Michaelle Boetger

Where do you work?
Featherlite, Inc. in Cresco, Iowa. This is my 7th year.

What do you do?
I am a Senior Graphic Designer in the Communications Department, but titles in today’s world don’t usually touch on half of one’s responsibilities. I am part of a 4-person In-House ad agency. I do graphic design for the luxury coach division and also internal projects. This involves marketing, communications and designing everything from newsletters, the annual report, national advertising, direct mail, corporate events, invitations, calendars, etc. I am also involved in brainstorming for the company’s other products as well, along with being the Art Director during photoshoots of all of Featherlite’s products. I’m sure there’s more but that’s most of it.

What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is the people I work with. It takes careful hiring to put a good team together, I was glad to have been a part of that process. We get along well both professionally and personally and I think that’s really important. We’re all a bit different but can come together to collaborate and brainstorm to put together marketing, advertising and communications plans for a national company. Sometimes I don’t know how it all happens, but we’ve managed to put together some award winning work.

At times I feel a bit out of touch with the world being located in a rural community but something else that this job doesn’t lack is the variety of work. One day we may be talking about television commercials on NBC or radio commercials with Dale Earnhardt Jr. or how to reach the horse enthusiast market or what to do when the producer from ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition calls or the best way to market a $1.5 million dollar luxury coach. Every day is something different, it’s rarely boring.

Why did you become a MAC member?
I was looking for a way to connect with other industry professionals, get creative inspiration, network and just get out of the office for a creative experience.

How long have you been a MAC member?
Couple of years.

What is your favorite memory of MAC or past program?
FISH was inspiring…John Sayles is sort of like an Iowa celebrity…the ADDYs are always fun - especially if you win something! I think being recognized by your peers is important.

Have you been on any committees or been a Board member?
No, if I wasn’t so far away I’d enjoy being more involved.

If so would you recommend this experience to others?
I would recommend MAC, especially to the students. If you’re going to be involved in marketing, advertising or communications as a career, networking is very important. You just never know when you’ll need assistance with something, and you’ll have a whole group of fellow members there for you.

What is one thing you are looking forward to this MAC year?
Same answers as why I joined: connecting with other industry professionals, getting creative inspiration, networking and just getting out of the office for a creative experience. We’re an hour and a half away from Cedar Falls so we really need to justify being gone a half a day to attend an event, hopefully we’ll be able to do more of that this year.

What is one thing your wish MAC had or did?
That’s a hard question. Perhaps programs all year long, it was a pretty quiet summer without any programs. I know I wasn’t the only one in the office looking for some creative inspiration.

Spare time?
I also have a graphic design business so that takes up a lot of my spare time. I also enjoy spending time with my husband Jeremy, our 2 horses, 8 cats and 2 dogs. Traveling is nice if you can afford it. I like to cook & watch Law & Order - I’m addicted to that show! I also need to start planning my 15-year high school reunion (uh, oh...bet that statement just dated me.) – if anyone has any creative ideas I’d love to hear them, email me at home - mboetger@willinet.net.