In addition to leaping tall buildings in a single bound, our new interactive designer Alan Sheu can not only build you a website, but also completely trick it out with a fabulous design. Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, this superstar graduated from Washington University in 2009 with a degree in communication design. From there he freelanced as mild-mannered Alan the developer by day, and the caped design crusader by night.

When he’s not doubling up on Integrity projects in Wordpress or Photoshop, Alan or “Squeaky” as he reluctantly admitted to being called, enjoys movies, video games and fellow four-eyed hero Harry Potter. His kryptonite is stale music, and his secret weapon is his ability to travel incognito as his twin brother. Don’t worry, we put a mark on the real Alan. Bet you wish you knew where.

New hire Aaron Bateman learned the development ropes the delicious way at his first internship with a small company where he churned out the website for Dippin’ Dots. The sweet tooth must have stuck because he also did a small stint at Bissingers Chocolate (where he did lots of “flavor testing”) before turning in his purple top hat for a laptop and began working as a consultant and developer at Network Solutions. From there he moved into freelance, building both back and front-end web applications for companies like Ferry-Morse Seeds and Flat Creek Lodges.

When he’s not developing the crap out of the latest and greatest Integrity project, he’s snowboarding, playing soccer or basketball and injecting Mountain Dew straight into his veins. He also doesn’t trust foods with more than four colors, so he can never be accused of stealing Skittles around the office.

We’d like to introduce a new member of the Integrity team and a true renaissance man (no, not in the Shakespearean, pantaloon-wearing sense). Joe Thebeau does it all, technically speaking. He’s worked at Stereotaxis, a remote magnetic navigation company (say what?) in technical communications and customer advocacy and he’s also dabbled in freelance as a technical communications expert (but we’re not bragging). He is now the conductor of our development orchestra, designing and building online solutions.

Speaking of music, when Joe’s not deciphering HTML code or noshing on Subway with the guys, he sings and plays guitar for an indie pop/rock group (does it get any hipper?). He’s also getting his Philosophy degree at UMSL and managing a serious wiffleball league in his very own backyard…where he tends his very own vegetable garden with his very own hands. Did we mention that Joe is married and has two kids? Yeah, our minds are boggled too.

We know you’re jealous, but hands off! This modern-day Da Vinci is ours!

Julia Werner has been called to our set, and she’s definitely a star on the rise. This St. Louis native came from humble beginnings, graduating from Truman State University with a degree in Communications and then paying her dues Almost Famous style for Nighttimes.com, interviewing musicians and writing film and CD reviews. Her big break came writing news and feature articles for local publication, the West End Word, where she received critical acclaim. Shortly after becoming a free agent, she signed on with Integrity as a writing intern, assisting the content team writing internet and catalog copy and managing web content.

When she’s not walking the red carpet, Julia enjoys laughing heartily with friends and family, renting from Netflix and drinking way too much Coke. We give her two enthusiastic thumbs up!

She’s upped the ante and we’re going all in! Erica Wenick (or ‘E’ as the rounders call her) has joined the game as a design intern after winning big as an in-house designer for Novus International where she worked on everything from print ads and monthly newsletters to web banners and online flash ads. She also had a stake in freelance design for American Image Salon and Pappas Toyota. Before that, Erica threw her chips in the pot at Maryville University where she received her BFA in Graphic Design (that’s skill, not luck). Her strategy is based on the belief that other than nature, everything on the planet must be designed.

When she’s not cashing in ideas with our design department to create banners and website designs, Erica enjoys playing Texas Hold’em and showing off her p-p-p-poker face (minus the black spandex suit and glittering headdress). This wild card also loves spending time with her boyfriend, walking her dog in Creve Couer and watching The Office. We hit the jackpot!

We’ve reeled in another great catch and added Ben Fischbein to our think tank. Before making a splash at Integrity, Fisch (as he’s now been christened, or in his case brissed) attended American University in Washington, D.C.—and somehow made it back to Missouri with his morals intact (well, sorta). He’s also tested the waters in HR consulting and owned his own freelance social media company, where he did such a stellar job leading candidates through the murky business of mudslinging that he was actually being considered for the face of the three dollar bill. Speaking of social media, Ben’s a veritable shark on the subject. When not “working” on Facebook or Twitter, he assists the content team with writing, research and user flows in addition to masterminding all social media campaigns and strategies (insert evil laugh here).

