Edward Estipona

At the ripe age of 22, Edward Estipona launched his own design firm. It wasn’t the brightest move for a recent college grad with little experience and fewer clients, but it reflected the unconventional path Edward would take: embracing risk, innovating boldly, and building success from scratch.

What makes Edward’s story unique starts with the man himself. Spend time with him and his distinct brand of leadership quickly surfaces—quirky “Edwardisms” included. An early Apple adopter (remember the Macintosh LCIII?), he helped pioneer a start-to-finish design approach, where one artist managed a project from concept to completion—no production artists, no layers. As the agency grew, so did his flat, collaborative structure where every voice mattered. In 2009, long before it was trendy, he took his agency virtual—choosing to invest in talent and tech over bricks and Red Vines.

More than three decades later, Edward has grown Estipona Group from a solo design shop into a full-service marketing agency with a dozen-plus spirited creatives known for smart, effective work and a slightly irreverent style. Industry recognition followed. Edward was named “Reno Advertising Person of the Year” at 25, “Marketer of the Year” by the AMA Northern Nevada, and a “Top 20 Under 40” by the Reno Gazette Journal. In 2022, Estipona Group was named Western U.S. Advertising Agency of the Year (under $10MM). And, despite his best efforts to dodge it, Edward received the 2025 AAF Thomas C. Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award for his profound contributions to both industry and community.

While Edward insists, “We don’t do it for the plastics,” under his leadership, Estipona Group has racked up an impressive list of honors, including ADDY and ACE awards. The agency received the Governor’s Arts Award in 2008, was named “Outstanding Media Partner” in the 2016 Silver Syringe Awards, and in the same year Edward earned NCET’s “Technology Advocate/Creative Services” award. In 2017, the agency was a finalist for the Governor’s Points of Light Awards for its volunteer service.

Edward’s devotion to Nevada runs deep. He backs it not just with words, but with action—volunteering his time and expertise on numerous boards. He is Vice Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and serves on the Travel Nevada Marketing Committee after a term as a Nevada Travel Commissioner. A founding member of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, he became Board President in 2024. He has served on the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada Board since 2014 and its Board of Trustees for three years. He is also a member of the Truckee Meadows Community College Institutional Advisory Council. Over the years, three governors have appointed him to various boards, including two terms with the Nevada Arts Council.

Edward and his sweet 80s perm graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the father of two and happily married to his high school sweetheart.