Information About Hawthorn Publications and Its Leadership

What We Do

For some, Hawthorn serves as a one-stop-shop solution for all aspects of their print media creation, including editorial, design, advertising sales, and production. For others, we provide specific creative services to create event brochures, custom print magazines, digital editions, and custom collateral from e-mail campaigns and Web sites to letterhead and postcards. For all, our mission is to bring brands to life by capturing their unique message and communicating it in stunning design and savvy editorial.

Working Here

Whether it’s running a half-marathon or venturing on a marathon shopping spree, hitting the mountains in winter or the beach in summer, we play almost as hard as we work. We’re also unapologetic animal lovers and dogs are welcome at work, including our resident tribe of Boston terriers: Vincent, Gaga, and Phoebe. We’re a fast-paced group who works damn hard but also appreciates each other as people before, during, and after we’ve hit a deadline. Step into our offices and you’re guaranteed to feel that energy.

Sound enticing? Interested in joining our team? Check out our open positions.

Leadership Team

Jessica Kaiser, Founder and CEO

Recognizing the great untapped potential for custom publishing in the hospitality industry, Jessica opened Hawthorn Publications in 2001. Initially focused on Event Brochures dedicated to weddings and special events, Kaiser focused the company’s business on producing stunning, state of the art custom event publications – with an edge – these would be free of cost to the venue. From custom magazines and event brochures to identity collateral and Web sites, Kaiser has broken new ground in the world of custom publishing and hasn’t looked back. Kaiser has grown the client portfolio from one to over 450 worldwide. That dynamic growth has necessitated four moves in five years, created a powerhouse group of designers and editorial staff, and expanded services to offer custom content across print and online mediums.

Melissa Wannop, CFO

Melissa is what we call fast. Road Runner fast. She manages project scoping, budgets, and overall strategic financial planning at Hawthorn Publications – and she manages to make it seem easy. Melissa is known for her organization and focus and has a strong track record of linking accounting and finance with business operations to control costs and improve earnings. Melissa is a graduate of Cornell University.

Ben Morse, VP of Sales

Before joining Hawthorn in 2011, Ben spent a decade as a true road warrior in medical device sales and sales management. So much so that he boasts having visited every state in the union and racking up more than 100,000 frequent flyer miles. Now, he oversees all aspects of Hawthorn’s sales from print and online to event advertising. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s in Business Administration from Babson College’s Olin School of Management.

Molly Patrick, VP New Business

After joining the company in 2003, Molly served as Hawthorn’s top sales representative for two years before being promoted to vice president of sales three years ago at which time she managed a staff of 10 and grew Hawthorn’s business by 300 percent. Molly has been responsible for building Hawthorn’s relationship with some of the top companies and brands in the hospitality industry including RockResorts, Hyatt Hotels, Newport Mansions, and Fairmont Hotels. She is a graduate of Cornell University.

Ryan Brandt, Editorial Director

Ryan has launched and maintained more than 20 new titles in the custom magazine market. He began his editorial career at Outside Magazine in 2001. Since then, he has written more than 150 stories for top national publications including The New York Times, Men’s Journal, Outside, Skiing, and several others. His background also includes more than five years spent in marketing and advertising, making him uniquely qualified to lead the editorial charge for custom magazines. He joined Hawthorn in 2006.

Aimee Syverson Skidds, Design Manager

Aimee always knew that she would pursue a creative profession. After working in market research for several years, Aimee went back to school for her degree in graphic design. What she brought to the young staff at Hawthorn Publications more than five years ago was an uncommon mix of disciplined methodology and a sense of humor. As Design Director, she has nurtured Hawthorn’s fresh signature style into a range of robust publications. Now, with over five years at Hawthorn managing a diverse range of clients from four star hotels to architectural firms, Aimee continues to be a driving force behind cutting‑edge content.

Giving Back

Beyond our daily 9-5 activities, Hawthorn Publications makes it a priority to support the community where we live as a means of giving back to those who support and inspire us everyday. Each year, our organization donates in a variety of ways, employing our unique talents to help non-profit organizations such as The United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters. For us, it's all about engaging with those in need around us – lending participation and support.

Our Community Investment:
Sample Organizations We're Proud to Support

In so many ways, Hawthorn's caring team members lend a helping hand - whether in print or in the community - Hawthorn Publications proudly supports the following organizations through a variety of means:

Print Projects

Each year, Hawthorn donates design and printing services to organizations serving the local community:

Sponsorships

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Rescue
  • Girls on the Run
  • Rockingham Community Action
  • SPCA
  • New Heights
  • Seacoast Family Food Pantry
  • Kiva.org
  • Families First
  • New Generation, Inc.