Our Leadership

Matthew Pugh holds more than 20 years of public relations and communications experience, primarily in the technology space. Before co-founding Pugh & Tiller PR, he served as Vice President at Weiss PR, where he was instrumental in growing the firm and its technology practice, particularly among international and global companies. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Communications for two high-growth technology firms where he devised and executed comprehensive public relations, analyst relations, and social media programs. He also worked as a Senior Public Relations at a leading cybersecurity company, where he provided strategic PR support for corporate and marketing initiatives, industry trade shows, product launches, and employee communications. He also spent several years at a national public relations firm, designing communications and media relations plans for clients in the technology, higher education, commercial real estate, and legal industries, and began his PR career working for a faith-based disaster relief and development organization. Pugh has earned several industry awards including, a MDDC Press Association award for feature writing, several PR World Awards for his work in the technology sector, and was named part of the “Marketing Team of the Year” for a high-growth international technology company. Pugh earned his B.S. in mass communications from Towson University.

Jessica Tiller has two decades of public relations experience developing and managing strategic communications programs and initiatives. Prior to co-launching Pugh & Tiller PR, she was a co-founder and EVP at Weiss PR where she managed client relationships as well as the strategic direction of the firm. Prior to that, Tiller served as Vice President at a national public relations firm, where she specialized in creating and implementing strategic communications initiatives for clients in the serious gaming, technology, wireless, and professional service fields. Her career started at a utility company where she served as a spokesperson. Clients Tiller has worked for include Sprint, Simon Properties, and Alera Group. Tiller is a two-time winner of the public relations profession’s most prestigious award, The Silver Anvil. In 2012, she was a recipient of The Daily Record’s 40 Under 40 Award and in 2013 she was named one of The Daily Record’s Leading Women. In 2016, Tiller earned SmartCEO’s Brava Award which celebrates the achievements of 40 of Baltimore’s top women business leaders. She was also named an Influential Marylander in 2021.

Ray Weiss brings more than 40 years of experience in public relations to his role as Senior Counsel and a member of the Pugh & Tiller PR leadership team. After co-founding Weiss PR in 2008 and guiding that firm’s growth into a widely respected and internationally recognized firm serving clients around the world, Weiss stepped back from his role as President in 2020 to work with his partners, Jessica Tiller and Matthew Pugh, in rebranding the firm as Pugh & Tiller PR. Today, he continues to play an integral role with Pugh & Tiller, assisting with its strategic direction and leading public relations initiatives for several clients. Weiss previously held public relations positions in academia, economic development, and the legal community. He joined a national public relations firm as a Partner in 1992, establishing that firm’s Baltimore office and successfully managing it for 16 years. He has created and implemented communications initiatives for a wide range of major corporations, nonprofits, and special events, including two Papal Visits to the United States, the Preakness Stakes, and benefit concerts by Smokey Robinson, Johnny Cash, and others. A graduate of Leadership Maryland, Weiss won the prestigious 2019 CEO Today USA Award, which “celebrates American CEOs for changing the game in their respective industries.”

Mark O’Dell has 25 years of experience as a graphic designer, art-director, branding and marketing strategist, and web developer. Before working with Pugh & Tiller PR, O’Dell started O’Dell Graphic Solutions, a graphic design and web development firm. He previously served for 12 years as the senior art and technical director for international publisher, Agora Financial. At Agora, O‘Dell led a team of 20 designers and developers, supporting countless domestic and international marketing, branding, and web development initiatives. At Pugh & Tiller PR, O’Dell is integral to supporting the firm’s strategy, branding, graphic, and web asset development for clients both domestically and internationally.