I am a creative professional with fifteen years of experience in a broad range of industries. From corporate communications to retail promotions, I am well versed in brand identity and marketing. With both in-house and agency experience in art direction, design and production, I've become an expert in innovation, planning and collaboration. I'm passionate and goal oriented with a drive to grow both creatively and professionally.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Acrobat
Illustrator
InDesign
Photoshop
Dreamweaver
Flash
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
WordPress
HTML/JavaScript
Mac & Windows platforms
Photography
Press check
Strong understanding of production

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Manager, Graphics Design & Brand Standards  |  June 2015 - present
DecoArt, Inc.  | Lexington, KY
 - Responsible for leading and supervising the internal graphic design team to drive strategic initiatives and oversee day-to-day operations including work flow, backup processes, equipment enhancements and staff development.
 - Provide direction and approval on the creative development of all marketing & sales materials including packaging, advertising, print collateral, website, displays and trade show signage.
 - Ensure proper and consistent implementation of the DecoArt brand and all sub brands contained within throughout all touch points
 - Maintain relationships with outside vendors to ensure competitive pricing, accurate file preparation and translation of documents.
 - Oversee all photo shoots to ensure high quality representations of all products and painted projects

Art Director  |  March 2011 – May 2015  
LM Restaurants  |  Raleigh, NC
 - Accountable for protecting the integrity of the LM Restaurants brand across all touchpoints, including the eight restaurant concepts and three lines of packaged food products contained within
 - Managed design concepts from inception to production for print, web and television
 - Supervised in-house design team and managed external creative agency relationships
 - Oversaw the development of all promotional materials including menus, packaging, point-of-sales, brochures, fliers and print, online & outdoor advertising
 - Wrote and reviewed marketing creative briefs, timelines and workflow 
 - Production management including sourcing, price negotiation, tracking and vendor relationship building

Associate Creative Director  |  Jan. 2009 - March 2011
e design  |  Raleigh, NC
 - Created and executed brand identity and design for marketing collateral, advertising campaigns, newsletters and communication materials for agency clientele
 - Worked directly with clients to establish project parameters, determine timelines and set milestones
 - Developed web site maps, designed layouts and provided programming and navigational direction
 - Created publication specific ads and coordinated regular traffic schedules for release

Packaging Communications Associate  |  Feb. 2007 - Oct. 2008
Nestlé  |  Glendale, CA
 - Hired and directed creative agencies for the development and production of all Nestlé PowerBar packaging, displays and point-of-sales communication pieces
 - Worked with the sales force and retail vendors to develop in-store promotional campaigns
 - Launched an updated packaging line for the global product portfolio designed to be more cohesive and relevant to target consumers
 - Provided art direction and creative support to the marketing, sales, events and web teams
 - Developed presentations for sales and marketing summits
 - Managed two distinct budgets for packaging and promotions
 - As a member of the Nestlé Design Council, helped to evaluate and determine Nestlé preferred vendors

Creative Services Manager  |  Mar. 2005 - Feb. 2007
Transamerica  |  Los Angeles, CA
 - Supervised the creative services division of the retirement services marketing department, growing it from a two person design team to five full-time employees and one full-time contractor
 - Provided art direction to the creative team for the development of marketing communications targeting three separate audiences
 - Established design and messaging standards as part of the Brand Management Committee for the creation of a new corporate identity
 - Re-vamped the sales proposal to a more streamlined piece consistent with the updated brand messaging
 - Oversaw the development of multiple company newsletters in both printed and digital video formats
 - Implemented a new production process utilized by the marketing department for routing and approval
 - Approved vendor selection and pricing costs

InfoDesigner  |  Jun. 2004 - Feb. 2005
TrialGraphix  |  Los Angeles, CA
 - Managed a team of up to three designers, met with and advised clients, and ensured overall style and consistency of projects
 - Created graphic aids for courtroom presentations in both electronic and print formats
 - Assisted the workflow coordinator, organized job schedules, updated the workflow database and posted and maintained proofs on company  website for client review
 - Worked on-site as a design consultant serving as a local point-of-contact and support to clients
 - Plotted and output to large format printers and oversaw production of multi-faceted boards

Graphic Designer  |  May 2002 - Jun. 2004
Transamerica  |  Los Angeles, CA
 - Served as part of a two person design team responsible for all marketing collateral
 - Worked directly with all levels of management, writers, web team and vendors
 - Managed all production aspects of projects, including pricing, prepress file prep, and press checking 
 - Designed style and layout for multiple monthly and quarterly newsletters

Graphic Designer  |  Jan. 2001 - Sep. 2001
Carson Enterprises  |  Fairfield, OH
 - Created customizable templates for novelty candy bar wrappers
 - Laid out and designed brochures, postcards, order forms and other printed materials
 - Designed packaging and branding for multiple product lines
 - Produced numerous original illustrations for various product and promotional lines

EDUCATION:
  University of Cincinnati: College of Design, Art, Architecture, & Planning (DAAP)
  BA: Fine Arts  |  June 1999

EXHIBITIONS:
  March 2001  |  Blue Friday  |  DV8 Night Club
  January 2001  |  New Year's Raw  |  Raw Art Gallery
  December 2000  |  The Elements  |  DV8 Night Club
  April 2000  |  Flux  |  DV8 Night Club
  November 1999  |  Camargo Annual Auction  |  Kenwood-Manchester Hall
  June 1999  |  DAAPWorks  |  Cincinnati Convention Center
  February 1999  |  The Invasion of Oz  |  The 840 Gallery