Experienced in Creative Direction; Art Direction; Design and Design Direction; and Product Development. I have been involved in all aspects and phases of Product Development--from design to finished goods. I have over 15 years experience in overseas factory interaction.  In addition--I have personal skills as an experienced conventional and digital illustrator and sculptor

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES 
A dedication to building a company’s business through positive ROI through the following:
• A passion for the ‘generative’ process, through collaboration with creative and analytical minded people
• A proven knowledge of how to craft creative expression into commercial success.
• Experience in leading strategic brainstorming sessions and creative brief development
• Effective and innovative problem-solving skills
• A proven aptitude for quick, creative thinking within demanding deadlines, and with acute attention to detail 
• Strong organizational abilities-- time, resource, and multi project management
• Experience in product development and brand management, with demonstrated results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Natural leadership skills in directing teams in creative execution; fostering excellence among team members; and in planning, implementing and reviewing the professional development of direct reports

PINNACLE PRODUCT -[07/08 – current]
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/BRAND STRATEGY CONSULTANT [pro bono]
PROGRAM DIRECTION: Responsible for Designing new corporate Logo; and Brand ID for Pinnacle Product
• Website creation for Pinnacle Product  [www.pinnacleproduct.net]
• Marketing and new product presentation to G. Modelo Corporation, for Corona Beer POP displays
• New product designs for proposed Corona line of branded merchandise
• New product concepts and product categories developed for Huanren Metal Arts [Chinese hand-crafted metal sculpture factory]
• Re-positioning and marketing of sculpted wildlife artwork product line, from domestic Asian, to a US market
• New line name, [“Wild Splendor”] new Logo and Brand I.D., and US Website creation
• New product catalog and printed sales material creation, for "Wild Splendor" product line
• New product design creation for Lights R Us, [Chinese manufacturer of LED Lighting Décor]
• Sales presentations in Outdoor Yard/Garden retail market  category
• New Home Décor products creation and new line presentation for IMAX Home Corp.


SANTA’S BEST - [01/08 – 05/11]
CATEGORY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: [Animated Plush Toys and Ornaments] 
PROGRAM DIRECTION: 
• Managed concept ideation of licensed and non-licensed Christmas, and other Holiday themed merchandise 
• Licenses: Michael Jackson; Elvis Presley; Johnny Cash; Alvin & the Chipmunks; M&Ms Characters; Scooby-Doo; Looney 
 Tunes; Marvel Comics; and others
• Experienced in Plastic injection molding; Steel Die Cast; Rotational casting; Electronic modules; and IC chips
• Researched existing and emerging retail market trends in Toy, Lifestyle products, and Holiday décor product categories.
• Created digital presentations for new license proposals
• Developed new product concepts: created my own artwork; directed staff designers and contracted with freelance illustrators
• Collaborated with Executive team, Internal Sales division; Hong Kong Engineering team and various Proto-type Shops
• Managed Overseas development phases of new products: sourcing; model making; prototyping and manufacturing
VENDOR CONTACT:
• Averaged 6+ trips to Asia per year for the past 3 plus years. [average stay: 3 weeks, with 3 stays lasting over 30 days]
• Involved in factory visits and in sourcing for new factories and prototype shops


THE MARKETING STORE WORLDWIDE - [02/05 –12/07]
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: [Product Development and Design for Toys and Premium Goods]
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION:  
• Managed concept ideation of licensed branded Toys & other product for McDonald’s Happy Meal programs 
• Directed Ideation process: Interpreted Marketing Briefs; Initiated Brainstorming; Created “themes” for multiple toy lines; Conducted internal broad team “line review” critiques and Determined final concept selection
• Managed team of 3 staff designer;  responsibilities included performance and salary reviews; performance modification plans
• Researched existing and emerging market trends in toys, lifestyle products and kids’ fashion accessories
• Collaborated with cross discipline development team: Client Services; Industrial Design; Engineering; QA/Safety
• Reviewed and critiqued pre-production models 
CLIENT / LICENSOR / VENDOR CONTACT:
• Presented toy concept product lines to Clients in “pitch to win” presentations; and in “non-compete” arenas, as well
• Presented Client-selected toy lines to Licensors : DreamWorks Studios; Paramount Studios; Warner Brothers Studios; 
 Disney Studios; Nickelodeon Studios; Cartoon Network; Mattel; Hasbro; Lego; Wild Planet; Sega; FIFA [World Cup Soccer]
• Involved with Asian Engineering team on initial-phase program [ this included a multi-vendor review trip to China, 2007]
• Selected for a 6 month “Job Share” transfer, to our Hong Kong branch office, for the purpose of: Interaction with over-seas  
  office coworkers, visiting Asian factories, and observing Asian zone market trends


