Together we can fall into the future... strategically.
Together we can fall into the future... strategically.
I strive to work from a place of wisdom, spirit and empathy, developing big-picture visions and mold-breaking insights with an unwavering dedication to doing things the right way. I value innovation, authentic expression and bold ideation, savoring any opportunity to build vehicles for visions with a goal of crafting and communicating solutions for the greatest challenges faced by companies and communities alike.
(I also have a sense of humor.)
Scroll down for a vocational history and reach out if I can help you make something... or make something better.
Switch | Jun 2015-Jun 2016
Switch | Jun 2015-Jun 2016
After 10 years on the production side of Switch’s project workflow, I asked to be reassigned and wound up in business development. My versatility allowed for immediate impact in standardizing presentation templates, assembling RFP responses and developing case studies. Beyond identifying prospects, I also helped refine and implement an overall prospecting strategy for new business.
Falling out of this were primary contributions to new brand systems, including refined standards, collateral and presentation templates. This evolved into project management over a website redesign and product management of a proprietary software application.
My interest in strategic planning was tapped for primary and secondary research around the aforementioned projects, as well as research and strategy for client branding projects and content strategy for Switch thought leadership initiatives.
Steve loves to challenge the work on every project we do, and more specifically the thinking behind it. It pushes us to truly think through problems and not settle on the first solution we come up with. And he brings that level of care to everything he touches. When it comes to brand and project planning, Steve is incredibly thoughtful and detailed, finding just the right insight and starting point for the team, providing a strategic foundation that leads to the most impactful work possible. What amazes me most about Steve is his versatility. He’s able to jump from one marketing discipline to another without missing beat. Having someone that well rounded on the team is invaluable. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of Steve’s.
The smartest guy in the room isn’t always the loudest. That is certainly true of Steve... He is always listening, always thinking. Steve has an insatiable curiosity that powers his quest for insight. He understands the data but he looks between the lines, beyond the numbers to discover the hidden truths... To him, the target are people and it is his responsibility to shape who they are, what motivates them and how they think through ceaselessly asking the right questions in the pursuit of “why.” In the case of Steve, the smartest guy in the room is the quiet guy—the hidden gem I was lucky enough to see shine. Without a doubt, he can help any agency or organization shine brighter and be smarter.
Steve is intelligent, industrious and thoughtful—a true team player when it comes to collaborating on project challenges and opportunities. He possesses a diverse and flexible set of creative skills, organization and communication proficiency, and tremendous wit to boot.
2014-2015
2014-2015
After years of getting freelance design requests for “a logo," I began to find the exercises rather deflating—my carefully crafted marks were invariably thrust into a melee of confused usage and messaging.
Trying to embody the vision and essence of an organization in a little text-flanked icon felt like putting together a single outfit when they really needed an entire wardrobe, expertly tailored and carefully coordinated with a look and style built around who they are and what they stand for.
From leadership coaches and financial advisors to faith organizations and NPOs, what my clientele has lacked in prominence it makes up for in a consonance that contrasts the brand/business dissonance epidemic among larger corporations. Smaller, purpose-driven organizations are uniquely positioned to have near-perfect alignment: Their behind-the-scenes operations often are refreshingly just as advertised.
When it comes to establishing a brand identity Steve is the real deal. His work included logo design, helping me revise my mission statement to better attract my ideal client, and then forming elaborate, professional brand standards. This total brand transformation has taken my business to the next level.
[Steve] helped me create a brand that really spoke to my clients because he took the time to understand who I wanted to serve and why my offering was different than traditional financial services. I regularly get complimented on my firm’s unique identity. It has been a huge boost.
Steve’s designs are fresh and innovative. He clearly understood what we were looking for and developed a brand identity that we were thrilled with. He’s both professional and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him for any branding and/or brand identity projects.
The Gathering UMC | Sep. 2011-Jan. 2013
The Gathering UMC | Sep. 2011-Jan. 2013
There’s no reconciling the part-time position of “Media Coordinator” I held at The Gathering and what I spent 30+ hours a week accomplishing in a year and a half. Rather than what the title might imply, I was tasked with managing the following laundry list:
In the end, it was an unsustainable workload on top of my pre-existing full-time job, but the experience gained was invaluable, and the work produced remains a hard-won component of my professional portfolio.
Working with Steve was rewarding and inspiring. He brings talent, smarts and energy to every project he touches. He took every opportunity on and owned it by applying his own style and vision to a solution that was a perfect fit for the personality of the church. His contributions helped evolve The Gathering’s aesthetic, giving it breadth and appeal to the diverse membership.
I’ve known Steve for more than six years and have collaborated with him on a number of creative projects. I admire him for his big-picture creative thinking and for his commitment to doing whatever it takes to produce high quality results. His standards are extremely high, both professionally and personally. He’s a person you always like to see walking into the room, full of original thoughts and interesting viewpoints.
Switch | Nov. 2004-May 2015
Switch | Nov. 2004-May 2015
A coworker and I were hired simultaneously, and we spent the next 10+ years leveraging our design backgrounds and general whip-smarts to realize the original vision for it as a full-fledged production resource.
Beyond the everyday print production workload, prepress responsibilities included:
In addition to assuring consistent quality in print output, I frequently offered cost-effective alternatives and innovative production techniques to enhance final output.
2005-2015
2005-2015
My fascination with creative mediums has been a slow progression of disposable cameras, tape decks, camcorders, microphones, 4-track demos, campus radio shows, HD cameras, editing softwares, slates and 18K lights.
When media culture moved from “just push play” to “just hit record,” media production was largely democratized with message appropriately trumping medium. My focus has largely followed suit.
Working with Steve over the course of several film and television projects with him at the directorial helm, he was incredibly reliable and valuable to our team as a creative leader and dedicated worker. He was quick to offer solutions to the unique and immediate problems that come up in our industry, and steadfastly committed to seeing all of our projects through to fruition.
Webster University | 2000-2004
Webster University | 2000-2004
When I was a junior in high school, I sat down with Ryan Fitzpatrick’s future mother-in-law to figure out where I wanted to go to college (yes, really). First, she needed to know what I wanted to major in, and when I didn’t have an answer for that, she asked me what I liked to do.
I had a handful of schools with reputable Film Production departments laid out as options, and I applied to the one in the biggest city closest to home (Des Moines, IA), Webster University in St. Louis.
Let's build something together.
Let's build something together.