About Us

If there are any hard and fast rules about running a successful company, Patrick has probably broken them. His entrepreneurial proclivity took root as a teenager, when he branded and launched a nationally sold product line that earned him recognition and experience. A full ride took him to Savannah College of Art and Design, but his thirst for hometown success was more enticing. In 2007, he dropped out and returned to Buffalo, where he launched Block Club, his first business, an award-winning branding and strategy agency. When he’s not leading Block Club, or working as CEO of Loupe, a restaurant customer loyalty tech company, Patrick can be found travelling the globe with family, cooking for his closest friends, or waking up at the crack of dawn to get a start on his eternal day.

Brandon wears his position’s multifarious roles—concept instigator, discerning tastemaker, pragmatic coach—with impeccable poise. He’s an avid learner, fearless explorer and consummate leader. There is nothing overtly loud or showy about Brandon, yet his presence is felt deeply in the office—every suggestion, every counter, every push for “better” is steeped in a fierce thoughtfulness that speaks to his own personal approach to life, a preference for distillation to the truest, purest form. Brandon is continually inspired and challenged by his travels, his urge to explore, to never stop absorbing and learning—all of which afford the rich well of inspiration from which he draws when branding and developing his clients’ worlds. For them, Brandon leaves no stone unturned, wanting the best for them just as he does for himself.

Dave is that rare bird, that curious case, that special circumstance of a man, who is so comfortable in his own shoes, and almost too gracious and effusive with those around him. It has been said that you can hear Dave before you see Dave. His presence is undeniable; you will never forget him. This makes the Rochester native, University at Buffalo alum, Oxford Pennant entrepreneur, and once-upon-a-time Block Club printing rep the quintessential strategist and business developer: always on his game, always collaborative, and always listening. Dave’s passion for his clients’ vision makes him an unrivaled partner for their brand needs, able to coordinate special projects, head-to-toe campaigns and dynamic solutions.

Steve is Block Club’s resident family man. He joined the Block Club team in its second year, after spending many years in Los Angeles. Ready to plant his roots back home, Steve and then-fiancée Lindsey dug in deep, eager to welcome a brood of mini-Sorokas. Today, the couple are parents to Ella and Henry, who loyally take after their dad’s stalwart support of the Buffalo Bills, Homer Simpson and general housekeeping. Likewise, as one of Block Club’s brand managers, Steve approaches the throng of daily tasks with unbending support, efficient problem solving and an easygoing attitude. Beyond managing a self-perpetuating system of overlapping schedules, client briefs, logistical needs and project obligations for both client and creative, Steve also contributes digital strategy for our clients’ web projects, fosters and maintains valuable client relationships, and makes upwards of a trillion phone calls an hour. Steve makes it all look easy, though, with a smile on his face, a days-old photo of his children on his phone, and a fresh supply of cleaning products hidden in his desk.

Every team needs a Pat. If they’re so lucky, they’ll get a project leader who’s adept at the fast-paced world of problem solving, client support and production coordination, all delivered with a permanent smile. (Maybe a well-played quip, too, but no promises.) This is a skillset that Pat, a Pittsburgh native, sharpened while working behind the scenes at NBC Universal in New York City, where he managed various on-air and digital productions. In front of the camera, Pat and husband Billy gained national attention for their popular (and still-running) web series that chronicled their wedding planning, married life and move to Buffalo. Pat’s productive approach means that every project he works on is creatively conceived, thoroughly edited and substantially supported. He usually knows what you’re going to ask before you ask it, and answers it before you’ve opened your mouth. This facilitation is key to ensuring an enjoyable, stress-free project. On screen and off, Pat’s strategy remains the same: work together, tell a story and have fun.

For a man of many words, Ben is most comfortable being the quiet one. You wouldn’t guess that, though, from the various channels through which he communicates; not from his sleepless Facebook monologue or Instagram feed, or his long-running arts reviews in The Buffalo News, or his TEDxBuffalo talk on Buffalo’s renaissance, or in any of the city’s coffee shops that play host to his impromptu late-night conversations. When Ben isn’t using his words, he’s absorbing his surroundings for interpretation in his work—from 2007 to 2015 as editor of the award-winning Block Club magazine, and as a longtime content strategist for Block Club’s remarkable clients. His goal is always the nucleus: the honesty in every expression, the truth of every intention, the last line in every bio.

Tim is a man on the move. His bike gets him most places, swiftly, adventurously, covertly. He is an advocate of his city’s pathways, pushing for reform and education as a GoBike Buffalo board member and vocal West Side citizen. This movement is also self-evident in his design philosophy, which pushes for what’s next, what’s innovative, what’s patently original. Tim’s extracurricular life as a drummer also pops into frame from time to time, the punk rocker never able to sit perfectly still or color within the lines. For Tim, this creative energy, vital in everything from brand development to album cover art, bike design to citizen empowerment, is kinetic, evolving, electric and alive.

Formerly of Batavia, NY, once of London, England, and forever tethered to both campsite and street grid, Julie is a well-traveled homebody. Her work evokes the truth of our origins—our locations, our people, our things, our stories. Her approach maintains this simplicity; the easiest explanation, whether visual or verbal, is often the truest. A brief stint in London, where she worked at design firm AD Creative, affirmed her affinity for the understated. There, here and everywhere in Julie’s work, the conversation continues between the old and the new, the ancient and the contemporary, the tarnished and the polished. That influence is self-evident in not only her clients’ work, but in her own illustrative art, which earned rave reviews in its 2014 gallery debut.

A creative mind like Ryan’s would be an asset on any team. He is thoughtful in his approach, meticulous in his production, and crticial in his assessment—all vital approaches to creating strong content. Ryan hones his skills in a variety of personal creative outlets. A digital media arts graduate from Canisius College, he has nearly a decade of experience working at a number of creative agencies and studios in the area. Ryan is an educator at Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, where he teaches graphic design in their media art workshops. He also currently plays in two active bands, both of which have records out on local labels and occasionally tour the country. It’s in his well-roundedness that Ryan is able to provide invaluable insight and perspective to every client and team project. A calm, cool head doesn’t hurt either.

To many, a visit to Block Club’s office means one important thing: a visit with Miles. Our cuddly office greeter is everyone’s friend. Formerly of Ohio, Miles moved to Buffalo at age 3, and now resides in Allentown, where he enjoys daily walks, sleeping, barking, food and, on special occasions, a human wardrobe. Hard of hearing, Miles understands basic commands in American Sign Language, though he pretends he doesn’t. When he’s not lounging at his colleagues’ feet, he can be found guarding the front window, which he seems to forget is not in his job description. Don’t let his protective demeanor fool you, though; he is, in fact, super friendly and only in constant pursuit of attention and unattended sandwiches. His favorite sitcom is Animal Planet and his favorite drama is “Murder, She Wrote.”