David M. Zapata, President
David M. Zapata is an award-winning public affairs and public relations specialist. He has diverse government, political and agency experience. With his expertise in both business-to-government and government-to-business communications, he has advised such high profile clients as BankOne, the Department of Defense, the United States Treasury, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Throughout his career, Zapata has worked on dozens of federal, state and local political and issue campaigns across the United States. His creative approach to politics has been recognized in major newspapers throughout the United States. He has also served as aide to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Most recently, Zapata was Group Director, Public Relations at one of Chicago’s largest independent integrated marketing firms. He also served on the agency’s Board of Managers.

Zapata has been a frequent speaker on the subject of government marketing.

He is a graduate of Gettysburg College with a B.A. in Political Science and Latin American Studies.

Mayra Camara, Chief Financial Officer
Mayra Camara joined Zapwater Communications in April 2008 as the Chief Financial Officer. In this capacity, she will be responsible for strategic business planning, budgeting and forecasting, as well as daily account functions and assisting with the continued growth and expansion of the boutique firm. Mayra brings an extensive background in both accounting and financial services, as well as a wealth of employee management experience, to her new position.

Before joining the Zapwater team, Mayra was the Manager of Analytics and Assessments for Cohen Financial. Prior to that she served as the Vice President of Finance for Landmark Properties LLC where she supported relationships between the company, its lending institutions, financial consultants and joint venture partners. Mayra also spent six years working for General Growth Properties, Inc. where rose to Senior Manager of Financial Services. In this role, she was responsible for the hiring, training and project management of a department of fifteen analysts.

Mayra graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelors of Science in Accountancy.

Michael Corrigan, Assistant Publicist
Michael Corrigan joined Zapwater Communications in September of 2009 and currently holds the title of Assistant Publicist. Michael began his career with the agency as an intern providing account assistance for a variety of clients. He was subsequently promoted to his current position. In this capacity, Michael assists clients in both the lifestyle and hospitality practice areas of Zapwater. He collaborates on a number of accounts including HALO [FOR MEN] and Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors, RA Sushi, Le Dress, and the Chicago School of Flower Design.

Michael began his public relations career out in Hollywood at both boutique agency ID/PR as an intern and later PMK/HBH as an Executive Assistant. Although the knowledge gained was very beneficial, Michael decided his professional career was best suited away from the Los Angeles red carpets.

Michael graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and Communications.

Deanne Daneck, Senior Publicist
Deanne Daneck joined Zapwater Communications in November 2009 as a Senior Publicist. With a strong background in media relations, brand marketing and event planning, she enjoys handling publicity for various clients including HALO for Men Salon and Spa, Nicholas Joseph Custom Tailors, Blue Plate Catering and Barton Healthcare. She also works with other various hospitality and entertainment clients within the agency.

Deanne began her public relations career at GolinHarris where she worked in the consumer practice and was responsible for executing public relations campaigns for clients such as BP North America, General Mills and Splenda Sweetener Products. Prior to her work at GolinHarris, she was a member of the consumer team at Ogilvy Public Relations, where she helped coordinate timely and effective consumer and influencer programs for clients in the food industry including Tropicana and Quaker.

Deanne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Public Relations and minor in Business from Loras College.

Megan Lagesse, Publicist
Megan Lagesse joined Zapwater Communications in July 2010 as a Publicist.
With a strong background primarily in consumer marketing and social media, Megan now works on hospitality and lifestyle public relations. Megan enjoys handling publicity for Sax Chicago, The Arboretum of South Barrington, Texas de Brazil and Andy Biggs.

Before joining the Zapwater team, Megan worked at Edelman, handling public relations for a variety of clients including SC Johnson, Dove, Knob Creek and Quaker. Prior to Edelman she started her career at Margie Korshak and Red Chicago, both Chicago-based boutique agencies.

Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Advertising, from Loyola University Chicago.

Jenn Lake, Creative Director
Jenn Lake joined Zapwater Communications in March 2010 as Creative Director. In this role, she will lead the agency’s new business development in the areas of lifestyle, fashion, and beauty/wellness in addition to overseeing the creative marketing initiatives of the agency and accounts.

Prior to joining Zapwater, Jenn carefully crafted her skills in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries at Skirt PR, where she served as Vice President. While there, she managed various accounts including GQ, Lucky, and WIRED Magazines, Louis Vuitton, Kenneth Cole, Cynthia Rowley, KN Karen Neuburger, Scoop NYC, SUSHISAMBA, and more. She gained local and national recognition including three Oprah magazine and show placements in three months, Country Living’s Annual Entrepreneur Issue, and full-page features in USA Today, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living and Weddings, Renovation Style, and more. She also has extensive celebrity seeding experience, securing celebrity fans for clients including Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Mariska Hargitay, Courtney Cox Arquette, Anne Hathaway, Katy Perry, and more.

She began her career at Murphy Knott Public Relations, working on several high-profile lifestyle and consumer accounts including General Growth Properties, SEE Eyewear Boutiques, Horween Leather Company, Lake Erie Land Company, and Vidal Sassoon. Jenn is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and English (Creative Writing).

Sarah Marseille, Senior Publicist
Sarah Marseille joined Zapwater Communications in August 2008 as a Publicist.  With a diverse background in both consumer and corporate public relations, Sarah supports the Zapwater team with a wide range of media relations experience and broad knowledge of national and trade media.  Her areas of expertise include technology, real estate, photography, housewares, food, and public affairs industries.  As a publicist, Sarah manages the development and execution of strategic planning, media relations and event marketing activities for a diverse array of clients, including The Brixton Group, HGTV and AOL Living personality Kelly Edwards, technology solutions firm UPP Technology, Inc., and Deltak, an online education company.  

Sarah joins Zapwater from Gibbs & Soell, where she coordinated media relations, tactical branding efforts and national Web-based programs for Molex, Rogers Corporation and PNY.  Previously, Sarah was employed by Clear!Blue, where she supported national brands such as MasterLock and ACCO by focusing on both local and national media pitching, in addition to executing targeted social media outreach.  Sarah began her public relations career at Dig Communications where she gained valuable experience assisting on multiple accounts including Miller, Zero Halliburton, Wrigley and Sara Lee.  

Sarah currently serves as a Junior Board Member for Cinema/Chicago, the parent organization of the annual Chicago International Film Festival.  Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Iowa.

Kevin Metz, Vice President
Kevin Metz joined Zapwater Communications, Inc. in June 2009 and currently serves as Vice President. In this role, he is responsible for developing a strategic marketing and business development plan for Zapwater as an agency, in addition to overseeing client service. Kevin brings more than 12 years of agency and client-side experience to Zapwater and has been instrumental in establishing strategic, proactive campaigns that integrate traditional public relations tactics with innovative new social media channels.

Kevin’s background is exceptionally well-rounded, representing both BtoC and BtoB clients in a number of markets including technology, sports/entertainment/hospitality, building materials, healthcare and consumer package goods. Prior to working at Zapwater, Metz most recently served as Associate Director of Public Relations at GyroHSR, a leading global BtoB agency, representing clients such as USG Corporation, Morton Salt, United Stationers, ALLIED Van Lines and SIRVA. In previous roles, he has managed account teams and media/analyst relations for clients such as Research in Motion (Blackberry), IBM, Harley-Davidson, AMI Semiconductor, Bowe Bell+Howell, IBM, Misys Healthcare Systems, Pulte/Del Webb Homes and US Oncology.

Kevin graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Annie Neyman Block, Group Director - Hospitality
Annie Neyman joined Zapwater Communications in July 2006 as a Senior Publicist and was subsequently promoted to Group Director of Hospitality.  She leads the hospitality division within the lifestyle practice at Zapwater and works on the agency's restaurant, hotel, nightlife and travel accounts.  Annie currently handles publicity campaigns for all RA Sushi locations throughout the Chicagoland area, the Hotel Sax Chicago and its lobby bar Crimson Lounge, as well as the recently launched Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ new restaurant concept, HUB 51, just to name a few.

Annie brings a strong background in the hospitality industry and big agency experience to Zapwater.  Formerly employed by Weber Shandwick Worldwide/Chicago, she gained consumer experience working on accounts such as Milk, Kraft and Oscar Meyer.  Prior to that, Annie worked at Wagstaff Worldwide/Chicago where she managed several high-end restaurant and nightlife clients such as The N9NE Group and Butter, for which she gained both local and national recognition, including Esquire magazine’s ‘Best New Restaurant’ issue.

Annie's area of expertise includes travel and hospitality.  She focuses on new restaurant concepts and introduces them to the Chicago market, media and national press.  She works closely with hospitality management and chefs to oversee media relations, grand openings and brand messaging campaigns for each unique venue.  Annie is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and concentrations in both Business and French.

Kassy Reiff, Senior Publicist
Kassy Reiff joined Zapwater Communications in October 2008 as a Publicist. With a strong background primarily in hospitality public relations, she enjoys handling publicity for RA Sushi locations throughout the Chicagoland area, Gibson’s Group, HUB 51, the Blue Plate restaurants, including bluprint, Rhapsody and Park Grill, as well as Bar DeVille.  She also works with Animal Planet’s Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant, Jamie Damato.

Emma Richards, Assistant Publicist
Emma Richards joined Zapwater Communications in January of 2008 and currently holds the title of Assistant Publicist.  Emma began her career with the agency as an intern providing account assistance for a variety of clients.  She was subsequently promoted to her current position.  In this capacity, Emma assists clients in both the lifestyle and corporate practice areas of Zapwater.  She collaborates on a number of accounts including the Hotel Sax and its lobby bar Crimson Lounge, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ latest restaurant concept HUB 51 and wildlife photographer and entrepreneur Andy Biggs.

Emma began her public relations career at Chicago boutique ad agency, Z Factory.  As an intern with the creative studio, she gained valuable hands-on experience in promotions and sponsorship research.

Susan Schreiber, Account Supervisor
Susan Schreiber joined Zapwater Communications in October 2006. As an Account Supervisor, she manages a variety of hospitality and corporate accounts, including Rasmussen College, Inc. and the corporate side of Blue Plate, one of Chicago's most trusted catering and food services companies. Susan has also taken on an additional role as manager of the internship program for the boutique firm.

Susan began her public relations career at Burson-Marsteller. As an intern for the public affairs practice she gained valuable experience assisting on multiple accounts, including Verist Medical and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to that, Susan interned in Washington, DC, working as a production assistant for "Close Up" on C-SPAN, a weekly program covering issues related to media and the First Amendment.

Susan graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a concentration in Pre-Law studies.