PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
With 20+ years as a creative professional, my title may have changed a few times. What has not changed is that I try to always remain creative, confident and collaborative. I take pride in coming up with innovative solutions, both on a team and as an individual.I have a quick grasp of new concepts > situations and adapt as needed. My collective experience has allowed me to develop a high attention to detail, superior communication skills and a can-do attitude.I have a track record of being capable, keeping a cool head in a crisis, approaching challenges with enthusiasm, an ability to understand the big picture, and deliver out-of-the-box concepts, dynamic visuals and innovative strategies for online and broadcast media.In essence, I try to always be a creative problem solver.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Graphic Design, Radford University, 1995, Radford, Virginia
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
7/2018-Present • Graphic Designer/Graham Media Group, (WSLS10), Roanoke, VA
• Create specialty still and motion graphic elements for WSLS’s promotions and news departments.
• Create graphic assets and ads for the station’s website and online social media sites
• Responsible for the creation of specialty animated opens and imagery for newscasts and other live and recorded programs
• Write scripts, shoot video for promotions, and edited digital video promos (15 > 30 second) for use by WSLS and WSLS.com
• Take head shots for staff and handle still photography for the station’s needs.
• Complete daily traffic logs for promotions using Wide Orbit software.
4/2017-7/2018 • Graphic Designer-Promotions Producer/Sinclair Broadcast Group, (ABC13), Lynchburg, VA
• Created specialty still and motion graphic elements for the WSET promotions and news departments.
• Created print and online graphic elements for the station’s website and online social media sites
• Responsible for the creation of specialty motion graphic opens and imagery for newscasts and other live and recorded programs
• Shot video for promotions, and edited digital video promos (15 >30 second) for use by WSET and WSET.com
• All in-house still photography for station needs - corporate head shots and event photography
8/2015-4/2017 • Graphics-Promotions Producer/Nexstar Broadcast Group WFXR-TV Fox), Roanoke, VA
• Daily operation of the graphics/character generation systems
• Created print and online graphic elements for the station’s website and online social media sites
• Responsible for the creation and superimposition of graphics and images during newscasts and other live and recorded programs
• Wrote and edited digital video promos (commercials) for use in broadcast
• All in-house photography for station needs - corporate head shots, event photography, etc.
1/2016-7/2016 • Creative Director (contract position)/This! Magazine > Media Group, Roanoke, VA
• Developed the layout for each bi-monthly edition, functioned as staff and cover photographer, and built print and online ads
• I maintained and updated the ThisRoanoke.com website to reflect the current issue, using a WordPress online interface.
• If needed, I assigned and monitored any work done by outside creative staff
9/2013-8/2015 • Freelance Graphic Designer/Photographer, Roanoke, VA
• Worked with clients to create print, online > video materials that meet their individual and business needs.
• Conducted photo shoots for clients, including portraits and corporate headshots, as well as marketing/event photography.
4/2008-9/2013 • Advertising Graphic Designer/The Roanoke Times, BH Media Group, Roanoke, VA
• Designed print and online ads for customers advertising in The Roanoke Times and on Roanoke.com
• Creativity, accuracy and strict time Management were key skill sets for this position
• Marketing photography > web video production to aid in promotions for The Roanoke Times and Roanoke.com
7/2005-1/2008 • Graphic Designer/WSLS-TV 10 - Media General Broadcast Group, Roanoke, VA
• Maintained the graphic look of WSLS to insure that the station’s daily graphic production met corporate guidelines by monitoring the daily graphics built by the directors and production staff for daily newscasts.
• Worked daily with the Marketing Director on all aspects of WSLS’s visual marketing materials, from concept to final design, including assisting in the development of marketing plans, working with commercial printers, publishers > vendors in the production of marketing materials.
• Art directed or conducted photo shoots for everything from print ads to digital billboards.
• Created the motion graphics for WSLS including animated graphic elements to enhance video packages and special productions.
10/2002 - 9/2004 • Director of Personal Training/Gold’s Gym, Roanoke, VA (currently Crunch Fitness)
• I gained management experience by supervising a team of personal trainers, while continuing to be an active personal trainer
• Built my staff of trainers from the ground up, conducted performance reviews, handled timesheets/payroll
• Worked with the GM to created our own custom employee guide/handbook for the staff.
RELATED SKILLS
• Fluent in the Adobe CC Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro and After Effects
• Marketing and creative writing skills developed as a Promotions Producer/Designer, while at WLSL, WSET and WFXR
• Digital photography and photo restoration/alteration as well as digital illustration and logo creation
• Video Production - Adept at writing, lighting, audio, digital video shooting > editing and the creation of post production effects
• Knowledge of digital content creation / ability to easily converse with digital website managers to produce graphically exhilarating content and a better user experience
• Practical management experience as a Personal Training Director at Gold’s Gym, helped cultivate my leadership/communication skills. I led a team of 10-12 full and part-time trainers including conducting performance reviews, payroll and scheduling.
MEMBERSHIPS > AWARDS
The Square Society - Active Member since 2000; Marketing > Graphics Co-Chair, 2015-16
The Izaak Walton League of America-Roanoke Chapter - Active Member 2012-2018
VA Press Association: 2008 - 1st > 2nd Place/Color Print Ad2009 - 1st Place/Small Space Ad-Color2011 - 1st Place/Real Estate Ads