Established in 2012, District M Creative started as a marketing, design, and web studio, successfully supporting and consulting to an extensive number of clients in a broad range of industries. In the fall of 2016, the company expanded its service offerings through work within the Department of Defense OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense), providing high-level software engineering and SharePoint services while continuing to gain new opportunities supporting commercial and federal clients.

Today, District M Creative remains committed to providing our customers with exceptional support based on professional best practices and an on-going commitment to seeing their businesses thrive. 

District M Creative is located in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. 

EST. 2012

THE  STORY

RACHEL MERKLE | PRESIDENT AND CEO   

LEADERSHIP

Rachel Merkle founded District M Creative in 2012 to bridge a marketing gap she recognized small business owners faced when launching their brands and to pursue her dreams of entrepreneurship. Today, District M Creative is SWAM certified and a federal WOSB, supporting a range of clients from small businesses to the Department of Defense.

Recognized as a strategist who thinks outside the box, Rachel leverages technology and creative solutions to help her clients develop successful marketing and streamlined operational strategies. Through her integrator approach to consulting, clients solve internal and external marketing challenges to achieve their business goals.

Through her proven ability to elevate brands, produce tangible results, and move businesses forward, Rachel's formal design education and expertise in marketing, business, and technology have solidified her as a powerhouse strategist behind every client District M Creative supports.

Rachel received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from James Madison University, and her passion is helping people succeed while encouraging young professionals and women to pursue their career goals. 

Rachel Merkle founded District M Creative in 2012 to bridge a marketing gap she recognized small business owners faced when launching their brands and to pursue her dreams of entrepreneurship. Today, District M Creative is SWAM certified and a federal WOSB, supporting a range of clients from small businesses to the Department of Defense.

Recognized as a strategist who thinks outside the box, Rachel leverages technology and creative solutions to help her clients develop successful marketing and streamlined operational strategies. Through her integrator approach to consulting, clients solve internal and external marketing challenges to achieve their business goals.

Through her proven ability to elevate brands, produce tangible results, and move businesses forward, Rachel's formal design education and expertise in marketing, business, and technology have solidified her as a powerhouse strategist behind every client District M Creative supports.

Rachel received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from James Madison University, and her passion is helping people succeed while encouraging young professionals and women to pursue their career goals. 

MICHAEL HORBATAK | VP OF TECHNOLOGY

MICHAEL HORBATAK 

Mike joined District M Creative in 2016 as a software and web developer and currently serves as Chief Technology Officer and the lead for technical strategies, platform identification, and programming techniques. His vast experience developing websites and software applications has made him an integral resource for numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (Army and OSD) and the Department of the Interior. Mike is also recognized for his expertise in SharePoint and his ability to extend baseline SharePoint software functionality to automate, customize, and streamline organizational technical challenges, leading to many customizable and scalable applications, user interfaces, and dynamic web content solutions. Mike's expertise in the SharePoint Application Programming Interface (API), JavaScript, and supporting frameworks, HTML5 and CSS3, makes him a highly sought-after resource for SharePoint and development projects. 

Mike's academic achievements are a testament to his dedication and passion for software engineering. He holds a Master's degree in Software Engineering and has further bolstered his credentials with certifications in CompTIA Security + (2018) and Microsoft Office Specialist SharePoint 2013 (2019). 

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER