Born into a family of builders, I build brands. Creating beauty with function is in my DNA.
70+ creative awards, most notably a Cannes Grand Prix (Creative Data), D&AD White Pencil, AdWeek Project Isaac Award, One Show, Clios, London International and six consecutive years of Gold Effies.
Currently I am the founder of OWND Ideas Factory and a fractional CCO helping companies and brands thrive in a more and more complex marketing environment.
I most recently led the build of Whirlpool's in-house creative agency, WoW Studios. Starting as employee #1, we grew to 160+ employees and a full in-house production studio. I was responsible for creating the organizational structure, the work flow process to connect WoW Studios with internal brand teams, and all creative output across channels.
Before moving to the brand side I was the EVP, Executive Creative Director at Digitas Chicago, responsible for the creative portfolio of the Chicago office. Prior to being promoted to the agency ECD, I lead the Whirlpool mass brands (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir), garnering Digitas Chicago its first ever Cannes Grand Prix (Creative Data) and Gold Lions (5), its first D&AD Pencil, six consecutive years of Gold Effies, and was named #1 twice in the Cannes Lion Global Creativity Report (Innovation and Creative Data).
Prior to taking over the Whirlpool account I was the VP Group Creative Director leading the McDonald’s Consumer Engagement Team at Leo Burnett. Our charge was to deliver innovative creative solutions that connected people across social, broadcast and in-store promotions. In doing so we created award winning creative solutions for multiple product launches at both a local and national level.
My experience spans across all aspects of advertising and marketing, providing a well-rounded approach that is essential to unifying ideas through multiple channels. Which is why, at Leo Burnett, I also worked on brands like Samsung, Nintendo, Coke and Kellogg’s.
Prior to joining Leo, I was a Creative Director at JWT in Chicago where I wrote and led successful, award winning campaigns for Butterfinger, Kraft and Illinois Board of Tourism. I started my career as an Account Executive at Draft Worldwide, but after one year of stealing creative briefs and writing ads (whether they liked it or not) I moved to the creative side of the business. Starting as a junior writer at FCB Chicago, I ascended the ranks to Creative Director by creating successful work for brands like Coors, John Deere, Boeing, Quaker and SCJohnson to name a few.
I find tranquil joy in golfing, fishing, camping and the great outdoors. But my true joy is found in my daughter Sadie, my son Fletcher, my wife Ryanne and our dog Rosie.
I am a graduate of the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Journalism, a guest lecturer at the Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business, and an endless student of life.