Alexandra Veatch and Lyndsie Blakely set to drive community-powered marketing at the rural, woman-owned firm
FARMVILLE, Va. (August 30, 2024) – Farmville-based marketing firm Letterpress Communications announced the promotion of longtime employees Alexandra Veatch to chief executive officer and Lyndsie Blakely to chief operating officer, effective August 16, 2024.
The leadership transition marks a significant milestone for the nine-year-old woman-owned company. Letterpress Communications was founded in 2015 by Farmville native Ilsa Loeser. Letterpress specializes in community-powered strategies for rural clients.
The announcement of Letterpress’ first CEO and COO comes as a natural progression of the firm’s sustained growth and success. What began as a one-woman operation with Loeser as the sole employee and Green Front Furniture as the sole client has evolved into a thriving agency with 10 full-time employees. In the past year, Letterpress served 55 active clients across various sectors, including 36 rural clients and 30 nonprofit organizations.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to make this announcement!” said Loeser, who also sits on the GO Virginia Region 3 council and the Lead Virginia board of directors. “This leadership transition has been in the works for a number of months, and I am confident in Alex and Lyndsie’s ability to guide Letterpress into its next chapter. Their dedication to our clients, our community-powered approach and our commitment to positive social impact makes them ideal for these roles. It's also a proud moment to empower and elevate two more leaders into the ranks of those focused on serving our rural communities.”
By appointing Veatch and Blakely to their new roles, Letterpress not only ensures the continuity of its core team but also reaffirms its commitment to the company's culture and values. These include community engagement, rural revitalization, relationship-building and personalized client services. This transition also positions Letterpress among a growing segment of rural businesses playing a key role in leadership development in their communities.
About the New Leadership Team
Alexandra Veatch
Alexandra Veatch, the newly appointed CEO, joined Letterpress in 2020 as a contracted creative consultant. She quickly rose through the company ranks, serving as an account executive in 2022 and as creative director in 2023. Veatch brings a diverse background to her new role. Her previous experiences include deputy director of community and economic development at the Town of Marion, Va.; assistant park manager at Hungry Mother State Park; and associate director of first-year admissions at Emory & Henry University.
“Over the last several years at Letterpress, I’ve seen firsthand how our community-powered approach has revitalized rural communities, helping a wide-range of organizations achieve their goals,” Veatch said. “I’m excited to lead our team as we continue to innovate and expand our impact in our region and beyond!”
Lyndsie Blakely
Lyndsie Blakely is one of Letterpress’s longest-tenured employees. The newly appointed COO began as an independent contractor in 2016 before joining the company full-time in 2019. She held various roles during Letterpress’ growth as a company, including project manager and operations manager. Most recently, she served as director of operations and account services, showcasing her leadership skills and commitment to the company’s success.
“Being a part of Letterpress since its early years has shown me how effective community-powered marketing can be,” Blakely said. “As a Farmville resident, I’ve watched Letterpress grow, build relationships, establish a local presence and drive rural growth. As we continue our work to grow sustainably and seek new opportunities, I’m committed to ensuring our company stays true to its roots and its mission.”
As Letterpress embarks on this new chapter, Loeser will remain actively involved as owner and business development consultant. This will allow her to immerse herself in her MBA studies at Duke University while exploring new possibilities for the company.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the trust and support of our clients,” Loeser said. “I’m grateful for the relationships we’ve built, and I’m confident that Alex and Lyndsie will continue to provide the same level of care and expertise that our clients have come to expect.”
Clients will have an opportunity to meet with Loeser, Veatch and Blakely in person at upcoming events in Farmville, Southwest Virginia and Danville, with more details to follow.
About Letterpress Communications
Letterpress Communications believes that leveraging community is the only sustainable way to create meaningful, long-term growth. Founded in 2015, the firm brings local, handcrafted marketing strategies and the latest digital storytelling techniques to rural businesses and nonprofit organizations in rural Virginia and beyond. From websites and advertising to video production and more, Letterpress specializes in community engagement, rural community revitalization, and career and technical education recruitment. By helping clients share powerful stories, Letterpress invigorates rural communities to work toward positive change. Headquartered in Farmville, Virginia, with team members in communities throughout Virginia and North Carolina, Letterpress offers a wealth of marketing tools, a deep and talented pool of storytellers and a commitment to community-powered marketing. For more information, please visit letterpresscommunications.com or connect with Letterpress on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.