My resume says I’m a versatile creative professional and director with 20+ years of experience in agency and client-side environments.

 
 

I’d rather say I’m a passionate collector of experience and capability. I'm also a creative thinker, concept explorer, art director, brand builder, identity discoverer, messaging advisor, visual designer, content developer, audience relater, process manager and results producer. And just for funnzies — a snowboarder, muskie fisher, outdoors lover, home DIYer and an open book.

But sometimes a resume isn’t enough to show the big picture. So here are some ideas I try to carry through in my day-to-day. Feel free to jump or scroll down to learn the hows, whats, whens and wheres of my work life.

 

 

STRATEGIC THINKING, CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

I appreciate beautiful art and design. My passion includes seeing it applied to purpose. To do this successfully, I maintain a strong belief in the value of strategy-driven, brand-forward creative that encourages response and engagement. Four components help make this happen.

 
 
 

DO IT RIGHT
Being a client advocate for forward thinking, starting with a plan, incorporating best practices into deliverables.

 

ROAD MAPS & REAL GUIDANCE
True audience insights that are the benefits of assessment, analysis and evaluation of markets, competition, audience behavior, and brand awareness — just to note a few.

STRONG BRANDING
A name, face and voice that champions a relevant, authentic and connective positioning.

 

PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Having an established creative process is key to harnessing the combined potential for great work, successful outcomes, happy clients and talent growth.

 

WELL-SEASONED EXPERIENCE

Passion is important. So is 20+ years of creative experience succeeding in a host of initiatives and roles involving:

 
 

BRAND
Discovery, building and identity creation

CXM
Full-scale inbound and outbound campaigns

 
 

ENVIRONMENTAL
Two- and three-dimensional wall graphics and signage, space planning, layout and decor

PRINT
Advertising, collateral, signage and direct mail

DIGITAL
Websites, landing pages, email, social, display, multimedia presentations

 

VIDEO
Storyboards, content, script, direction in unique asset creation, editing, sound and animation

EXPERIENTIAL
Attraction and engagement strategy, collateral, booth graphics, structural design, floor plans and decor

EVENTS
Presentation media, live rehearsals, scripting, audio/visual, technical staff, live talent and technical direction

 

WORKING PRINCIPLES

What makes me tick? Well, here's a few guidelines that I believe pay major dividends. They help me to provide the highest level of service while exceeding expectations.

 
 

DO GOOD, DO WELL
The new "Golden Rule" definitely has its benefits.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Practice what you preach. Hypocrisy is unbecoming.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Take responsibility and learn from decisions and actions.

 

STRONG LINKS, STRONGER CHAIN
Champion independent strength in collaborative values and efforts.

FULL TRANSPARENCY
Be open to sharing and receiving honest, direct communication and feedback.

CAUSE & EFFECT
Know there is a consequence for every decision and action.

 
 

MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE
Nothing is perfect, but investing time upfront more often saves time, material and cost.

BUDGET/QUALITY/TIME PARADIGM
Every project requires a balanced expectation.

 

 

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

My career is largely comprised of full-time, staff employments—each providing invaluable growth opportunity. Reliable and dedicated, I devote my time, thought and effort into delivering results to clients, colleagues and accounts.

 
 

MJD CREATIVE
2014 – Present

Independent creative practice providing on- and off-site creative leadership and execution for agencies and organizations across B2B and B2C industries.

Creative Director • Art Director • Designer

  • Elevated brand perception and sales effectiveness by leading rebrands and go-to-market creative systems for growing and acquired organizations, enabling clearer positioning and stronger differentiation in competitive B2B and B2C markets

  • Improved campaign performance and speed-to-market by translating business objectives and audience insights into flexible visual systems across digital, CXM, print, experiential, and OOH channels

  • Increased internal alignment and stakeholder confidence by guiding executive teams through collaborative discovery and brand-definition exercises that clarified story, voice, and visual direction

  • Reduced revision cycles and production friction by delivering high-quality creative with minimal oversight, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution under tight timelines

  • Strengthened long-term client relationships and repeat engagements by consistently delivering creative solutions that solved real business challenges and demonstrated measurable momentum post-launch

Verticals & Representative Clients

  • Verticals & Representative Clients

  • Healthcare & Pharma: AbbVie, Biogen, Takeda

  • Technology & Software: Kindle, Stibo Systems

  • Consumer & Retail: True Value, Zebra

  • Professional Services / B2B: Everplans

 
 

MERKLE INC. | DENTSU CREATIVE
2015 – 2024

Creative and art lead within a global CXM and performance marketing agency.

