Experience

January 2012 – present
Director of Advertising Production & Information Technology, Advance Central Services Michigan – Grand Rapids, MI

Oversee both the central advertising production department and the information technology team for Advance Central Services Michigan. Both groups provide support and assistance to MLive Media Group (which includes MLive.com and the Michigan newspapers: AnnArbor.com, Bay City Times, Flint Journal, Grand Rapids Press, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle & Saginaw News). Facilitate the production of print and online advertising and marketing campaigns along with the pre-press production of eight newspapers. Lead the Michigan tech staff who support over 600 Michigan users.

October 2009- present
Design Assistant, Social Media & Web Design, Plume Creations – Kalamazoo, MI

Freelance graphic design business, design and print wedding invitations, wedding programs, save-the-date cards, thank you cards and other wedding favors and stationery.

December 2010 – December 2011
Booth West Michigan Online Creative Manager, Booth Michigan – Grand Rapids, MI

Facilitate online advertising and marketing campaigns between MLive.com and Western Michigan Newspapers (including: Advance Newspapers, Business Review West Michigan, Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette & Muskegon Chronicle). Manage Booth West Michigan web designers and online production support staff.

February 2010 - December 2011
Operations Manager, Kalamazoo Gazette – Kalamazoo, MI

Manage the Kalamazoo Gazette Operations staff including: ad expedition, IT/desktop support specialists and the facilities leader. Oversee and approve IT and facilities budgets. Project manager and project team lead for various Kalamazoo specific projects and statewide Booth Michigan IT projects. Maintain daily department tasks, weekly performance reports and monthly schedules. Aide in communication between the Kalamazoo Gazette and MiTS, Grand Rapids Press production, Grand Rapids Press copy desk.

November 2008 – February 2010
Digital Media Services Manager, Kalamazoo Gazette – Kalamazoo, MI

Managed all pre-press staff including: pagination, layout and platemaking. Developed and managed hyper-local and custom campaign online ad creation and tracked workflow for the Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle and Advance Newspapers via MLive.com. Also assisted with managing and developing the print ad expedition process and workflow between the Kalamazoo Gazette advertising staff and the print production staff at the Grand Rapids Press.

November 2000 – November 2008
Production Systems Specialist, Kalamazoo Gazette – Kalamazoo, MI

Project Manager on various projects including: the 47” web width conversion, the Mactive MI Group database migration, XpanceX ad management software deployment. Team member on other projects including: Ad Watch upgrade with Asura & OPI integration, Press conversion: from Goss letterpress to MAN Roland off-set Regioman, Mactive database installation.

Print Quality Manager: Kalamazoo Gazette: 2007 America East Print Quality Blue Ribbon Newspaper. Commercial printing technical consultant.

Systems / IT roles & responsibilities: Managed & developed advertising, ad creation, classified & production software & workflow which included: Mactive, PageLayout, Xpance, Asura, NewsWay, OPI, NewsWay & E-Tear by Presteligence.

January 2004 – December 2005
Adjunct Professor, Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI

Instructed Digital Media for the Fine Arts, Spring 2005. Students learned basic computer skills working Adobe Photoshop, iPhoto, iTunes, Microsoft Office, Safari, iCal, Address Booke + Cacaphony.

Instructed two sections of Electronic Imaging I, Spring 2004. Students learned how to use Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Freehand + Cacophony.

April 2002 – April 2003
Graduate Student Instructor, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI

Instructed Introduction to Computers, Spring 2003. Students learned how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXpress + Sound Edit 16.

Education

2001 – 2003
Masters of Fine Art, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI

1996 – 2000
Bachelors of Fine Art, Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo, MI

Additional Training / Education

September 2008 – December 2008
Intro to Interactive Design, Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Kalamazoo, MI

January-April 2008
Web Page Coding, Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Kalamazoo, MI

January 2007
Managing Projects, M-Tec / Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Kalamazoo, MI

January 2006
Mac OS X Support Essentials, Apple – Chicago, IL

Exhibitions / Performances

Group / Solo

2009    Tiny Studio, Kalamazoo, MI
2006    50 States Group Show, University of Texas Visual Arts Center, University of Texas at Austin, TX
2004    Prints + Collages: with Jill Jepsen, Davidson Gallery, Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, MI
2004    WMU School of Art, Faculty Show, Multi-Media Room, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
2003    MFA Thesis Show, Work Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Clay+Ink: with Jill Jepsen + Collin Matthes, Warren Robbins Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Compromises, Warren Robbins Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Works in Progress, Slusser Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Earplay, Media Union, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Exchange / Exchange, Warren Robbins Gallery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2002    Printmaking Group Show 2002, Rotanda / South Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
2001    Sound Prints, Horizons, 83.3 WCBN, Ann Arbor, MI
2000    Vandalism, Rotanda Gallery, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
2001    Printmaking Group Show, Rotanda / South Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
2000    Western Michigan University Student Show, Multi-Media Center Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
1999    Painting Group Show, Rotanda / South Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
1999    Printmaking Group Show, Rotanda / South Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
1998    Western Michigan University Student Show, Multi-Media Center Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI

Juried

2004    Muskegon Muesum of Art 76 th Annual Regional, Muskegon Muesum of Art, Muskegon, MI
2004    Three Rivers, 2004 Regional Fine Arts Competition, Carnegie Center for the Arts, Three Rivers, MI
2003    Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Area Show 2003, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI
2003    Western Michigan University Student Show, Multi-Media Center Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
2002    Surfacing: Work of Emerging Artists, Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, Albion, MI
2002    Western Michigan University Student Show, Multi-Media Center Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI
2001    Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Area Show 2001, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI
2001    PRINT, The Ann Arbor Center, Ann Arbor, MI
2001    Western Michigan University Student Show, Multi-Media Center Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI