Mission & Vision
I am a creative person that cares about learning more and growing to be better than I was yesterday. My specialty is in marketing, with a concentration in Web design and company branding. Building user-friendly, standards-compliant, and appealing sites keeps my life exciting.
Education & Experience
I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BBA in Marketing and Communications from Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). As an Honors Program student, I had the opportunity to create a thesis entitled, The Evolution of Masculinity: Marketing & the Appearance of Man (PDF/ 1.4 MB).
While attending SVSU, I worked on a project as marketing consultant for the Bay Area Family YMCA, which provided me with valuable real-world experience. I also held two marketing/media/community relations internships. One amazing opportunity I had was working in the Media & Community Relations Department with the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit (Click here to read about it /PDF/ 79MB). My other internship involved working for IP3, Inc., which is an information technology firm. Both positions required me to work on marketing materials for their web and graphic design, which sparked my desire to learn more.
After taking a short break from school, I decided I wanted to further my education by studying Web design. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division offered the courses and flexibilty I needed, while teaching me the skills necessary to succeed in this field.
Things I Heart
It's important to find what makes you happy. I've been lucky to find a lot of those things early on; I like to call them the Things I Heart. Want to learn more about what keeps me excited about life?
On the Telly: I have a hard time turning down an episode of The West Wing, The Office, and Gilmore Girls; I know it’s quite a range, but those are my favorites. Pretty much anything on the Food Network or HGTV are always options.
On the Big Screen: Mona Lisa Smile, Elf, Little Miss Sunshine, The Princess Bride
On My Mac: It’s pretty much my constant companion… at almost any given time, there is an Adobe program running.
On iTunes: Jack Johnson, Justin McRoberts, OAR, Matchbox 20, Martina McBride, Joshua Radin
For Fun: Waterfalls, hiking, photography, painting, volleyball, traveling, flip flops
For Laughs: Brian Regan, Demetri Martin, Dane Cook, Nick Swardson
For Sustinence: Anything and everything my Grandma makes. When that’s not available, I have a lot of backups: steak, pasta salad, spaghetti, and tacos. I also love tomatoes, pickles, and avocadoes (will take payment in any of those… just kidding).
For Adventure Points: Rappelling/Rock climbing, Lifeguard certification (doesn’t sound scary, but it is for me), Counseling young girls at a camp for two months.
For Inspiration: Nature, family, friends
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” -Audrey Hepburn