Meet the Staff

Jan Martin

"The Ad Queen", Display Advertising specialist - Since 1982

Jan grew up in the Silver Valley, graduating from Kellogg High School. She then attended North Idaho College on a journalism scholarship and also studied sales and business at SCC before joining the Exchange in 1982 after a stint at The Washington Post. Jan has completed several levels of Landmark Personal Development Education throughout the years and has won awards for ad campaigns and design from the Pacific Northwest Association of Want Ad Newspapers, and the Association of Community Publishers. She has earned her Associate Advertising Executive certification, after an intensive course study through ACP's Learning Institute. With over 40 years of experience, Jan has developed a keen sense for what a business needs to gain customers. She likes to help small businesses develop campaigns, not just ads. She is always willing to listen, consult and create a long-term plan of action for her advertisers.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Jan@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Helen Boyd-Schwartz 

General Manager,  Display Advertising Account Representative - SINCE 1993

Helen started working at the Exchange in April of 1993 soon after moving to Spokane from Cambridge, England. Her publishing experience started at an early age helping her Dad produce the local village paper & also her college newspaper. After graduating from college she got her first job with United PLC publications as a page planner working with their regional publication "The Town Crier". She knew she wanted to stay in the publishing business & started at the Exchange taking classified ads, then creating display ads, then selling some ads & now with her many years of experience she enjoys helping businesses succeed with their advertising campaigns both in print & online. In her free time she enjoys gardening, watching the Seahawks & college volleyball. Helen & her husband also volunteer for a local animal rescue fostering dogs.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Helen@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Kylah Strohte

Customer Relations  - Since 2014

Kylah excels as a Customer Relations Professional & Social Media Manager for the Exchange, as well as Manager of Real Estate Advertising, Regional Ad Specialist, and the Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Association of Want Ad Newspapers (PNAWAN) & Western Regional Advertising Program (WRAP), which is hosted by Exchange Publishing here in Spokane. She is also heavily involved in our national Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP), in which she has been named AFCP Rising Star, has served on multiple committees, including Membership & Conference Planning, and she recently spoke on a panel at a national conference about innovative technology in today's newsroom.

Kylah has been with the Exchange since 2014, just after moving to Spokane from her native San Diego. She is a University of Maryland graduate with a BA in Linguistics. She speaks Spanish and Russian, has traveled abroad extensively, and has interned for National Geographic.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Kylah@PacificNW.Exchange

 

M'Kaela Rogers

Customer Relations

M’kaela graduated from Whitworth University with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2023. She is originally from Auburn, Washington on the west side of the State, and has made the Spokane area her home since her recent graduation. Prior to the Exchange, M’kaela spent the last 5 years working in customer service roles, and also assisted in student learning and development during her time while studying at Whitworth. In her free time she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, and experiencing the arts.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Kael@PacificNW.Exchange

 

TRinity McKee

Customer Relations

Trinity is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and she and her husband made the journey north in June of 2022. Now Northern Idahoans, she commutes everyday to be part of the Exchange team. Trinity graduated with her Bachelor's in Sustainable Development in May of 2023, and decided she wanted to try her hand in the world of publishing. They have a furry family of two dogs, one cat, and three geckos. They enjoy camping, hunting, and fishing in the Pacific Northwest!

Office: 509-922-3456 / Trinity@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Sydney Roybal

Customer Relations

Sydney was born and raised in Spokane. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences in June of 2022. Her experience includes creating educational videos and content for multiple platforms. She currently lives with her boyfriend and has a Goldendoodle puppy named Toffee. In her free time, she enjoys coloring books, playing soccer, taking pilates classes, and spending time with family and friends.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Sydney@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Jillian Cain

Graphic Designer, Pagination LEAD - Since 2019

Jillian was born in Seattle and raised in Spokane. She received her bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University in Visual Communication Design in 2017. Prior to joining the Exchange team, she has experience in screen printing, sign production layout, banking, and esthetics. In her free time, she likes to go camping with her husband Toby, daughter Estella and her dogs Maximo & Jupiter.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Jillian@PacificNW.Exchange

 

 

Emily ballensky

Graphic Designer, PAGINATION - Since 2021

Emily has lived in the Great Northwest for the past 26 years. She has been doing graphic design for at least 16 years and obtained her AAS in Visual Communications from Spokane Falls Community College in 2011. Prior to the Exchange, Emily has been in the print industry for 8 years as a prepress technician and graphic designer. Emily lives a simple life, she enjoys feeding her backyard squirrels and gardening. She is an avid rock climber and hiker, but at the end of the day she loves going home to spend some couch time with her 3 cats. 

Office: 509-922-3456 / Emily@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Shelby Palmer

Graphic Designer, PAGINATION - Since 2022

Shelby Palmer graduated from EWU with a Bachelors in Visual Communication Design in 2021. Shelby is originally from Yakima, WA and has recently made the Spokane area her permanent home with her husband Travis. Shelby has worked in various design positions prior to joining the Exchange and she loves to read and spend time with her family and friends.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Shelby@PacificNW.Exchange

 

 

 

Patrick McHale

OPERATIONS Manager, Distribution Manager, IT and Web - Since 1996

Pat has been in the publishing field for over 20 years and with the Exchange since 1996. During this time, has worn many hats and has been involved in almost every area of publishing. He has a background in page layout and design, building and maintaining websites, and many computer networking certifications. Pat recently earned his Associate Advertising Executive certification, after an intensive course study held in various locations in the U.S. through AFCP's Learning Institute. Pat is also very involved in the community in which he lives and works.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Pat@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Ray Martin

Circulation/ Distribution Manager

Ray started a print career with the Moneysaver in Lewiston, ID in 2000. He moved to Spokane in 2012, and married into the Exchange family. My wife is Jan, who has been at the Exchange for 42 years. I worked in other fields outside of print for about 11 years, finally coming back to the Exchange as the Distribution Manager. Jan and I have 6 children and 4 grandchildren between us. I enjoy spending time with family, going to the gym and running several road and trail races each year.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Ray@PacificNW.Exchange

 

Barbara H. Powers

Owner, Publisher - Since 2000

Barbara began managing at the Exchange in 2000 after working as an area realtor in the 1990's and the Executive Director of the Coeur d'Alene Realtor Association. In 2002, she was asked to represent the Pacific Northwest Association of Want Ad Newspapers (PNAWAN) on the National level as a board member of the Association of Free Community Papers, traveling the US and Canada. In 2014, Barbara was elected as president of PNAWAN after transferring the association headquarters from Lewiston to Spokane. Barbara became the sole owner of the Exchange in 2015 and has made great strides in digital and print advancement. Always investing in her community and employees, Barbara encourages growth, education and training for her staff. She recently earned her Associate Advertising Executive certification, after an intensive course study held in various locations in the U.S. through AFCP's Learning Institute. She enjoys swimming, boating, snowboarding and having family fun.

Office: 509-922-3456 / Barb@PacificNW.Exchange