Meet Our Team

Michelle Salater: President

Michelle is an award-winning writer, author, and founder of Sūmèr. Her journey, from the jungles of Central America to the battlefields of the Balkans to the plains of the Serengeti, led her to marry her passion of adventure and writing and start a copywriting company. In 2009, Michelle won the Charleston Business Journal's Forty under 40 award for her business and community leadership.

Little-known fact about me: I write short stories, which have been published in numerous literary magazines.

Vision: For Sūmèr to be an international firm, with offices in Charleston and Kenya.

Jess Smith: Account Manager

With a New York state of mind and an attitude to match, Jess keeps us one step ahead of the game. Originally from Long Island, New York, Jess is now soaking up the year-round beach weather in Charleston. She enjoys spending her free time hanging out with her malti-poo, Harleigh, and friends. Jess is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and holds a degree in communication studies. Her dream is to someday design her own clothing line, but for now she’ll stick to shopping.

Little-known fact about me: I am a pescetarian, which means I only eat fish, no other meat.

Favorite Pastime: Reading gossip magazines. It’s such a guilty pleasure; I could read them for days.

Phil Lewis: Account Manager

Phil is a “naturalized” Southern transplant who is a problem solver and planner by nature. A graduate of Charleston Southern University with a degree in Business Administration, he spends his free time observing everything around him, learning about whatever subject interests him at that moment, and enjoying his friends and family.

Little-known fact about me: Despite my usual first impression, I am not a mute; I do occasionally actually speak. And I have a quasi-encyclopedic knowledge about many almost-useless subjects.

Favorite Pastime: Making people laugh unexpectedly.

Brenna Lemieux: Copywriter

With family on both coasts and an inability to choose which she prefers, Brenna decided to split the difference and move to Illinois. While her current residence may be humble, she likely won’t stay long: in recent years, Brenna has lived and worked in Baltimore, Chicago, Paris, and Galway, Ireland.

At present, this full-time freelance writer devotes the hours she saves by not commuting to her poetry habit. Brenna has a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and an MFA from Southern Illinois University.

Little-known fact about me: I speak French and use that as an excuse to eat more baguettes than might be considered healthy.

Favorite part of my job: Learning a new voice to match each client.

Penny Salater: Copy Editor

Penny is Sūmèr’s editor extraordinaire. With her bedside Chicago Manual of Style, she prevents pesky dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, and typos while ensuring proper comma usage. She studied in Paris and taught high school and college French before uncovering her passion for proper English grammar. A recovering Francophile, Penny now lives on beautiful Tablerock Lake in Southwest Missouri with her two Sea-Doos.

Little-known fact about me: I used to be terribly afraid of drowning and of big dogs. However, I now enjoy the water and our large dogs.

Favorite Pastime: I always love to read, but when the weather is suitable, I enjoy the lake: boating, sea-dooing, and swimming off the dock—but always with my life vest!

Mama Mia: Office Assistant

As a full-time office assistant, Mama Mia works endlessly to ensure a happy work environment. Between playing with her dog friends and taking long naps in the sunshine, she inspires our team with her paper-shredding artwork and encourages us to take frequent breaks to pet and play with her. Mama holds a degree in Basic Obedience. Born in St. John, USVI, she now calls Charleston, SC, her home.

Favorite Pastime: Bothering Jess while she is trying to type.

What I love about my job: I’m allowed to nap throughout the entire day.