Our Team
Get to know Avance
Acquanetta Glass
President/CEO
Acquanetta Glass has spent more than 45 years working in marketing communications. Over the life of her career, she has served as director of communications for two high-tech firms and as a senior public relations specialist for General Motors Corporation. In 1990, she co-founded and was a partner of a Detroit-based public relations firm. By 1996, she was ready to strike out on her own and founded Avance Communications, Inc. For Avance, Glass has spearheaded numerous national, regional, and local campaigns for clients such as McDonald’s Corporation, Knight Foundation, the City of Detroit, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne County, Michigan, General Motors Corporation, 3M, Life Technologies, the State of Michigan, Fifth Third Bank and Community Network Services. Glass and the Avance team also had the privilege of working with the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host and the NFL on event coordination (most notably the NFL Experience); and provided media relations activities for 3,000 international journalists. As Avance’s Chief Executive Officer and pacesetter, she is fully committed to designing quality products and providing outstanding client services. She believes in and promotes this philosophy within the agency. She practices this philosophy, and it is evident throughout Avance’s corporate fabric. Glass’ early successes in reaching diverse and inclusive markets and her program development experience resulted in a U.S. service mark for Avance Diversity CommunicationsSM initiatives and programs. It is a flexible communications model that helps clients engage with diverse and inclusive audiences. Under her leadership, Avance has become an award-winning communications agency with a growing national reputation.
Winston L. Glass, Jr.
Executive Vice President
Winston L. Glass, Jr. has over 45 years of experience in sales, marketing, and new business development. Glass has recruited, trained, and developed three national marketing and sales teams. At the Full Employment Council of Kansas City, Glass was the director of employment and sales services for five counties connected to the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. One of Glass’ career highlights was his participation and completion of the Chrysler Dealer Development Program, which resulted in him owning two automotive dealerships. Other phases of Glass’ career include being vice president of Marketing for a Michigan HMO, serving as the Midwest Regional Manager for Johnson Products Company of Chicago, Illinois, working as the District Sales Manager for the J. Lewis Cooper Company in Detroit, and working as a Labor Relations Representative and Materials/Shipping Controls Supervisor for Ford Motor Company. Through these positions, Glass has built and established his sales, marketing, strategic planning, and new business development career. Glass’ career has excelled throughout the years due to his expertise in these disciplines. He is also known as an organizational “turnaround” specialist. Glass has managed eight-figure budgets and has helped companies exceed sales goals. At Avance, Glass provides strategic planning, risk assessment, crisis and issues management, event coordination, sales support, marketing, government and community relations, and new business development activities.
Arthur Wood
Senior Account Manager
Arthur Wood is an accomplished and innovative C-level executive with more than 30 years of commercial and public television experience in large, medium, and small media markets, literally from coast to coast. Wood has been responsible for recruiting and developing several of the country’s current, top national and local broadcast journalists, including ABC’s David Muir. He successfully created, sold, and managed value-added television station projects at five broadcast facilities, delivering nontraditional dollars, tripling membership and increasing revenue by over 600%. As news director, Wood designed studies and constructed research instruments for qualitative research and focus groups. As general manager, he led several teams in the creation of full-service, self-supporting, media-rich websites, utilizing his deep knowledge of SEO and web analytics. Wood prides himself on having built multiple Emmy-winning creative teams that are multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-talented, and multitasking. A favorite Wood’s quote from Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” is turned up a notch by Wood since he brings both to the table. At Avance, Wood is the chief media officer responsible for executive project management, creative development, and broadcast media production. Additionally, he manages research, social media, Internet and web-based activities, diversity and inclusion initiatives, media strategies, and advertising. Wood’s professional and distinctive ability to speak is also incorporated into videos, commercials, and films as the voice-over.
Lana Levens
Senior Account Manager
Lana Levens has over 20 years of experience in marketing communications, leadership, and client services. Throughout her career, she has worked with various clients and industries, from major corporations to startups, leveraging her expertise to help them achieve their marketing objectives. Her journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University, where she developed a strong foundation in strategic messaging, brand management, and integrated marketing campaigns. With a strategic mindset and a creative flair, Levens’ passion is developing comprehensive communication strategies that resonate with desired audiences and inspire them to action. She is dedicated to excellence and strives to stay ahead of the curve by embracing new trends and technology in the ever-changing marketing landscape. Beyond her marketing prowess, Levens is also a seasoned leader who understands the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. She thrives on guiding and inspiring teams to reach their full potential, driving organizational success through effective communication and mentorship.
Eraslan Media
Digital Media & Advertising Partners
Eraslan Media (EMA) is an international digital marketing and management agency, founded by Burak Eraslan and Darren Williams in 2017 during their time at Seton Hall University. EMA provides the full gambit of digital media services to increase company revenue, grow brand equity, and drive better business outcomes for its clients. Every day, we go to work with the intent to do two things for our clients: increase return on investment and solidify online presence. In 2023, online platforms provide a brand’s first impression to potential clients and partners prior to them ever experiencing the brand’s presence in person. Let us work to put your best foot forward! We are entrepreneurs, athletes, writers, designers, comedians, photographers, and data junkies. We live and breathe emerging trends, new tech and we are always growing. EMA has served the national and international likes of Fireball Extreme Challenge, the first mandatory co-ed sport from Italy. The Giving Back Fund, one of the premier celebrity and professional athlete philanthropy houses. RAIN Water, an industry-leading sustainable spring water distributor. Along with several pro athletes across the major sports leagues in the United States.
Freddie Thompson
Graphic Designer, Creative Artist, and Web Designer
Freddie Thompson is the founder of Epoch Creative Solutions and is its president and CEO. With over 20 years of professional graphic design experience in the advertising and public relations industry, Thompson provides graphic design services in the areas of print and web. Additionally, he manages client activities for print production and provides clients with project specifications and quotes to ensure the integrity, and highest, quality of products and services. Illustrative work and photography are other skills that Thompson offers clients. For more than 15 years, Thompson was the graphic design manager for all of Avance Communications’ graphic and web campaigns. Thompson has continued an ongoing teaming relationship with Avance via Epoch Creative Solutions. Thompson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) and has had continuing education in web design and animation under CCS’ alumni program.