
Merit Lee
CEO & Founder
Digital Design Solutions was founded in 1996 by Merit Lee, to provide top-notch web solutions that fit any business’s needs. In doing so, Merit became a pioneer in web design, graduating with a degree in Internet Technology and Design in the second graduating class at San Francisco State University taught by leaders in the industry such as Microsoft and Photoshop designers. The company has evolved into an award-winning full-service web design solution, becoming the premier source for E-Commerce development and management. We work all forms of website design, site maintenance, custom programming, marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and content development. Over the past 28 years, we have facilitated the growth of 300+ clients throughout the country, representing a variety of industries. Our focus is on finding a balance between functionality and innovation, as well as design and seamless usability. We understand that optimizing your digital marketing presence is the key to brand awareness, lead generation, and conversions. We take time to understand your business through our initial discovery meeting and what constitutes success for you. With this information, we create well-informed unique strategies and solutions tailored to your business goals. We don’t just build your website, we position you for success. Merit’s hobbies include: boating, paddle boarding, and kickboxing. Merit and Russ live in St. Augustine, Fl. Something no one knows about Merit: She designed a poster that was launched into space on a satellite! Her key to success is that she believes in communication and having the integrity to follow up on what she says she will do!
If you want to learn more about our CEO, Merit Lee, click here

Tara Jones
Creative Director

Tara Jones
Creative Director
She is an experienced professional with strong success in project management, product marketing, client services, sales support,logistics and P&L support.
Each of these items is a critical component for our clients as well as Digital Design Solutions when developing website design with a compressed schedule and ensuring responsible cost control.
Tara’s dynamic personality, boundless energy, and remarkable creativity contributes to her exceptional service and leadership skills. She is a valued team leader, group leader, and individual contributor.

Tonja Laing
Director of Operations, Digital Marketing Group, Chief Technology Officer

Tonja Laing
Director of Operations, Digital Marketing Group, Chief Technology Officer
She is particularly adept at redesigning dated websites into fresh, state-of-the-art versions of their former selves. The clients are stunned and grateful for the “before and after” changes to their websites thanks to Tonja’s ability to actively listen to client concerns and creatively translate their needs into the new and vibrant website. She loves what she does!

Lynne Kittle
Sales Development

Lynne Kittle
Sales Development
Lynne brings a vast knowledge in marketing Dental practices and management skills to Digital Design Solutions. She enjoys meeting clients and creating relationships with them to better understand their businesses through their digital presence and needs. She meets regularly with several networking groups to spread knowledge regarding Web site development and marketing.
Lynne uses her organization and management skills to develop client relationships and be the liaison between our clients and the DDS tam members.

Ashley Thibodeau
Web Design and Developer

Ashley Thibodeau
Web Design and Developer
After graduating high school in 2011, Ashley focused on her other interests in graphic design and watercolor painting, which led her into apprentice tattooing in England. There, she would fall into her Web Design and Development again as she redesigned her tattoo studios’ website while traveling with her mentor. Soon a pattern would emerge as she would change industries, gain experience, then find herself the computer expert in her hospitality and medical fields. To apparent not to notice, Ashley decided to make her career in Web Design and Development permanent by applying for the Computer Information Science at her local community college. Holding a steady 3.89 GPA, She obtained an internship within her freshman year to work for the Worcester District Attorney’s office to lead, design, and recreate their internal database and portal systems after the dean granted special permission. Requiring further challenge, to give her experience edge, Ashley applied to Full Sail University’s accelerated Web Design and Development Degree Program in 2020 during the COVID Pandemic. While working full-time in the medical field, she graduated in May 2021 as Valedictorian of her graduating class.
Since then, she’s only grown more passionate in all the components that intricately wire
every aspect of a web application together, whether it is with project management, the designing, or the code behind it. Ashley looks forward to meeting new clients and helping them grow their business in whatever way she can.

Lauren Clark
Social Media Specialist & Graphic Designer

Lauren Clark
Social Media Specialist & Graphic Designer
She grew up with social media and has grown with the platforms Myspace, Facebook, and TikTok. Silly cat TikToks are some of her daughter’s favorite stims. She has a passion for using social media platforms to connect with your targeted audience and is excited to help build up brands with her design background and graphics expertise

Durga Prasad Samireddy
Project Manager / Web & Graphic Designer

Durga Prasad Samireddy
Project Manager / Web & Graphic Designer
He brings skill sets in Design and Front-End Development. In his spare time, Prasad enjoys spending time with his family.

