Employee Spotlight: Jessica Black and Lesley Ruple
At The Martin Group, great ideas and results really are a group effort. They come from remarkably talented individuals that we form into equally remarkable teams. Meet Jessica Black, Studio Manager, and Lesley Ruple, Account Supervisor, as two more new additions to our Buffalo and Rochester teams compare laughs, hot dog preferences, and people they’d make walk the plank.
How did you get your start in the industry?
Jess: I started out as a Computer Science major. Thankfully, I had a good advisor that steered me in the Graphic Design direction, mostly because I’m bad at math. After college, I was recruited on LinkedIn and started in the Buffalo advertising world as a Senior Graphic Designer, making my way up the ranks to management.
Lesley: I interned at an agency when I was a senior at the University at Buffalo and found my calling! Got hired after my internship and have been in the ad agency world for more than 14 years now.
The best or worst career advice received?
Jess: “Don’t get into this field if you’re looking to make money.”
Lesley: “This ain’t brain surgery. Go get a beer.”
Do you have any kids? What are their names & ages?
Jess: Adeline (3), Currently pregnant with baby girl #2
Lesley: Mila (6), Ava (3)
Do you like blue cheese?
Jess: YES; I live in Buffalo.
Lesley: NO.
How do you like your hotdog?
Jess: Pickle spear, mustard, and ketchup.
Lesley: Burnt to a crisp (when you think it’s burned, leave it on five more minutes) and ketchup.
Favorite guilty pleasure TV show?
Jess: “Riverdale” on The CW.
Lesley: “Stranger Things” on Netflix.
Favorite movie?
Jess: “Dirty Dancing.” I know, but, PATRICK SWAYZE.
Lesley: Don’t judge me… “Dumb and Dumber.” However, my ‘smart’ answer is “Shawshank Redemption.”
What do you drink in the morning?
Jess: Coffee. All the coffee.
Lesley: COFFEE. LOTS AND LOTS OF COFFEE.
Can you do a push-up?
Jess: One push-up? Sure. Anything more? highly unlikely.
Lesley: I think I can do five.
Favorite hobby?
Jess: Cooking a huge meal for friends or family.
Lesley: Managing my mini-farm.
Favorite cartoon character?
Jess: Ren (& Stimpy).
Lesley: Hei Hei.
Favorite place to go?
Jess: My backyard.
Lesley: My mini-farm.
Favorite type of music?
Jess: Southern hip-hop.
Lesley: old school hip-hop, country (I know, right? Totally different).
Favorite color?
Jess: Black
Lesley: Blue
Would you be a pirate?
Jess: I mean, there are a lot of people I’d make walk the plank, so, yea.
Lesley: DUH.
Favorite food?
Jess: Pasta. All the pasta.
Lesley: Chicken wings!
Biggest pet peeve?
Jess: People who don’t use their blinkers.
Last thing that made you laugh?
Jess: This meme on Instagram.
Lesley: My three-year-old who thinks she’s 12.
Favorite animal?
Jess: Cows, because they’re cute and they don’t bark.
Lesley: Dogs, but chickens are a close second.
Learn more about Jessica, Lesley, and the rest of the The Martin Group team