Professional, creative visual communicator with experience in marketing, sales, customer service and management. Extremely organized and deadline driven with an attention to balance and detail. 

Expertise includes

● Design, illustration and photo editing

● Copy editing and writing 

● Adobe Suite CC, expert with InDesign and PhotoShop

● Creating concepts and looks to increase website views

● Collaborating with writers, photographers, illustrators and editors to maximize communication

● Organizing workflow to maximize production and minimize errors

● Leveraging technology, especially Adobe programs and able to learn new software quickly

● Maximizing effect with typography use to increase impact and readability

Career History

CHAGRIN VALLEY TIMES, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 2014-Present

General Manager/Creative Director 

● Improved company organization and the design of news and features pages for 6 newspapers. Did redesign of papers, Currents and the Chamber magazines. Introduced the use of infographic stories to traditional news stories. Brought in and nurtured talented young photographers, illustrators and designers. 

● Worked with ad execs to improve marketability and increase sales.

● Helped build new newspaper group on West side of Cleveland.

● Helped rebrand The Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, worked on their marketing to the result of a increase in class enrollment by 25%

THE PLAIN DEALER, Cleveland, Ohio 1999 - 2014

Art Director, Features

● Improved organization and design of small and large infographics.

● Worked with other designers, writers on how to tell a story in the non-traditional form of a graphic story. 

● Created a new home and garden magazine called “Sophisticated Home.” Art directed all photography and worked closely with writers, editors and advertising to maximize ad to editorial integration.

● Designed special sections, including news, the arts, fashion and dining.

Teaching

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, Kent, Ohio Fall, 2013 - 2015

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Cleveland, Ohio Spring, 2012

Education

Master of Fine Arts, Visual Communications, Ohio University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Indiana State University