my journey

With a career spanning over three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working at both large and small agencies—learning, leading, and growing along the way. I’m a hands-on Creative + Art Director with expertise in branding, design, advertising, and creative development. While I oversee work at a high level, I still love the craft—whether it’s concepting, designing, or rolling up my sleeves to make the work better. My passion lies in solving creative challenges, building and mentoring high-performing teams, and delivering work that drives results.

My journey started in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!) as the first intern Crowley Webb ever hired—an incredible training ground that shaped my career and my approach to leadership. As a Senior Art Director, I became known as the "Logo King." After eight years, I spread my wings to the Wolf Group as Associate Creative Director, leading a small team on national accounts and local nonprofits. When the agency lost its largest client (this business is harsh), I joined the SKM Group, where I grew into the role of SVP/Creative Director. I learned the value of direct marketing but missed brand work, so I joined the Martin Group as its sixth employee. It was an exciting time of wearing many hats—helping them win their first national brands and scrubbing spray-mount residue off the hardwood floors to make room for our first conference room. We grew to a team of 40, and I led a dozen creative team members.

After seven years, I moved to Rochester, NY, to join Dixon Schwabl as SVP/Chief Creative Officer at one of the region’s largest agencies, where I had the opportunity to lead a creative team of 30+. Eventually, I rejoined the Martin Group as an extra set of senior-level creative hands. Within a few months, I helped secure several clients in Rochester, leading to the launch of the agency’s first satellite office. Building something from the ground up was an incredible experience. As SVP, Executive Creative and Managing Director, Rochester, I was responsible for creative leadership, business development, team building, and shaping the office culture. I even took on the role of interior designer when we expanded fourfold, creating a space that reflected our growing team’s energy.

In just six years, we became one of Rochester’s top six agencies, managing a 40-person multidisciplinary team. I played a key role in securing the agency’s largest client, turning a single project into a multi-million-dollar account that fueled further expansion. To meet our client’s growing needs, I built three specialized studios—Packaging, Print, and Digital—ensuring we could deliver high-quality, scalable solutions across all touchpoints. However, with a change in direction limiting office autonomy, I found myself missing the thrill of building new business and having direct client interaction. Seeking an opportunity to return to what I love most, I joined Born Collective, where I could focus on impactful branding and meaningful client relationships.

Now, as Creative Director at Born Collective, I help lead branding and design efforts that connect brands with their audiences in powerful ways. Throughout my career, I’ve been continually learning—each agency experience has shaped my skills, leadership, and approach to client relationships.