A Lil' Bit About Me...
I have 20+ years experience in the field of Marketing, Design and Advertising. My strengths include creating and implementing the visual design elements associated with brand positioning, public relations and strategic marketing in order to convey a unique message. The creation and administration of project schedules and budgets.
I earned my BA in Graphic Design from Concordia University and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) in 2002. After graduating with my BA, I was hired full-time at a small design company (where I interned) who had found a niche market providing custom creative to dance studios/organizations for recitals/competitions. I left there in Jan ’04 due to an employee downsize and took a position at Aurora Health Care, within their internal Creative Services department. I was responsible for developing conceptual design ideas through completion (i.e. fliers, brochures, booklets, catalogs, ads, posters, newsletters). All which had to fall within branding guidelines, but also needed to be dynamic and new. While still at Aurora, I chose to return to school to obtain my MBA, with a concentration in Marketing. I completed my MBA in 2007 with a 3.88 GPA. In order to gain strategic and analytical experience, beyond design/creative work I chose to leave Aurora for a position at a Marketing agency, the Frantz Group in ‘06. While there I acquired in-depth experience in senior business management of a fast paced organization and client campaigns, organized to drive client revenue based on high technology products and services. I was responsible for managing cross company team efforts through effective and motivating mentoring strategies. I left Frantz Group in 2010 to pursue a Marketing Manager role at Allen Edmonds with more of a creative direction. Under the CMO, I managed the creative direction of everything digital, e-comm, e-mail, social as well as print including catalogs, direct mail, packaging, store displays/POP and ads featured in Esquire, DETAILS, Golf Digest, WSJ and more, including photography direction.
I really enjoy what I do, I love the diversity and it seems like there's always a new and exciting challenge to take on. I do feel that I will continue to try to always be a part of the creative process, regardless of where my title may take me.
I earned my BA in Graphic Design from Concordia University and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) in 2002. After graduating with my BA, I was hired full-time at a small design company (where I interned) who had found a niche market providing custom creative to dance studios/organizations for recitals/competitions. I left there in Jan ’04 due to an employee downsize and took a position at Aurora Health Care, within their internal Creative Services department. I was responsible for developing conceptual design ideas through completion (i.e. fliers, brochures, booklets, catalogs, ads, posters, newsletters). All which had to fall within branding guidelines, but also needed to be dynamic and new. While still at Aurora, I chose to return to school to obtain my MBA, with a concentration in Marketing. I completed my MBA in 2007 with a 3.88 GPA. In order to gain strategic and analytical experience, beyond design/creative work I chose to leave Aurora for a position at a Marketing agency, the Frantz Group in ‘06. While there I acquired in-depth experience in senior business management of a fast paced organization and client campaigns, organized to drive client revenue based on high technology products and services. I was responsible for managing cross company team efforts through effective and motivating mentoring strategies. I left Frantz Group in 2010 to pursue a Marketing Manager role at Allen Edmonds with more of a creative direction. Under the CMO, I managed the creative direction of everything digital, e-comm, e-mail, social as well as print including catalogs, direct mail, packaging, store displays/POP and ads featured in Esquire, DETAILS, Golf Digest, WSJ and more, including photography direction.
I really enjoy what I do, I love the diversity and it seems like there's always a new and exciting challenge to take on. I do feel that I will continue to try to always be a part of the creative process, regardless of where my title may take me.
I am close with my family and friends and I enjoy being able to spend time with them. I also love to get outside and be active - favorite seasons include summer/fall...you can enjoy the outside and of course, Brewers Baseball and Packers Football. The great thing about living in Wisconsin, we have the ability to enjoy all 4-seasons, no complaints about spring. Well...one can only enjoy Wisconsin winters for so long. Then it just gets old and cold.
Yes, that's me and my black bear, Teddy. Cliche name, I know! He now holds residence as a full-mount in the corner of our living room. I took up shooting 10 years ago, turns out I was pretty good at it. Be assured, I'm not shooting merely for sport, there is no waste - the meat and everything else is used. I can tell you, I will not shoot, unless I am 99% sure the animal will have a quick exit. My very first hunting experience sealed that notion for me. So...that means I'm a pretty good shot. ;)
Yes, that's me and my black bear, Teddy. Cliche name, I know! He now holds residence as a full-mount in the corner of our living room. I took up shooting 10 years ago, turns out I was pretty good at it. Be assured, I'm not shooting merely for sport, there is no waste - the meat and everything else is used. I can tell you, I will not shoot, unless I am 99% sure the animal will have a quick exit. My very first hunting experience sealed that notion for me. So...that means I'm a pretty good shot. ;)
