Our Strong Sense of Direction Starts at the Top

Rob Hawse

Founder and Partner

Rob Hawse, partner at Crafted, a marketing agency for B2B manufacturers. Hawse founded the company 25 years ago, originally branded as Hawse Design, the name was changed to Crafted in 2013 to better reflect the company’s vision and expertise in manufacturing.

Crafted works in partnership with B2B manufacturers to design and implement marketing and branding strategies that will draw industry recognition, drive customer engagement, and increase revenue opportunities. There are many companies that have helped to shape Rob’s manufacturing expertise; Okuma, Teknor Apex, National Gypsum, and Dynacast International are some of the foundational companies. Though manufacturing has always been at the root of Rob’s experience, opportunities with brands such as NBA, Hard Rock Café, Nickelodeon, Houston Rockets, and Bojangles, earlier in his career, have fueled his imagination and innovative thinking.

A product of the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York City, design thinking (empathy, creativity, and rationality) play an instrumental role in his strategic thought process and can be found at the foundation of how he inspires manufacturers to embrace their differentiation to achieve business results. At his core, he believes that a manufacturers brand should match the level of its innovation and engineering.

Rob has served on various boards and committees and has conceived and implemented several successful community fundraisers, including GUTS, an annual pumpkin carving competition that raises money for local charities: https://gutscharlotte.com/.

Rob lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife and three kids. He enjoys fly fishing, golf, sharing his time between the beach and the mountains, and is always on a lookout for a great craft beer.

Eric Dudley

Founder and Partner

Eric is a seasoned entrepreneur with a unique ability to solve complex problems through collaboration and data-driven strategies. With over two and a half decades of entrepreneurial experience, he has honed his skills in digital marketing, customer experience, and marcom technology. Throughout his career, he has partnered with innovative mid-market and enterprise executives, helping them overcome marketing and sales challenges by focusing on their brand and enhancing the customer experience.

Currently, Eric holds the position of founder and partner at Crafted, a brand and demand generation agency. At Crafted, their mission is to unleash the greatness that enhances everyday lives by leveraging the unique innovations of their B2B manufacturing clients and engaging their customers through strategically curated touchpoints that drive growth. Under his leadership, he steers the company's vision and strategy, drives growth initiatives, and oversees operations, finance, and human capital.

Eric's expertise and contributions in business have been recognized through various accolades, including being listed on the Inc. 5000 (a prestigious roster of the fastest-growing private companies) for four consecutive years, receiving the 40 Under 40 distinction, being recognized as a Fast 50 Company, and being consistently named as a Top Advertising & Marketing Agency for seven years. Additionally, his company has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for four years. He has also earned the certification of Online Marketing Certified Professional.

Beyond the business sphere, Eric actively contributes to his community in Charlotte and beyond. He has served in leadership roles and global initiatives at Forest Hill Church, the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), and Halftime. He has also participated on numerous non-profit boards, including co-founding the Charlotte Interactive Marketing Association and serving on the City of Charlotte Economic Development Committee. Through these engagements, he strives to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Originally from Philadelphia, Eric relocated to Charlotte after graduating with a BS in Economics from the University of Delaware. When he's not engaged in his professional endeavors, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Michele, and creating lifelong memories with family and friends. One of his favorite pastimes is wake surfing and eFoiling at Lake James.

Through his diverse experiences, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to excellence, Eric strives to make a meaningful difference in the world and the lives of those around him.

Chad Lasure

Managing Director

Chad, Managing Director at Crafted, leads our new business evaluations and is known for pushing our team to unleash greatness.

With over 20 years of digital marketing experience, Chad’s experience spans across consumer products and services, B2B, and non-profit organizations. As part of his journey, Chad has worked at a full-service marketing agency where he was instrumental in establishing website offerings to clients, which included the launch of over 100 sites. His expansive range of experience has included navigating two Fortune 500 corporations in the Carolinas, SCANA and SPX, where he charted digital strategy, managed programs that yielded quantifiable results and simultaneously grounded stakeholder rapport.

Originally from Indiana, Chad grew up helping his grandparents on their farm. Chad has settled in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and enjoys spending quality time with his wife JoEllen and their family – Juliet, Charlie and Calhoun. On the weekends, you can find him at Lowe’s working on home repair projects or playing in the backyard with his kids.

Alaine Bollinger

Managing Director

Alaine Bollinger is a highly accomplished marketing professional known for her expertise in driving brand growth and delivering exceptional results. She holds a degree in marketing from the prestigious University of Michigan and has built a successful career through her strategic leadership.

Alaine began her career on the client side in Biomedical Marketing before shifting to agency life where she thrived as a Partner and Senior Vice President at BD&H, a prominent marketing agency, holding various key roles for over two decades. Her extensive experience leading account services, strategy, project management, media, and public relations allowed her to work with diverse B2B and B2C clients across different industries, including manufacturing, consumer goods, food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals. She excelled in developing comprehensive marketing strategies that propelled businesses forward.

Alaine's exceptional skills in both envisioning a strategic approach and driving execution made her a sought-after partner for global and national clients for public, privately held, and private equity owned companies. Her ability to understand their unique needs and deliver innovative marketing solutions set her apart. Alaine's collaborative nature and dedication to results fostered strong relationships, enabling her clients to achieve significant growth and success. We’re thrilled to offer her years of experience and focus on customer success to our Crafted clients.

Beyond her professional achievements, Alaine actively engages in philanthropic endeavors. She serves on the national Board of Directors of the Seal Family Foundation, an esteemed organization based in Coronado, California and chairs the regional SFF Charlotte Committee as well. Alaine has demonstrated her commitment to making a positive impact by providing significant pro bono work, offering her strategic expertise, and marketing support to various philanthropic organizations. For over a decade, she held the prestigious role of Greater Charlotte Heart Ball Chair, where she spearheaded efforts to raise funds and awareness for heart health initiatives.