Our team is dedicated to producing measurable results for our clients.

With more than 25 years of experience, we are committed to constant learning with an emphasis on strategies that produce revenue. We are accountable and we are self-motivated. Our motto: Work hard. Laugh hard.

Our Team

Steve Haweeli

Founder & President

Steve Haweeli founded WordHampton Public Relations in 1997. An ambassador for the region, Haweeli is often sought for views by national, NY metro and local media on restaurant and hospitality business, social media and Hamptons lifestyle subjects. Long Island Business News acknowledged him in the Fifty or so Around 50 Class of 2010 business leaders. In May 2012, Haweeli was awarded the prestigious "Jack Rettaliata Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island and in June of 2012 he was recognized for his industry contributions at the Long Island Hospitality Ball as one of three honorees. In 2012, Haweeli and his team launched two new divisions of the company, Long Island Restaurant & Hospitality Group and Metro Restaurant Marketing. Haweeli has been involved with the local community in various ways over the year and is a longtime Board member and current president of the East Hampton Chamber of Commerce. Haweeli can often be found rooting for the Yankees or Islanders, fishing for stripers in pristine East End waters or with paintbrush in hand – his other love is art. As an artist, he creates vibrant contemporary abstract works in oil and acrylic. His works have been shown throughout the Hamptons and New York City as well as numerous private collections.

Nicole Castillo

Executive Vice President & Partner

Nicole Castillo has been an integral part of the company over the last 20 years. An expert in both media and client relations, she continues to garner positive publicity for major events, food and beverage products, and lifestyle and hospitality services. Castillo has a roster of several award winning campaigns which includes the Public Relations Society of America’s New York Chapter Big Apple Award. Since her first day at WordHampton she has been stimulating company growth through new initiatives and business development. In 2013, Castillo was honored as one of the future leaders of Long Island at the Long Island Business News 40 Under 40 Awards. She also gives back to the local community in which she grew up. A lifelong East End resident, Castillo has worked with several local charities on various fundraising events. As well, she sits on the board of Citizens for Access Rights, a local non-for-profit group created to protect public beach access on the East End.

Ashley Fresa
Account Executive

3 Years with
WordHampton Public Relations

PRPLI 2018 Rising Star Recipient

Client and Media Strategist

Instagram Queen

Long Island Restaurant Week
Manager

Digital Media Strategist

Lifelong East End Resident

Go Yankees!

Hannah Polauf
Account Coordinator

Supporting Client Strategist

Long Island Restaurant Week Coordinator

Long Island Restaurant News
Editor

Graphic Designer Extraordinaire

Digital Media Facilitator

Brittni Svanberg
Account Coordinator

Supporting Client Strategist

Long Island Restaurant Week Contributor

Long Island Restaurant News Contributor

Digital Media Facilitator

Resident Vegetarian

Lifelong East Hampton Resident

Jennifer Haagen
Office Manager

BS Business Administration & Marketing

MBA Finance, Corporate Accounting & International Business

20+ Years Financial Business Consulting

10+ Years Financial Analyst

Wildlife Rescue Volunteer

Environmentalist

“Steve Haweeli and the WordHampton team are consummate professionals who know how to put their clients’ front and center. When I was working as a restaurant critic/reporter at Newsday, I looked forward to getting WordHampton’s press releases, which were invariably engaging, comprehensive and – most crucially – accurate. The firm’s command of social media is both far-reaching and effective. These days, as a restaurant consultant, I try to steer clients toward achieving maximal exposure by putting WordHampton to work for them.”

— Joan Reminick, former Newsday restaurant critic and food writer and current restaurant consultant