Resume
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & STRATEGIC LEADER
Visionary storyteller and brand strategist with over 20 years of experience leading high-performing creative teams to craft compelling narratives, elevate brand identities, and deliver innovative presentations and events. Expert in creative direction, graphic design, motion media, and storytelling, with a proven ability to align cross-functional partners and C-suite executives with ambitious brand visions. Adept at managing workflows, scaling creative operations, and producing exceptional deliverables in fast-paced environments.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Creative Direction & Storytelling: Develop compelling narratives, presentations, and branded content using Adobe Design Suite, Keynote, and PowerPoint.
- Brand & Event Design: Lead branding initiatives, event look-and-feel, and strategic collateral for high-profile projects and public-facing brands.
- Operational Leadership: Direct workflows, project schedules, and asset management to ensure seamless production and brand consistency.
- Executive Collaboration: Serve as a trusted creative partner to C-suite leaders, delivering strategic visuals and narratives for board meetings, pitches, and events.
- Team Building & Scaling: Manage and mentor multidisciplinary creative teams, fostering innovation and elevating design standards.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Whisper Twins Entertainment
Chief Operations Officer & Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer | 2014–Present
Lead creative direction, storytelling, and operational strategy for a dynamic agency specializing in branding, experiential marketing, and event production. Oversee a micro-agency team of designers, animators, and writers to deliver presentations, videos, and collateral for high-profile clients. Tripled revenue by diversifying offerings and forging strategic partnerships.
- Executive Projects: Directed branding and narrative development for C-suite initiatives, including keynote presentations for Brandemonium. Secured $300K in sponsorships for Kentucky’s Edge bourbon festival through compelling pitch decks and reels.
- Event Projects: Led end-to-end event branding, presentation design, and on-site production for festivals like PiviP (esports) and Brewmania, driving thousands of attendees with cohesive visuals and strategic narratives.
- Studio Projects: Developed branded templates, pitch presentations, and motion media for clients like King’s Island, Cedar Point, and Carowinds, enhancing in-park experiences post-Covid.
- Collaboration: Partnered with third-party vendors and cross-functional teams to optimize costs, improve margins, and deliver innovative consumer experiences.
Founder & Chief Experience Officer | 2011–2020
Founded and creatively directed a three-day music festival, growing attendance to 60,000 and revenue to $6M by 2018. Led narrative development, branding, and presentation design to secure top talent and media recognition (Yahoo! Music).
- Designed branded collateral, pitch decks, and motion media to attract $1M in initial funding and a majority stake acquisition by Promowest.
- Developed custom software for event layout and operations, saving $20K+ and reducing staff hours by 90%, ensuring brand consistency across 400+ assets.
- Produced on-site event experiences, managing technology and visuals for seamless attendee engagement.
VP of Fountain Square Management Group | 2006–2011
Led creative and operational strategy for Fountain Square, overseeing branding, event design, and programming for 200+ annual events. Doubled revenue to $4.4M through innovative storytelling and sponsorship presentations.
- Directed graphic design, video production, and Keynote presentations to secure $600K+ in sponsorships and grew liquor sales to $407K via the F9 Permit.
- Co-founded Cincinnati SantaCon, creating branded collateral and narratives that raised $500K to date for charity and drove citywide engagement.
- Secured a patent for multilingual signage code, enhancing community inclusivity and raising $400K in funding.
Co-Founder & President | 2002–2008
Co-founded a multi-venue music festival, leading creative direction, branding, and event production. Grew to 280+ bands and tens of thousands of attendees.
- Developed web-based software and branded templates to produce the festival for $31K, a fraction of typical costs.
- Crafted compelling pitch presentations to secure Red Bull sponsorship and sell the event to CityBeat after six years.
Founder & President | 1996–2001
Founded a creative agency specializing in graphic design, web development, and multimedia development for Fortune 40 clients (P&G, Nationwide, Siemens).
- Led SEO-driven design and portal development, achieving first-page search engine landings for client product sites.
- Directed multidisciplinary teams to deliver cohesive branding and motion media, enhancing client visibility.
Vice President of Marketing and Operations | 1993–1995
Co-founded a financial services firm, leading creative direction for corporate identity, marketing collateral, and presentations. Grew assets to $100M and secured an acquisition.
- Designed all online and print materials, ensuring brand consistency and regulatory compliance.
EDUCATION
Miami University – Oxford, OH
B.S. General Business
European Center – Luxembourg
Core Studies in Music, Art, Architecture, Economics, and French
Xavier University – Cincinnati, OH
Executive MBA Program
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Adobe Design Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere)
- Presentation Software: Keynote, PowerPoint
- Motion Animation & Video Editing
- Project Management Tools & Workflow Optimization
RECOGNITION
- 2x Greater Cincinnati CVB Spirit of Cincinnati Award
- Cincinnati Business Courier 40 Under 40
- Marcom Creative Award
- Greater Cincinnati Foundation Jacob Davis Volunteer Leadership Award
SERVICE
- President of the Board, Center of Independent Living Options
- Recipient, Over the Rhine Chamber Star Award
Locations
Cincinnati, OH | Venice, FL