MEET

JESSE KANKOWSKI

As the President of Legend, Jesse is dedicated to building Legend by driving sales, developing strategic visions for the future, crafting actionable plans for success, and identifying new opportunities for growth. His leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to innovation, always seeking ways to grow the company. 

A graduate of Kings High School, he attended Cincinnati State to pursue an associate degree in business. Although he initially stepped away due to a fear of public speaking (quite ironic given his current role), his career has since flourished, showcasing his ability to overcome challenges and grow both personally and professionally. 

Jesse believes that any great deal starts with finding common ground, and he is especially proud of leading Legend through the COVID pandemic, during which the team size doubled. His leadership style is rooted in building strong relationships and fostering a positive, collaborative environment. 

Outside of the office, he enjoys reading, watching movies (he's a big fan of Star Wars and Marvel), traveling with a goal to visit all 50 states, and spending quality time with his family. Originally from an 80-acre family farm in New Jersey, he is a loyal supporter of the NY Giants and Yankees and was an enthusiastic San Francisco 49ers fan in the 80s—after all, who doesn’t love Joe Montana and Jerry Rice? 

Some memorable facts about him: he used to compete in Lego competitions as a kid, prefers ice-cold temperatures, and has a soft spot for Triscuits with cheddar cheese and extra toasty Cheez-Its! 

MEET

ELISE ROBERTS

Elise Roberts serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Legend, where she ensures the seamless execution of daily operations and drives strategic initiatives to support the company’s growth. With a background in Network Engineering and Organizational Leadership, Elise bridges technical expertise with leadership acumen to optimize workflows, improve processes, and deliver results.  

From overseeing cross-departmental collaboration to streamlining IT systems, she works closely with the team to identify innovative solutions to complex challenges. Known for her analytical mindset and proactive approach, Elise thrives on making operations more efficient and effective.  

Outside the office, you’ll find her cheering on the Detroit Lions and spending time with her nephews, who keep her on her toes and always remind her of the importance of creativity and curiosity. 

MEET

CODY HALE

Cody Hale is the Digital Solutions Director for Legend. In his role, he interfaces with clients to understand their specific needs and delegates tasks to the talented web development team. His favorite part of the job is engaging with clients to identify their needs while balancing best practices for site models and SEO. 

A proud Cincinnati native, Cody graduated from Clinton Massie High School in 2010 and went on to attend Sinclair Community College. During college, he had the opportunity to play music full-time, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. Professionally, Cody gained extensive experience in e-commerce and web development.  

Outside of work, he still nurtures his passion for music, playing regularly with friends and occasionally performing at shows around the Midwest. He also enjoys hiking expeditions with his son and has a love for cooking, books, movies, vinyl records, and video games. If you want to strike up a conversation, ask him about the latest Zelda game or the Bengals. 

MEET

STEVEN MCCLURE

As Marketing Director at Legend, Steven brings focus, empathy, and momentum to every project. He works closely with the team to create marketing strategies that help clients reach the right people with clarity and purpose. Whether coordinating content, design, or SEO, Steven ensures every effort moves in one direction, helping businesses connect meaningfully with their audiences and see measurable results. 

Before joining Legend, Steven spent more than a decade in digital video marketing, where he honed his understanding of how storytelling, data, and design work together to inspire action. He studied psychology at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee; a foundation that continues to shape his leadership style and his belief that collaboration and empathy drive lasting progress. He also believes in the power of “Starting With Gratitude,” a reminder he proudly displays on his office door. His thoughtful leadership extends beyond meetings, bringing energy and connection to the office through “Lap Club,” where team members gather for a quick walk and fresh air during the workday. 

Originally from Florida, Steven now lives in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors and watching Liverpool Football Club. He finds joy in small moments of connection, whether on a quiet walk or in a great team conversation. 

MEET

NICK PRICE

Nick Price is the Operations Manager at Legend, where he uses his customer service expertise and management experience to build strong relationships with clients. His daily work involves collaborating with clients, conducting research, and maintaining internal processes to ensure projects run smoothly. 

Nick’s favorite part of the job is welcoming clients and helping them find solutions tailored to their needs. With over five years as a specialty coffee barista, his attention to detail and dedication to exceptional service shine in his role. 

A Cincinnati native, Nick earned his BA in Classical Studies with a minor in History from Hope College. After spending time in Michigan and Denver, he returned to the Queen City to be closer to family and friends. 

