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 with clients and firms built on mutual respect. The testimonials on this site prove that.

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

I also taught business graphic design at Shepherd University, preparing students to handle rejection through honest group critiques, adapt to shifting strategies, and push through deadlines and real-life professional obstacles. I was not always popular at first. But later, after they settled in their careers, I received letters saying how much they loved me—now.

This background is foundational. It represents integrity at its core. That’s what I bring to every project and every job. And if you read the testimonials on this site, you’ll hear the same thing from the people I’ve worked with. I believe the words of those who have worked with me through long nights and difficult days—met with success—know me best. In this area, I am fortunate.

That leadership carried into FMB+D, my transitional design company. 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—clarity over noise, results over ego.

I’ve worked across many industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, SaaS, pharma, and federal. The sectors were different, but the demand was always the same—clarity, consistency, and creative that drives results. Along the way, I’ve elevated Graphic Designers into Art Directors, and guided Art Directors into becoming Associate Creative Directors and Creative Directors.

Elevating a brand is one of the most rewarding parts of this work. I don’t believe in magic. But leading a team to creative excellence—and seeing the pride on their faces when it happens—that’s pretty magical. And I love that.

I owe a lasting debt to Rob Roy Kelly, who taught me Swiss Graphic Design at Carnegie Mellon University. His influence let me see beyond shape, style, and composition. He taught me to think in terms of dimension. For that, I’m grateful.