Over the past 15+ years, I’ve consistently delivered transformative results by leading and scaling design teams, developing innovative, data-driven solutions, and aligning design strategies with business objectives. My work has driven significant revenue growth, fostered a culture of innovation, and enhanced user experiences across global organizations. Whether it’s expanding teams, implementing omni-channel design strategies, or pioneering AI-powered solutions, my focus remains on creating impactful, human-centric designs that resonate with users and drive business success.

Early life found me born in Iowa and raised on a small pig farm in Rensselaer, Indiana, where life lessons came early. Surrounded by endless chores and the unpredictable nature of farm life, I quickly learned the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and creativity—because when something breaks in the middle of nowhere, you learn to fix it yourself. My early dreams of becoming an English teacher and penning the next great novel were fueled by a love for storytelling. But after churning out enough questionable poetry to wallpaper a barn, I had to face facts: my writing was, well, let’s just say “an acquired taste.”

Guidance from my high school counselor was a turning point. Knowing I’d need to put myself through school, he suggested I consider a career path that could, you know, actually pay back my loans. Enter Mechanical Engineering—practical, structured, and full of opportunity. And, not being a huge fan of math, it was probably for the best that I didn’t fully connect “engineering” with “math” at the time. But as it turns out, I loved the blend of logic and creativity. Engineering gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and process, but it didn’t take long to realize that what really fascinated me wasn’t just how things worked, but how people interacted with them. That’s when I found my true calling: design.

I started my career as a mechanical draftsman, designing parts for night vision goggles and submarine towed arrays. One day, I was asked if I’d like to learn to code and become a developer. Sure, why not? I was decent at coding but even better at designing experiences—foreshadowing my future in product design. My journey took me to American Express, where I led front-end development and design teams, introducing design into the organization. But I had made a promise to my wife when I proposed that we’d move to Hollywood so she could pursue her acting career—so, one day, we did.

I built a small agency, threePop, bringing design and front-end teams into companies that lacked them, working with clients like iManage (later acquired by Interwoven). Craving stability, I transitioned to Ameriquest Mortgage, where I learned the intricacies of two-sided networks and enterprise systems—experience that caught the eye of Move, who runs Realtor.com and a variety of other sites.

At Move, aka Realtor.com, I was brought on to transform how the company approached design. When I started, the design team consisted of just 4 people, and design was seen as something that made things look good rather than as a strategic tool for innovation. Over time, I grew the team to 28 talented designers and researchers, embedding design into the company’s DNA. This shift fundamentally changed how Realtor.com developed products and engaged with users. By raising the bar on craft and strategy, we not only improved customer satisfaction but also increased the company’s value—culminating in Realtor.com’s $1 billion acquisition.

Then came Intuit, where I took on the challenge of disrupting the payments and payroll space. At the time, the design team consisted of just 3 people, but I saw the potential for much more. Over the next few years, I grew the team to 46 designers, scaling our efforts and targeting customer-focused solutions. This work contributed to significant business growth, driving $1B in monthly charge volume. Through innovative design strategies, we made complex financial tools accessible, user-friendly, and impactful for small businesses.

Most recently, at PayPal, I took on the challenge of leading global design for the Merchant Platform. I reimagined the platform’s experience, focusing on scalability, user-centric design, and aligning customer intent with business goals. This redesign led to a 33% increase in activations and generated over $53M in incremental revenue. I also spearheaded the integration of omnichannel solutions, leveraging AI-powered recommendations to enhance merchant engagement. My efforts not only transformed the Merchant Platform but also helped solidify PayPal’s position as a leader in seamless financial solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Beyond my design career, family and adventure are at the heart of my life. My wife, Michelle, runs the blog Staying Blonde (stayingblonde.com), which has us constantly exploring new places—and where I moonlight as an editor, writer, designer, and part-time engineer. Together with our two amazing kids, William (16) and Audrey (13), we’ve embarked on countless journeys. Before the kids were born, Michelle and I backpacked through Vietnam and Mexico, and now we continue to share our adventures with them in tow.

This year, we explored Greece and Ireland, while last year took us to Italy. We’ve road-tripped across the U.S. for six weeks, ventured through Costa Rica, and, of course, made regular stops at Disneyland—because who doesn’t love a little magic? Michelle, William and Audrey keep me humble, but they’re also the best travel companions I could ask for, always ready for the next adventure.

Today, I’m a curious, strategic design leader who provokes what’s possible, elevates  craft, and builds empowered, inclusive teams. When I’m not shaping the future of design, you’ll find me mentoring, traveling, or dreaming up our next family adventure.

As for the future? I imagine I’ll lose a bit more hair, sport a well-loved cardigan, and maybe even embrace socks with sandals. I’ll catch up on all the books and video games I’ve missed, and if the stars align, the D&D campaign I’ve run for 5 years will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. I’ll still be designing and coding—because creating things just for the joy of it never gets old. And, yes, I’ll probably still be writing bad poetry.

But today is not that day. Instead, let’s create something amazing together, shall we?