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.

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.

FREELANCE CREATIVE CONSULTANT
2014 – Present

On- and off-site creative service, supporting independent organizations and agency clients.

Creative Director • Art Director • Designer

Work directly with business owners and report to executive-level agency directors to lead and support print and digital initiatives involving identity and campaign development, product launches, websites, e-learning modules, pitch proposals, presentations and events.

MERKLE INC. | DENTSU CREATIVE
2015 – 2024

A leading global customer experience management (CXM) and performance creative marketing agency — driven by data and analytics, enabled by technology and rooted in business outcomes to create more meaningful, targeted customer experiences.

Roles & Responsibilities

Report to Creative and Group Creative Directors, lead creative/art for consumer, financial, healthcare, non-profit and software/tech markets. Responsible for pairing data/analytics/strategy with creative application of best practices and tested performance creative principles to drive awareness and response in award-winning, multi-channel campaigns and marketing initiatives.

Associate Creative Director, Art

• Lead, mentor, provide direction and oversee the work of creative associates and interns

• Conceptualize campaign themes, create exemplary imagery, graphics and layouts

• Present and deliver work to internal and external clients

• Advocate and drive forward best practices in process management

• Engage the creative body in team-building exercises, identify educational opportunities initiatives for organizational growth

• Spearhead and lead passion project “Dentsu Presents” to help talent development in the form of presentation practice and skill building

COMPLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
2008 – 2014

Full-service, brand-centric marketing and creative agency serving a broad portfolio of B2B and B2C clients.

Roles & Responsibilities

Reporting to the VP of Creative Services, I successfully moved seamlessly between various roles, tasks, clients and projects, both managing and contributing to every aspect of the creative process. Expanding my scope to include Account Director once again challenged my skill sets and continued to build upon my previous experience to ensure long-lasting client relationships and successful outcomes. As the primary contact for multiple accounts, I worked directly with client liaisons and decision makers, marketing managers and directors, VP’s and CEO’s.

Sr. Art Director • Account Director

• Employ a creative and strategic framework to plan, develop and achieve project goals leading and managing multidisciplinary, internal and external teams

• Identify project scope, develop estimates and proposals, manage timelines and budgets effectively

• Conceptualize direction in combination with strategy to address qualified target-market challenges and leverage opportunities, present ideas, concepts and design solutions to creative and non-creative audiences

• Manage the creative process and client expectations

• Champion a proactive, forethought approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving

• Embrace a flexible management style focused on personal accountability, while utilizing a straight-forward, transparent approach to communication and direction

• Execute and deliver final integrated campaigns and unique one-up projects, including identity and branding, print collateral, direct mail, OOH, interactive multimedia presentations, video, websites, social, and display

Roles & Responsibilities

Positioned within the in-house marketing department, I reported to the Marketing Manager. Applying multiple capabilities and skill sets, I again demonstrated fluid transition between team leading, mentoring, educating, art direction and design, copy writing and editing, managing and overseeing production, and fulfillment of campaign and promotional solutions.

Sr. Art Director & Designer

• Independently and collaboratively seek out and identify organizational and product specific challenges

• Conceptualize brand campaign and product-line promotions targeting multiple audience demographics and customer relationships

• Present, develop and execute unique and creative solutions that encourage internal productivity, expand external brand awareness and increase sales opportunity

• Apply skill sets to create and produce print and online advertising, collateral, annual reports, forms, newsletters, corporate and retail environmental graphics, signage, POS displays, direct mail, email, website and intranet

Roles & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Producer, I worked fluidly between multiple roles and responsibilities, utilizing appropriate skill sets to direct, create and deliver solutions. Servicing a diversified client portfolio, my contributions to Compass and its clients’ initiatives enabled successful project execution while meeting predetermined goals and objectives regarding awareness, fundraising and sales.

Event, Video and Web Producer • Creative Director

• Conduct client/internal planning sessions, anticipate client needs and recommend solutions

• Determine project scope and compose estimates, lead project coordination and management

• Contract and manage hired talent and internal/external multidisciplinary teams of 5 to 50 per project requirements

• Oversee and develop all aspects of the creative process, from concept to execution to completion

• Impact all stages of video pre- and post-production

• Provide technical direction for live events, meetings and breakout sessions

Roles & Responsibilities

During the year-long paid internship, I reported to the department's lead designer and seized the opportunity to acquaint myself with the client/service provider relationship while leveraging and refining new skill sets acquired through my formal education.

Design Associate

Valued for my creativity and passion for design, I owned projects from start to finish, conceptualized and presented ideas to superiors and clientele, designed and produced final identity, print collateral and promotional solutions for university departments, alumni and prospective student outreach initiatives.