Meet Your SmartSearch Marketing Team
Get to Know Our Executives and Team Leads
Patricia Hursh, President and Founder
“I fell in love with search marketing 12 years ago when I launched my very first pay-per-click advertising campaign on GoTo.com,” Patricia says. “My early experiences with search marketing inspired me to start the SmartSearch Marketing agency in 1999!”
Patricia offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in business and telecommunications. Today she focuses on client relations, team leadership, and process improvement. She also contributes to leading industry publications, and speaks at industry events worldwide.
In addition to search marketing, Patricia likes to travel, read, sail, snorkel or scuba, ski, hike, and rafting with friends and family. “I’m also happily married to my business partner,” she adds.
“I’m very fortunate to work with such awesome, passionate clients. It’s truly an honor to be part of this dynamic industry!”
Dale Hursh, CEO
Dale Hursh co-founded SmartSearch Marketing in 1999 with his wife Patricia, anticipating the need for search engine marketing by professional experts.
Dale’s a high-profile veteran of the technology business since 1985. In information technology, he offers valuable experience ranging from software to hardware, from executive leadership to business development. His many accomplishments include founding Sierra Technical Products, which was sold eight years later. Dale offers MBA and engineering degrees.
At SmartSearch, he’s responsible for serving clients, business development, and operations.
In addition to search marketing, Dales enjoys skiing, rafting, biking, acting, and playing music. From time to time, you’ll find him at Boulder County music halls, regaling guests with mandolin.
Barry Bowman, SEO
“I receive no greater satisfaction in my work than to see our clients on the first page of Google,” Barry says. “I went to my first search marketing conference in 1999. The light bulb went off for me and I’ve never turned back!”
A search industry veteran since 1999, Barry is a featured author for top publications ranging SearchEngineLand.com to SearchEngineNews.com. He’s certified by organization from Bruce Clay to the Academy of Web Specialists. He offers a masters in business management, and a degree in business administration.
In 2003 he teamed up with SmartSearch, where he leads the SEO team, and is continuously innovating and improving SEO strategies for clients.
In addition to search marketing, Barry enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, motorcross, and kayaking – “anything that involves an adrenaline rush” – and his family.
“The internet is the greatest testing platform ever known in the history of the world,” Barry adds. “What other channel has allowed such quick, easy access to a global audience?”
Sherry Wiederspan, PPC
“I’ve enjoyed working in the search industry for the past ten years,” Sherry says, “and there’s always more to learn!” Sherry is a Senior Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Specialist and has a proven track record of success managing large, complex search advertising lead-generation programs.
Sherry currently leads the PPC Team at SmartSearch. She began her internet marketing career as a PPC Account Manager at NetQuote, a leading online insurance marketplace and had successfully managed over $1M in media spend per month reaching out to over 25 million users.
Sherry is originally from Canada and offers a Computer Science background. She lives in Denver with her hockey family (husband and two children) and spends the off-ice season outdoors camping and boating.
Abraham Nord, Conversion & Usability
Abraham joined SmartSearch Marketing in 2010 and currently leads the Conversion Improvement Team. He brings over 4 years of experience in the online business sector first managing his own online retail store and now at SmartSearch. His experience includes web design, marketing, advertising, customer relations and personnel management.
“I was drawn to conversion improvement because of the ability to continually improve the online experience through testing – and by learning from each client’s particular audience and goals,” Abraham says. “It’s exciting to see clients take our lessons learned and apply them to other marketing initiatives.”
Abraham graduated in Web Design and Interactive Media from The Art Institute of Colorado and also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Drake University in Painting.
In addition to search marketing, Abraham enjoys spending time with his wife, camping, hiking, and playing tennis and racquetball.
Kate Powell, Analytics
“In the past five years search marketing has evolved into a major player in the marketing world. When I started working in the industry it was an afterthought in building media budgets. Now it is a major component to the marketing plan and I love working with clients to take their search programs to the next level.”
Kate currently leads the Analytics Team at SmartSearch, and is a Senior PPC Specialist. She started her career in search marketing in 2005 after spending several years in politics. Kate has worked with an array of clients over the years and has gained experience in both PPC and SEO. She has a degree in Advertising from Penn State University and is an avid Nittany Lion fan.
“Being a part of such an exciting and ever evolving industry makes my job new and different every day. There is so much to learn but such a great pay off in the end when you see your clients succeed.”
Shellie Foriska, Marketing
“I’ve been living and breathing search marketing for eight years now and love that there’s never a dull moment,” Shellie says. “It’s exciting to stay on top of the latest trends, and see how our industry continues to shape the world.”
As Director of Marketing, Shellie enjoys learning the latest and greatest solutions for driving search marketing results – and communicating that to future clients.
A search marketing veteran since 2002, Shellie launched her search career at IMPAQT, a search agency in Pittsburgh, PA. She later joined the SmartSearch team in 2007. Her skills and experience range from research and development, to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Pay-Per-Click (PPC), to marketing communications. She offers a degree in business administration from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
In addition to search marketing, she loves sports and is a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins & Steelers. “I also enjoy hiking and skiing, which is perfect now that I live in the beautiful mountains of Colorado,” she adds.
George Merriman, Finance
George Merriman offers extensive experience in finance and accounting, with a resume ranging from Arapahoe Basin Ski Area to Leasetec Corp. He offers a degree in accounting.
A member of the SmartSearch team since 2008, George provides client service, responsible for their accounting needs and questions.
In addition to search marketing, George enjoys golf, skiing, mountain biking, and reading.
Scott Mesch, Information Technology
In Memory of Scott Mesch,
The SmartSearch Team is saddened by the sudden loss of our long-time technology expert, Scott Mesch. He was a wonderful friend, a great co-worker, and a significant contributor to the success of our firm. He will be greatly missed in many ways.
The SmartSearch Team Has Many Experienced Specialists
To Serve You.
For more information on our people, or if you’re interested in becoming part of the team,
Contact SmartSearch Marketing.