When he’s not diving into social media, Fisch enjoys being Integrity’s resident golf pro and rooting for the Alabama Crimson Tide and, of course, the St. Louis Cardinals. To quote a local rap philosopher, he’s from the Lou and he’s proud. We fell for him hook, line and sinker!

And he’s deving up some kicking websites. Intern-turned-full-timer, Berrek Thompson is Integrity’s newest web developer and vinyl record expert. He’s made himself right at home, infecting the office with tunes from both his iPod and guitar (which has also made itself at home), and collecting foosball wisdom from Integrity’s veteran developer, Jake. Before hopping aboard the Integrity train, Berrek shared website beauty with the world as a freelance designer, working his HTML/CSS/PHP/MySQL/Flash magic to bring each client’s identity and brand in line, online.

Originally from California, Berrek meandered his way around the country before landing in the Heartland, where he has discovered that surfing and beaches aren’t required as long as there’s live music in his life. Of course it’s his wife—a hairstylist who keeps his locks looking rockstar fab—and his “puppy-dog and kitty-cats” that really make his life complete, as does his job at the coolest interactive agency around (we made him say that last part).

We’re puffing out our chest feathers and waking the neighbors to announce and welcome the newest hen, Catherine Betz, to the roost. Catherine spent the past few years as a marketing writer at a large university where she worked her magic writing and editing SEO content, streamlining project-tracking processes and smoothing unruly content into pleasant, flowy prose. In fact, she’s so good at preventing reader headaches, her new nickname around the office is Excedrin. How about that for a week two welcoming? In addition to saving readers money on over-the-counter medications, Catherine spends time shaping the minds of young ones as a part-time English teacher at a local community college. Now that’s something to crow about!

When not at the office fielding questions about her recently acquired hens and their lifestyles, laying habits and personalities, Catherine can be found walking her dog in Tower Grove Park, biking, playing volleyball, cheering the Jayhawks on in hoops and traveling with her husband.

We’re excited to report that yet another teammate has rounded the bases and arrived home. Not only does Robin Rath possess a party-in-your-mouth name, he is our newest Director of User Experience Design, which is a fancypants title for “really talented fellow.” Robin is a designer who really cares about people – awe, warm fuzzies! What we mean by that is that Robin’s primary focus is on user experience and usability, skills he has fine-tuned through his 10 years spent acquiring, managing and merging startups. Robin has designed and managed projects ranging from large scale web-application development to brand-focused microsites. Ooohhhh… Ahhhh… We hear one of the biggest perks about his line of work is having the opportunity to use multi-colored Sharpies on a regular basis. So that’s why our supply closet is looking so empty…

When Robin isn’t busy wearing out office supplies and wireframing, he enjoys spending time with his soon-to-be wife and their weimaraner, Tycho. Robin also likes the outdoors, playing tennis, cheering on the Cardinals and traveling as much as possible.

Well folks, it’s that time again. Time to report the arrival of yet another crazy cool cat to the Integrity den. In case you were wondering, yes, we’re now on a first name basis with the Office Max employees. And no, being a regular does not give you the freedom to perform “rigorous, real-life testing” on office supplies by removing them from their packaging. But we digress and extend our warmest, fuzziest welcome to Beth Buchanan, the newest designer to the Integrity cul…er, team. (Note: no humans or animals were hurt in the initiation of this employee).

Beth is a recent graduate of the well-known UMSL studio art program, where she focused on graphic design and general awesomeness. Prior to pointing her compass towards our doorstep, Beth completed an internship at St. Louis Magazine where she was the art director’s right-hand woman. By that, we mean she did everything from layouts to stock photography to actual photography – a true renaissance art woman designer gal. We dig that with a shovel, and love having more creative juice flowing through the office.

When Beth isn’t designing or typing at incredible speeds on her Blackberry, she can be found at her farm boating, ATVing and riding horses – all with her 130 lb great dane, Maverick, in tow.