More than three decades helping businesses and brands succeed.

My background and history

I began my career more than thirty years ago when I was hired as a junior designer for a leading Midwest public relations firm. Taking this job was at a pivotal moment in my life because I was faced with the decision of either going to college, or immediately entering the workforce. I chose to take a risk, forego higher education and learn-by-doing.

That decision would ultimately define my career choices for the next three decades.

During my 7 years with this firm, my knowledge of the importance of design and the role it plays in corporate brand strategy continued to grow along with my title. Ultimately I would become creative director, overseeing all client projects and providing mentorship to junior designers and staff. This position gave me the foundational knowledge I needed to take the next step, and eventually it became time for a change.

Moving on wasn’t simply a transition to another firm, but the beginning of an entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape my career to this day. Along with a business partner I founded a design and marketing firm called Catalyst that focused on providing creative services to public relations firms that lacked this internal capability. Over the next decade we would eventually outgrow this model and became a full-service agency with countless national and international clients.

However, as proud as I was about creating and building a new business from the ground up, change is inevitable. And sometimes professional change goes hand-in-hand with personal and lifestyle changes. My next move would not only take me away from the business I founded, but would also take me away from my home and the state I was raised.

I was given the opportunity to become global creative and marketing director for one of the most iconic brands in the musical instrument category. While this was a huge transition professionally and personally, and having to relocate to a new state, I simply couldn’t pass up the chance to work with such a historic brand. As a musician myself, this was an amazing opportunity to blend personal and professional passions and I will always appreciate the friendships I made during my time there.

But the entrepreneurial spirit once again called and brought me back home. I took a position with a small public relations firm that was once a client of my previous business, to help develop and expand their internal creative and digital services. I built a staff and infrastructure that successfully transitioned the company from limited PR capabilities to broader, integrated services that helped them become more competitive with larger firms.

After achieving this objective, it was once again time for change.

With decades of experience and lasting professional relationships, I decided to launch a new creative agency with the goal of helping clients clearly communicate their brand’s unique value. Regardless of industry, being able to provide a clear analysis and roadmap forward has allowed me to help clients stand out above the competition and competitive noise.

For more than ten years now this has been my primary focus and continues to be the core of my professional passion.

Feel free to send me a note or connection request: