Our Team

Sydney Chaney-Thomas, Co-Founder

Utilizing her B.S. Degree in Political Science, Sydney began her career with a series of jobs that would make any young career woman drool. Her first job after graduating from Oregon State University was with the Oregon State Senate. The political connections she made there soon led to a plumb position with a lobby firm, as a Ballot Measure Coordinator , launching her into the world of marketing and advertising. 

The excitement of working political campaigns drew Sydney to her niche: working on product launches. As a Product Manager she launched the first debit card product in California for Bank of America.

After several successful years with B of A, Sydney went on to launch the first digital cell phone (PCS). Her reputation and expertise in product launches led to employment with three successful Dot Com companies. Her most recent, where she held the position of Marketing Director for technology startup Octiv, is where she met and worked with Mary Kirkpatrick.

Sydney loves the thrill of bringing new products to market in a quick, cost effective and dynamic way. She is an excellent project manager and leader. With over fifteen years in the business, Sydney knows what sells and how to sell it. She is a whiz at positioning, but will roll up her sleeves and tackle whatever is needed to successfully complete a project.

In her spare time she likes to snow ski and spend time with her family and beloved golden-doodle Polly

Mary Kirkpatrick, Co-Founder

Mary has been working in marketing and communications for 20 years and internet consulting for over 15 years.  After studying Journalism at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, her career began as an Editor/Writer for Nationwide Insurance.  Mary’s career included working in Publications and Communications at Boeing, account management at several small advertising agencies, Communications Manager at a Los Angeles area software company, and Marketing and Communications Manager at a DC-area government construction company. 

It was while working at Boeing that Mary gained first-hand knowledge of the vital role of accuracy, usability and security in government and military communications.  Government and non-profit projects have become a growing and important part of The Blueprint Marketing Group’s client roster. In addition to tackling projects for NASA, The Blueprint Marketing Group has been retained for ongoing web site work for the Florida Everglades web site (www.nps.gov), as part of the park’s effort to improve visitor engagement and boost volunteerism.

Mary has enjoyed working with a wide variety of non-profit clientele, including the Phoenix Art Museum, Lowell Observatory, the Bank Marketing Association, and the Commercial Real Estate Women of Northern Virginia (CREW). Pro bono work has been a part of Mary’s philosophy of giving back. The Blueprint Marketing Group has worked pro bono for numerous non-profits including the Knox County Humane Society. In addition, Blueprint recently completed the redesign of the web site for Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin and San Antonio as a pro bono project.

Mary’s leadership and development skills have helped numerous Silicon Valley startups get off the ground with innovative, engaging web sites and branding.  One of the startups, Octiv, a voice over internet telephony company, was so successful that it was eventually sold to giant Plantronics for a significant sum.  All told, Mary has worked with over 200 different companies, government entities and non-profits.