A mission-driven creative leader with extensive experience across digital, print, video, and social media. Adept at crafting innovative strategies, building strong brands, leading teams, and driving impactful results for communications organizations.
expertise
• Leadership of award-winning creative development, with experience in advertising agency and corporate in-house settings
• Building teams of designers and artists, with implementation of project management and content delivery systems
• Directing the ideation, design, and constructive critique of award-winning marketing communications
• Extensive supervision of video production, audio editing, and motion-graphics creation
• Expert knowledge of industry-standard design software Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign
• Deeply skilled in writing, proofreading, group brainstorming, campaign presentations and public speaking
• Advanced photography, production design, talent casting, and digital retouching experience
• Dedicated mentor to junior team members and interns; Scoutmaster of one of East Tennessee’s largest Boy Scout troops
experience
Regal Cinemas Knoxville, Tennessee · 16 years
Creative Director · Jan 2018 – April 2024
As the leader of Regal Cinemas’ in-house creative agency, I quarterbacked talented teams of designers, animators, illustrators, and content creators. We promoted the movie experience to millions of guests annually, designing everything from tiny email GIFs to Times Square billboards, telling our brand story through consumer and B2B channels, as well as key internal communications. I built a strong track record of selecting and collaborating with outside agencies and production houses, ensuring top-quality results. Our work earned national and industry recognition, including Telly and ADDY awards. A high-profile success was a top-to-bottom corporate rebranding that affected every location, program, and marketing message. Despite the challenges of the team rebuilding after pandemic furloughs, industry downturns, bankruptcy, and new CEO restructuring, I led the group to consistently deliver exceptional results.
I coached my teams to turn every opportunity, big and small, into a brand-building moment. As I often said, “We’re not here just to make it prettier — we’re here to build loyal customers and boost revenue.”
Creative Services Manager · Apr 2008 – Jan 2018
During these formative years of building Regal’s creative team, I tackled significant challenges and delivered substantial improvements. We swiftly implemented an organized project structure that remains in use today. Collaborating closely with IT teams, we established robust servers to manage our extensive files. I spearheaded the deployment of a ServiceNow portal, which streamlined client work orders and made project tracking measurable. All the while, I designed creative work, mentored a talented team, and delivered fresh ideas that built our brand with every touchpoint..
The Tombras Group Knoxville, Tennessee · 9 years
Art Director • Oct 2002 – Apr 2008
Graphic Designer • Dec 2000 – Oct 2002
Production Artist • July 1999 – Dec 2000
My nine years at Tombras were the ad agency “nest” where my skills evolved rapidly and my client experiences multiplied. I began as an entry-level production designer, managing digital files and resolving production issues. By the end of my tenure, I advanced to Art Director on a key team, where I conceptualized, designed, and presented outcomes directly to clients. My portfolio featured major fast food brands, high-profile motorsports venues, government departments, regional utilities, and some remarkable non-profits.
education
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
BA in Visual Communications — College Scholars, magna cum laude. A self-designed honors degree which allowed me to combine majors in graphic design, photojournalism and advertising
Mt. Juliet High School, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Professional Certifications
Inbound Marketing Methodology HubSpot Academy
Google Ads Search Google
Wood Badge The Boy Scouts of America’s advanced national course in leadership and team building
accolades
ADDY Awards Winner of numerous awards for creative excellence by the American Advertising Federation at local, regional, and national levels, including:
· 43 Gold ADDYs · 64 Silver ADDYs · 6 Best-Of-Show Awards • 2 Judges Choice Awards
Telly Awards Four-time winner for excellence in video and television across all screen sizes and media
2024: • Movie FOMO - Campaign • Movie FOMO - Cookout • Regal Unlimited "Flowmotion" • Regal Logo Takeovers
HOW Magazine In-House Design Awards ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Ultimate Ticket.
Best Gift Card Design in the US from Blackhawk Network Awards, the #1 gift card retailer in the United States.