About

Hi there! In the interest of brand storytelling...here's my personal brand story. I'm a lifetime Chicagoan, unabashed ambassador of the city, and married father of two. A fan of Bulls, Bears, post apocalyptic sci-fi, firepits and craft brews. After studying illustration, advertising, lettering and design at the American Academy of Art in Chicago (scholarship winner in 1986), my career was launched as an apprentice illustrator at Willson Graphics doing storyboards, illustration, lettering design and production. A chance to move to the “big agency” world presented itself, so I moved on to Graphic Warehouse/Seven Worldwide in 1990. It was in the Leo Burnett building that I was exposed to the frenetic energy of the advertising world...and was smitten. Spent 12 years helping Burnett creatives make their work presentable, then producing creative work of my own. I served as an illustrator, art director and designer on a myriad clients, including McDonald’s, Disney, Sony, Gerber, Miller Beer, Helene Curtis, Toys r Us and Philip Morris. In 2003, I headed to the suburbs and signed on with an Australian company, Creata Promotion. Predominantly a partner for McDonalds™ and their Happy Meal business, Creata afforded me the opportunity to create campaigns, design packaging and brainstorm new product concepts for many clients, including McDonald’s, Sanford, Energizer, and National Geographic. I joined Maddock Douglas in 2005 as a senior art director, packaging designer and illustrator. Clients have included Chiquita, Case New Holland, CNO Insurance, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®, Wise foods, Old Style and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Along the way, I’ve produced award-winning pieces for NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®, Lexli Skincare, Sterno Brands and Case New Holland. I’ve also had the privilege of participating in new product and service ideation sessions and helping to launch new product initiatives. Proficient in the tools of the creative workplace including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Beyond the technical skill set, I’m a strategic thinker, driven conceptual designer, enthusiastic leader and presenter, confident writer and exceptional artist.