“Roughing it” with everyone’s favorite K9, Diesel.
North Shore, Lake Superior
Are you looking for partnership over politics? I work best with those seeking top level work without the fluff or dog and pony show. My “Midwest work ethic” shines through in all I do. Sound too good to be true? I have over 20 years of agency experience to back it up, working with national and regional brands like (name drop—LG Electronics, Verizon, Trane, Do-It Molds, Intek Strength, St. Croix Genuine Stoves, GoDaddy, Clear Creek Fly Fishing, Mendota Luxury Fireplaces, Fasteners Plus, US Cargo Control, etc…).
Much of that experience is in the home goods and outdoor markets—turning shoppers into consumers through dealer networks and at retail. I lived and breathed shopper marketing for over a decade and am no stranger to the funnel, purchase journey, promotions, product launches, various retail channels. I now focus more on visual content and processes for e-commerce and Amazon as part of a highly effective Shared Marketing team.
Working at several smaller, independent advertising agencies has provided me with the opportunity to wear many hats and work on a broad range of successful projects—from traditional print, TV and OOH to experiential activations, retail, point-of-purchase, store displays, web design and social campaigns.
Resourceful, hardworking, hands-on and collaborative…I work well in a team setting or siloed, working alone. Whether I’m on set directing a photoshoot, behind a monitor retouching or creating layouts, designing products or concepting campaign ideas in a conference room…I bring relevant insights and attention to detail. I create with purpose—leveraging the power of design to influence decisions and give brands a competitive advantage.
Or maybe you’d
like to sift through
my resume?
Creative Strategist, Fasteners Plus at Clickstop
2024–Present
• Creating effective, scalable design systems that are authentic, cohesively branded and earn trust with customers and vendors.
• Create and capture high quality creative assets that convert online sales and help establish deeper relationships with customers and the brand.
• Develop scalable and efficient creative processes.
• Proactive pursuit of new and established marketing initiatives.
Senior Art Director at North Forty
2012–2024; Hiawatha, Iowa
• Work closely with in-house design teams, sales teams, marketing teams, and other agencies, injecting new thoughts, ideas and energy into their materials
• Direct and collaborate with an internal team of designers as well as outside web developers, in-house design/marketing teams, production houses, vendors and Emmy award winning artists, animators
• Design in a multitude of mediums, including point-of-purchase, branding, set design, in-store displays, directing photo/video shoots, industrial/product design, conceptualization, strategy, website/interactive design, print design, retail circulars, promotional materials, social media assets, online ads and tradeshow booth design
• In-store agency of record for LG Electronics in all of their various channels.
• Work closely with national “big box” chains like Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco as well as various regional retailers nationwide on behalf of LG Electronics.
Also includes work for: Trane, Mendota Luxury Fireplaces, St. Croix Genuine Stoves, Piazzetta Italian Gas Fireplaces, Intek Strength and Clear Creek Fly Fishing Gear.
Art Director at North Forty
2008–2012; Hiawatha, Iowa
• Developed creative strategies through inventive design, conceptual and stylistic direction
• Built strong visual brands while achieving strategic sales, marketing and training goals.
Includes work for: LG Electronics, Best Buy, Trane, Mendota Luxury Fireplaces, St. Croix Genuine Stoves, Piazzetta Italian Gas Fireplaces and Clear Creek Fly Fishing Gear.
Art Director at EdgeCore (now MindStream)
2007–2008; Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Set the digital standard for Verizon’s Indirect Channel as their Agency of Record
• Created co-op websites for Verizon resellers
• Assured that each site reflected the unique brand of each authorized reseller but also fits each of the requirements to meet Verizon’s guidelines and inventory.
Art Director at ME&V (now Amperage)
2004–2007; Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Taking direction from creative and sales teams to satisfy and exceed the needs of local and regional brands
• Designed logos, branding, website design, print collateral, photography and video
• In-house studio photographer.
Design Manager/Designer at Community Media Group
2001–2004; Waverly, Iowa
• Maintained a small-town, twice weekly newspaper, from layout to production to print
• Ensured a traditional broadsheet publication and all its special tabs and inserts met expectations and deadlines
• Led a department creating the newspaper and the advertisements that funded it
• Roles included layout, imposition, photography, and design
• Redesigned the newspaper and launched a new newspaper brand for a neighboring town
• Trained entry-level workers, fixed computers and maintained servers.
Studied Fine Arts at Hawkeye Community College
Associates of Arts in Graphic Communications
1999–2002; Waterloo, Iowa
• Completed Fine Art Foundations prior to completing the Graphic Communications curriculum
• Learned the foundations of the Mac system, fonts, typography, design, photography and layout.
• Received several purchase awards for fine art pieces; untitled paintings, charcoal drawings and a six foot abstract metal sculpture that still stands in the entry of the Hawkeye Community College Library.