With over 22 years in the planning and architecture field, I have been privileged enough to have inspiring and boundary-pushing mentors throughout my career. This has influenced my design approach to look beyond the usual processes and tell a story through design. Every project presents a challenge towards creating exciting places that are shaped by aesthetics, functionality and the goals of the client. The balancing of these requirements drives my passion towards excellence.
Using a variety of creative presentation techniques from story boards, design character studies and 3D modeling, I am capable of portraying concepts to clients in a way that leads them to understand the design intent and become excited about their project. It is my desire that client’s feel comfortable through the design process that their project is in the right hands to make their development dream come true. My skills also back up the attention needed to deliver a successful project through design and production.
I am also a proven leader, with experience managing teams and projects, pushing design boundaries while establishing efficiency standards along the way. For several years, the design team I currently manage has been the leading branch across the US in design quality and technical innovation while maintaining project budgets. This has been achieved by constantly looking for ways to improve quality using new technologies and an ongoing desire to learn and enhance my skills.
Siemens Industry, Cypress, CA, US, Lead Graphic Designer - Southern California
Create graphical user interface for building management systems using proprietary software. Managed Southern California team of graphic designers and lead design direction of Pacific zone. Strong knowledge of mechanical systems needed to understand BMS functionality.
Leadership and Team Management
• Zone lead for 9 graphic designers across all of Western US, Alaska
and Hawaii.
• Led Southern California area to 7 straight years leading company
national cost savings achieving over $1,000,000 in efficiency-
based cost avoidance each year. Prior to hire with company,
area was last in the company nationally.
• Managed, estimated and assigned workload of dozens of
simultaneous jobs among graphics staff.
• Primary technical knowledge expert of front end products
and leading creative design resource for all of North America
graphic design team.
• Engaged various departments and internal customers to create
buy-in to products and utilization of graphics team during position’s
infancy.
• Worked with local and national sales/marketing teams to develop
interactive presentations of software, sales products and
upgrade options.
• Maintained quality control over all projects, and established
design standards within company.
• Traveled throughout Western US to train designers, present to
customers and assist on projects as needed.
• Established branch Green Building Team that developed internal
green policies, customer engagement with green marketing
opportunities and products along with creating a pathway
with learning materials for employees interested in obtaining
LEED credentials.
• Led national and international collaborative teams on a variety
of projects.
• In all places of employment, have been involved with development
of workfl ow improvements including
resources and symbol libraries, project file structures, and an
unofficial IT/technical resource.
Graphic Designer
• Established a complete enhanced graphic library for use with
company’s premiere front-end system achieving greater customer
acceptance and interest compared to “out of the box”
library appearance.
• Met short deadlines on a regular basis in a fast-paced work
environment
• Incorporated the use of 3rd party software where necessary to
enhance graphic quality.
• Willingly learned new software to identify benefits and potential
uses.
Office Organization & Training
• Fully trained and supervised team encouraging them to understand
technical aspects and exercise their
creativity to continually improve their quality and capabilities.
• Initiated and organized local product training for field technicians
and designers to learn new company
product to reduce costs of sending employees to out-of-state
training.
• Organized instructor-led LEED training classes for employee
interested in obtaining LEED credentials.
• Prepared and managed project schedules and budgets.
LCRA Architects, Pasadena, CA, US, Senior Planner / Architectural Designer
Architectural Designer/Drafter
• Architectural designer from Concept through Schematic and Design Development.
• Organized and drafted all elements of CD packages including construction
details and MEP drawings for commercial, industrial, residential and senior
facilities.
• Aided in Construction Administration, addressed addendums and responded
to RFIs.
• Conducted code research, building analysis and calculations
• Negotiated design features and code compliance issues with government
agencies.
• Experienced in single-family to high-density residential, mixed-use and commercial
architectural design.
• Strong understanding of building controls, mechanical systems and computer
networking.
Planner/Urban Designer
• Managed and designed multiple projects following New Urbanism principles
producing all types of planning documentation and analysis exhibits using
hand and digital graphics.
• Participated in and presented to stakeholder visioning charettes, community
and neighborhood groups and city planning meetings.
• Performed statistical and physical site analysis, including code research and
planning document compliance.
• Sole community site planner for firm producing site plans throughout the US
and internationally.
• Site planning, feasibility studies, product development, and land use planning
from individual buildings to large master planned communities.
JBZ Architecture + Planning, Newport Beach, CA, US, Urban Planner
Planner/Urban Designer
• Managed and designed multiple projects following New Urbanism principles
producing all types of planning documentation and analysis exhibits using
hand and digital graphics.
• Participated in and presented to stakeholder visioning charettes, community
and neighborhood groups and city planning meetings.
• Performed statistical and physical site analysis, including code research and
planning document compliance.
• Sole community site planner for firm producing site plans throughout the US
and internationally.
• Lead Development of planning documents including Design Guidelines,
Planned Unit Development Specific Plans, and visioning publications, including
Inland Empire APA Neighborhood of the Year Award in 2008. for Edenglen
Specific Plan in Ontario, CA for Brookfield Homes.
• Site planning, feasibility studies, product development, and land use planning
from individual buildings to large master planned communities.
• Developed fi rm marketing materials and proposals.
• Served as a member of office IT Committee to develop office
graphic standards and technical procedures.
• Produced PowerPoint presentations for visioning workshops,
client presentations, industry seminars, marketing and educational
purposes.
• Organized office events and professional enrichment activities.
Craig Skott Architects, Mason City, IA, US, Architectural Drafter
Obtained position while in high school and throughout college working remotely.
• Organized and drafted all elements of CD packages including construction
details and MEP drawings for commercial, industrial, residential and senior
facilities.
• Aided in the preparation of bid documents
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, Bachelors, Planning and Development