Outside of work, Nick enjoys sipping great coffee, following professional skateboarding teams, and soaking in all that Cincinnati has to offer. 

MEET

KARLY DAVIDSON

As Marketing Manager at Legend, Karly keeps projects on track and communication flowing. She organizes schedules, assigns tasks, and keeps clients informed every step of the way, helping the team maintain clarity and calm through every campaign. With a background in client success and operations management, she thrives on bringing structure to fast-moving projects and creating strong, lasting relationships with both clients and colleagues. 

Before joining Legend, Karly helped grow a start-up marketing agency from four contractors to a team of hundreds, serving in roles ranging from Account Manager to Head of Client Success. That experience shaped her leadership style and strengthened her ability to support both clients and team members with empathy and precision. 

Originally from Arizona, Karly now calls Norwood home. Outside of work, she spends time with her young son playing video games, cooking themed meals inspired by favorite worlds like The Legend of Zelda and Harry Potter, and exploring paranormal museums on road trips. She also loves cozy games, reality TV, Pokémon Go, and hanging out with her energetic shepherd-husky mix, Lucille. 

MEET

KAITIE TAKACH

As Production Director at Legend, Kaitie oversees marketing operations to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. She leads the team; reviews content and ensures that deadlines are met while coordinating with clients to gather the information and resources needed to elevate their brands. 

Kaitie holds an associate degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in digital commerce. She thrives on building strong client relationships across various industries and enjoys finding creative solutions to their unique needs. 

Outside of work, Kaitie enjoys reading, making unique crafts, and spending time with friends and family. 

MEET

ALYSSA HARP

As Support Coordinator, Alyssa keeps support running smoothly at Legend. She facilitates client communication, assists with support needs, and ensures everyone—from clients to team members—is well-versed in CMS tools. Alyssa even created video tutorials for the latest model to make training more accessible. 

With an associate degree in Applied Business for Business Information Technology, Alyssa brings valuable expertise and a collaborative spirit to the team. 

Outside of work, she loves getting lost in a good book, playing video games, and creating unique illustrations. 

MEET

CAROLINE ZAHUMENSKY

Caroline Zahumensky is our Marketing Coordinator at Legend, where she combines her organizational skills and attention to detail to support the team and ensure smooth daily operations. Her role involves collaborating with clients, conducting research, and maintaining internal processes to keep projects running efficiently. 

A lifelong Cincinnati resident, Caroline graduated in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a minor in advertising and public relations. Her strong community ties and passion for clear communication make her an invaluable part of the team. 

Outside of work, Caroline loves experimenting with new recipes, taking long walks, and volunteering in her community. A dedicated Bengals fan, she approaches every challenge with enthusiasm and a winning mindset.

MEET

CASSIDY GRENCE

Cassidy is a Graphic Designer at Legend, where she brings brands to life through mock-ups, mood boards, website designs, social media graphics, and logos. She enjoys getting to know clients and transforming their visions into creative, impactful designs. 

A 2022 graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in Visual Communication Design, Cassidy stays inspired by exploring the latest design trends and following talented creatives on platforms like Behance and Pentagram. 

Outside of work, she enjoys playing video games (Pokémon is her favorite series), hiking, and spending time with her two cats. 

MEET

ADDY MALY

As a graphic designer, Addy specializes in creating mood boards, style guides, and mock web pages that reflect each client's unique style and voice. His favorite part of the job is collaborating with other creatives to craft designs he’s proud of, often drawing inspiration from influential companies like Apple and Pentagram. 

A Cincinnati native who grew up in Pleasant Ridge, Addy earned his BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. 

Outside of work, Addy enjoys long hikes, exploring interactive media, and spending time with his new baby nephew. A big rowing enthusiast, he even founded his high school’s rowing club. For Addy, summer truly begins with a trip to a Cincinnati Reds game. 

MEET

REBECCA MICHEL

As a lifelong Cincinnati resident, Rebecca crafts effective SEO strategies that help our clients thrive online. Her work involves everything from analyzing competitor sites and researching top keywords to fixing technical issues, indexing pages, and ensuring sites are optimized for both search engines and user experience. Rebecca delves deep into tools like Google Search Console, GA4, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, and more, constantly refining strategies to boost client visibility on Google. 

Rebecca graduated Summa Cum Laude from Miami University in Ohio, earning a degree in Strategic Communication and Technology for Business and Design. Her diverse background in website management gives her a well-rounded perspective on development, design, and social media. 

