My work experience includes everything that could possibly involve the intersection of storytelling and design. The medium is a tool to tell you story. I’m the one who wields that tool with proficiency. Let’s work together.
It’s all about telling your story.
It starts with a conversation. I listen to what you need, to what your goals for growth are, to what means success to you.
I leverage my years in journalism, social media and branding to craft your story. From sketches and wireframes to prototypes and evolving design, my job is to guide you on the path to finding your voice.
It all starts with a conversation, which leads to collaboration and ends with you happy with your success.
Let’s get started.
Leverage my experience
Creative director / consultant / strategist / designer
SML Consulting and Design (2016 – 2021)
While I took on outside freelance opportunities including graphic design, writing and editorial design, I set out to launch my own business in December 2019. Two months later, Covid-19 and global downturn struck putting a pause of the full launch of my business. During the covid pandemic I worked with Mad Hat Maven Creative, a PR/marketing studio in Houston. Clients include Mad Hat Maven Creative, the AIDS Foundation of Houston, 174 Power Global, Life Smiles Dental, Noble Energy, Chariot Energy, Texas American Realty, Crunch Consulting, the Victory Fund, the Montrose Center and UPI Loans. This includes developing digital advertising, email campaigns and newsletters, print collateral (brochures, advertising, postcards), branding, social media strategy, video storyboarding and website prototype conceptualization.
Team Lead for Design, Content and Social Media
Cella Studio @ Chevron (2016-2019)
After two decades in journalism and media, I took the opportunity to rebrand myself. I joined the startup in-house agency at Chevron. In that role, I led a team of designers for in-house communications including annual reports, prospectuses, C-Suite presentations, annual events and environment design projects. Shortly after starting with the studio, I added the content team to my direct reports. This included leading a team of writers in technical writing, PR writing and an overhaul of Chevron’s global internal website. Shortly thereafter, I stood up an internal social media line of business, helping everyone from C-Suite to field workers shift from traditional in-house communication to social media (Facebook for Workplaces).
Shared Services Manager, Design and Editing
Cox Media Group (2003 – 2016)
Design and editing brought me to Austin, Texas. I joined the staff at the Austin American-Statesman with the goal of handling front-page presentation and editing. By the end of my tenure, I’d launched multiple award-winning rebrandings of Austin’s leading news site and print products, but also those in Atlanta, Dayton (Ohio) and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Graphic Designer and Editor
Knight-Ridder/Tribune (2000-2003)
After college, I joined the staff at the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader. During my time there, design and editing became my passion, winning numerous national awards for my contributions to the team. It was in Lexington that I also wrote the most important column of my life as a sports copy editor. The column, in which I came out in a nationally syndicate piece, taught me about how to confront my own fears and how to live as an example to others, even when the death threats came with it.
Photojournalist
Associated Press and others (1993-1997)
I cut my teeth on deadlines, client relationships and breaking news as a photojournalist. Whether it was meeting a 100-year-old woman to tell her story in portraits or rushing to Oklahoma City to tell the stories of people after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, I handled every assignment with the goal of being respectful of the subject matter.
For a thorough look at my career, please check me out on LinkedIn.
SML CONSULTING & DESIGN 