Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve dedicated myself to absorbing the wisdom of industry giants and the talents of countless others. With stints at agencies big and small, I’ve played a role in shaping remarkable brands, crafting memorable ads, and fostering cherished friendships. Whether it’s nurturing the growth of boutique agencies or elevating the work of major accounts, I find joy in spotting emerging talent and exploring new media frontiers.

How many years have you been a judge?

5+ years

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

The best part of judging? Getting a front-row seat to the wild, brilliant ideas out there, and seeing how other creatives twist a thought, tell a story, and make people care.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first agency job was at Kobbs & Draft, which turned into DraftDirect and eventually FCB. I started in the mount room cutting boards and doing Mac production. But what I really learned was how to lead. My CD was a total pro; calm, confident, and always two steps ahead. I’ve spent my career trying to live up to that.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

Too many to narrow down to just one favorite. Back at J. Walter Thompson, creating Ford campaigns that went national was definitely a career highlight. Lately, though, I’m most proud of the work my team produces. They consistently create ideas with meaning and guts, taking a problem, finding the tension, and turning it into a solution.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The hardest part? Getting brave ideas across the finish line. Safe work sails through, but the ideas that make people feel something always take a battle. Everyone loves the word “disruption” until it disrupts their comfort zone. Our clients spend too much money to be ignored.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

I look for ideas that punch through the noise, work that surprises me, moves me, or makes me a little jealous I didn’t come up with it. Great video doesn’t just look good; it makes people stop scrolling and start feeling.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I’m a Group Creative Director leading a team of writers, art directors, editors, and designers to create work that actually moves the people and money, not just fills the airwaves. My role is part motivator, part editor, part chaos wrangler. Yee-haw! What I love most is watching an idea go from a rough spark in a creative brief session to something that makes people stop, laugh, or feel something real. That’s the magic that keeps me doing this.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Lately I’ve been all in on branding and social; the places where brands get their personality. I love building an identity that looks sharp and then pushing it into social, where it has to earn attention, not just buy it. We recently branded a car dealership, doesn’t sound exciting at first, until we dug into what really drives the customers. Turns out, ranchers rule the area. That insight helped us create a brand people don’t just buy from, they root for.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I mess with the routine. Take my dog Frankie for a walk, talk to weird people, scroll something totally unrelated, text a friend, or go for a bike ride. The trick is to stop trying so hard. The minute I quit forcing the idea is when it usually shows up.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I knew I wanted to be in advertising in fifth grade. We had to make a commercial for coffee, and mine wasn’t about the coffe, it was about how it made you feel after a long night out. I got an A+ and knew this was what I wanted to do. Then I discovered the ad pioneers and shows like Thirtysomething, and I was all in. So glad I kept that dream alive.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

The biggest change? Everything’s content now. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Super Bowl spot or a TikTok, people just want something worth watching. The trick is to stop chasing platforms and start chasing attention. Make it human, make it fast, and make it impossible to ignore.