THE BRADFORD GROUP - [12/04 – 02/05]
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: [Consumer Direct Collectibles]
• Managed product development from concept ideation to final product for 2 separate profit centers: 
  Bradford Authenticated [Sports Collectibles], and Hawthorne Village Collectibles
•  Worked with licensing procedures and within licensing guidelines for the following: Universal Studios; Disney; Thomas Kinkade;   
  Elvis Presley Enterprises; The NFL; The NBA; The MLBA; The NCAA; The NHL; United States Marine Corps
•  Researched existing and emerging trends in collectible and gift markets
• Provided design direction to in-house design team and by sourcing and directing freelance illustrators and designers
• Collaborated with in-house marketing; purchasing and operations departments
CLIENT/ VENDOR CONTACT:
• Acted as primary contact for daily correspondence on all overseas production issues
• Critiqued all models, SAS and approved final product 

ACE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT GROUP - [ 12/89 – 12/03]
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: [Product Development, Branded Gifts and Collectibles]
• Supervised design development for lines of Holiday; Collectible; Fashion Accessories; Lifestyle; Home Décor; and Gift products 
• Managed 10 direct-report staff members over tenure of my position [average dept. size 5]
• Directed outside illustrators, photographers, designers and model makers
• Created conventional and digital product renderings
• Designed and directed production of product packaging
• Created branding programs, new corporate identities  and new logo designs
• Created marketing materials, point of sale pieces and trade-show booth graphics/signage
• Responsible for photo direction: package photography [table-top set photography; live models in studio and location]
• Supervised on-site press approvals for printing projects
• Experienced in metal casting, plating & finishing; ceramic casting/decoration; poly-resin casting/decoration; screen and litho printing
• Conducted research in emerging and existing merchandising and market trends
• Attended numerous national and international trade events (gifts, stationery, collectibles and housewares)
CLIENT / VENDOR CONTACT
• Acted as primary creative contact on all phases of product development for clients, including: Harley-Davidson; Lionel Toy Trains; 
 Girl Scouts of America; Thomas the Tank Engine; Corvette; Fender Guitars; Case/International Harvester; Jack Daniels; Miller/Coors
• Toured factories of manufacturers throughout the US;  as well as vendors in Germany; Switzerland; Taiwan, and China 


EDUCATION 
University Of Wisconsin, Milwaukee [.5 yrs]    Major: Art   Minor:  History        
University Of Wisconsin, Eau Claire  [3 yrs]    Major: History/Education   Minor: Art

Seminars / Workshops in:  Management Training; Presentation Skills; Adobe 
Photoshop/Illustrator- Advanced Training; Figure, Portrait and Animal Sculpting Workshops

Computer Training Source , Chicago 
[certification training: Web Design / Web Developer]
•	Adobe After Effects CS5.5
•	Dreamweaver CS5.5
•	Adobe Premiere CS5.5
•	Fireworks CS5.5
•	Flash CS5.5
•	Illustrator CS5.5
•	InDesign CS5.5
•	Photoshop CS5.5 
•	Photoshop Production 
•	Photoshop Workflow
•	Adobe Acrobat 
•	Microsoft PowerPoint 	
•	CSS 
•	HTML
•	JavaScript 
•	MySQL: Database Management
•	PHP: Hypertext Processor
•	Pay-per-click
•	SEO: Search Engine Optimization
•	WordPress: Blog Content Management 


ADDITIONAL SKILL SETS
• Computer skills in: Microsoft Word; Microsoft Excel; Power Point; Acrobat Pro; Outlook/Entourage; FileMaker Pro; custom project management programs
• Human relations: Screening; interviewing; hiring; mentoring; coaching; performance modification
• Presentation: Small group; Team; Large assembly; Virtual
• Strong skills as an Illustrator & Cartoonist [both conventional and digital techniques]
• Conventional Sculpting & Model making skills
• Strong Copy-writing skills