Our People: The CBC Team

The CBC team is made up of bank and credit union branding and marketing strategists, creative and project management professionals, and most importantly, thought leaders. Get to know our team.

Jeff Stephens
CEO
With the vision to become an agency with more far-sightedness than an ad agency and more spine than a marketing agency, Jeff Stephens founded Creative Brand Communications. As CEO and Account Director, Jeff oversees the operations of the business while collaborating with the creative team and continuing to develop new strategies and materials for clients.

Jeff’s precise direction for CBC is a result of his experiences. After arming himself with an Advertising degree from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, he landed in the big-agency world of advertising. Lack of the big-picture mentality compelled Jeff to think beyond the narrow focus of ads and into the broader field of marketing. That led to becoming a Marketing Project Manager for Umpqua Bank. With the company, Jeff launched several campaigns, managed many strategic and creative initiatives, and discovered all sorts of new ways to build powerful, experiential brands.

Away from the office, Jeff can often be found at a coffee shop with his wife and friends, playing sports, or hiding in Europe.

Jessica Sanders
Operations Director
Jessica enhances CBC with extensive experience in managing a wide range of special initiatives—from unique projects for our clients, to lofty internal goals and beyond. As our versatile pinch hitter, Jessica is everywhere.

Before joining the team, Jessica spent the last few years in Membership and Development at the Portland Art Museum. Most recently, she was the Museum’s Membership Manager, where she oversaw all aspects of the membership program and managed a staff of five.

Jessica, an aspiring photographer and rock drummer, graduated from the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College with a degree in Art History.

Scott Spangenberg
CFO
Scott has over 30 years of financial and operations management experience with both public and private companies, including behemoths like CBC. He has served as CFO, CAO and Corporate Controller for NASDAQ and NYSE listed corporations, and managed the Small Business group of a Big 4 accounting firm.

Scott’s greatest strength is his breadth of experience in merger and acquisition work, managing corporate treasuries, capital raising activities, and working with bankers to establish, increase, and modify credit facilities. He has helped to build profitable companies in a wide range of industries and has developed and implemented restructuring programs resulting in millions of dollars in annualized cost reductions. Scott earned his MBA from the University of Portland. He and his wife Debra live in the city of Happy Valley with their two very friendly, fluffy Bichon Frise dogs.

Aaron Cronan
Producer & Sound Designer
Aaron breathes life into brands through custom sounds, music and video. From audio logos and music compositions to national commercials, Aaron proves your brand’s story in ways that are both moving and memorable.

Before joining the CBC team, Aaron worked in Los Angeles in sound design/composition and production for commercials. Aaron earned his BS from UC San Diego and his Juris Doctorate from UC Hastings College of Law. (Did we forget to mention Aaron is also a lawyer?)

Aaron’s personal interests align perfectly with his work. When he is not spending time with his wife and freakishly smart dog, Aaron finds himself writing his own music and creating sketch comedy videos.

Jeff Petersen
Environmental Designer
Jeff has worked in the Northwest as a designer for the past 25 years. A BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Washington in Seattle has led to designing contemporary retail spaces that reinforce the client’s brand and product. A physical presentation of the company and its culture is more than slapping a logo on a wall. Learning about the business, the product and customers is the first step to inventing the right space at the right time for the right client. Jeff collects endless piles of design inspiration, sketches, and then creates a 3d environment with his computer. The result is a place that works for the brand and is just plain cool. Jeff’s favorite thing is doing just about anything with his wife and two sons.