Co-founder
CSO/ Co-founder
President
CEO
Project Manager
Senior Strategist of Customer Experience
Marketing Manager
Digital Campaign Manager
Project Manager
Web Developer
Web Developer
Designer
Designer
I’m Pete Brand, CEO and co-founder of MINDSCAPE. I founded MINDSCAPE over 20 years ago with Paul Ferrier, and couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved. But while MINDSCAPE is a big part of my life, it is just one part. Outside of work, I love to hike and explore nature, play poker with friends, and spend time with my family. I have five amazing children and recently became a grandpa which is incredible. I believe in living life to the fullest and making the most out of every opportunity, and I hope that’s reflected in the work we do at MINDSCAPE.
Hey there! I’m Paul Ferrier, co-founder of MINDSCAPE. I’ve had a blast building this company from the ground up. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Baker College, I teamed up with Pete to launch MINDSCAPE in 2001. As a designer, I fell in love with all things digital marketing and it’s paid off – we’ve helped generate over a billion dollars in online revenue for our clients. But that’s not all I’m proud of, I’m also a proud husband to Bethann, father to my son Kody and dad to our two very spoiled pitbulls Aria and Londyn (who think they’re human). When I’m not behind my computer, you can find me exploring the great outdoors around the Muskegon River or giving back through volunteering.
Hi, I’m Jeff Bell, and I’m the president of MINDSCAPE. I’ve been working at MINDSCAPE for the past 12 years, first as a Project Manager, then as the Chief Operations Officer, and now I get to lead all these crazy people as president. I don’t have a lot of spare time these days between work, raising a teenage son, keeping my partner happy, and taking care of my three dogs, but when I do, I like to play board games and design cool enhancements for them on my 3D printer. I’m told I have a little bit of an obsession, but come on, board games are awesome!
Hello, I’m Amanda Brand and I’m the CEO of MINDSCAPE. I hold a B.S. in Education from Ferris State University, an MBA from Northwood Devos School of Business, and was named a 40 under 40 business leader in Grand Rapids. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family including my husband Pete, our five children, and our grand baby. You can find me traveling cross country in my camper van and sipping bourbon on the rocks when I’m not meeting with new potential clients and building relationships with our current partners.
Hello! I’m Nicole Yoder and I’m a project manager here at MINDSCAPE. I grew up in the Detroit area, but moved to Grand Rapids almost five years ago, and was lucky enough to start working at MINDSCAPE in 2022. I’ve had roles in project, product, and operations management, and I love getting to know the stories behind different companies. When I’m not working, I like to dance, listen to podcasts, and play with my two puppies, but my favorite thing to do is spend time with my Husband, Corey, and our 10-month old, Nicco.
Stephan Hokanson has worked in advertising for decades, including stints at ad agencies, national brands, and print and broadcast media outlets. His extensive experience in advertising, marketing, and branding are invaluable in his current role, improving customer experiences from end to end. When he’s off the clock, he’s often tooling around in his MINI Cooper convertible with his beautiful wife, his beautiful (but not-very-bright) Australian Shepherd, or both.
Hey there, I’m Connor Manion and I’m the marketing manager here at MINDSCAPE. I actually got my first big boy job here when I was 21 as a content writer, then moved into strategy, and now I’m having a blast experimenting with MINDSCAPE Marketing. When I’m not working, I like to play Dungeons and Dragons or relax with some TV and video games. My wife and I are homebodies so our nights are spent making fun meals, (we just made some delicious Butter Chicken), playing with our Cat, George, and kicking back with some homemade cocktails.
Hello, I’m Jim, and I am a 14 year MINDSCAPE veteran. Currently I am a digital campaign manager, and love working with our multi-faceted team to provide the best services for client success. Outside of Mindscape I enjoy wide variety of sports and music, and spending time with my family.
Hi, I’m Cristi Kaido and I’m a Project Manager here at MINDSCAPE. Outside of work I like to step away from the computer and enjoy the outdoors. My husband and I love to hike, kayak, bike, and rollerblade — we even take our dog out for adventures every now and then. When we aren’t enjoying the outdoors, you can catch us working out in our home gym or remodeling our home for the 100th time.
Hello, I’m Matt Brand and I’m a developer here at MINDSCAPE. I’ve been working for the company since I was 18 so it is kind of all I’ve known, but I really love the work/life balance the company offers. We get the job done and still have time to enjoy our lives. My hobbies outside of work are playing music, video games, working out, and hanging out with my wife. I’m from Grand Rapids, MI, born and raised, and you can find me painted on the side of Kendall College of Art and Design.
Hi, I’m Taylor Bookwalter. I was born and raised in Comstock Park, Michigan, and currently live in Rockford. I earned my Bachelor’s in CIS from Aquinas College, and I’ve been working at MINDSCAPE now for a little over 6 years. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching films and TV shows, going to concerts, and spending time exploring the beauty of Northern Michigan. I also value spending time with my family. My girlfriend and I live with our two dogs and cats, so there is never a dull moment.
Hi, I’m Amy Snell and I’ve been a designer at MINDSCAPE for 15 years. I know that might make it sound like I’m all about design all the time, but I step away from the screen every now and then. My husband, Franco, and I have two boys, Lucca (3) and Liam (1), as well as a beloved Boston terrier named Porky. We love getting outside to hike, go to the beach, swim, and while the kids are still too young for it, I’m a huge fan of volleyball. I look forward to meeting you!
Hi, I’m Mark Swanson, and I’ve been designing for the screen for over 20 years at MINDSCAPE. In that time, I’ve seen trends come and go as the industry has changed, but I’ve always enjoyed the growing creativity in the field and evolving culture inside MINDSCAPE since I started designing for the web before it was widely taught in any formal setting. Outside of work, I enjoy writing and recording music, spending time with my wife and dog, and hiking, running, reading and listening to audiobooks, podcasts and documentaries.
