• Promoted to reflect transition under IT, overseeing project management of IT initiatives after the successful completion of Centric PLM in April 2024 that was begun in my prior roles.

• Promoted due to expertise in product development and successful implementation of the Wrike Project Management system as well as my expertise in understanding systems and developing efficient processes. • Engaged key stakeholders from marketing, product development, design, engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, quality control, accounting, logistics, and IT. • Documented project goals and success criteria in a Project Charter, outlining scope and milestones. • Created a Stakeholder Register to track key individuals and their communication needs. • Conducted workshops and interviews to develop a Scope Statement defining deliverables and exclusions. • Developed a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to break the project into manageable tasks. • Created a detailed project schedule and budget in the Project Management Plan and conducted a risk assessment in the Risk Register. • Established a Statement of Work (SOW) with external vendors for timely material delivery. • Mapped existing processes into a Visio map (8’ x 33’) with departmental swimlanes. • Led the consolidation of over 100 processes and six databases into Centric PLM, significantly reducing data entry errors. • Used JIRA to manage tasks and monitor project progress, ensuring adherence to the project plan. • Sourced and implemented hardware/software for integration and applied change management strategies for stakeholder transition. • Managed team resources to ensure WBS activity completion and fostered cross-functional collaboration. • Prepared status reports using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, actively managing risks and updating the Risk Register. • Ensured completion of project deliverables, facilitated a lessons learned session, and obtained stakeholder sign-off. • Successfully enhanced product lifecycle management processes and improved operational efficiency at Zak Designs.

• Promoted to manage a team of 10 designers, optimizing workloads to meet tight deadlines for major clients. • Successfully implemented Wrike Project Manager to enhance project management, collaboration, and communication across departments, reducing project approval time from up to a week to mere hours. • Established and maintained relationships with prominent licensors, traveling to build partnerships for future development. • Collaborated with factories in Asia to improve manufacturing costs and efficiency through multiple visits. • Purchased a full-color 3D printer, enabling quick revisions and prototypes for sculpted ceramic mugs, reducing timelines by up to 77% and enhancing sales opportunities. • Acquired Esko ArtiosCAD for packaging design and a Kongsberg digital table cutter, cutting sample production time by 95% and nearly eliminating knife-related injuries. • Invested in a new wide-format color proofer and decal maker, improving sample accuracy and equipment reliability, reducing service calls, and enhancing uptime. • Designed, sourced, and managed the construction of a professional spray booth for safer sample making, implementing a custom spray system that allowed same-day color sourcing and painting. • Achieved a competitive edge by delivering samples in a quarter of the time in some instances compared to competitors, leading to increased sales growth and while improving quality.

• Promoted to oversee a team of 4 designers, focusing on packaging design and preparing product graphics for manufacturing. • Hired an in-house photographer and established a fully digital photography studio, reducing photography turnaround from over a week to same-day completion. • Implemented an in-house digital sculpting process, reducing production time by months compared to traditional clay sculpting methods. • Brought the color proofing process in-house, reducing lead times from 3-5 days to same-day proofs and saving over $100,000 annually. The financial investment paid for itself in less than a month. • Developed and enforced quality control measures to ensure high accuracy and efficiency in production workflows. • Provided training for all creative staff on software, production procedures, and new digital processes to maintain high standards. • Managed all IT support for the creative team, including the purchasing of studio equipment, software, and hardware, primarily for Apple Macintosh systems.

• Licensed Graphic Design: Collaborated with major entertainment brands such as Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Nickelodeon, and Mattel to create custom graphic designs for dinnerware products, packaging, and retail displays. • Brand Adherence: Manipulated and adapted existing licensed artwork to fit specific product formats while ensuring strict adherence to each brand’s visual guidelines and style requirements. • Product Design: Designed high-quality, print-ready decals and artwork for use on dinnerware items, including plates, bowls, cups, and utensils, ensuring designs were functional, aesthetically pleasing, and compliant with manufacturing requirements. • Packaging Design: Created visually compelling packaging for dinnerware sets that showcased the licensed characters and themes while optimizing for retail display and product protection. • Retail Display Design: Designed point-of-sale displays and promotional materials that aligned with brand identity and maximized the visual appeal of products in-store. • Collaboration with Production: Worked closely with manufacturers and production teams to ensure the accurate transfer of designs onto physical products, including color matching, scale adjustments, and decal placement. • Approval Process Management: Managed the design approval process with licensors, ensuring all designs met brand standards and gained necessary approvals before production. • Cross-Department Collaboration: Coordinated with marketing, sales, and product development teams to ensure the successful launch of licensed product lines, from concept to retail delivery. • Trend and Market Research: Kept up-to-date with design trends in dinnerware and licensing, ensuring the designs resonated with both brand identity and consumer expectations.

• Project Design: Created the architectural layout and interior design for a custom-built residential home, ensuring alignment with local building codes and regulations.• Project Management: Acted as the general contractor, overseeing all aspects of construction, including setting timelines, coordinating trades, and ensuring project completion on schedule.• Budgeting & Financial Management: Worked in collaboration with UBuildIt for initial budgeting and cost estimates. Independently managed the project budget, including cost tracking, vendor negotiations, and ensuring all expenditures stayed within budget.• Bank Draws: Coordinated with the bank for construction loan disbursements (draws), ensuring all required documentation, inspections, and approvals were in place to release funds at key project milestones.• Contractor and Material Management: Sourced and hired subcontractors for specialized work excavation, concrete, framing, electrical, plumbing, roofing, painting, well drilling, scheduled and supervised their work, and managed all material procurement, including negotiation of prices, delivery schedules, and quality assurance.• Hands-On Construction Work: Performed various construction tasks personally, including excavation, framing, roofing, deck, cabinets, tile, flooring, trim, painting, landscaping, demonstrating hands-on experience in the construction process.• Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting: Addressed and resolved unforeseen issues during construction, including delays, material shortages, and changes in scope.• Building Permits and Inspections: Managed the process for securing necessary building permits and coordinating all required inspections to ensure compliance with local building codes.