Curriculum vitae, part two

About me—

In 2007, I walked away from a toxic agency job. At the same time, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Those two events reset my career and my life. I built my work to stay available for him—without walking away from the profession I love.

By then, I had a reputation as a conceptual Art Director—brought in as an equal, not a freelancer. I was trusted to lead teams, build brands, and deliver campaigns that proved to be effective—and was almost always called back. If something wasn’t right, I spoke up. Not to be difficult, but to push the work toward something better. That honesty built trust and kept me working independently for over a decade. The testimonials on this site reflect that.

The way I lead comes from more than the design industry. I served in the U.S. Navy as a Non-Commissioned Officer. I worked as an Engine Company Officer at a fire company in Northern Virginia, leading firefighters into live fires and high-stakes emergencies. My decisions shaped outcomes where lives and property were at stake. From that, I learned focus, clarity, and what matters most.

I also taught business graphic design at Shepherd University, preparing students to handle critique, adapt to shifting strategies, and push through deadlines and real-world constraints. I was not always popular at first. Later, I heard from former students who told me they understood why.

That background is foundational. It shows up in how I work and how I lead.

That leadership carried into FMB+D. I partnered with Capital One Bank, Discovery Communications, Hallmark, Alpha Lab Creative, and Gaiam. I helped reintroduce Capital One to more than a million customers during a corporate transition. I strengthened Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel with multi-channel broadcast campaigns for shows seen worldwide. Every project came down to the same principle—work ethic and integrity over ego.

I’ve worked across healthcare, finance, retail, SaaS, pharma, and federal. The industries differ. The demand does not—clarity, consistency, and work that performs. Along the way, I’ve helped Graphic Designers become Art Directors, and Art Directors grow into Creative Directors.

Elevating a brand is one of the most rewarding parts of this work. Leading a team to creative excellence—and seeing the pride in the result—is why I do it.

I owe a lasting debt to Rob Roy Kelly, who taught me Swiss Graphic Design at Carnegie Mellon University. He taught me to think in terms of dimension, not decoration. For that, I’m grateful.