Design
I have over 15 years of experience in the graphic design industry where I have worked in both a production and creative capacity. In that time I have honed my skills and taken hundreds of projects from concept to final piece. The breadth of my experience as a Graphic Designer/Production Artist would make me a great match for any mid-level to Senior Production Artist position. As part of the in-house design team at Hot Topic, Inc., I worked with bands, record labels, advertising agencies and movie studios to create in-store signage/POP, specialty packaging and animated web banners. At VCG Kestrel, the embedded design agency for Fresh and Easy, I worked on both food packaging and in-store marketing. Whether it’s animated email blasts, OOH advertising, product packaging or 500 page catalogs there isn’t a realm of the industry that I haven’t had the chance to dive into. I am currently at Made Goods where I have been the Senior Production Artist for 6 years.
Drum
When I was 12 years old I saw my first music video (my parents didn't have cable) at my aunt's house over summer vacation in New Mexico. The band was Guns N Roses and the video was for their song "Sweet Child O'Mine." The drummer Steven Adler caught my attention because he was the only one smiling. I thought, "Obviously that guy is having the most fun in of the band. I wanna do whatever he's doing." I have been playing drums ever since and have been very lucky to be a part of great bands, records, and tours. I played with The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra who later changed their name to Walking Sleep, and had not one, but two songs on Grey's Anatomy. My current projects include Run Things who were recently signed to White Iris records and were featured on Esquire.com, and Vanish Valley who have been featured on two episodes of Last Call with Carson Daly. I also, from time to time, record and tour with Haunted Summer.
For recording, touring and one-off show availability you can reach me at punkrockguilt@yahoo.com
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Growing up I was always one of the smallest kids in my class, which made me the subject of bullying well through both elementary and junior high school. In high school I saw UFC 2 and was baffled and awe struck by Royce Gracie and how a skinny little man from Brazil could defeat so many huge muscle bound guys. I quickly learned about the Gracie family and became a fan of both MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Years went by and my fandom and understanding of both sports grew, but I was still very hesitant to try either one out for myself. I thought, if I ever was to give one of the martial arts a try it would definitely be Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It wasn't until my then girlfriend and now wife told me, "It's like someone who loves basketball, but never played a game." I began my Jiu-Jitsu journey about two years ago at the Gracie Academy in Torrance and have since moved my training to 5 Star Martial Arts in Koreatown. On Sunday, June 29, 2014 I received my Blue Belt from Professor Shawn Williams.
After a little over 6 years full of wrist injuries/surgery, marriage, the birth of my son, change of jobs, etc. on May 23, 2019 I received my purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Alex Aung at Common Ground Jiu-Jitsu.