MEET OUR FOUNDERS
Jeff Winton
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Winton established Jeff Winton Associates, a full-service communications agency in February 2020 after a four-decade communications and corporate affairs career with both leading corporations and respected public relations and advertising agencies. This global experience spans highly diverse and dynamic industries, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, animal health, agricultural and consumer arenas.
Prior to founding his namesake agency, Winton served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Alkermes in Boston where he created and led a new Public Affairs function that encompassed corporate brand and reputation; corporate, product, internal, sales and R&D communications; patient advocacy; corporate social responsibility; and corporate events. Previously, Winton was Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Astellas Pharma where he was responsible for building the company’s Corporate Affairs function to evolve and better support its strategic priorities.
Earlier in his career, Winton was Vice-President and Head of Global Communications at Eli Lilly and Company. He also served as Vice President and Head of Global Communications at Pharmacia until it was acquired by Pfizer and Group Vice President and Head of Global Communications at Schering-Plough until it was acquired by Merck.
Throughout his career, Winton has received several prestigious industry awards, including the 2017 Plank Center John Koten Corporate Mentor Award, the first annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy Excellence in Public Relations Award, and the 2015 Chicago Skyline PRSA Professional of the Year Award. He remains active in several professional organizations, including PRSA, The Seminar, and Arthur W. Page Society. He is currently serving on the Board of Advisors for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations.
Winton graduated with distinction from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and completed graduate level courses at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He also serves on the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council. An avid equestrian who competes in several competitions across the country each year, Winton also belongs to several different professional equestrian organizations.
Jim Modica
Chief Operating Officer
Jim Modica is Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Jeff Winton Associates. He has over 30 years experience in communications, marketing research and executive placement. His experience spans human pharmaceuticals, medical devices, regenerative medical technologies, agricultural products, consumer healthcare and consumer products.
Jim founded and is also Principal Partner of West Mill Consulting LLC. In this capacity, he has provided clients in the healthcare and agricultural field with marketing strategy, public relations, internal and external communications, branding and creative development support, as well as executive recruitment for key positions.
Previously, Jim was Senior Manager of Marketing Communications for Johnson & Johnson. While with Johnson & Johnson, Jim’s attention focused on the J&J Professional companies and he led internal teams and managed outside communications agencies and vendors to provide public relations and advertising support to achieve global company and marketing goals. He also was responsible for planning, developing and implementing sales support strategies, programs and communications materials. Jim served as a key member of product development and global product launch teams introducing new products and technologies into the marketplace. Jim also played a key role in hiring and development of management and support positions within the company.
Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Jim held the position of Product Information and Communications Manager with the former American Cyanamid Company, which was acquired by American Home Products (now Pfizer, Inc.). In this position, he was responsible for planning, developing and implementing of marketing communications programs, sales force support programs and materials for a variety of agricultural products.
Jim also served as a long-term consultant in the role of Associate Director of Marketing Research for NPS Pharmaceuticals. As Associate Director, he held a leadership role on marketing teams responsible for developing and commercializing new biological products.
Modica has worked with several regional, national and global agencies in his career with clients including McDonald’s restaurants, Wendy’s International restaurants, Paddington Liquor Corporation, BASF and The Missouri State Lottery.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., with a double major in Marketing and Management. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Mid-America Horse Show Association.