Michael Grego
Owner/Chief Marketing Strategist
A graduate of Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, Michael has been in the marketing industry in some capacity since 2001. He began his marketing career in professional sports in the early 2000’s before moving on to become a marketing director for many local businesses in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, area over the course of his career. He founded Provaré Marketing in 2010 as a side hustle to his every day job before finally taking the agency full time in 2019. When not coming up with great strategy and results for his clients, he is an avid Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. In the winters, he spends his time as a high school boys basketball coach at an area high school.
Melanie Straate
Director of Client Development
Melanie has been in the marketing and media industry since 2002. She began her career in TV and has utilized many tools to bring success and solutions to the clients she serves. She is easy to work with, brings fresh ideas, and most importantly has a proven track record for results. She looks forward to getting a conversation going to learn how she can help you grow your business! A native to this area for 20+ years, she enjoys spending time with her family and the beauty this area provides. She’s not sure how she feels about her boss being an avid Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Okay, Hawkeyes she can get behind (behind Badgers of course), but it’s Brewers and Packers around these parts, naturally.
Brent Olson
Client Development Manager
Brent has been a part of sales and sales management since the mid-2000’s. He spent a number of years as a sales manager and leader of multiple teams for a local business before jumping into the world of media sales and marketing. In 2016, he joined Fairway Outdoor and began his love for the advertising world and driving results for his clients. After meeting owner Michael Grego while working at Fairway, he quickly decided that being a part of Provaré Marketing was essential and joined the team in 2019. In his off time, he likes to hit the golf course or spend time with his family.
Brooke Carmody
Lead Graphic Designer
A 2015 graduate of Edgewood College with a major in Graphic Design and minors in Photography and Spanish. Although often at the computer screen, she also enjoys outdoor activities such as rollerblading, biking and hiking. Not only a graphic designer, but also has a knack for fine arts such as drawing and painting. Her passion for art motivates her as a creator and pushes her to be a better designer.
Chad Busta
Videographer/Editor
With over 23 years of award-winning experience in video production, Chad brings his knowledge and skills to the table when creating your video at Provaré. His list of credentials include: live broadcasts in news and sports, film crew for a national television network, audio recording and editing, graphic creation, graphic animation, drone filming, photography, video editing and more. In his free time, Chad enjoys music of all kinds, playing in his father’s band, as well as various activities such as playing/watching sports, spending time outdoors on the water with his family, or simply sitting in a tree stand.
Ryan Soffa
Photographer
Born and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Ryan brings nearly a decade’s worth of professional photography to the table. In addition to providing great product photos for websites and advertisements, Ryan also specializes in landscapes, astrophotography, portraits, professional headshots, and pet photography. Recently, he created his own “pet project,” a photography business named Goodest Boy Studios with a focus on high-quality action photos of pets. He is a pet-lover himself with two dogs, Taylor and Felix, and two cats, Pip and Maya.