When she’s not fine-tuning digital strategies, Rebecca enjoys art, video games, and spending time with her cat. She’s also known to keep her desk stocked with snacks to fuel her creativity and focus. 

MEET

CORIE ROBBINS

As a Content Specialist on the marketing team at Legend, Corie brings client visions to life through the power of words. She creates a wide range of written media, including blog posts, website copy, and more, crafting content that resonates and engages. 

Corie holds a degree in Professional Writing with minors in Digital Marketing and Creative Writing from Miami University. 

A Cincinnati native and passionate Bengals fan, Corie enjoys spending her free time with her husband, watching football, playing with her two cats, Obi and Leia, shopping, attending Orange Theory classes, baking, and listening to Taylor Swift. 

MEET

EMILY WOOD

Emily focuses on crafting compelling and targeted copy for various platforms; including blogs, social media, website content, and more. Her daily duties involve working closely with clients and Account Managers to understand our clients' unique needs – and translating that into engaging content that resonates with the right audience. 

What Emily loves most about her role is the opportunity to blend creativity with strategy, ensuring that every piece of content not only tells a story but also drives results. She brings a keen eye for detail and a passion for impactful storytelling. A lover of quiet comforts, she has a selection of teas at her desk to share with the office! 

Emily holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music in Cleveland, OH, and an MBA in International Marketing from Wright State University Raj Soin College of Business in Dayton, OH. With over a decade of experience in marketing management and copywriting, she has honed her skills in creating persuasive and effective copy. 

Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and dog, exploring poetry collections and mystery novels, and indulging in her love for travel and adventure. 

MEET

ETHAN CLIFTON

Ethan is a skilled Web Developer who seamlessly juggles custom projects, in-house development, support work, and training his fellow team members. He thrives on tackling new challenges, creating innovative solutions, and sharing his expertise to help other developers grow. 

Coming from a family full of developers, Ethan has a deep-rooted passion for web development. He studied Information Technology with a focus on software development at the University of Cincinnati, providing him with a strong foundation for his work. 

Outside of work, Ethan enjoys playing music, practicing wrestling, gaming, and caring for his five cats! 

MEET

MAX HARP

Max is a skilled Web Developer who plays a pivotal role in nearly every project at Legend. If you have a website from us, there’s a good chance Max had a hand in its development! Known around the office as “The Answer Holder,” Max is valued for his deep knowledge of software, current technology, and his role as the lead model developer. He enjoys crafting creative solutions and finding unique approaches to any challenge. 

Outside of work, Max loves gaming, diving into creative projects, and keeping up with the latest in technology and space. He finds inspiration from industry leaders like Jason Thor Hall, founder of Piratesoftware. 

MEET

JULIE KIDWELL

As one of our talented Web Developers, Julie works closely with the Client Services Director to ensure that anything broken gets fixed and to help clients with their evolving needs. She also contributes to important “housekeeping” tasks, like running ADA reports and creating useful spreadsheets to keep our processes efficient and accessible. 

Julie is known around the office as a tea enthusiast, and her claim to fame is winning last year’s Halloween costume contest. Born in Texas and having lived in both Florida and Ohio, she brings a diverse perspective to her role. 

Julie holds a bachelor's degree in interactive media studies from Miami University, where she focused on design and social media. During her final year, she expanded her skillset by studying coding, which sparked her passion for web development. 

Outside of work, Julie enjoys creating cosplay costumes, playing video games with friends, and spending quality time watching TV with her family. She’s also a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan! 

MEET

JARET PRICE

Jaret Price is our Videographer at Legend, bringing creativity and determination to every project he tackles. He specializes in creating engaging video and social media content for the marketing team and clients, showcasing his ability to tell compelling stories through visuals. 

Jaret is proud to hold a BFA in graphic design and an associate degree in sports management from Salisbury University, where he also played in a National Championship in baseball. His athletic background fuels his teamwork and drive for excellence. 

A huge Baltimore Orioles fan, Jaret finds inspiration in Sean Facey, the team’s lead graphic designer. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, working out, and playing video games. 

MEET

MELLANIE SAMMOND

Mellanie is tech-savvy, has a creative eye, and genuine nature to help others succeed.

With over a decade of experience, Mellanie brings your brand to life with her sessions for both personal branding and small business branding.

MEET

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