Carla V. Oglesby
Principal and Founder

As principal and founder of CGC Communications, Carla delivers results based on creativity, drive and hard work. She is responsible for the operations and strategic management of the agency. Carla also focuses on business development, agency operations, and media and presentation training, helping clients deliver powerful and memorable messages to the media. She takes an active role and works closely with clients and agency staff, ensuring that CGC's unparalleled blend of service and results is delivered to each client.

Prior to launching CGC Communications, Carla was the managing partner of commonground Sports & Entertainment, where she oversaw the launch of the sports and entertainment division. She was responsible for developing new client relationships and hiring of agency staff. Prior to her involvement in commonground Sports & Entertainment, Carla was the president and co-founder of Arrei Management, a PR and sports management firm servicing clients in the NBA and NFL. Arrei's capabilities included creating PR/media outreach plans, developing strategic PR programs for client properties, crisis management and garnering media attention via public relations practices.

Carla's areas of expertise include development of special client programs and initiatives, development and planning of PR strategies, strategic alliances, project management of client initiatives and crisis management. She brings the knowledge and resources needed to hand-tailor creative strategies for a diverse clientele.

Corporate clients Carla has worked with include Boost Mobile, Belvedere Vodka, Chicagoland Foods, Moet Hennessy, Total Living Network (TLN), HBO (Home Box Office) and McKinsey & Company.

Athletes and entertainers she has worked with include actor Darrin Henson, spoken word poet Malik Yusef, track star Asafa Powell, R&B singer Syleena Johnson, Hip-Hop artist Twista, NBA player Antoine Walker and NFL players Thomas Jones, Julius Jones and Devin Hester.

Originally from New Jersey, Carla has resided in Chicago for the past decade. She attended Rutgers University, majoring in political science, and she currently serves as a member of the board of directors for Chicagoland Foods. She is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Publicity Club of Chicago, the Publicity Relations Society of America and the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment.
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carla@cgccommunications.com

Courtney Quaye
Director - Client Accounts

Courtney is a seasoned public relations professional with more than eight years of industry experience. At CGC Communications, he crafts and manages the local, national and global media relations strategies for the agency's clients. Courtney is also well-versed in traditional and emerging communication platforms, which he effectively utilizes to disseminate clients' messages.

Prior to joining CGC, Courtney played significant roles in building, reinforcing and maintaining the brand reputations for Kraft, got milk?, Wal-Mart, Shell Oil U.S., Riddell and Unilever (Suave, AXE). Some of his career highlights include the successful launch of AXE Shower Gel, which became the number-one-selling product in its category within six months. He also introduced the Riddell Revolution football helmet, which was named one of the Top Ten Product Launches by PR Week. He managed the got milk? NBA Rookie sponsorship and was responsible for the got milk? Rookie of the Month announcements, got milk? NBA All-Star weekend activities and got milk? NBA Draft day media relations.

A native of Chicago, Courtney received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and advertising from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While at Wisconsin-Madison, he served as a member of the basketball staff assisting in day-to-day operations. Courtney is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys and follows everything from the mainstream to the alternative.
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courtney@cgccommunications.com

Tesa Anewishki
Director, PR & Marketing Strategy

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Tesa Anewishki has worked as a professional in the field of marketing and public relations for over 16 years.

Tesa joined CGC Communications as Director of Public Relations and Marketing Strategy. She is responsible for identifying and evaluating new business development prospects, creating multi-platform marketing and PR strategic plans, and distinguishing corporate endorsement opportunities and appearances for clients.

Tesa began her professional marketing and public relations career in the A&R department (Artists & Repertoire) at Jive Records in Chicago. She subsequently served as the public relations/special events manager for Proctor & Gardner Advertising. In an effort to learn more about the concept of integrated marketing, Tesa later joined American Urban Radio Networks.

Tesa then went on to work for Geo-Segment Marketing as a Senior Account Executive where she was responsible for African-American sales promotions for General Mills. In that position, she coordinated the development of retail promotions and merchandising programs for nine General Mills' brands (Pop Secret, Fruit Roll-Ups, Honey Nut Cheerios, Trix, Kix, Betty Crocker Cake Mix, Hamburger Helper, Bisquick, Soft Whip and Rich & Creamy Frosting) throughout ten major markets across the country.

