Dan Granick

Dan is our Team Leader! As President and owner of Creative, Dan is celebrating 22 years in the industry. He carries with him our master’s passion and secrets that were handed down from his father, Stu Granick, Creative’s founder and inspiration. Dan thrives on the creative aspect of a promotion, always working on and planning the next great idea.

Majoring in advertising at the University of Illinois, Dan continued on and received his J.D. from IIT Chicago Kent College of Law. He practiced corporate law, focusing on business, estate planning and real estate until he joined forces with Stu. Dan’s quick creativity and sharp analytical skills have helped Creative become the business it is today.

Dan is a friend to all who know him. He is a companion and trusted advisor, whether it is business or personal. When he is not thinking about the next big thing he spends time with his lovely wife of 25 years Joyce and three beautiful daughters, Melissa, Jessica and Jamie.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere with my family preferably on some beach with a drink in my hand!

What is your favorite quote?

I have several quotes that I really like: “If you add a little to a little and do it often you will have something great! Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity! If someone shows you who they are believe them!”

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Going to the movies is one of my favorite pastimes and there are way to many to pick just one. Several of my top choices would be: The Godfather trilogy, Scarface, I guess any Al Pacino movie, Goodfellas, Stripes, Caddyshack, Platoon, Deer Hunter, Wedding Crashers, Old School, All of the Bourne movies, Top Gun, Risky Business, Ferris Bueller, Enter The Dragon, Live and Let Die, Good Will Hunting, Life is Beautiful, Pitch Perfect, oh my gosh did I just put that down! Yes, I admit it I can't stop watching Pitch Perfect!

Describe yourself in three words?

Creative, Original, Funny

If you were to win a “most likely” award, what would it be?

If I were to win a "most likely" award it would have to be Most Likely to Have Fun!

Mike Elowe

Mike is our lead operator. As Vice President and COO, Mike is all about getting things done! With 15 years of industry experience, Mike is responsible for planning Creative’s strategy and growth as well as lead client contact on a number of accounts.

Mike graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in finance. Feeling the need for more school, Mike then obtained his J.D. from UCLA School of Law. Mike practiced real estate and corporate law for almost ten years before joining Team Creative.

When away from the office, Mike likes to spend time with his family and of course their dog, Louie. Mike enjoys golfing, skiing and keeping in shape whether swimming, cycling or running.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Aspen

What is your favorite quote?

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."- John Wooden

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Anchorman

Describe yourself in three words?

Persistent, hard working

If you were to win a “most likely” award, what would it be?

Most likely to work late.

Judy Elowe

Judy specializes in creating excitement about the infinite opportunities for promotional products and branding solutions. As a Vice President at Creative, Judy oversees the company’s business strategies in addition to interacting with customers on a daily basis. She works with Team Creative to ensure that her customers are getting the most innovative ideas and the very best customer service in the industry.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Business Administration and Marketing degree, Judy began working for a pharmaceutical company immediately after college. After eight years of sales, sales training, and management, Judy started her second career and joined her family’s business, Creative. At Creative, Judy assists customers by integrating effective promotional marketing and branding solutions. Judy enjoys the long-standing relationships that have developed over the past 18 years with her customers. She believes that no problem is too difficult to solve. And, through her problem solving strategies, incredibly positive outcomes are attained.

When she is not thinking about the next customer project on her to do list, you can find Judy serving on the board of EPWNG (Exclusive Professional Networking Group), attending numerous networking meetings, exercising, grocery shopping and cooking while happily enjoying a great cup of coffee. She lives in Northbrook, Illinois with her husband, two teenage children (although her daughter just left for her first year of college) and her adorable Puggle, Louie.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Aspen

What is your favorite quote?

“Never, never, never give up” - Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” - Winston Churchil

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Forrest Gump

Describe yourself in three words?

happy, positive, compassionate

If you were to win a “most likely” award, what would it be?

Most likely to succeed

Ann Bacigalupo

Fate brought Ann to the Promotional Products industry while on a 1985 interview for a customer service position in Nashville, TN. In 1988, when she moved back to her native Chicagoland, she began working with Stu Granick and three years later his son, Dan Granick. By 1994, Ann was helping Dan and Stu launch Creative Promotional Products.

Most days, she loves her job and the people she works with and her training as a first grade teacher gives her the patience she needs for all things. Creative brainstorming sessions and employee recognition are the highlights of her days.  After hours she spends time with her partner Barb and their two dogs, Tillie & Tucker. She loves surfing the internet and working on her family tree!

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere in the Northwoods in a cabin or on the lake fishing.

What is your favorite quote?

I have several, but 2 of my favorites would be: “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.” - Maya Angelou "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." - Abraham Lincoln

What is your favorite movie of all time?

The Sound of Music - there are others that come close but this was one of the first movies I saw in the theater, when the ushers still wore uniforms, hats and white and walked you to you seats with a flashlight. It was very impressive for an 8 year old. Runners up would be Inn of the 6th Happiness, Sister Act and Funny Girl and the Die Hard and Terminator series. Love the musicals and anything that makes me laugh!

Describe yourself in three words?

Creative, Caring, Wise

If you were to win a “most likely” award, what would it be?

Win the lottery and give it all away!