The Absolute Team

Absolute Communications is home to a diverse team of design and marketing specialists. With expertise in everything from event planning to branding to Web and print design, our team is focused on helping clients achieve their goals. To learn more about the Absolute team, call us at 800.919.4534 or contact us via email.

Buddy Arnold
Buddy joined Absolute in 2007 to work with several existing accounts. His primary responsibilities include corporate communications, marketing, and public relations. His professional expertise includes writing, producing and directing numerous video productions. Prior to joining Absolute, he completed a project under the auspices of the US Department of Justice, OJJDP, and Operation Blue Ridge Thunder, an Internet crimes task force in Bedford, Virginia. Arnold is a 2006 graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Master's degree in Professional Communication. While attending ETSU, he concentrated his studies in the areas of Public Relations, television production and business administration.

Kevin Call
Kevin obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art and Graphic Design from Virginia Intermont College. At Absolute, Kevin works with clients on the design of various marketing tools and website development. His professional experience includes print design and layout, web publishing, photography and illustration. Prior to joining Absolute, he gained valuable experience at Elizabethton Newspapers, Inc. His design experience includes a variety of printed materials.

Carolyn Pierson Cook
Carolyn holds a B.A. in Accounting from East Tennessee State University and has completed post graduate courses at the University of Tennessee. She graduated Magnum Cum Laude and was a member of both Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Prior to forming Absolute Communications in March of 1993, Carolyn was manager of Corporate Communications for Arcata Graphics. At that time, Arcata Graphics had sales in excess of $500 million, 11 plants located nationwide and over 8,000 employees. She directed all forms of the company’s communications between employees, customers, vendors, and government officials. These efforts included advertising, promotions, trade shows, employee and customer events, public relations, surveys, newsletters, and more. Carolyn is active in the community and has served on various boards including United Way, Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Fun Fest, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Friends of Allandale, Safe House, Kingsport Tomorrow, Junior League and Girls Inc. Ms. Pierson Cook was a 1991 recipient of Honorarium for Women and Industry and during college was selected for Who’s Who of American University Students.

Sheren Kirkpatrick
Sheren, who holds a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University, is a marketing specialist for Absolute. In this role, she is responsible for a variety of advertising sales duties, and she also works on the firm’s new business development endeavors. Prior to joining Absolute, Sheren worked as a Special Education Teaching Assistant at Gunnings School. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends In Need Health Center.

Melissa Lamborn
Melissa works as a communication specialist at Absolute. She interacts with a variety of clients to ensure that marketing campaigns stay on track, and she writes for a variety of projects. Additionally, Melissa is fluent in Spanish and assists clients by translating documents, product packaging and other materials from English to Spanish. Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Her studies focused on the field of public relations and included an internship in the marketing department of the East Texas Medical Center. Born and raised in New Zealand, Lamborn moved with her family in 1998 to Uruguay, where she completed high school and mastered the Spanish language. In 2003, Lamborn and her family transitioned to the United States and settled in East Texas.

Emily Macbeth
Emily manages accounts payable and receivable for Absolute, and she works closely with all other team members to ensure that billings are accurate. Among other projects, she also assists with the development of Kingsport Deals, an e-marketing program that encourages shoppers to make Kingsport a retail destination.

Brian McMillan
Brian is a cum laude graduate of East Tennessee State University with a B.A. in Mass Communication. Following graduation, Brian worked in both the advertising and editorial departments for national and regional publications, including The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA, where he served as a staff writer. At Absolute, Brian is the primary point of contact for a number of the firm's clients and writes a variety of marketing and news-related material for varying audiences. He is a former board member for Kingsport Tomorrow where he chaired the Community Input and Awareness Team.

Andy Olson
As a graphic designer with Absolute, Andy works with clients from concept development to completed project. With a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Virginia Intermont College, Andy uses his education and work experience to creative marketing materials that are both effective and attractive. Prior to joining Absolute, Andy worked as a designer for Sprint Publishing.

Darlene Taylor
Darlene has a multitude of experience in graphic design, illustration, photography and marketing. She works with a variety of clients in various industries to design and develop marketing materials. Darlene earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Design from East Tennessee State University. She also attended the University of Tennessee, where she concentrated her studies in the fields of graphic design, photography and illustration.

home • about • services • search • contact