Ronnie Musselwhite
Brand Storyteller

Ronnie Musselwhite
Brand Storyteller
Over the course of his career, Ronnie has written about everything from business and technology to health and wellness, manufacturing and distribution to lifestyle and entertainment. His specialty is transforming most any subject into content that engages, informs and inspires.

Socorro Lee
Office Manager

Socorro Lee
Office Manager

Digital Design Solutions as Featured in Old City Life Magazine
So, when an opportunity arose in the mid-1990’s to get ahead of the tech boom, Lee jumped on board.
“Living in California at that time was so vibrant and exciting,” she says. “A friend suggested that I get into multimedia, so I went to San Francisco State University and graduated with a degree in Internet Technology & Design in 1996.”
That same year, Lee founded Digital Design Solutions, a full-service digital marketing firm that specializes in web design, e-commerce, digital marketing, branding and graphic design, and mobile apps.
Today, as CEO and creative director, the Renaissance woman and relative newcomer to St. Augustine (she’s lived here for three years) has worked with hundreds of clients all over the country, including local businesses like The Kookaburra, Meehan’s Irish Pub, GoFresh Farm Market, and Simply St. Augustine.
“I’ve been in this business for 25 years, and I have a different vision for each of the companies that I work with,” Lee explains. “I like to say. ‘We don’t just build your website, we position you for success.’ We can really help small businesses not just build their site, but help with marketing and make it profitable.”
-
WHY ST.AUGUSTINE?
My husband and I got married in Key West at Ernest Hemingway’s House. We have always loved the Keys, but moving there wasn’t a reality. We have lived in Pennsylvania, New York, all over Florida, Asheville and Lake Lure, North Carolina and San Francisco, California, but nothing truly felt like home. Three years ago, we attended a wedding in St. Augustine and immediately knew we had found our home!
St. Augustine has all the “key” points for us…boating, beach, history and the charm of this beautiful little city. We packed up and moved here within a few months. We wouldn’t change it for the world!
-
WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE?
The people. We have met the best people here in St. Augustine. I’ve met wonderful friends at Meehan’s Backyard, the day we closed on our house – how’s that for fate! We have had so much fun ever since, enjoying the city and finding new adventures. I never take St. Augustine for granted. Every time we drive over the Bridge of Lions. I always take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our town.
This is truly our home – it was never more evident than after the hurricane. It was beautiful to see how the community really pulled together. St Augustine is truly a wonderful town, with a beautiful spirit, and we are lucky be able to call it home.
-
WHAT MAKES YOU TICK?
Oh my, there are so many things. I am a web developer and I love helping my clients take their ideas and turn them into a reality with good solid results… that feels really good. I love the water. My husband Russ and I lived on our sailboat (a Chinese Junk) in the San Francisco Bay for 10 years. So, living here in St. Augustine and being able to spend time on the water truly makes me happy and feeds my soul. I love to share the weekends with friends on the boat or take a break in the middle of the work week to have lunch on the beach – that always makes me smile. We also have a lot of parties in our backyard, which is encompassed by bamboo plants and a tiki hut on the deck.
-
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY?
I started a charity with three other ladies called Saint Augustine United. We are a 501c3 nonprofit and we strive to give back to the community by raising money for small, but specific, causes and charities that need our help Last year we raised $30,000 for a single mom who was in need of a heart transplant. This year we are raising money for Swamp Haven Animal Rescue which saves and rehabilitates death row dogs in St. John’s communities. We raise money via donations and sponsorship’s and last year held our inaugural 5K race called Feel the Love. It will be held this year on Sept 9th, 2017. www.staugustineunited.com
-
WHAT IS ONE PROBLEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOLVED?
Homelessness.
-
WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE SAID IN TODAY’S WORLD?
Don’t feel that you can’t make a difference. We can all make a difference, even if it is a small thing, a random act of kindness can make a huge difference in one person’s life. So don’t wait and don’t feel powerless… take the time to make a difference by helping those you see around you.
Merit Lee has been building lucrative internet companies for over 25 years. She has a degree in Internet Technology and Design from San Francisco State. She is the CEO and creative director of Digital Design Solutions Inc., a full service web design and digital market solutions company. See more at www.digitaldesignsolutions.co Merit is also Vice President of Saint Augustine United, a nonprofit organization which focuses on giving back to the local community. www.staugustineunited.com






