Our Team

Dan Copeland was born in 1955 and spent the first 19 years of his life in Jackson, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1984. In 1987, Dan moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., to start Business People. For over 30 years, Dan has led the company. He has two daughters, one who is active in the business and the other lives and works in Michigan. He is involved in the local community through various non-profit agencies. He enjoys golf, snow skiing and travel. 

Karla St. Myers, editor 
kstmyers@businesspeople.com  

Upon graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington with a degree in journalism, Karla joined the Business People team as an editorial intern. She then came on board as a freelance writer and now, several years later, as editor. Meeting new people in Fort Wayne and supporting their businesses through writing and communication has always been a passion of hers. Outside of working hours, you can find Karla spending time with her husband, two little girls and her dog, trying new restaurants around the Fort Wayne area and partaking in local events and happenings. Coffee, spending time with family and friends, and shopping are amongst her other favorite things.

Emily started working for Business People in 2004 as the ad coordinator. After gaining experience and learning about all aspects of the company, she took over the office manager position in October 2009 and was promoted to VP of Operations in 2014. She has a degree in marketing from IPFW and strives to bring a fresh perspective to Business People. Emily got married in March 2015 to Mark Burnworth and they welcomed their son, Colin, in March 2016. Emily enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends and has a passion for magazines. She feels privileged to work with the Business People team and feels blessed for the opportunities she has been given. 

Though Andrea has had a varied career path, a common theme prevails - sales. When you’re good at something, why rock the boat, right? During her 20 year career in sales, she was a corporate travel agent, helped schools meet their goals while working at Scholastic Books, worked as an account executive for a technology company and then joined the Business People staff. Though she loved her position at Business People, she wanted to broaden her scope of experience, so in 2009 she left to join the Holiday Inn staff. There she wore many hats and gained a wealth of experience, but when a position in non-profit was presented to her, she couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Though her career led her all over the Fort Wayne business landscape, she always had a desire to come back to Business People. In August of 2013, her dream came true. She rejoined the Business People staff and says that “it feels good to be home.” Andrea has one son who is her pride and joy. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening. She dreams of perfecting her golf game (though she says she still has a ways to go), is always looking for the best bargain and believes that when all else fails, the perfect pair of shoes can save the day.  

Danielle Hoelle, art director
dhoelle@businesspeople.com
 

Danielle joined Business People in September of 2012, a year after graduating from IPFW with a degree in graphic design. Outside the world of design, Danielle loves the art of self-expression through other creative outlets such as writing and photography. She also enjoys reading, music, watching movies, cooking and baking, spending time with her friends and her annual family vacations to North Redington Beach, Fla.

Brooke Harruff, project manager
brooke@bppromos.com

Brooke joined the BPPromos team in May 2022 after graduating from Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina with a degree in marketing. While at ASU, she had the opportunity to work as a marketing assistant for the Athletics Department, where she discovered her love for promotional merchandising. After living in North Carolina for seven years, she moved back home to Fort Wayne to be closer to friends and family. Outside of the office, Brooke is typically found binging the latest crime show or spending time with her two favorite pups, Steel and Leo. She also enjoys days on the lake and listening to rock music.

Megan Swain, operations manager assistant
megan@bppromos.com

Megan joined BPPromos in June 2024 after an eclectic career path and exploration of a variety of fields. Her adventurous spirit, bubbly personality and thirst for growth brought her to BPPromos, where she is excited to build a solid career path for herself. Hailing from Northern Wisconsin (as far north as you can go on Lake Superior) Megan moved to the Fort Wayne area after high school to attend a trade school for dental assisting. After four years in the dental field, including helping to upstart a dental office in Colorado, Megan and her husband Jon sought a change of pace. They traveled and worked on farms in the Pacific Northwest, an enriching experience that allowed them to explore new lifestyles and gain diverse skills. Upon returning to the Fort Wayne area, Megan and Jon decided to start a family and welcomed their son Jasper in 2019. They put down roots near family and purchased land in Ohio, where they are building their home. Megan enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her husband's music endeavors, going on adventures, traveling and binge-watching her favorite shows when time allows. Inspired by her time on the farms, Megan has developed a passion for sustainable living, landscaping and gardening. She is also eager to get involved in local community initiatives and participate in events that promote community well-being. At BPPromos, Megan is excited to apply her diverse experiences and skills, particularly in project management and client relations, to contribute to the company's growth. Her future aspirations include continuing to grow within the company and exploring opportunities to innovate and improve processes.