Modern Communication Strategies What is Prosper?With hundreds of cable channels to choose from, new DVR technology, and an increasing skepticism of traditional campaign methods, victorious candidates need to communicate creatively. That's where we come in. Prosper is a modern communications firm. Whether your organization is looking to reach out to bloggers, develop a new website, advertise online, maximize your internet fund raising, or blast emails to your supporters- we can help. Propaganda about Prosper
In short, if you need help with modern communications strategy, you should hire us. Who is Prosper?
Kristen Luidhardt: Perfectionist-in-Chief
Kristen's expertise in this field comes from a wide range of experience in the political and public policy arena on both the state and federal level. Her last job was with US Congressman Dan Burton as the Director of eCommunications. In less than one year, she took the Congressman's website from a C- rating from the Congressional Management Foundation to an A+ rating, landing it in the top 5% of Capitol Hill and winning the coveted Gold Mouse Award. While serving as the Director of Public Policy for the Indiana state chapter of Eagle Forum, she lobbied on issues ranging from mental health screening to immigration reform. Kristen honed her campaign management skills working for the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee in the 2004 election cycle. Prior to that, she set fundraising records in the capacity of Political/Finance Director for US Congressman David McIntosh’s 2004 Governor’s campaign. Understandably, Kristen is the woman in charge at Prosper. Among her responsibilities are business development and making sure every project for every client is up to her standards. Kurt Luidhardt: Hannibal (A-Team reference)  Kurt's unique blend of experience gives him a different perspective on politics and communication. Before starting his own company, Kurt managed large government consulting projects for Nexpointe Strategies, ranging from $60,000 to $500,000. In this capacity, he lobbied Congress on behalf of the Indiana Attorney General and the Do Not Call law and helped draft the state's Energy Plan. He also served as Manager of Political Affairs for the the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where he managed campaigns for targeted pro-business candidates all across the state of Indiana.
Kurt is second in command at Prosper, although he would tell you that power is shared equally. Kurt is responsible for company strategy, business development, and a couple other things that keep him busy. Kurt Loves it when a plan comes together. Sarah Edrington: Operations Guru
 Sarah moved from Illinois to Indiana and transferred to IUPUI, where she was an active member of the College Republicans and the Student Senate. She recently graduated with a major in Business Management at the Kelley School of Business with grades that put her classmates and co-workers to shame.
Sarah keeps the trains moving on time, makes sure the bills get paid, keeps track of inventory, handles human resources, does purchasing, invoicing, and assists the principals in the day to day activities of the company. In short, she is entirely indispensable and gets whatever she wants. Aaron Pratt: Darth Web'er
 Aaron is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University's nationally known art program and is pleased to be a member of the Marion, Indiana community. A Wisconsin cheesehead by birth, Aaron brings his skills in graphic design, computer savvy and website development to the table for Prosper's clients.
When not surgically implanted to his computer, Aaron enjoys spending relaxing time with his wife, Heather, their son Max, Bosco the dog, and the cat Fenway (Go Red Sox!)...he's similar to Danny Tanner (Full House).
Darrin Bolt: Man Behind The CurtainDarrin began his journey at the Rube Goldberg school of engineering aka Purdue University. Shortly after he did a couple of stints at Big Auto, where he discovered the power of computers connected together. Leaping from that platform into the ether of small business, Darrin apprenticed in the business side, while keeping on top of the technical side.
Today, Darrin brings a blend of technical and business operations to work behind the scenes at Prosper to keep the machinery humming along. In his down time, he plays taxi driver to his active children, pays it forward where ever he can and enjoys each day. Vanessa Schmuck: Blues Traveler Originating in Lancaster County, PA, she attended Geneva College and basically ran their College Republicans. She paid her dues as an Intern for: the PA statehouse, Homeland Security in D.C., Heritage Foundation, and Congressman Joe Pitts. After learning the tricks of the trade, she worked for Victory in 2008 in Pennsylvania for McCain Palin on the Coalitions team. Continuing her love for coalition work she also worked in the Coalition Department for the Republican Party of Indiana. Now, here for the Prosper Group she is an account manager – essentially if it’s electronic she manages it.
She enjoys good music (Vampire Weekend, 80’s hair-bands, Muse, to name a few), long walks on beaches, and tweeting. She loves her job and is a conservative of the truest flavor. Joe Zapf: Chief Dominator
 Joe is a Hoosier born-an-raised. He grew up in North Manchester & graduated from Manchester HS - GO SQUIRES! After high school he moved to Austin, Texas for the first two years of college – then transferred back home to Indiana University in Bloomington to finish his Bachelors in Communications & Political Science. His job before The Prosper Group was serving 3 years as a staffer for Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. of Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. There he wore a number of hats including: handling Mr. Sensenbrenner's Education portfolio, serving as Press Assistant, and Systems Administrator.
Here at The Prosper Group, Joe is a Client Manager, working with clients and the rest of our team, figuring out what WINS and what just doesn’t. Joe enjoys small carnival rides, country music, fast cars, and cowboy boots.
Alex Griffis: BIG TIME
Alex came to us via November Concepts, a small, but successful full-service web design, development and management firm that served political candidates running for anything from township constable to US Senate. November Concepts was a spinoff of Welsh Design Studio, which Alex co-founded and operated since 2007. Primarily known in the beginning for his expertise in web design and flash animation, Alex soon impressed clients with his ability to develop custom web applications, content management systems and e-commerce solutions that exceeded the unique needs of his diverse client base.
Although he still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up, for the time being Alex is looking forward contributing his expertise to the Prosper Group as the company takes on new clients and challenges. Alex is originally from South Bend, Indiana where he attended Indiana University – South Bend. He now lives Fishers, but looks forward to cutting his commute in the near future.
Holly Hopper:Southern Belle
 Holly completed her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Earth and Life Sciences at University of Texas at San Antonio. While in school, she participated in the Uteach program, tutoring high school students in math and science courses. She also worked as an animal trainer at Sea World, training walruses, dolphins and even whales – just ask her to show you her scars!
A self-proclaimed internet geek, Holly has been creating personal and professional websites for over 10 years, and worked in both Web Development and Graphic Design positions before making her way to Prosper Group. She has a nerdy knack for hand writing code, and is perpetually researching the latest and greatest in social media and web design. She brings to Prosper Group her love of all things internet, ensuring the awesomeness of our clients’ websites.
Outside her life at Prosper Group, Holly is quite the entrepreneur! Half of the Twister Sisters, she showcases her mad balloon-manipulation skills at parties and events, creating animals, headdresses and other random objects you’d never think possible. In addition to balloon manipulation, she has numerous web-based businesses from pushing ponies to blogging mommies. Holly also enjoys dancing, gardening, cooking, engaging in social media and, of course, building websites.
Prior to joining Prosper Group in 2010, Holly worked with Drupal CMS systems, created and designed websites, website templates and themes, and designed graphic elements for websites such as banners and buttons. Through the use of HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript and CMS integration, Holly has brought countless websites to fruition.
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