David Chapman

CEO & Founder

If I could be anyone in a band ever …
That’s easy. Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. No one touches him in my book. Only problem is when he speaks in that high pitched voice of his. I guess you can’t have it all.

Talk about your first pet?
My first pet was an awesome German Shepherd named Dixie. She was my girl!

Your dream car is …
A 1962 red corvette with a white inlay on the sides. My granddad had that car and I remember riding in it like it was yesterday. Watching “Gas Monkey Garage” on TV gives me the itch to get one!

What is your favorite season, and why?
It’s got to be the fall if you live in North Carolina. Perfect weather, leaves are changing, able to enjoy the beach or the mountains, go to football games, etc. It’s magical.

In high school I was …
A hippie athlete. I was a lefty baseball pitcher with hair at least as long as Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants.

What effect does music have on you?
Music has always been a major part of my life. My Mom loves to play the piano, her dad played the piano and sang. Unfortunately I didn’t stick with my guitar lessons (they were teaching “Home on the Range;” I wanted to play Zeppelin) and regret it to this day. As I say in my Twitter handle – music smooths life’s jagged edges.

Have you ever carved your name or initials into a tree or stone?
Absolutely. There are two trees at Maroon Bells in Colorado that have my initials in them – went there once with my lovely wife and once with my younger son, Sammy.

What trait do you most admire in other people?
Loyalty. What can I say? I’m a Leo through and through.

Favorite quote?
I’ve collected quotes for years – so that’s a hard one. How about three?

“Never try to teach a pig to sing. It will waste your time and annoy the pig.”

“I just put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing happened.”
George Carlin.

“Look, PETA! If God hadn’t wanted us to eat animals, he wouldn’t have made them so darn tasty!”
Stephen Colbert

Sue Yannello

EVP, Director Of Content

Name one thing that has always fascinated you.
The tenacity of the human spirit. The ability of people to triumph over tragedy, pick themselves up, dust themselves off and go at failure like the enemy. I love our society of survivors.

Growing up, what career goals did you have?
I knew I wanted to be a journalist ever since I was 8 years old and grilled my mom over whether Santa Claus was real. I had a rewarding 20-year career in TV news as an investigative/consumer reporter. Now I feel blessed to tell stories in public relations. I also learned there is a Santa Claus for adults. It’s called second chances.

What musical medium did you grow up with?
I grew up with vinyl records I played very loudly in my upstairs bedroom of our small home in New Jersey. I would repeatedly tune dad out when he’d ask me to lower the volume. I’ll never forget when I was blasting Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” for the HUNDREDTH TIME and dad yelled TURN THAT DARN MUSIC DOWN. I didn’t. Dad ran up the stairs like a bat out of hell and threw my stereo and my Meatloaf album right out the window. I switched to CDs after that.

How long are you able to live off the grid?
I can’t live off the grid. It’s my lifeline. Plus it’s how I pay my bills and feed my kids. I need to be reachable at all times, so I am.

Best positive influence.
My parents have been the best possible influence. They have a beautiful marriage and total respect and admiration for each other. It taught me what true love is all about.

What do you enjoy the most in life?
I enjoy when our family is all together having fun and laughing. As the boys get older, I realize our time with them is precious, and every moment counts.

Trait you admire most in people.
I admire people who give their time to help others. It’s the most generous thing you can do.

Graham Chapman

VP, Account Services

Name one thing that has always fascinated you.
Extremely talented athletes and musicians have always fascinated me. I love watching the best of the best perform their craft and doing what I can, albeit poorly, to execute as they do when I play sports or drums.

