My Story

My Career Journey: From Small-Town Artistry to Creative Leadership.

Growing up in a tight-knit small town, I developed a deep love for drawing and creating. I spent my formative years sketching in the back booth of my grandmother's diner, where the community gathered for meals. In a small town, labels stick, but I was fortunate to possess both talent and an unwavering drive to create. Encouragement came from all directions.

My creative journey began early, with my first commissioned job involving drawing dinosaurs for our second-grade play. I painted signs, crafted portraits, and illustrated cars that people wished they still owned from their youth. By high school, I had even started my own t-shirt printing business. Opportunities for creativity abounded, even in a small town.

As a versatile creative mind, I never limited my view of what artistry could achieve. Then came the pivotal moment when I, the small-town farm kid, ventured off to art school. It took weeks for the realization to set in that my higher education was centered around creating art. Surrounded by some of the world's most incredible minds, inspiration flowed endlessly. The 1990s art school experience felt like being at the forefront of a changing world.

My blue-collar upbringing proved invaluable. I became a technician in a vast woodshop, assisting fellow students in mastering industrial-grade woodworking equipment. My hands-on skills and strong work ethic led me to collaborate with renowned artists throughout my college years.

I found myself welding prototype furniture for the renowned Finnish designer Stefan Lindsford and contributing to art installations with Robert Stackhouse. I thrived on challenges and cherished the experiences.

My professional journey commenced at Muller + Co, where I began as an intern and later became a designer. Working alongside John Muller, a luminary in the design world, was a dream come true. I had never imagined I'd be sitting in an office, creating art and designing projects. Carrying over the work ethic from my art school days, I was always ready for the next challenge, never uttering the word "no" to a project, no matter how unfamiliar.

"Can you create storyboards for a commercial?" Yes, I think so.

"Can you devise scenarios and package architecture for vacuum-formed packaging for consumer packaged goods?" I'm sure I can figure it out.

I witnessed firsthand the evolution of the internet and its impact on design. I watched the dot-com bubble burst as I delved into learning flash and web design.

From 2000 to 2005, I led a small in-house design team at Bernstein-Rein. We guided the implementation of new business pitches and tackled numerous demanding design projects agency-wide. Our driving principle was adaptability, delivering outstanding creative efficiently while uncovering opportunities for creativity.

Working at BR, I also began crafting a juvenile graphic novel, a project that would occupy me for the next 13 years.

Next, I spent five years at the small but dynamic design studio, Blacktop Creative. Here, I learned the importance of assembling the right team. With the right people, anything became possible. Despite our small size—just 16 people—our studio rivaled larger agencies, earning as many, if not more, awards. We continually pushed and inspired one another, fostering an environment where creativity thrived.

We witnessed the rise of social media and smartphones, embracing change as an opportunity.

Returning to Bernstein-Rein, I established another design studio, Fire Engine Design Studio. Situated in a haunted firehouse in Kansas City's Crossroads district, our team quickly grew from two to 23 people. In just three years, we progressed from a chilly, under-heated building to managing national campaigns for retail chains and rebranding one of the world's largest engineering firms. Adaptability and creative excellence remained our guiding principles.

Desiring to focus on children's books and personal projects, I embarked on a freelance journey, challenging myself further. I rapidly built a client base spanning from Atlanta to Anchorage.

Over the years, I launched an interactive story app that evolved into a juvenile graphic novel featuring AR technology. I established a children's entertainment property studio, continually pushing my creative boundaries.

During this period, I played a pivotal role in forming an internal design team within one of the world's largest suppliers of brewery merchandise. We collaborated with over 5,000 breweries worldwide, building a team capable of swiftly adapting and providing creative resources to our clients.

Seeking a fresh creative challenge outside the agency world, I joined a licensed wall decor company. My role shifted as the company's needs evolved. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my focus shifted to scaling the company's outward-facing representation and uncovering new opportunities. I orchestrated the creation of an internal digital content development team that complemented the sales and creative teams, showcasing our extensive product catalog and strengthening partnerships with licensees and retailers.

My journey has been a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, adaptability, and the enduring power of "what if."