While serving in this role, the agency received the 1997 PRAME (Public Relations Advertising Marketing Excellence) Award, from the National Association of Market Developers. This award was for Tesa's development and execution of a high visibility program in major markets and targeted consumer segments in conjunction with the Essence Music Festival.

In 1998 Tesa joined JET Magazine as Marketing Director where she serviced the print advertising community for over 8 years. As Marketing Director, she was responsible for the market research, strategic planning, management, budget, contract negotiations, execution and evaluation of nationwide marketing programs and merchandising activities on behalf of JET Magazine advertisers. In her professional marketing capacity, Tesa took JET Magazine on the road several times throughout the year with innovative sales and marketing programs and events. She also exhibited at many major conferences, conventions, expos and historically Black college campuses throughout the country to increase exposure for JET Magazine as well as its advertisers. Tesa's pioneering and resourceful marketing techniques exposed millions of people of all ages across the country to JET Magazine through dynamic events that helped increase sales revenues over 100% during her tenure.

Tesa currently serves on the board of directors for Featherfist, Chicago's premier homeless outreach agency; the planning committee for The Rainbow Push Coalition's Annual Conference and is also a board member for the Cozy Company Children with Disabilities Organization.
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tesa@cgccommunications.com

Adam Ross
Account Executive

Adam is a skilled media relations specialist. Prior to joining CGC Communications, Adam was responsible for media relations at commonground Sports & Entertainment (CGSE). Adam has cultivated relationships with the local, national and global media. His knowledge of message strategies provides CGC's clients with a well-crafted and targeted media focus. He draws upon his extensive network of media contacts to ensure that the client receives optimal coverage.

Prior to his time at CGSE, Adam served as a communications advisor with First American Inc. and helped launch the company's real estate division in Chicago. He also assisted in the public relations campaigns for General Motors and Cold Stone Creamery. He facilitated media events such as the grand opening of Hershey's Chicago store and Bank One's exhibit for Mayor Daley's Bike Chicago, and he assisted in the national launch of Calphalon's new line of cookware. Adam was also instrumental in building media attention for Thomas Jones of the Chicago Bears during the team's journey to the Super Bowl in 2007.

A native of Morton, Illinois, Adam received a Bachelor of Science in public relations with a minor in political science from Illinois State University. He also served as a founding member of Illinois State University's News Bureau as a public relations specialist. In his free time he acts as a consultant for a Chicago theatre and advocacy organization. Adam enjoys his work at CGC as it keeps him close to his passion for athletics.
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adam@cgccommunications.com

Colin Longworth
Director, Player Marketing

Colin manages CGC's relationships with its NFL and NBA clients. He represents clients in endorsement contract negotiation and execution, appearance negotiation, website construction and marketing strategy.

Colin assists clients in building their brand identity and executing their long-term and short-term marketing plans. He advises them on strategic partnerships and endorsement opportunities, and he is responsible for logistics planning for clients' external projects (sports camps, celebrity golf outings, fundraisers, media tours, etc.). Colin is also a partner in a private equity and asset management firm that most recently raised more than $10 million dollars for a new investment fund.

Colin has successfully worked on many projects, including:

• Development of content for the re-launch of Thomas and Julius Jones' website
• Multiple projects for Brian Urlacher including business relationship management and select paid appearances
• Press kit development and company endorsements for Erik Hort (U.S. Junior National Soccer Team)
• Assisted in development of biography and book release for Thomas and Julius Jones
• Secured funds for the launch of a new clothing line during Super Bowl week (February 2007)
• Doubled client endorsement and appearance assets from 2005 to 2007
• Secured sponsorship funds for many athletes, including Adewale Ogunlye, Julius Jones, Joe Tafoya, and Albert Pujols
• Executed appearance and endorsement contracts for agency clients including Devin Hester and Joakim Noah, as well as other NFL clients for agency partners

Colin's client commitment is evident in his management activities, both personally and professionally. Colin is also involved in many philanthropic activities. He helped spearhead a sizable donation to the Chicago Public Schools for their back-to-school initiative and helped a client establish a scholarship for underprivileged minority students at the University of Virginia.

Colin attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated from Lake Forest College with a Bachelor of Arts in marketing.
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colin@cgccommunications.com