As a freelancer, I bring a unique blend of creativity, technology, and business acumen to every project I undertake. My current role allows me to harness years of experience across diverse fields—web design, development, media production, branding, and digital strategy—to deliver comprehensive, tailored solutions for my clients. Whether it’s crafting a visually striking website, producing compelling video content, developing custom tools, designing a product or creating a brand identity that resonates, I approach each project with a holistic mindset. I understand the needs of my clients because I’ve been in their shoes, and I’m committed to bringing their visions to life with the highest level of quality and innovation. My work isn’t just about meeting expectations; it’s about exceeding them and creating experiences that are both impactful and lasting.

Creative Talent and Innovation

The blending of creativity and technology is at the core of everything I do. From a young age, I was consumed with music, art, and computers, driven by an insatiable curiosity that led me to explore and excel in diverse fields. My career spans from early work in television, film production and design to business, computer science, and technology. Despite the many titles and labels I’ve accumulated, I still see myself simply as a creator—a builder who takes ideas and makes them realities, whether it’s a company, a non-profit, a technology, a website, a song, or a brand. My work isn’t just about following trends; it’s about setting them and transforming what’s possible.

At 16, I began studying Electronic Media Production in college. Soon after, I was hired to create commercial and promotional productions for ABC. While finishing my second degree in Computers, Robotics, and Electronic Technologies, I was asked to come teach capstone courses in Producing/Directing Television and Advanced Compositing in After Effects.

My first company was a production studio where I filmed and produced content, designed brands, built websites, and crafted marketing campaigns for companies across the region. One client provided me with an opportunity to fully utilize my diverse creative and technical skills in an industry I knew nothing about. Despite initial skepticism—after all, I was just a “goth kid” in all black with eccentric hair—I was given the resources and talent that would change the direction of my career.

I redesigned and built a global e-commerce platform that expanded their operations to over 30 countries. Simultaneously, I directed an internationally syndicated television show and oversaw creative, technical, and marketing operations for multiple companies. My approach was hands-on: I designed and developed templates and processes myself, then handed them off to my team to grow and manage day-to-day operations. With a global e-commerce platform and a full production studio at my disposal, Myke Bates and I created one of the first video e-commerce platforms, helping to shape a budding new field. This experience led to speaking engagements across the country, where I shared the stage with industry giants like HBO, XBOX, and Zappos, discussing the future of video e-commerce—a platform my partner and I pioneered from a western store in the Midwest.

This intersection of creativity, media, and technology led to my next role: VP of Product Design for Mycra, one of the earliest companies working on home tele-health/tele-therapy platforms. Although we were too early for the industry—another decade was needed for the legislative and regulatory environment to catch up—I was able to further hone my skills in branding, application/product design, UI/UX, and real-time audio/video technologies. These skills would continue to be central to my career.

When I co-founded Eagle Speak, I wasn’t just the CEO—I was the designer, marketer, strategist, and fundraiser, ensuring every aspect of the company reflected our vision for real-time communication. Our goal was to provide a truly unique experience in the world of business collaboration platforms. I helped lead the company from idea to acquisition, with our technology becoming a cornerstone of Hearo Technologies. There, I took on the role of Chief Creative Officer and Board Member as one of the largest shareholders. Once again, I used my diverse skill sets and experience to design real-time audio/video communication and assistive tele-health technologies, this time for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. After several years, I stepped back when my own health issues became a priority. During this time, as President and a Board Member of the Mid-America Technology Alliance, my colleagues and I helped lead the merger with AITP to create the Springfield Tech Council.

While recovering from the last of several surgeries last year, I found myself with more time than I was used to having. I took on designing and developing the website and online platforms for STC, rekindling my love for holistically creating things. This experience reignited my passion for the full creative process, leading me back to freelancing, where I now focus on designing, producing, developing, and delivering exceptional and effective experiences for my clients and their customers.

Impactful Digital Content

In the last year alone, I’ve developed websites, produced brand films, and created complete visual identities for clients like the Valiant Group, Springfield Tech Council, The Arcadian, Oakwood, Backwoods Storage, and others.

