Empowering others, Exploring possibilities, and Finding purpose
I love researching, analyzing, and mapping problems to determine root causes. Through deep research, patterns and themes emerge as solutions crystallize. By examining problems divergently, creativity flourishes, revealing fresh angles to systemic issues. This ultimately leads to elegant, timely products that feel right—the kind that create true value for organizations.
I cultivate my own leadership skills by accepting daunting design challenges and finding new ways to inspire those around me. Usually, this means discovering the superpowers that each team member already possesses. At that point, it's only a matter of breaking down walls and fostering open collaboration. This method has yielded a long track record of success wherever I land.
I cultivate my own leadership skills by accepting daunting design challenges and finding new ways to inspire those around me. Usually, this means discovering the superpowers that each team member already possesses. At that point, it's only a matter of breaking down walls and fostering open collaboration. This method has yielded a long track record of success wherever I land.
My work
I've worked with companies ranging from Fortune 100 giants like Bank of America, Honeywell, and Wells Fargo to startups like ecomdash. I've also started several companies including RepRevive (an online reputation management tool), AdSpark (promotional products and store integration), and Bitflip (website design, development, and hosting). I've siphoned unique learnings from each experience, which I believe gives me the ability to adaptably and confidently tackle any challenge, whether it be a mobile medication app for nurses, an enterprise safety software ecosystem, or a design system for an ecommerce integration startup.
Design systems and AI
Currently, my passion is design systems and leveraging automation to build more consistent interfaces across enterprises. Artificial intelligence is making this job even easier with the advent of tools like Cursor, Replit, and Figma Make. It's been fun experimenting and uncovering what is possible in this brave new world.
Living life outside comfort zone
I'm a naturally curious person who enjoys trying new things, as evidenced by my short-lived stint as a rock and roll band member. The band, curated by the School of Rock, was an unforgettable experience that opened my mind to song composition and songwriting. I learned the guitar, learned to sing, and played four live shows over the period of several years. And in the process, I made friends that I'm still in contact with today.
Volunteering and giving back
Purpose is something is a constant guiding light in my work and my life. Volunteering is something that has always scratched my contstant itch to help others and provide a leg up. I have overcome my own struggles and I know how important it is to have unbiased support to suceed. My most rewarding volunteer experience has been with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Piedmont. I was matched with my litte brother circa 2013. We explored everything Charlotte has to offer from horseback riding to golf twice a month until he left to live with his father in Alabama during Covid. I'm proud to say he is now attending college and doing quite well. We still talk and communicate and I try to see him at least four times a year. It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The experience infused humility into everything I do from design to team leadership. Everyone can excel when given the right opportunity and support.
World travel
I've traveled around the world from Madrid to Vietnam to every state in the Union. Experiencing different culture should be a requirement for every designer. It opens the mind and the heart to those that live in other environments, encouraging and reminding us to remember that the internet knows no boundaries –– we must design globe-friendly interfaces
Chess, gaming and golf
During our universally shared pandemic experience I tried several new things and honed other skills condusive to the new normal. One of those became a passion. The strategy of Chess and thinking several moves ahead became a part of my daily routine. The movie "Queen's Gambit" opened my eyes to named chess moves and a whole world that I never knew existed. I joined Chess.com and never looked back. The online Chess community captured my imagination with virtual events, chess streamers and celebrities. I got to know local grandmasters including one with we tragically lost recently, Daniel Naroditsky. Daniel's love for teaching and knowledge sharing inspires me to this day. He was a brilliant pefectionist with a big heart.
Gaming became another passion that I shared with my nephew who was in middle school during the pandemic era. I explored and became proficient at games like Fortnite, Assassin's Creed and others. I absorbed and learned from the innovative interactive and visual experiences. The heads up displays informed own more design work sophisticated and complex applications, many of which silently begged for more friendly navigational and visual interactions.
Gaming became another passion that I shared with my nephew who was in middle school during the pandemic era. I explored and became proficient at games like Fortnite, Assassin's Creed and others. I absorbed and learned from the innovative interactive and visual experiences. The heads up displays informed own more design work sophisticated and complex applications, many of which silently begged for more friendly navigational and visual interactions.
Lastly, I revisited my golf game and fell in love again with the elegance and simplicity of the game. So many nuances in a simple sport that boils down to swinging a stick at a small circular object with dimples. My nephew and I played many rounds of golf at the local Par 3. Recently I've used AI and online influencers to my advantage, improving my swing through computer vision.
