Feb 2017 – Jun 2023 · 6 yrs 4 mos · Addison, Texas · On-site

• When I was brought on to lead VLG Marketing, the agency was in a critical financial position, with just $5,000 in the bank. By collaborating with investors to secure a $500K infusion, I led the agency through a dramatic turnaround, paying back the investment within 9 months and generating an additional $150K in profit distributions by the end of year one. Year two saw a profit of $750K, and by year three, $1M in profit distributions, positioning the agency for future growth and acquisition.
• Key Highlights:
• Familiarity with SQL, MySQL, data privacy regulation, data subjects, privacy policies, and security awareness training.
• Oversaw data-driven marketing programs for global tech clients, including Microsoft, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Zscaler, and IBM.
• Migrated DialogEngine (a .NET application) from colocation to Azure, integrating BCP/DRP protocols and cybersecurity enhancements as project planner.
• Oversaw the transition from TLS 1.1 to TLS 1.2 for DialogEngine, ensuring compliance with PCI DSS, FedRAMP, and client-specific cybersecurity standards within regulated industries.
• Led SOC 2 compliance and authored a company-wide technical handbook covering data protection, encryption, OAuth, and 2FA practices.
• Restructured Operations: Made difficult personnel decisions, including layoffs, to streamline operations and clean up the P&L, resulting in significant profitability gains.
• Navigated Crisis with a COVID Pivot: Led the company through a successful pivot when the pandemic disrupted a major revenue stream. This pivot resulted in record-breaking performance during one of the most challenging periods in the industry.
• Sustained Growth and Profitability: After stabilizing the business, I continued to drive year-over-year profitability, positioning the agency for long-term success and a smooth transition.

Dec 2005 – Mar 2012 · 6 yrs 3 mos · Plano, TX · On-site

• At VLG Marketing, I built and led a high-performing creative team with an emphasis on empathy, efficiency, and communication. Recognizing that creative individuals are often driven by passion and personal vision, I focused on creating an environment where they could thrive. I understood that creatives can’t be managed like sales or account management teams—they require support, understanding, and a flexible approach that encourages innovation while delivering client objectives.
• Key Highlights:
• Empathy-Driven Leadership: Recognized the unique needs of creative individuals, balancing their artistic freedom with the agency's business goals. Focused on creating a supportive environment that allowed team members to produce their best work.
• Efficient Hiring & Team Building: Prioritized hiring designers who could balance creativity with efficiency, ensuring that we delivered high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• Creative-Developer Collaboration: Fostered strong collaboration between creative and development teams, bridging the gap between art and logic. Worked to ensure that both groups felt understood and supported throughout the project lifecycle.
• Client-Centric Focus: Ensured creative outputs met client objectives while staying true to artistic vision. Built strong client relationships by delivering high-impact designs that resonated with target audiences and drove results.

Mar 2012 – Apr 2017 · 5 yrs 1 mo · Dallas, TX · Hybrid

• At Hayloft, I led a complete rebuild of an underperforming e-commerce storefront, implementing key strategic improvements that significantly increased revenue and brand visibility. By securing approval from Gambrinus, the parent company of Shiner, to launch a new line of branded merchandise—despite initial reluctance—I was able to create a product offering that resonated with consumers and boosted sales.
• Key Highlights:
• E-commerce Overhaul: Revamped the online storefront with professional product photography, optimized promotions, and continuous A/B testing, driving significant revenue growth.
• Secured Corporate Buy-in: Worked closely with Gambrinus, overcoming initial hesitation to gain approval for new merchandise, including fashion-forward t-shirts, hats, and glassware that expanded the brand's presence.
• Community Engagement: Took the brand off-line by organizing a pop-up store at the Austin Beer Festival, bringing the online store to the streets and increasing local brand engagement.
• Explosive Brand Impressions: Achieved a 200x increase in brand impressions within one year of the e-commerce relaunch, demonstrating the power of digital and physical brand activation.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Continuously tested offers and refined social media strategies, improving customer engagement and conversion rates.

Sep 2004 – Dec 2004 · 3 mos · College Station, Texas, United States · On-site

• As a Consultant for Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, I focused on evaluating the university’s technology and intellectual property (IP) to identify untapped monetization opportunities. My work involved conducting market research, analyzing existing assets, and recommending strategies for leveraging these technologies to generate revenue and create value for the university.
• Key Highlights:
• Technology & IP Evaluation: Assessed technologies and IP created at Texas A&M to determine potential for commercialization and revenue generation.
• Market Research: Conducted thorough market research to identify trends, competitors, and opportunities in the technology space, helping to refine the university's commercialization strategies.
• Monetization Strategy: Provided insights into how existing assets could be better leveraged for licensing, partnerships, or other revenue-generating opportunities.
• Collaboration & Reporting: Worked closely with university departments and stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of monetization strategies and presented findings to leadership.

Jun 2004 – Aug 2004 · 2 mos · Dallas, Texas, United States · On-site

• As part of the pitch team at TRG, I played a vital supporting role in preparing and executing pitches for high-profile clients like the National Pork Board. My responsibilities ranged from conducting research to managing the logistics that ensured a smooth and engaging pitch process.
• Key Highlights:
• Pitch Preparation & Logistics: Acted as the "runner" for the pitch team, delivering briefing documents to key players and ensuring that all necessary materials were organized and ready for presentation.
• Creative Support: Contributed to the creative aspects of the pitch by photographing grocery store displays for mock-up ads and assisting in the creation of a pork-themed slam poetry session, which added a memorable and entertaining element to the presentation.
• Research: Conducted in-depth research on the National Pork Board and their "The Other White Meat" tagline, providing valuable insights that helped shape the pitch strategy and messaging.
• Brainstorming & Note-Taking: Played an integral role during brainstorming sessions, taking notes and capturing key ideas that contributed to the creative direction of the pitch.

Apr 2003 – Jul 2003 · 3 mos

• As a non-profit organizer for America SCORES, I played a crucial role in launching a new local chapter of the organization. My responsibilities included securing key partnerships, such as finding a title sponsor for the chapter, and identifying the first school to participate in the program.
• Key Highlights:
• Chapter Development: Spearheaded the development of a new local chapter, working closely with local stakeholders to ensure the chapter’s successful launch and long-term viability.
• Secured Title Sponsorship: Successfully negotiated and secured a title sponsor for the chapter, providing crucial funding and support for the program’s early operations.
• Partnership Building: Coordinated with the national office to facilitate introductions between local candidates and national representatives, ensuring alignment and support for the new chapter's objectives.
• Community Engagement: Played a key role in building relationships with local schools and organizations to ensure strong participation and a successful launch of the program.

Mar 1998 – Dec 2002 · 4 yrs 9 mos

• During my time with the U.S. Senate, I supported the Senator’s legislative priorities, managing constituent and lobbyist interactions, preparing briefing documents, and ensuring clear communication of legislative updates. I was responsible for maintaining an up-to-date physical copy of the U.S. Code and played a key role in key legislative efforts, including the H-1B visa expansion and crisis communication during 9/11.
• Key Highlights:
• Legislative Support & Briefings: Coordinated constituent and lobbyist meetings when the Senator was unavailable, providing briefing documents and ensuring timely updates on important legislative matters.
• H-1B Visa Expansion: Contributed to bipartisan efforts to expand the H-1B visa cap, supporting legislation to recruit skilled workers and boost growth in the tech sector and higher education.
• Committee & Crisis Communication: Attended committee meetings and relayed key insights to the Senator. During 9/11, handled communication with Texas constituents, ensuring the Senator’s response was compassionate and aligned with public needs.
• Ad-hoc Events: Assisted with high-profile events, including a meeting with Bill Gates at the National Republican Senatorial Committee and supported the Senator during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton by providing briefings and strategic support.
• Stakeholder & Protocol Management: Built relationships with local officials and maintained clear communication within the Senator’s team, ensuring all actions aligned with the Senator’s priorities and instructions.

Dec 1996 – Dec 1997 · 1 yr · Alexandria, Virginia, United States · On-site

• At NARFE, I played a key role in the transition to digital pagination, navigating the complexities of this emerging technology to ensure smooth integration into our workflow. This required developing solid naming conventions for files, creating version control systems, and managing advertiser materials to ensure accuracy across digital and print formats.
• Key Highlights:
• Digital Pagination Transition: Developed and implemented naming conventions and version control protocols to streamline the shift to digital pagination, ensuring that files were easily accessible and properly tracked.
• Quality Control for Print and Digital: Traveled to Saratoga Springs, NY, for press checks at Quad Graphics, where our magazine was printed on the same high-end offset presses used by Wired Magazine and the Victoria’s Secret Catalog. I ensured the print version matched the digital files, making final adjustments to ensure quality.
• Collaboration with Advertisers: Managed the integration of advertisements from external partners, ensuring that all ad materials were correctly formatted for both digital and print versions of the magazine.

Jul 1996 – Nov 1996 · 4 mos · Washington DC-Baltimore Area · On-site

• As a Press Aide during the Dole/Kemp '96 campaign, I played an important role in supporting Elizabeth Dole’s media presence, assisting with everything from organizing props for high-profile appearances to managing logistics for remote media events.
• Key Highlights:
• Media Event Support: Assisted in organizing props for Mrs. Dole’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, including a leather jacket worn by Mrs. Dole as she rode a motorcycle on stage, adding to the campaign's memorable moments.
• High-Profile Appearances: Played a key role in preparation for Mrs. Dole’s appearance on Larry King Live, ensuring all logistics were in place and the campaign’s messaging was communicated effectively.
• Remote Media Coordination: Managed logistics for remote media events, including live TV spots from a studio in the basement of the RNC in Washington, D.C. I ensured that all media outlets were properly coordinated, holding up signs to direct Mrs. Dole’s attention to the correct TV station during quick 2-minute segments on various local news networks.
• Campaign Logistics: Helped execute the behind-the-scenes coordination that made media appearances run smoothly, ensuring Mrs. Dole's message was communicated clearly and effectively to national and local audiences.