October 2018 - Present

Leading strategic digital transformation across visual journalism, video production, and multimedia content development. Architected comprehensive content strategies that drive audience engagement while maintaining editorial excellence.

Key Achievements:

• Audience Growth & Monetization: Spearheaded YouTube strategy that increased subscribers by 470% in three years, surpassing 100K followers and establishing new revenue streams through platform monetization.

• Podcast Leadership: Executive produced 300+ episodes of the award-winning Fran Spielman Show and developed the Washington bureau's monthly program with Lynn Sweet, creating consistent content pipelines that enhanced audience loyalty.

• Brand Development: Implemented cohesive visual identity system across platforms by creating standardized graphics packages and establishing Adobe Creative Cloud workflows that reduced production time by 40%.

• Team Leadership: Mentor and develop a cross-functional team of visual journalists, fostering specialized skills including drone certification, advanced photography techniques, and AI-enhanced editing workflows.

• Project Management: Orchestrated high-impact editorial initiatives including the Hardest-Working Voices series and comprehensive coverage of the 2023 Chicago Mayoral primaries, managing 30+ productions under rigorous deadlines.

• Technical Innovation: Championed integration of emerging technologies including AI-enhanced content production tools, analytics-driven distribution strategies, and cloud-based collaboration workflows that increased team productivity by 35%.

• Studio Operations: Oversee management of two professional photo/video studios, equipment procurement, and maintenance systems that ensure operational excellence and resource optimization.

2008 - Current

● My video production company where I freelance creative direction, video editing, and podcast consulting.

● I also write screenplays and develop film projects under this banner.

October 2015 - October 2018

Led creative development and production execution for a boutique video agency serving education, nonprofit, and corporate clients. Directed comprehensive video campaigns from concept through final delivery.

Key Achievements:

• High-Impact Content Production: Directed and edited 200+ revenue-generating video projects, including an award-winning culinary education curriculum and nonprofit fundraising campaigns that generated over $1M in donation support.

• Workflow Innovation: Pioneered implementation of Network Attached Storage (NAS) infrastructure that transformed team collaboration capabilities, reducing weekly backup processes by 75% and enabling seamless multi-editor workflows.

• Brand Storytelling: Developed distinctive visual approaches for diverse client sectors, creating tailored content strategies that authentically represented each organization's unique mission and values.

• Client Relationship Management: Established trusted advisor relationships with key stakeholders through consistent creative excellence, proactive communication, and on-time, on-budget project delivery.

• Technical Leadership: Implemented standardized post-production protocols that increased team efficiency while maintaining rigorous quality standards across all deliverables.

March 2013 - October 2015

Directed video production strategy during a critical digital transformation period for one of America's flagship news organizations. Led technical implementation and team training for next-generation content production workflows.

Key Achievements:

• Digital Transformation Leadership: Orchestrated the newsroom's transition to Adobe Creative Suite, developing comprehensive training programs and establishing post-production best practices that became organizational standards.

• Technical Infrastructure Development: Designed and implemented professional-grade newsroom lighting systems and studio configurations that elevated production value while maintaining rapid deployment capabilities for breaking news.

• Team Development: Created technical onboarding curriculum for video team members, establishing consistent skill development pathways that increased overall team capability and content quality.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partnered with editorial leadership to align video strategy with broader newsroom objectives, creating integrated content approaches that enhanced storytelling across platforms.

• Field Production Excellence: Led remote production operations for high-profile news events, implementing mobile workflows that maintained studio-quality standards in challenging field environments.