaging, web sites, POP programs, corporate identities, as well as launching brands and re-branding campaigns. Renee has a reputation as a hands-on art/creative director, who works closely with her clients. She takes the time to develop a deep understanding of each company and its industry, to create designs that communicate their message with impact.

Renee has worked on successful national promotions for Blockbuster, Old Navy, Chevron, McDonald’s and Kellogg’s. She developed re-branding designs and oversaw implementation for PaperMate and several small businesses. She designed corporate identities for Edible Backyard Organics, Refined Images and many others.
Renee studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago Campus. In her free time, she enjoys oil painting and pretending to ballet dance with her six-year-old daughter.