Meet Our Staff
Patti Watson, Chief Executive Officer
Years of Professional Experience: 29
A native of New Mexico, Patti joined Cooney & Associates, Inc. in 1991 when she returned to Albuquerque from Phoenix. She currently serves as chair and CEO. A majority shareholder of the firm, she currently serves as chair and CEO. She manages all facets of Cooney, Watson & Associates, Inc., and supervises and provides account service to select agency accounts.
In Phoenix, Patti was Marketing Director for Arizona Telco FCU (now Sunwest FCU) a large credit union serving employees of AT&T and its spin-off companies. She also served as marketing director for the Bank of Paradise Valley, a community-based, state-chartered bank.
In addition, her previous experience includes positions as vice president/account supervisor at vanSant & Co., Inc., where her clients included CIGNA Healthplan of Arizona, the state's largest HMO, serving more than 225,000 members; Lincoln Hospital, a full-service hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center; and RCA Canada, an association of more than 700 independent electronics dealers in that country.
Patti helped establish the Dupont Foundation in Phoenix, a nonprofit foundation sponsoring an annual 20-seminar series addressing medical and quality-of-life issues for seniors. She also helped Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico plan and launch the first two “Health Safaris” at the Rio Grande Zoo. Patti’s previous experience also includes positions as an account executive at Cowen & Associates, Inc.
Patti has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with Highest Honors from the University of New Mexico and has completed graduate courses in marketing. She teaches courses in media relations to professionals in the legal and recreational industries.
She previously served as chair of the board of directors of St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization raising funds in support of programs promoting health among women, children, families, Native Americans and recent immigrants. She is also a second vice president and a past president of Friends for the Public Library, supporting the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System.
Phyllis Baker, Senior Account Executive
Years of Professional Experience: 33
Phyllis joined Cooney, Watson & Associates, Inc. in 2005 after completing four years as creative director for a local agency. Her responsibilities range from supervising the New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance Conference and Expo to acting as the lead on the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority account. She was also responsible for working with the New Mexico Department of Health’s Epidemiology Department to put together the Handwashing Curriculum for New Mexico schools. Phyllis also has experience producing and directing audio and video projects.
Phyllis is experienced in developing creative concepts, then working to make those concepts reality. She has produced broadcast, print and multidimensional programs, and is adept at taking any project from start to finish. She is very detail-oriented and has extensive knowledge of digital and electronic media. Phyllis’ projects were nominated for Rocky Mountain Emmy awards in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and she received recognitions of achievement in those competitions each year.
Her previous experience also includes positions as director of client services for KOAT TV’s sales department, broadcast designer for KOAT, program development and digital printing for Subia Corporation and owner of her own graphic design firm.
Phyllis holds a Bachelor of Fine Art degree with a minor in English from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. She volunteers for Readwest Adult Literacy Program and teaches English as a Second Language. She is also a fine artist producing monotypes in her home studio.
Dana Bloomquist, Senior Account Executive
Years of Professional Experience: 30
Dana joined Cooney, Watson & Associates, Inc., in August 2001. Her responsibilities include working with the New Mexico Department of Health’s Family Infant Toddler, Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection, and Diabetes Prevention and Control programs, Pima Medical Institute, the Mi Via Self-Directed Waiver Program and the New Mexico Arthritis Center.
Before joining the agency, Dana was publisher and editor for Ristra Publishing, an independent publishing company based in Albuquerque. Among the magazines for which she was responsible was Bravo! Magazine for the Performing Arts. Prior to her position at Ristra, Dana served as a fundraising and development specialist for Alta Mira Specialized Family Services, Inc. Concurrently, she ran her own firm, HeartSing Communications, through which she provided editorial and public relations services to a number of clients.
Dana’s previous experience also includes positions as publications and public relations director for Sandia Preparatory School in Albuquerque, editor of Be Positive newspaper in Colorado Springs, corporate communications specialist for Sunwest Bank (now Bank of America) and a nine-year position as senior editor for Hughes Aircraft Company in Southern California.
Dana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications, with an emphasis in advertising and public relations, from the University of Utah.
She’s a 1998 graduate of Leadership Albuquerque; was a longtime member of and officer for the International Association of Business Communicators; and has volunteered as board and/or committee member for the Albuquerque Arts Alliance’s Bravos Awards Committee, the Friends of Music, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Education Issues Committee, the Hispanic Culture Festival, the American Heart Association, New Mexico Youth At Risk Foundation and Quality New Mexico.
Eric Martinez, Account Executive
Years of Professional Experience: 15
Eric joined Cooney, Watson & Associates, Inc. in 2007 and provides bilingual communications services as well as media planning and buying, audio/video production and web services to agency clients.
Prior to joining the agency, Eric served as international operations coordinator for Hosanna. His previous experience also includes positions as director of communications for the American Heart Association in Albuquerque and Tucson; as public relations manager of the Museum of New Mexico, Department of Cultural Affairs; and as marketing and public relations associate for the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.
His voice can be heard statewide in radio and television spots, he has appeared in promotions for public television programming on KNME and produced and hosted the Flamenco Santa Fe radio program on KSFR in Santa Fe.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication with a minor in sociology from the University of New Mexico. He also builds and restores guitars for buyers nationwide.
Maita Swartz, Finance/Contract Manager
Years of Professional Experience: 21
Maita joined Cooney, Watson & Associates, Inc. in 2003 as office manager. Her outstanding attention to detail and recordkeeping skills led to her 2004 promotion to finance/contract manager, and she now oversees all accounting, contracts and human resources operations for the firm.
Prior to joining Cooney, Watson & Associates, Maita held positions as office manager for Albuquerque’s Gold Street Caffe and Trinity Animation, Inc. Her background also includes serving as a senior administrative assistant at Pacesetter Corporation where she was named Administrative Employee of the Year. Maita holds an Associate’s Degree in theatre from Front Range Community College.
Jason Edwards, Administrative Assistant
Years of Professional Experience: 7
Jason joined Cooney, Watson & Associates in 2008 and has more than seven years in customer service and office administration. He previously worked as an office assistant for two financial services firms, Gordon Financial Services and ABQ Financial. Prior to that time, he was a campus representative for Volt, Inc., marketing Apple products and services to university students throughout the southwest. An advanced computer user, Jason brings extensive hardware and software knowledge to the agency. He is currently working on an Associate’s degree in business management at Central New Mexico Community College.