Associate Creative Director, Art

  • Increased audience engagement and response by pairing data, analytics, and tested performance principles with brand-forward creative across email, web, social, display, print, and video

  • Improved campaign effectiveness and KPI attainment by conceptualizing and leading multi-channel creative initiatives rooted in customer insights and lifecycle marketing strategies

  • Accelerated delivery and creative consistency by mentoring and overseeing designers while establishing clear visual direction, content architecture, and quality standards

  • Helped win new business and expand existing accounts by contributing to high-performing pitches, spec work, and brand repositions across consumer, financial, healthcare, and tech verticals

  • Strengthened internal creative culture and talent development by leading presentation practice initiatives and fostering clear communication, accountability, and collaboration across teams

Verticals & Representative Clients

  • Automotive & Mobility: MINI Cooper, BMW

  • Financial Services: Chase, Nationwide

  • Healthcare & Pharma: AbbVie, Gerber Life

  • Consumer & Lifestyle: Atkins, T-Mobile

  • Non-Profit: USO, National Multiple Sclerosis Society

 
 

COMPLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
2008 – 2014

Hybrid creative and account leadership role within a full-service agency.

Sr. Art Director • Account Director

  • Improved client retention and satisfaction by serving as primary account lead while also directing and executing integrated creative across print, digital, OOH, video, and experiential channels

  • Increased project efficiency and predictability by defining scope, managing budgets and timelines, and aligning creative strategy with business objectives from kickoff through delivery

  • Delivered stronger campaign outcomes by translating target-market challenges into clear creative direction that resonated with both technical and non-technical audiences

  • Reduced risk and downstream issues by proactively identifying challenges and addressing them through transparent communication and strategic problem-solving

  • Expanded agency value by seamlessly shifting between leadership, strategy, and hands-on creative execution based on project and client needs

Verticals & Representative Clients

  • Financial Services: Trust Company of Illinois

  • Healthcare: Wheaton Eye Clinic

  • Technology & Software: Capgemini, Acresso

  • Industrial & Engineered Products: Castrol, Midtronics

 
 

DUPAGE CREDIT UNION
2004 – 2008

In-house creative lead within the marketing department.

Senior Designer • Art Director

  • Increased brand awareness and product adoption by developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns across advertising, collateral, direct mail, email, web, and environmental graphics

  • Strengthened brand consistency and trust by managing creative from the inside out, ensuring alignment across departments, branches, and customer touchpoints

  • Improved internal efficiency by independently identifying marketing challenges and delivering creative solutions that supported both external growth and internal initiatives

  • Elevated campaign effectiveness by tailoring messaging and visual execution to multiple audience segments and financial product lines

  • Built strong cross-functional relationships by collaborating closely with marketing, leadership, and internal stakeholders

Verticals & Representative Clients

Financial Services (In-house Agency)

 
 

COMPASS DIGITAL MEDIA
2001 – 2004

Multi-disciplinary creative and production role supporting live events, video, multimedia, and web.

Creative Director • Art Director • Designer • Producer

  • Delivered successful live events, video, multimedia, and web initiatives by leading projects end-to-end—from concept and planning through production and execution

  • Improved project outcomes by coordinating multidisciplinary teams and external talent, ensuring alignment on vision, scope, and delivery expectations

  • Increased client confidence and repeat work by anticipating needs, recommending solutions, and managing complex creative and technical requirements

  • Balanced creative excellence with operational discipline by estimating scope, managing budgets, and overseeing schedules across multiple concurrent projects

  • Expanded creative capability by contributing across design, storytelling, production, and technical direction in fast-paced, high-visibility environments

Verticals & Representative Clients

  • Healthcare & Education: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, UIC College of Medicine

  • Consumer & Retail: Wilson, Skil

  • Higher Education & Non-Profit: University of Illinois Foundation

 
 
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