How long have you been able to live off the grid? No e-mail, Internet, electricity, running water, etc.
I am TERRIBLE at this.   I always have to be connected – nights, weekends, holidays, etc. It’s required to do my job well for our clients at 919 Marketing. However, I actually did take two weeks off to enjoy an unbelievable wedding and honeymoon experience with my wife in Costa Rica.   We spent the first week celebrating our marriage near the pacific coast with a small group of friends and family.   Week two was pure serenity – enjoying our honeymoon at a private rainforest resort near the volcano in Arenal. It was wonderful to unplug, but I don’t see it happening again any time soon.   Far too many big things to accomplish in the coming years at 919 AND at home. My wife and I are thrilled to be back in NC after five wonderful years in DC.   We purchased a new home close to the office and hope to start a family in the coming years.   With plenty of work to be done on the new house, and perhaps kids on the way soon, the two-week unplugging record will stand for years!

Who in your life has been the best positive influence on your life?
There are so many great people who have positively impacted my life, but this would have to be my father. He’s my boss, my dad, and my best friend. I owe much of my personal makeup, values, and career to him. Hard to be more influential than that!

What things do you enjoy most in your life?
Family moments – whenever and wherever they happen. They can be as big as a major vacation or once-in-a-lifetime concert with the whole family, or as small as relaxing on the couch for a few moments after a long day with my wife and our dogs. I’m happiest when I can spend quality time with those I love and appreciate most.

Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone else for a day, week, or a lifetime? If so, who was it and why?
I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, but it would be fun to see life through the eyes of a famous athlete or musician for a few days. To narrow it down to one person, I think I’d say Chad Smith, the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  But only if we can go back to a time when he was younger and playing with John Frusciante, as opposed to Josh Klinghoffer!

What is one thing nobody knows about you because nobody ever cared to ask?
I am probably the only person you know who can play Cake’s “Italian Leather Sofa” on the kazoo. Yes, it’s true, I am a serious kazoo player. Seriously, I have an electric hook-up so I can play the kazoo through an amp. YES! Wait…is that sad? Ok, fine. I know every Mitch Hedberg joke and mimic his voice far too often. Oh, that’s pathetic, too? Welp – that’s all I’ve got.

Name one thing you always wanted to do, but haven’t. What has prevented you from doing it?
Travel the world and visit Asia and Australia. I’ll do this one day, but waiting until I’m celebrating a milestone anniversary with my wife!

What is the one thing you cannot live without?
Coaching. I love doing what I can to be a positive influence in the lives of competitive and ambitious kids who want to become better ball players, and more importantly, better people.   I owe so much to those who coached me growing up, so it’s an honor for me to be a role model to the next generation!

Scott Curkin

VP, Account Services

What is your lucky number, and why is it so lucky?
Four and 13. Four just always has been a lucky since day one, and Channel 13 was the first place I got my TV break, so that became a favorite of mine, as well.

How long have you been able to live off the grid?
No e-mail, Internet, electricity, running water, etc. I think I could handle no e-mail and no Internet, but NO WAY I could live without electricity or water. I very much like air conditioning and MUST take a shower every day, if not twice a day.

Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone else for a day, week, or a lifetime? If so, who was it and why?
Derek Jeter. I will say I’m in no way a Yankees fan, but I have the utmost respect for Derek Jeter. How he handled himself on and off the field (for the most part) I always admired and I think being him for a day or a week in NYC would be fantastic. Not for a lifetime though, cause I can’t root for the Yankees.

Describe your first car.
1989 White Toyota Camry. Was my grandmothers and was handed down to me. I loved it because the seat belts were automatic, and I thought that was awesome.

What is your favorite movie?
“TOP GUN”. I still get a rush from watching that movie!

Growing up, what career goals or dreams of accomplishments did you have?
I wanted to be a television sportscaster. I love sports, and wanted to be the person to deliver the highlights and scores every night. I had the opportunity to work in a sports department right out of college, and realized the lifestyle of working nights and weekends (when most sporting events take place) was not for me. Still a huge fan, I just enjoy watching the highlights more than delivering them.

What is the one thing you cannot live without?
My grill. I absolutely love to cook, and the grill is my number one go to. Meat, vegetables, you name it, I like to cook it on the grill. It’s never too hot, too cold or raining too much for me to go outside and fire it up.

Ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?
Definitely chocolate, which is funny because I wouldn’t consider myself a chocolate person.