For Valiant Group, I didn’t just design a website; I built a comprehensive digital ecosystem that supports their business goals. This included everything from developing responsive, visually striking websites to creating a brand film that set the tone for their market positioning. As a result, Valiant Group has grown from managing 60 properties a year ago to over 300 today, with upwards of 60,000 visitors a month across the online spaces I’ve created for them.

The STC website saw a dramatic increase in traffic, growing from 200 visitors a month to over 20,000 at peak times. This growth, combined with the hard work of my colleagues, brought in new sponsors and made us the third-largest member-based organization in the region.

Versatility and Skills

What truly sets me apart is my versatility and holistic approach to problem-solving. I don’t just see a project from one angle—I understand it from every perspective. I’ve been the creator, the manager, the executive, and the board member. I’ve been the client and the consultant, the artist, and the engineer. This breadth of experience allows me to bring a unique, well-rounded perspective to every challenge I take on.

My skills span across every creative medium, seamlessly combining artistic vision with technical expertise and business acumen. In graphic design, I craft visually compelling brand identities, marketing materials, and digital assets that resonate with audiences. My deep understanding of visual communication allows me to translate abstract concepts into tangible designs that effectively communicate a brand’s message.

In web design, I specialize in creating responsive, user-friendly websites that are both visually striking and highly functional. I focus on building digital environments that are intuitive and engaging, ensuring that every website I create provides a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

Video production is another area where my skills shine. I have directed and produced a wide range of video content, from television shows and brand launch films to live concert recordings. I create high-quality videos that tell compelling stories and capture the essence of a brand. My video work is known for its creative storytelling, dynamic editing, and high production value.

This comprehensive skill set is underpinned by a strong foundation in business strategy and technical knowledge. My experience as a board member, executive, and manager allows me to approach projects with a strategic mindset, ensuring that creative solutions align with business goals. I’m not just focused on the creative or technical aspects; I’m also deeply attuned to the business side, understanding what it takes to drive growth and success.

Whether it’s graphic design, web development, video production, or business strategy, I bring a unique combination of skills that ensure every project I work on is executed to the highest standard.

Contributions to the Digital Creative Community

Modern creativity requires deep technical expertise, and that’s one of the many reasons I’ve been so deeply involved in shaping the creative and tech communities in the Ozarks. For over a decade, I’ve been an active participant in Springfield’s creative and technology sectors, helping to bridge the gap between these two worlds. I’ve not only contributed to the growth and development of these communities but have also played a pivotal role in uniting them.

Co-organizing Tech Leaders, a monthly gathering that brings together leaders from every tech and creative group in the region. This initiative fosters collaboration, encourages the sharing of ideas, and helps align our collective efforts towards common goals. Through these gatherings, the region’s brightest minds can come together to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our community.

Alongside my colleagues, I have also been a strong advocate for better STEM education in our region. We recognized early on that a skilled workforce is essential for the continued growth of our local tech and creative industries. To that end, we’ve lobbied for improved STEM education policies and worked to ensure that our schools and institutions are equipped to prepare the next generation of tech leaders.

Our efforts culminated in the formation of the Springfield Tech Council, an organization designed to address the ever-evolving needs of our community. As a founding board member, I helped lead the merger of the Mid-America Technology Alliance (MATA) with the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) to create a unified body that could better serve our region. The Springfield Tech Council has since become a driving force in regional economic and workforce development, providing professional training, advocacy, and support for diversity in tech.

Over the years, my work has been recognized with numerous awards, but the most rewarding aspect of my contributions is seeing the tangible impact on our community. Whether it’s through the growth of the Springfield Tech Council, or the thriving network of creative and tech professionals in our region, I’m proud of the role I’ve played in helping to shape the future of the Ozarks.

Today, I’m more focused than ever on being true to myself and my vision. Whether I’m designing a brand, developing a website, or crafting a marketing strategy, I bring the same passion and commitment to every project. I’m here to create, to innovate, and to help others do the same.