Lewis Adds Key Hires Across Its Strategy and Creative Teams

Top left, Scott Shalles, Top right, Blake Young, Bottom left, Dave Padgett, Bottom right, Josh Simpson

Lewis, the creative agency known for its award-winning work with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, C Spire, LED Technologies, and others, is following a year of stellar business growth with a series of key hires across its strategy and creative teams. These additions come at a pivotal moment as the agency continues to expand its footprint across offices in Nashville, Birmingham, and Mobile.

Josh Simpson joins as senior strategy director, leading strategic planning across all Lewis clients, including the newly added communications company C Spire. He brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as chief strategy officer at Intermark Group and SVP director of business development and brand strategy at BBDO Minneapolis.

On the creative side, Lewis has welcomed three associate creative directors. Dave Padgett will lead creative efforts for Kentucky Distillers' Association, Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Abeka, and more. With over 20 years of experience at agencies like Havas and The Martin Agency, Dave has worked with brands including Coors, Walmart, UPS, and Ritz. Scott Shalles is spearheading work for Always Bank and Habitat for Humanity, bringing experience from TM, DMB&B, and Publicis, where he developed campaigns for brands like the Milwaukee Bucks, Bona, and Physicians Mutual. Blake Young will initially lead creative projects for C Spire and Birmingham Zoo, among others, leveraging his extensive experience working with brands such as Physicians Mutual, Alabama Tourism, and Zatarain’s.

“2024 was a game-changing year of growth at Lewis, and we’re excited to kick off 2025 with an array of new team members that will help us continue that momentum,” said Ellen Praytor Faulkner, Lewis CEO. “Each brings a unique skill set that will allow us to grow our clients’ businesses and surpass their expectations. These team members are extremely talented and passionate people who love our business just as much as we do.”