Darien Southerland’s energy is plumb contagious. He does everything like his hair’s on fire and delivers BG results for BG AD Group clients ALL. THE. TIME. He has the uncanny ability to match brands with audiences perfectly, and knocks it out of the park when it comes to putting together targeted events that generate growth. Make no mistake: Darien is a fierce negotiator, award-winning sales leader and expert trainer. Darien likes to say he is abnormal in a positive way, and it works to his advantage. He’s just lucky enough to have normal staff around him to keep it real. Darien is an expert in automotive marketing, and shares his passion and instant drive with all clients he represents. Darien has mastered the art of bringing qualified folks on-site with traffic-driven marketing that helps BG AD Group automotive, education, event and all other clients succeed.

In regards to life outside of the office, Darien takes community involvement seriously. He has served as the Head Middle School Football Coach for Whitefield Academy in Mableton, Georgia as well as the former choir director at his church. Additionally, Darien serves as a Chamber of Commerce member for Cobb County, Douglas County, Hall County as well as Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce. He even serves as the Assistant Director of New Members Class at Marietta First United Methodist Church. He enjoys all types of music, is an excellent singer, and a hard core American Picker (if you have to ask, you don’t know, so talk to Darien). What does this man not do? Darien’s wife Mary has been an educator in Gwinnet/Cobb County for the past seventeen years. They have two children, Jacob (Lenoir-Rhyne University Class of 2017) and Kendall (Georgia College and State University Class of 2018), who not only dedicate their time to academics, but also community involvement.

Jim’s what we call ‘old-hat’. With 25-plus years of non-profit CEO-COO leadership, he’s figured out how to avoid the mines (and help put the pieces back together when it blows) for businesses and organizations. As a seasoned ‘pro-fesh-un-al’, he basically helps organizations get better and more efficient at what they do. He’s got a lot of fancy schmancy qualifications—like being President of The Atlanta Christian Foundation, the founder of GC2 Consulting, the President and CEO of Advancing Church’s in Missions Commitment, and the senior executive of an international organization in Islamabad, Pakistan where he worked in over 50 countries. He’s basically a ninja at helping for-profit and non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, and groups. He has also done coaching and consulting, business development, marketing, and performed first-class research. At BG AD Group, he’s our Secret Sauce.

Outside the office, Jim has built personal relationships with many leading faith leaders in America such as Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, and others. His father-in-law was the former director of the nuclear regulatory commission during the Reagan administration, so he had to walk a chalk line with his daughter. Jim is married to Grace and is the proud grandfather of Owen, his first grandson. Secretly he would like to own a goat farm in upstate South Carolina one day.

We joke about how someone so attractive, in shape, and athletic can enjoy eating weekly at McDonalds. We also joke that Lindsey was born with great negotiating skills in her “jeans”. Her loyalty, organizational skills, and dedication serve her well as Media Buyer and Planner for BG AD Group, because she basically manages people and schedules all day long. God bless her. She negotiates and oversees client advertising budgets LIKE A BOSS with one goal, and one goal only: to obtain the best rate at the best price with excellent added value. From planning major media buys to scheduling a 90-event engagement marketing tour, Lindsey has proven her ability to get the job done. Girlfriend will get your ROI, and she loves her Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs! If she’s not negotiating for her clients, she is spending time with her husband, Neal, and her two-year-old daughter, Zoe.

With a background in sales, it’s no wonder we joke that Tim can make a brick wall talk. Tim came to BG AD Group to help manage operations as well as to coordinate local and regional events. Tim is an avid ‘People Person’ and knows how to strike up a conversation with consumers and prospects to bring awareness to events for BG AD’s event activation clients. Tim’s a great storyteller, and talking with others about his life experiences helps him make meaningful connections, whether it’s about his service in the Army, or his job as a church Choir Director. Outside the office, Tim thinks he’s a great golfer, but it’s actually more like he’s just fun to golf with. Oh, and he LOVES the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. In addition to his work life, Tim has been married for 36 years to Crystal. They have three children and five-going-on-six grandchildren. If all this wasn’t fascinating enough, Tim is also a licensed auctioneer.

Nick Paparelli is BG AD’s up-and-coming Event Coordinator. He currently attends Georgia State University in Atlanta for Marketing and has a heavy interest in the sports marketing industry. Nick loves people, and (truly) focuses on others every day whether he’s helping them uncover solutions to problems or just trying to make the moment better. Nick has been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has coached baseball for the BEST Academy in addition to donating his time to the children of Alan Hills in Atlanta. Regarding his past sports’ career, Nick said (and we quote), “Just as I was beginning to be good at High School football the season was over.” No matter. If you see Nick at work or out in the field, you will witness his heart to serve and encourage. Side note: Nick recently lost over 40 pounds, and is on the prowl.