Co-Founder / partner Chicago, IL January 2018- present
Prota Ventures builds digital and hardware products from the ground up via a proprietary, data-driven operations framework designed to streamline the ideation, validation, creation, growth, and funding of early stage companies. As part of Prota Ventures, I am directing hardware projects and managing our hardware portfolio of internally incubated ideas, as well as co-founding and advising for startups and entrepreneurs looking to build new products.
Design Director Chicago, IL July 2013 - December 2017
MINIMAL is 360 product & brand agency with powerful capabilities in ID, ME, UX, and Branding and a unique hybrid
business model of consulting, joint-venture/partnerships, and self incubation. I began as a lead designer, managing and
designing for a variety of projects. I quickly began taking on leadership responsiblities, being named Design Director in
2015. My responsiblities at MNML include managing multiple project teams, budgets, timelines and deliverables,
business development, community involvement, junior staff and intern hiring and mentoring, and designing incredible
products and experiences for clients large and small. My projects have spanned a variety of industries including client
engagements with Omron Healthcare, Newell-Rubbermaid, Logitech, McDonald’s, Gatorade and joint ventures with
entrepreneuers including Zone Mouthguard, Ullo Wine, and Lunatik..
Lead Industrial Designer San Jose, CA June 2009 - June 2013
Whipsaw is an internationally recognized award winning design and engineering consultancy known for creating excellent product experiences. In 2009 Fast Company ranked Whipsaw as one of the top 5 design firms in the world. Starting first as a coop, then full time after graduation in 2009, I quickly became a key contributor and gained management responsibilities . At Whipsaw I am currently managing projects and designing for global corporations like Google, Samsung, GE, Merck, Dell, etc. as well as innovative start-ups like Livescribe, Apnicure, and Pano. I've been involved in numerous award winning projects and received multiple patents, typically working on 3-6 projects in tandem.
Mobile Products Group. I worked as an envisioner for emerging Intel IP and an industrial designer for various global ODMs and OEMs that were launching product lines with existing Intel technology inside. I concepted for Windows 8 and touch enabled devices and created prototypes for multiple netbooks, notebooks, and mobile platforms.
Industrial Design Co-op Portland, OR 2008 (4 months)
DeWalt European Design Center. I designed power tools for the European market, working on multiple projects with various design, marketing and engineering teams from four countries. This was an immersive design experience researching and testing tools for superior ergonomics and durability in a market dominated by stone and hard surfaces.
Industrial Design Co-op Idstein, Germany 2008 (3 months)
Industrial Products Group. I worked on DeWalt, Porter-Cable, and Delta Machinery brands in all phases of design. My work at IPG garnered several design and utility patents and eventually saw one product to market. I was also involved with the Porter-Cable re-branding, helping to organize the design language document.
Industrial Design Co-op Jackson, TN 2007 (7 months)
My first job as an industrial designer, I was involved in all phases of design developing cookware, cutlery, utensils and kitchen gadgets products. I helped conduct research, cooked with professional chefs testing equipment, developed concepts through sketching and hand built models, and saw one of my designs go to market.
Industrial Design Co-op Toledo, OH 2006 (4 months)
education
BS-Industrial Design Honors Graduate, 3.7 GPA
I completed 6 quarters of co-op education and received multiple scholarships including Cincinnatus, DAAP alumni, and Mary Rowe Award. Acheived Deans List nearly every quarter. My activities included Honors Association, IDSA Student Chapter, DAAP Student Union, RallyCats, and Community Service Activities. I also visited High School art departments as an industrial design ambassador, teaching students about the profession.
awards
Over two dozen international design awards and over one dozen design and utility patents to date.
