Principals' Bios
Jim Russell, President
Jim Russell has been employed by Severn Graphics, Inc. since 1985 and has served as President, COO, and CFO. He has 25 years of marketing and financial management experience. His current and previous board positions include:
- Advertising Association of Baltimore
- Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation
- Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce
- Baltimore Roman Catholic Development Committee for Education
- Club Ocean Villa Condominium Association
- Home Builders Association of Maryland
Mr. Russell is a graduate of the University of Baltimore. He and his wife reside in Baltimore County.
Jeff Sparhawk, Vice President
Jeff Sparhawk became Vice President in January of 2007. In addition to that role, Mr. Sparhawk is also manager of Severn’s sales team. Under Jeff’s leadership, Severn has expanded display capabilities and entered new waters which include installing building graphics, indoor and outdoor signage, and many installation projects with prominent businesses throughout the region. He is always ready to listen to Severn’s clients and come up with new and innovative ideas for their projects. Mr. Sparhawk is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has been with Severn since 1995. Jeff is a member of the Anne Arundel County & Annapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington, PMA, and the Home Builders Association of Maryland.
Joel Sparhawk, Chairman
Joel Sparhawk established Severn Graphics in 1976. The leap from freelance work in the basement to a “Real” company was on “April Fool’s Day” 1976. He began by himself with the promise of some freelance people to help out in a jam, 2 drawing tables and an IBM Selectric. Within 2 months, Joel had 2 full-time employees and the need for new customers and a larger office.
In 1981 Joel and his employees moved to our current space and the growth spurt took off. His plan for Severn Graphics was not to build a large structured company, but to have a company of talented individuals working in an environment that would allow them to succeed at whatever level they aspired and to really enjoy what they were doing and where they did it.
Over the past 30 years, the greatest challenges were growth in the early years from basically nothing to a complete photo lab, typesetting, design, computer graphics and now sign installation.
Joel Sparhawk loves his work first and foremost. He has built 3 homes. When he is not working or building, he enjoys a good game of golf or an Orioles baseball game. Joel has 6 grandchildren and he enjoys spending time with them and teaching them the fine art of building
