Shelley Vasquez and Bob Thompson had worked together for years and knew they shared a vision: never overpromise and always provide above-and-beyond service.
“Our philosophy, knowledge and skills mesh so well. I love the variety of jobs we’re asked to produce, and the excitement of figuring out how to make them happen,” says Shelley. “But to me, the bottom line is nurturing relationships and keeping clients and suppliers happy.”
Shelley began as a graphic designer and brings a technical understanding as well as an artist’s eye for detail to her work. Before co-founding SAVVY, she served as national accounts manager for a Bay Area lithographer/display graphics manufacturer. She was also production director for a boutique ad agency, senior production manager for a pre-press house and lead graphic designer for a software distributor.
Shelley loved working with the staff at Pottery Barn, producing and managing window graphics for over 10 years. Other favorite clients include Benefit Cosmetics, Specialized Bicycle Components, BCBG Max Azria, Marin Bikes, Whole Foods, Goodby Silverstein and KIPP Foundation.
At SAVVY, Shelley brings together her wide experience to guide projects from start to finish, making sure budgets and timelines stay on track. She enjoys managing jobs in a variety of media, from trade show graphics, outdoor advertising, brochures, catalogs and specialty packaging to press kits, product development, and fabric printing and finishing.
A Marin County native, Shelley loves hiking the many local trails. She recently relocated to Ashland, Oregon, home of the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She is keeping her Marin County home and will regularly return for visits with family and clients. She is an advisory board member of School Fuel, a foundation providing enrichment to Novato public schools and the Novato Women’s Network, a business and community service organization. She has two wonderful children in college, one in California and one in Oregon. A little-known fact – Shelley twirled fire baton when she was 10.
When Bob Thompson established SAVVY with Shelley Vasquez, he was energized by the new possibilities it opened up for their clients. As an independent company, they can tap into the many global resources and relationships the two have developed.
“Shelley and I are inspired by the challenging, cool projects,” says Bob. “We are proud to have the capabilities and contacts to help our clients accomplish their vision.”
Because of Bob’s broad expertise in the industry, he is the go-to expert when the going gets tricky. Clients and colleagues depend on his creative problem solving and ability to plan and execute a project from sketch to delivered product.
Before launching SAVVY, Bob spent 12 years as a business development and special projects manager at a Bay Area lithographer/display graphics manufacturer. He learned to think with a twist and jump into producing with and printing on materials as varied as woods, metals and fabrics.
Bob’s industry entrée was working at his family’s packaging equipment and material sales business, ultimately becoming sales and marketing director. Then Bob moved to a packaging and display manufacturer, and experienced a full range of printing and production methods.
Bob’s star-studded client list includes McDonald’s, Hewlett Packard, Apple Computer, Beats Electronics, Kikkoman, GoPro, Logitech, Nestlé, Comcast, AT&T, Cisco Systems, Jawbone, Tesla Motors, Gymboree, Virgin Mobil, Monster Cable and more.
Bob co-founded Drive RSTC Corporation, an initiative to reduce traffic injuries by bringing Road Safety Training Centers to America. Growing up in the Bay Area, he became a sports enthusiast and still regularly coaches soccer and rides his mountain bike. Very much a family man, he is crazy about his three beautiful daughters, who span from elementary school to college.
