MEET THE TEAM
About Alyson Johnson
President + Chief Executive Officer
As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gilly Group, Alyson focuses on marketing strategy, business development, sports marketing and sponsorship activation and is an Agent representing athletes on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champion, Korn Ferry, LPGA and Epson Tours as well as golf broadcasters.
Alyson brings over twenty-five years of brand marketing and communications experience to the Gilly Group. She has been on all sides of the team when it comes to sports sponsorships and professional event management – non-profit, private club and Academies, professional sports leagues, host site and title sponsor – providing her a unique look at every activation and opportunity.
Before launching Gilly Group, Alyson oversaw internal and external communications, public relations, marketing, CSR, Wishes by Wyndham Foundation, and all sports marketing efforts and the Company's title sponsorship of the Wyndham Championship on the PGA TOUR; the Wyndham Cup, an AJGA event, as well as programs with The Masters and various other professional sport event as the SVP of Marketing + Communications for Wyndham Worldwide. Additionally, she was the Chairperson of the Wyndham Championship Marketing Council and the Wyndham Worldwide Brand Council as well as the Social Media Council. Johnson also held seats on Wyndham's Diversity Council, Corporate Social Responsibility Council and Social Media Task Force.
Prior to joining Wyndham Worldwide, Johnson held various marketing communications positions in the golf industry including the 85th PGA Championship at Baltusrol, Hamilton Farm Golf Club and the New Jersey State Golf Association, HSBC Women’s World Match Play event as well as The Academy of Golf at Royce Brook as a Sport Psychology Consultant.Alyson has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s in kinesiology from Temple University. She has served on the Corporate Advisory Board for the Master of Arts program in Corporate & Organizational Communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors for the NJ PGA Section’s “NJ Golf Foundation”. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Golf Association.
About Jared Firestine
Chief Commercial Officer
Jared Firestine brings more than 30 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship, and strategic growth to his role as Chief Commercial Officer of the Gilly Group. His career spans national and international markets, with expertise in sales management, enterprise sales, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
A relationship-driven leader, entrepreneur, and accomplished public speaker, Jared excels at identifying opportunities, bringing the right people together, and turning connections into meaningful business outcomes. He combines commercial strategy with a passion for building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating partnerships that deliver lasting value. As a facilitator of connections that matter, he believes the strongest businesses are built on genuine relationships and a shared vision for success.
Jared now brings his experience and relationship-first approach to Gilly Group and the golf industry. Originally raised in North Carolina, Jared has called Southwest Florida home for the past 17 years. Outside of business, his greatest pride is being a father to two amazing teenagers. He enjoys cooking for friends and family, creating art alongside his daughter, and, of course, spending time on the golf course.
Marty Hackel
FASHION STYLIST
Marty Hackel, also known as Mr. Style, is an acclaimed stylist for men and women. Marty has styled Presidents (Clinton) actors (Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, Michael J Fox, and Peter Gallagher) players (T Woods, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Nick Price, and Tom Watson), musicians (Stevie Van Zandt, Tico Torres).
Marty was fashion director for Golf Digest for 16 years where he was responsible for making sure players, teachers and cover subjects were dressed in a fashionable and on-trend manner. While at Golf Digest, he had multiple TV and radio appearances on NBC and Golf Channel.
Today he serves as an advisor and consultant in both the fashion and golf industries. He is a member of the Board of Directors of The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM). Marty is also co-host a weekly radio on ICRVRadio with Frank Darby.
He holds a degree from the University of Vermont.
Olivia Sebastiani
MARKETING & COMMUNICAIONS COORDINATOR
Specializing in marketing, client strategy, brand storytelling, digital strategy, and project management, Olivia focuses on building cohesive narratives that elevate Gilly Group’s clients within the golf industry. She brings a strategic approach to every engagement, translating brand objectives into clear, compelling messaging and marketing initiatives that strengthen visibility and engagement.
With experience spanning marketing, design, content creation, and event operations, Olivia supports the agency’s full-service efforts, from campaign development and social strategy to on-site activations. She thrives at the intersection of creativity and strategy, combining storytelling with structured project management to deliver work that is both visually compelling and performance-driven.
Rob Miller
SEO & WEB DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Rob specializes in helping brands build a stronger online presence through thoughtful website development and search optimization. His expertise spans SEO, website design, site performance, user experience, content structure, and ongoing website maintenance to ensure every digital touchpoint is both functional and effective.
From improving search visibility to creating websites that are intuitive, responsive, and aligned with each client's brand, Rob combines technical knowledge with a strategic mindset to transform websites into high-performing marketing tools. He understands how the right balance of design, functionality, and optimization can strengthen a brand's digital presence, improve the user journey, and support broader business objectives.
With a focus on continuous improvement and attention to detail, Rob works to ensure each website evolves alongside the brand it represents, creating a seamless online experience that connects businesses with their audiences and supports long-term growth.
Cooper Johnson
INFLUENCER MARKETING COORDINATOR
Cooper helps identify authentic creator partnerships that align with each client's brand, audience, and marketing objectives. With a strong understanding of today's digital landscape and creator economy, he stays ahead of emerging trends, evaluates potential brand collaborations, and helps connect clients with influencers who can drive meaningful engagement.
He ensures collaborations feel genuine and strategically aligned. By combining market awareness with an eye for brand fit, he helps build partnerships that expand reach, strengthen brand credibility, and create lasting connections with target audiences.