Michelle Cromer

Author Michelle Cromer has never shied away from taking on the world on her own terms. In fact, throughout her career, whether as a business women, advertising executive and trend setter in her native Austin, Texas, Michelle has raised the bar for herself, and for those colleagues and associates around her. Through hard work and impeccable consumer instincts, Michelle vaulted from a junior account executive at Sanders, Wingo Advertising in 1985 into a full-fledged partner of the firm by 1996. She did this while taking time off in 1993 to introduce a bottled water product on the island of Aruba, and in 1994 to be executive director of the Amigo Air show in El Paso, Texas, the third largest air show in the nation. At the agency, which boasts 60 employees, offices in Austin and El Paso, Texas, a yearly capitalized billing of 50 million. Michelle plays an active role in fostering new business. She supervises a staff of account executives and account supervisors and serves as a principal-level contact for agency clients. Michelle has garnered her share of outstanding achievements and honors, having been the youngest women to win the Business and Professional Woman Texas Speaking competition in 1988 and, in 1989, the Young Career Woman of Texas Award. While building a stellar career in advertising, Michelle found time to launch a parallel career in writing. The first, entitled "Exit Strategy," was published by Tarcher/Penguin Books in October 2006 Meeting the world on her terms is exemplified in the subject matter of "Exit Strategy," which defines the many creative ways individuals and families can structure what happens to their remains upon their death. It defies the mordancy many associate with the end of life and treats this inescapable aspect as worthy of thought by outlining ways this generation can plan out a more creative and memorable exit. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, with a BA in Finance, Michelle has spoken to a variety of groups on cultural and business related topics. She is a guest lecturer on advertising at the University of Texas at El Paso, and serves as the first woman president of Coronado Country Club. She is hailed for creating Pink Crosses, a foundation to bring comfort and closure to the families of the murdered girls in Juarez, Mexico utilizing forensic identification. In addition to writing, Michelle has set her sights on breaking 90 in golf and mastering the capricious arts of snowboarding and fly fishing. She credits a strong work ethic and the religious and spiritual foundation given to her by her parents with her ongoing success. Her friends and colleagues point to her dedication, humor, kindness and compassion. Michelle says she wants to be remembered for "thinking outside of the box." Those who have listened to her speak, and have read her extraordinary tome "Exit Strategy," know with certainty that she writes outside the box as well. Michelle lives in El Paso, Texas, with her husband Barry and their two sons, August and Sam.