My History

Starting in Pittsburgh, I’ve earned decades of experience working across the B2B, B2C, academia, and nonprofit sectors. I’ve built a reputation for my passion, for identifying complex problems and for crafting innovative, results-driven solutions. My work has earned industry recognition, including being voted Best Creative Department and Best Boutique Agency by my peers. At every step, I’ve combined creativity and strategy to help my clients achieve their goals and stand out in competitive markets.

I opened Ideahaus San Diego to better serve clients across the nation and around the globe. This strategic expansion not only broadened my reach but also deepened my ability to think creatively, seize new opportunities, and leverage expanded resources to deliver exceptional results.

In 2010, I celebrated two decades of innovation with the launch of the 20YEARS project, capturing insights from a transformative era in communications. This endeavor led to my first published book, 20YEARS Communications: 20 Leaders, 20 Questions, 100s of Answers, which chronicles the seismic shifts in communication from 1990 to 2010. Featuring expert perspectives from industry leaders, the book serves as both a historical reflection and a guide for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the next era in communication.

In 2016, my expertise in communication and innovation culminated in the publication of Satellite Marketing: Using Social Media to Create Engagement. This book, aligned with The Idea Guy® philosophy, offers a strategic framework for leveraging social media to foster meaningful engagement and solve modern marketing challenges. It reflects my commitment to providing actionable insights and innovative solutions for businesses navigating an ever-evolving digital landscape.

In 2016, I became the Director of the ZIP Idea Lab at San Diego State University, where I applied my expertise in fostering creative thinking and innovation. Under my leadership, the lab empowered students, faculty, and administrators to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. This role underscored The Idea Guy®’s dedication to facilitating meaningful change through collaboration and creativity in academic and professional settings.

In 2018, I introduced the Innovation Funnel, a framework designed to raise awareness and foster engagement in organization-wide initiatives. Rooted in my deep understanding of communication and its alignment with the innovation process, the Innovation Funnel was a natural extension of my expertise, enabling creative solutions and collaborative progress.

In 2018, I took the stage at TEDx SDSU to present “How Creativity Can Change The World, One Bad Drawing At A Time.” This interactive talk, aligned with the “Countdown” theme, invited participants to reconnect with their innate childhood creativity and showcased how a simple visual thinking exercise can inspire ideas with the potential to change the world.