With over 25 years of experience operating at the intersection of design and technology, I thrive on crossthinking—connecting ideas, disciplines, and industries to drive innovation and growth. Efficiency-minded and action-oriented, I bring a balance of creative and analytical problem-solving, lateral and systems thinking, and an empathetic, collaborative, and agile approach to every challenge. My passion lies in learner experience design, education technology, and product/service innovation—fields where crossthinking has been the key to unlocking new opportunities.

As the Founder and CEO of CrossThink Ventures, Inc., I lead our mission to acquire and invest in companies that align with our vision for legacy businesses—stable, evergreen operations with strong upside potential. We apply crossthinking to drive growth through operational efficiencies, deep customer relationships, and strategic product/service innovation.

Before founding CrossThink Ventures, I launched and led the Center for the Creative Economy (CCE) at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. This innovative enterprise education model merged creative disciplines with technology, engaging over 1,000 students annually through dynamic research and cross-industry collaborations. Under my leadership, the CCE’s programs, industry partnerships, and research projects generated over $1,000,000 in annual revenue—a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking.

Earlier in my career, I spent a decade as a publisher and book producer, authoring, co-authoring, and designing over a dozen books, including the internationally best-selling Type in Motion: Innovations in Digital Graphics. My work explored topics ranging from motion design and music to visual arts and information visualization—all driven by a deep curiosity for how ideas intersect across fields. My writings and projects have been published internationally, exhibited worldwide, and recognized by PRINT Magazine, AIGA, and the Art Directors Club.

Academically, I was tenured as a professor in Graphic Design and served as department chair for six years, where I helped elevate the MFA in Design/Visual Communication to a #4 specialty ranking in U.S. News & World Report. Throughout my time at VCU, I embraced leadership roles that fostered innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In 2024, I was honored with the title of Distinguished Career Professor and continue to share my knowledge through workshops and courses.