Katie Wagner, President

Katie has been in the media for more than 15 years. She began her career as an investigative journalist, and then spent a decade as a television and radio news anchor. Katie has worked at CBS, ABC, Fox, CNN and National Public Radio. In addition, she has appeared on dozens of commercials, educational videos and websites. She has hosted her own talk show, had columns published in major newspapers and blogs, and is a popular public speaker.

Katie has built a reputation as an engaging and credible storyteller.

An excellent communicator, Katie believes in the power of social media to connect with your customers, and is passionate about helping business owners integrate social media into their traditional media marketing plan.

Katie sits on the Advisory Board for Web Wise Kids, a non-profit focused on keeping kids safe on the internet and social media. In 2012, she was honored with the organization’s ‘Champion for Children Award.’ Katie is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Chapman University’s Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, and serves as a Mentor for Chapman’s MBA Program. Katie is also a certified first responder with the American Humane Association (She was one of the first rescuers allowed into New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina) and has volunteered in dozens of animal shelters across the country. In her free time, you can find her at the barn with her horse, Apollo.

Stephen Wagner, Director of Operations

Stephen has a finance background and an entrepreneurial heart.

With a degree in Finance from Oregon State University,  Stephen has worked in Finance & Operations Management at two Fortune 100 companies. In addition, he spent 5 years as a small business consultant, working with clients in the real estate, food & beverage, retail, and finance industries. Though involved from the beginning, he joined the KWSM team full-time in 2011.

As an entrepreneur himself, Stephen identifies with the challenges of starting a business and trying to ‘get it all done’ with limited resources. He loves showing our clients how they can level the playing field with an engaging social media presence.

Stephen is well-trained in Search Engine Optimization, and works with our clients to make sure they are getting the most SEO benefit from the work we do. A blogger and social media enthusiast, Stephen holds Yelp Elite status. He brings business savvy to the world of social media, and is looking forward to helping your business build social media channels that further your goals.

Away from the office, Stephen plays the bass and makes his own wine. The second vintage of ‘Wagner Estates’ (a Syrah) will be released this Christmas.

Chau Vuong, Content Editor

Chau Vuong has had a lifetime love affair with words. Having graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a bachelor’s degree in Literary Journalism, Chau spent four years studying under the expertise of newspaper and magazine industry professionals and calibrating her skills for reporting and writing narrative non-fiction. She joined the KWSM team in 2011.

Chau has an extensive resume of writing and communications positions in different industries ranging from film to food.  Her writing work includes copyediting technical manuals, managing internal corporate communications and writing creative web and social media content and marketing collateral for our clients. Chau is also the editor of KWSM’s monthly e-newsletter.

In an age filled with abbreviated text messages and technological jargon, Chau still believes strongly in the art of the written word, and she intertwines persuasive writing with social media marketing to help businesses effectively tell their stories to the world.

Chau is also an accomplished photographer, and enjoys learning about different types of whiskey.

Rachael Curtis, Content Editor

Rachael Curtis is a born storyteller. In fact, she won her first award for storytelling in 5^th grade, for her rendition of “How Mount Rushmore Came to Be.”

Rachael graduated from the Film and Television Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), and holds a degree in Visual Communications from Cal State Fullerton.

One of Rachael’s short films, “How to Deal (With a Wedgie),” was screened in the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2005. She also helped create the Youth Division of the Festival, to showcase other talented young filmmakers.

With extensive experience as a copywriter and videographer, Rachael has created promotional materials for clients ranging from local politicians to award-winning bands. Before joining the KWSM team in 2013, Rachael taught Media Arts & Storytelling at Capo Beach Christian Middle School and worked as the Media Director for Testimony Life Resources, a local non-profit organization.

In her time away from work, Rachael has a passion for photography and enjoys adventure. She recently spent two months backpacking in Europe (1 month solo) and visited 11 countries. (And came home with a gazillion really great pictures.)

Ashlie Mauldin, Office Manager

Ashlie Mauldin loves networking, organizational systems and Instagram. She studied Marketing at Antelope Valley College and Product Development at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in LA.

An experienced social media manager, Ashlie has run social media channels for companies in the Music, Interior Design, Travel and Education industries. She joined the KWSM team in 2013, and currently takes the lead on managing our KWSM social media channels.

Ashlie grew up in an Entrepreneurial family (Her father has owned his own Construction business since the age of 18) and started her own Mobile Notary business at age 21. She loves building relationships with KWSM’s clients and watching their businesses grow.

In addition to being passionate about social media, Ashlie loves working out, fashion and photography. When she is not in the office, she is often in the studio. A talented singer/songwriter, she is currently at work on her first album, “A Prisoner of Love.”

Jeff DuBrock, Videographer

Jeff started working in live video production in 4th grade, when he ran the switch board, light board and camera during services at his church in Huntington Beach. A few years later, he decided to make film his career.