Experience
Professional Experience
Ten Bends Beer
Co-Founder & Brand Lead / 2016–2026
Brand identity, packaging systems, and digital presence
Product development and creative direction under manufacturing constraints
Taproom experience, merchandising, and experiential design
Contract negotiation, vendor management, and fundraising
Team leadership and operational decision-making
Selected Roles & Recognition
Freelance / Powell Design Works
Stowe, Vermont / 2003–2026
Independent web development, hosting, and technical advisory services for small businesses and organizations.
Recognition / America’s Credit Unions (formerly CUES) Golden Mirror Award
CUSO Marketing Design / 2006
Credit Union Executive Society Award for Excellence in CUSO Marketing
Instructor / Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Kalamazoo, Michigan / 2003- 2004
Introduction to Website Design Class Instructor
Artist in Residence / Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Kalamazoo, Michigan / 1996 - 1999
Ceramics Department
Writer, Photographer, and Designer / The Review Publication
Kalamazoo, 1992-94
Launched and managed an independent publication focused on community events, arts, design, music, and culture.
Technical & Creative Proficiencies
Level 9
Design Director / Lead Designer / 2001–2021
Creative leadership across enterprise digital platforms and brand systems
Ownership of UX, UI, front-end implementation, and design standards
Direct collaboration with marketing, IT, compliance, and executive teams
Design and governance of proprietary CMS and internal tools
Mentorship and leadership of designers and cross-functional teams
Propeller Media Works
Website Designer / 1999 - 2000
Website interface design and implementation using HTML, CSS, and other tools.
General graphic design
Education
Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, Michigan / Graduated Spring 2000
Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Visual Communications
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan / 1997-1998
Undergraduate Studies in Graphic Design and Typography
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamzoo, Michigan / 1994 - 1996
General Undergraduate Studies in Ceramics, Photography, Philosophy, and Science
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana / 1991 - 1992
General Undergraduate Studies and Journalism Major
Member Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Design & Visual Systems
Color theory and palette management, typography and web fonts, icon systems, layout and composition, brand and interface design.
UX, UI & Digital Platforms
Information architecture, UX refinement, UI mockups and prototyping, responsive design systems, component-based layouts.
Front-End Development
Advanced HTML and CSS, modern layout techniques, JavaScript fundamentals, custom responsive frameworks, accessibility-aware implementation.
Design & Prototyping Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Dreamweaver; Sketch; Figma; Affinity Designer.
Content Management & Web Platforms
WordPress (advanced), Squarespace, Weebly, custom CMS platforms.
Collaboration & Project Management
Slack, Basecamp, Teamwork; cross-functional workflows, documentation, and handoff processes.
Business & Operations Tools
Google Workspace (advanced spreadsheet modeling, documentation, and planning), Google Slides (advanced), Live Plan.