While other girls her age were jumping rope and playing with Barbies, Debbie spent her free time assisting her father with ad paste-up and overlays, and listening to her grandfather chat up clients. As the founders of Elgin Advertising, these two men created many memorable ad campaigns—and helped shape her future as a marketing entrepreneur.

Debbie was fresh out of college when she cold-called her way into her first job with a national promotional products company. She assisted a large team of account executives by helping them service their clients and build their business—while she dreamed of building her own. A year later, she went from a salaried account coordinator to a full-time commissioned account executive for a reputable Boston-based promotional products company. She spent several years pitching and closing business that extended well beyond products. Still, she longed to work on larger projects and spearhead multifaceted campaigns. She had a strong vision for an agency that would bring promotional marketing to a whole new level.

In 1998, she founded Atomic Marketing. Armed with a Mac, a loyal group of clients, and a dream, Debbie set out to make her mark amid the technology boom and dotcom craze. New companies were being created by young, eager entrepreneurs with VC money to spend on building their brands at lightning speed. Meanwhile, Fortune 500 companies were desperate to rebrand and expand their offerings to stay competitive. Atomic was right in the thick of it: we were helping companies figure out how to create a brand, come up with effective and memorable names, design sales kits and materials, build websites, and help clients show off new products and services at events. Atomic was one of the first marketing agencies to build websites using Macromedia Flash animation and to manage client projects through an extranet. Debbie’s dream had taken form.

Fast forward a few years. Following feverishly fast growth, HGX Creative rose from the market crash. Using her integrated promotional marketing model, Debbie leveraged what she learned during the rise and fall of the dotcom craze to set a course for longevity.

HGX is now a renowned integrated marketing and promotions agency that continues to evolve with the times. Today, there’s a lot more ground to cover to help our clients compete. Showcasing features and benefits takes a back seat to making lifestyle and emotional connections. Crafting brand stories precedes developing visual identities. And our multimedia campaigns stretch far beyond print and web.

Debbie has been fortunate along the way to have the love and support of family, as well as a dedicated, fearlessly creative team and the best clients ever. It’s to them that she owes much of her success and an endless amount of gratitude.

A Pennsylvania native with a deep passion for business, Nancy graduated from Temple University. A self-starter, she cultivated this interest early. Nancy took on various sales roles at Comcast, where she went from a customer service representative to running a 100-person team in the short span of a few years. She was also a key player in launching, and serving in leadership roles at, several start-ups, including Infocellular and CommerceTV. After landing at HGX, she has harnessed her 18 years of experience in sales and marketing to not just meet but surpass client goals. Nancy has a “straight to the moon!” approach: She naturally exceeds expectations while constantly striving to improve each customer experience. She draws inspiration from those who aim for perfection and refuse to cut corners. In her off time, Nancy can usually be found reconnecting with nature, working out, or planning her tiny house project.

Jack is a first-generation American citizen. This has helped give him a unique perspective on design and art by combining influences from multiple cultures. Eccentric, patient, and pragmatic, Jack is a lifelong artist. His love for art began young but blossomed when he graduated from the New England Institute of Art with a degree in animation and graphic design. He is endlessly inspired to work at the intersection of business and art. Powered by the idea that creative expression has a place in all sectors of society, Jack works to lend corporate life artistic insight. He practices creative problem-solving in all aspects of his work, from how to create a brand to design and order fulfillment. If he’s not drawing, Jack is listening to audiobooks, woodworking, or enjoying the outdoors.

Aaron’s five decades in financial management enable him to keep our fiscal health in check. From accounts to payroll, our cash flow resides safely in his hands.

Inspired by family and her passion for fashion, Elaine can easily brighten anyone’s day. She brings to the table a lifetime of expertise in entrepreneurship, art, and administration. With her exceptional ability to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to any task, she elevates our relationships with clients and vendors alike. On top of it all, Elaine is a skilled painter and seamstress.

Lovingly known as “Shaba,” Sharon has been with HGX since its inception. She specializes in project management, all while effectively ensuring the smooth flow of our systems. Sharon brings to the table a lighthearted sense of humor and a unique ability to make anyone smile. She deeply values family, especially her granddaughter, Shannon, and her two cats, Luna and Zach.

A born salesperson, Lori has an innate ability to close the deal. Her results-oriented rigor is evident in her career-long sales success. Lori has been with HGX since its inception in 1998. Since then, she has been consistently driven to build genuine connections with our clients. A combination of Lori’s dedication to the business and her hardworking, personable attitude ensures that our clients receive top-tier service. She adores her friends, who inspire her with their generosity. A wonderful friend herself, Lori’s also a talented chef and lover of the beach.

Jim is a unique, creative thinker with an intrinsic knack for design. Jim began his career at Bridgewater State, where he earned a degree in graphic design. From there, Jim followed an upward trajectory in the industry, specializing in photography, illustration, and freelance work. With 20-plus years of design experience, Jim is powered by the idea that designers have a responsibility to create, and he strives to exceed a client’s vision through collaboration. On top of his undeniable design talents, Jim has launched his own homemade pickle business, Green Vines Pickle Company. He enjoys spending time in his garden or learning the tricks of the pickle trade.

Jim is a seasoned designer with a passion for creativity and collaboration. Jim rode the waves of his career, beginning early at Keefe Tech, where he studied graphic design. He enlisted in the army, serving in Georgia, Germany, and Kuwait. Driven by a desire to supply a visual element to clients who are in pursuit of their dreams, Jim consistently exceeds client expectations by taking every collaboration a step above “best.” Jim’s insightful, cooperative approach makes him the ideal design consultant. A certified animal lover, Jim can often be found playing with his two basset hounds.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Ryan received his BA in graphic design at Keene State. Since then, he’s taken every opportunity to exercise his creativity. Ryan specializes in website design and branding, from how to create a brand to refreshing an existing one. His inclination to always be learning enables HGX to be at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry. At the end of the day, Ryan finds the utmost satisfaction in helping clients improve their businesses through design. With a knack for collaboration and a results-focused approach, Ryan has contributed to HGX’s success for ten years. If he’s not creating, Ryan can be found golfing or simply enjoying the outdoors.

Jason is an entrepreneurial young man that is inspired by the latest technology to create a better world. He graduates from University of Massachusetts Lowell in May of 2023 and resides in Rowley, MA. He loves soaking up new experiences, telling great stories, and making new connections. He’s always up for a challenge and pushes himself for more performance.