Emily Hartzog Named President at Chartwell Agency

Chartwell Agency, an award-winning marketing firm based in northern Illinois and with clients across the country, today announced that Emily Hartzog will become president of the firm on January 1, 2024. In this strategic move, Rebecca Epperson, founder of Chartwell Agency, will remain in the CEO role to continue to evolve and grow the national firm while Hartzog takes the reins to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization.

In her new role, Hartzog will help ensure ongoing revenue generation, provide oversight of systems and processes, oversee agency culture and activities, and help manage professional development for all team members.

“It has been an honor and privilege to be a part of Chartwell’s growth and evolution over the past 10 years,” said Hartzog. “I look forward to making a positive impact on our clients, team, and organizational success in this new role – it’s exciting to be a part of this company’s amazing growth trajectory.”

Hartzog joined the firm in 2013 as a Senior Account Executive and has steadily risen through the ranks due to her expertise in strategy, facilitation, content development, operations, and the consistent impact she has had on key clients. She also has had a substantial influence on Chartwell Agency’s overall growth and culture. She has overseen numerous aspects of the business including new business development, marketing, content strategy and implementation, crisis communications, training, just to name a few.

“I am delighted to see Emily move into this position for Chartwell Agency,” said Epperson. ”Her contributions have positioned us for continued growth as we have expanded our capabilities which have helped our clients – based across the country – meet their business goals. It is very rewarding to see our company continue on such a positive path, especially as we have consistently invested in our company culture and working environment, which allows our team to flourish both professionally and personally.”

Epperson will focus on long-range planning and growth strategy, including additional mergers and acquisitions, and other initiatives that can positively impact both clients and team members.

Epperson established PR Etc., Inc. in 2002 as a boutique public relations firm located in the bedroom of her home on Chartwell Drive in Rockford, Illinois. As the media and marketing landscapes became more complex – the rise of social media, SEO, and digital marketing – PR Etc. began integrating additional lines of service to help better meet the needs of its clients. In September of 2014, PR Etc. officially charted a new path by rebranding to Chartwell Agency, a fully integrated communications firm comprising facilitation and training, public relations, marketing, digital marketing, and crisis communications.

In addition to Epperson and Hartzog, Chartwell’s leadership team also includes Vice President Catherine Povalitis and Vice President, Creative Services Jason Edlén.

Prior to joining Chartwell Agency, Hartzog served as the Community Relations Officer at Rockford Public Library where she coordinated all the marketing and public relations efforts including a re-branding initiative, media relations activities, marketing collateral coordination, special event planning, and staff training. Additionally, Hartzog presented at regional and national library conferences and provided marketing and messaging training to library systems and associations. Before joining the Library, Hartzog was the Marketing Specialist for SupplyCore, an online procurement company specializing in B2B and B2G systems and Assistant Director of Admission for Rockford College, focused on non-traditional student marketing, recruitment, and retention.

Hartzog was named in the inaugural class of Rockford’s 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2008 and Rockford College’s Alumna of the Year in 2012. She is currently the secretary of the Rockford Promise Board and a member of the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) Board. She has served on the boards and committees of the Discovery Center (President 2015 – 2017), River District Association (President 2008-2011), Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, and The Literacy Council’s 100 Men Who Cook. She also has served as an active volunteer with Transform Rockford, a member of the Rockford Chamber’s LEAD 360 Group, and owner, instructor, and a performer with the Aloha Hula Girls Polynesian Dance Group.