Experience from both sides of the “curtain”
Whether from the client or agency side, it never gets old hearing, “he get’s it!” Download my PDF résumé here.
I’m most efficient when working with a team of creative talents. But, I can craft not-too-shabby copy and have a command of creative applications like InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, WordPress, MailChimp, Rhino, and Maxwell Render. That being said, when I talk about my portfolio, I rarely mention design. My forte and satisfaction stem from the results of successful brand and message creation.
Please peruse my work experience below and then visit the portfolio section for project highlights…or just contact me.
Inventor of the Star Prairie Nest Box™
Star Prairie Birdhouse Company, LLC
Osceola, Wisconsin
2019 to present
SPBirdhouseCo.com
While searching for employment, I became frustrated with impressions from some hiring managers — that my left- and right-brained skills don’t come in a single package. So, I set out to prove them wrong and bolster my résumé in the process. Visit SPBirdhouseCo.com. Based on a longtime hobby, I invented a better nest box. While it is “just a birdhouse,” I was responsible for everything:
• Design of the patent-pending Star Prairie Nest Box
• Patent Application Writing
• Marketing Copywriting
• 3D Modeling, Rendering, and Animation
• Videography
• Website Development
• Social Media
• Graphic Design and Literature Creation
• CNC Manufacturing of PVC Nest Boxes
• 3D Printing of V2 Star Prairie Nest Box Prototypes
• All Technical and E-commerce Implementation
The endgame is to produce the nest box prototype shown at www.SPBirdhouseCo.com/v2-nest-box-prototype/. This patent-pending prototype is the sexiest nest box available and truly different from anything on the market. However, inflation and supply-chain constraints are currently hampering its market introduction.
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Walker Methodist
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2018–2019
walkermethodist.org
After serving as a consultant to Walker Methodist for several years, I joined them in a newly created marketing and communications position. If you’ve looked around my website, you’ll see that I’m well suited for breaking new ground as a one-person marcomm show. In short order, I delivered heightened brand awareness, fresh content, uniform communications, and business development collaboration to support growth of our managed-community partnerships.
VP, Marketing and Business Development
Sexton Printing/Strategic/Creative
St. Paul, Minnesota
2008–2018
Originally hired as marketing and creative director for Sexton’s growing marketing agency, my role quickly expanded to include corporate strategic planning, promotions, and business development. An ability to understand technical elements of data-driven promotions and integrate engaging, variable messaging across media platforms was a key reason I also was part of Sexton’s strategic consulting group.
VP, Marketing
VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Systems and three regional companies
Oakdale, Minnesota
1993–2000 and 2003–2005
versa-lok.com
This international building-products corporation licensed production and sales of its proprietary product lines. Similar to other specified construction materials, a significant portion of marketing efforts were directed toward professionals like architects, landscape architects, engineers, contractors, and public agency officials. Concurrently, I served as vice president of marketing for three related regional companies. Each had unique brands, promotional programs, and audiences.
VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Systems
I built an eight-member, in-house marketing team, including project coordination, writing, graphic design, and interactive design talents. I provided management and creative direction for all promotional materials, technical documentation, photography, publicity, trade shows, and website development. Annual marketing budgets exceeded $1,000,000.
Villa Landscapes
I directed creation of sales materials, a website, and a new advertising strategy for Villa’s premium landscape architecture and installation services. In addition, I implemented a successful program to improve customer retention and referrals. After several years of mediocre growth, the company experienced annual gains of approximately 45 percent in the two years immediately following rebranding.
Patio Town Landscaping Centers
I developed a new advertising and promotional program to maximize publicity and boost store traffic. Ineffective advertising dollars were redirected, in part, to television—a first for the company. Based on significant survey data, the self-produced commercials quickly became the most cost-effective means of attracting new customers. Additional promotional elements included cooperative campaigns with complementary businesses to help leverage a modest budget.
Willow Creek Concrete Products
I directed creation of the brand, sales tools, technical literature, an extensive website, and dealer support materials for a new line of paving stones. First-year sales exceeded expectations to the extent that sales efforts were moderated to avoid supply problems.
VP, Marketing
The RiverBank
Wyoming, Minnesota
2005–2008
As a consultant and an employee, I provided rebranding and marketing direction for seven bank locations and five departments, including consumer banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and commercial services. The institution encompassed two separate banking charters with combined assets of more than $400 million.
Marketing Consultant
Ballyhoo Marketing and Design
Osceola, Wisconsin
2000–2003
With an office on Main Street in Osceola, Wisconsin, I helped many clients with their marketing and communications efforts. I also served as an interim manager for the local chamber of commerce—for which I initiated a nationally sanctioned Soap Box Derby™ and other activities to foster community and business interaction.