About Us

Past Presidents

The presidential roll call is pretty sweet:

  • Rob Garner (2008)
  • Tony Wright (2009)
  • Sean Jackson (2010)
  • Mark Barrera (2011)
  • Dan Sturdivant (2012)
  • Brian Medina (2013-2014)
  • Scott Vann (2015-2016)
  • Beth Kahlich (2017-2018)
  • Bart Peters (2019-2020)
  • Julie Wagner Jones (2021-2022)
  • Kevin Adams (2023)
  • Casey Watkins (2024)

How We Grew

In 2011, the aforementioned Dan spearheaded the first Jingle Mingle. Nine great area organizations came together to host this benefit for the DREAM Fund, raising over $25,000 to “aid colleagues in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana facing an unexpected medical emergency or life crisis and in need of emotional support and financial assistance.” Because heroes help when bad things happen to good people.

In 2012, DFWSEM hosted its first full-day conference, organized by Mark Barrera, at the Hyatt Regency North Dallas hotel, new home of the monthly meetings. State of Search was off and running on a whole new level.

According to Mark, “DFWSEM had been holding our State of Search meeting each year where we invited speakers from Bing and Google to talk about the state of the industry. We felt this would be a great way to transition into a full-day conference. I came up with a plan and took it to the board in early 2012. They felt that the time was right and they let me take it from there.”

By 2015, State of Search was the premiere digital marketing conference in the southwest, attracting keynote speakers like Duane Forrester and Rand Fishkin. 2016 featured more badassery, with keynotes from Danny Sullivan, Maile Ohye, and Will Reynolds.

How We Continue

DFWSEM, now known as State of Search by DFWSEM, was the first search engine marketing support organization in the U.S. It remains the longest-standing group and now meets monthly on Youtube for the World to Watch and still has an annual conference. So keep an eye on this space. There’s more superheroism to come. Possibly even spandex and capes.

Current Board Members

Casey Watkins

Casey Watkins

Board Role
President
Company Focus
Web Marketing - SEO | WEB | SOCIAL
Board Member Since
2008, 2022, 2024
Tim Shane

Tim Shane

Board Role
Vice-President
Company Focus
Creative Development and Digital Marketing
Company URL
Board Member Since
2018 and Member since 2011
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Kevin Adams

Board Role
VP of Marketing & Communications
Company Focus
Company URL
Board Member Since
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Kris O’Connor

Board Role
VP - State of Search
Company Focus
Company URL
Board Member Since
Mike Staff Photo 1

Mike Stewart

Board Role
Treasurer
Company Focus
Local Search, Local Media Buying, Media Creation
Company URL
Board Member Since
2008
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Casey Markee

Board Role
VP of Sponsorship
Company Focus
Site Audits, SEO Speaking & Training, Evangelism
Company URL
Board Member Since
2023
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Brandy Eddings

Board Role
Secretary
Company Focus
Company URL
Board Member Since
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Danielle Dahl

Board Role
At - Large
Company Focus
Storytelling & Inspirational Content
Board Member Since
2024
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Steve Winter

Board Role
At Large
Company Focus
Web Marketing - SEO | WEB | PPC | SOCIAL
Company URL
Board Member Since
2024
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Michael Melen

Board Role
At - Large
Company Focus
Digital Marketing for Small Business
Company URL
Board Member Since
2024