EXPERIENCE
Art Director for Clearwater Marine Aquarium (February 17, 2020 - Present)
• Direct the look, content and production of exhibits, marketing collateral, product development, concessions and signage for this non-profit marine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and release facility while building the Creative department and evolving brand standards
• Work closely with the VP of Brand Management and Exhibitions to ensure brand standard adherence and quality
• Within seven months, directed the design and installation of exhibits, wayfinding signage, entry theming, restaurant theming and signage, donor walls, marketing collateral and more for the aquarium’s expansion in 2020
• Oversaw the design of branding for multiple events both new and recurring in 2020
• Directed design and production of multiple products for the aquarium’s in-house product development team
Creative Director for Gathering Place (June 26, 2017 - February 7, 2020)
• Direct the branding, theming, audio visual components and creative development for all initiatives at both Gathering Place, a 100-acre public park, and Guthrie Green, an innovative, urban park and event space
• Work closely with the VP of Marketing and Programming to ensure brand standard adherence and quality
• Within six weeks, directed the design and installation of all lighting, decor, signage and marketing material for Winter Wonderland: the park’s inaugural winter holiday event
• Oversaw the design and creation of print and digital marketing materials and stage design for Gathering Place’s 100 Days of Opening Celebration
• Led the design and production of all elements for the park’s grand opening ceremonies including parade balloons, themed gate entryway, main stages, banners, signage, maps, park characters and more
• Spearheaded the look of the all-branded gift shop inventory and managed it’s production overseas
• Working with both in-house and third party resources, directed the design and placement of materials for a three-month marketing campaign that included bus wraps, custom building wraps, billboards and brochures
• Directed the look of decor and marketing materials and collaborated on programming and production of signature events such as Superkids, Soul Fest, Hip Hop 918, Hawaiian Dreams, Blue Whale Comedy Fest and Glow on the Green for the urban park Guthrie Green, including leading the planning and install of permanent event decor infrastructure
Creative Services Manager for ZooTampa (Jan. 11, 2016 - June 2, 2017)
• Provide creative and production leadership for in-park projects, consumer events, entertainment, and guest experience in coordination with Marketing and Operations
• Directed visual design of zoo-wide event decor and signage for the inaugural Summer Sunset Celebration 2016 while also assisting with mainstage entertainment and park performer selection and acquisition
• Lead role in artistic direction of the first Dinos Alive! 2017 including the event layout, theming of structures and spaces, signage, dinosaur placement, and theming of zoo’s main entrance and restaurant
• Directed the design of new structures such as Rhino Encounter and the African Beer and Wine Garden bar and entrance archway
• Additional responsibilities include budgeting, coordination with contractors and vendors, production timeline creation and adherence, presentation of creative direction to client departments and stakeholders, and the maintaining and enhancement of the zoo’s brand through creative concepts and implementation of in-park projects and events
Design Specialist for ZooTampa (Dec. 23, 2012 - Jan. 10, 2016)
• Lead the design and production of props, decor, signage, etc. for the zoo’s events and permanent thematic elements while reporting to and collaborating with the Vice President of Creative Services
• Provided art and production direction for multiple high profile events including the Chinese lantern festival Zoominations 2015, the zoo’s most prestigious fundraiser Karamu 2013 - 15, Sea Lion Splash 2014, ZooBoo 2013 - 14, Wild Wonderland 2013 - 14, and the child friendly ZooBoo Kids 2015
• Directed internal and external resources to produce all event elements
• Provided scale construction specifications and fabrication assistance (i.e. painting, building and installation)
• Assisted with budgetary decisions, purchasing, payments, and record keeping
Part-Time Trader Joe's Crew Member (March 2014 - November 2015)
• Designed and created signage while providing customer relations, guest checkout, shelf restocking, etc.
Graphic Designer for ZooTampa (June 20, 2005 - Dec. 23, 2012)
• One of a two-person team that designed, created, installed, and maintained thematic and informational elements including signage and physical structures
• Art directed projects upon request such as ZooSchool’s Conservation Garden interpretive signage, animal exhibit identification signage, Penguin Beach thematic sign, Ituri area entrance sign, and others
• Provided research, copywriting, design, image creation, fabrication and installation of signage, theming of exhibits and special events, photography, and the co-direction of interns and part-time employees
• Projects required interdepartmental coordination and utilized traditional and digital production skills
Refugee Services Volunteer for the Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, a program of the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. (January 2011 - June 2012)
• Tutored four children of an Iraqi refugee family in all subjects including reading, writing, math, and science
• Also included helping parents with computer skills, understanding their children's academic progress, and navigating requirements such as the renewal of driver's licenses
Event Chair, Event Coordinator & Driver Instructor for Central Florida Region West Coast Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Autocross Program (2008 - 2012)
• Directed the event and personnel, made event announcements, managed safety protocol, created annual event schedule, negotiated annual contracts with site owners, created and maintained event registration, and provided new and experienced drivers with performance driving instruction
Graphic Arts Intern for the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL (March 2005 - June 2005)
• Provided photography, traditional and digital illustration, and graphic design of print materials
Student/Designer for the University of Florida (September 2001 - June 2002)
• Worked with teams to create a multimedia presentation for the university’s 150th anniversary
• Provided subject material R&D, story boards, video, and 3D animations to pre - visualize the project
SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE
