About Me
Born and raised in a small town in Western, N.Y., my professional journey has allowed me to live in multiple amazing cities on the east coast and has allowed me travel all over the country. I've visited 30 states (so far), set foot on 94 college campuses, and have made contacts and relationships that I'll cherish for a lifetime.
I am currently the Communications Coordinator at the newly formed Beyond Support Network. The organization was born out of a merger between the Cantalician Center for Learning and the Learning Disabilities Association of WNY, which have combined to serve individuals with developmental disabilities for over 123 years. It's my job to protect and promote this organization with the skills I've acquired over a long career in communications, marketing and public relations.
Prior to my arrival at Beyond, I spent 11 months as the Director of Enrollment Marketing & Communications at St. Bonaventure University where I attended college and graduated in 2012 with a degree in Sports Studies – Human Development and Learning. Fun Fact: I went to school on a women’s basketball scholarship (more on that later). It was my time with the women’s basketball program that allowed me to find my passion as a videographer and opened so many doors that set me on the path I’ve been on over the course of the last decade.
My role was to provide leadership and expertise in the development and implementation of multi-channel communication strategy (print, web, social media and digital), collateral and plans in support of undergraduate & graduate admissions, financial aid, and military aligned programs. I served as a graphic designer and liaison to the Marketing and Communications office in the development of multifaceted marketing, recruitment, and communications plans. Part of my role was to monitor and provide quality control over all divisional communications including collaborating with vendors and partners. I was responsible for managing communications, including segmented communications, social media, web pages, print, photography, video productions, and related initiatives.
During my brief return to my alma mater freshman confirmations ran at a 20-year high, up 22% over fall 2021, prior to my arrival, and more than 53% higher than fall 2015. As of May 9, 2022, 576 freshmen had committed to the university for fall 2022, the most on that date since 2002. The previous four freshman classes at SBU — 2018 through 2021 — were the four largest in the last 13 years.
My previous role at Jacksonville University as Associate Athletic Director for Athletics Communications; began in July of 2018 after spending the previous three years at the University of Richmond as the Assistant Director of Athletic Public Relations.
I could not be prouder of all that I, with the invaluable help of my staff, accomplished at Jacksonville University as the Associate Athletic Director for Athletics Communications. From day one, I prioritized brand enhancement through the creation of high-level graphics using professional photography and video. We launched a complete rebrand of Jacksonville’s visual brand identity in 2018 and garnered over 1.1 million impressions across a wide array platforms. The redesigned JUDolphins.com was ranked the No. 1 DI Athletics Website in the nation by USA Today High School Sports in 2019. The complete re-imagining of Jacksonville’s social media, photography, multimedia and graphic design strategy realized 52.2% total follower growth department-wide in 24-months and generated an engagement rate of 4.93%. As a result, Jacksonville’s social media presence maintained the second-highest weighted engagement rate of 292 qualifying departments, nationwide during my tenure.
I worked with University leadership to create a Graphic Design & Photography graduate assistant position as well as a dedicated Multimedia Production (creative video) position, the first of their kind in the history of the department. My background and passion for creative video and photography drove this priority.
At its core, my role was to guide and set the strategy for planning, development and implementation of all communications, website, social media, multimedia, recruiting and public relations messages from the athletic department both external and internal. I was also tasked with managing and curating all crisis communication messaging. I led a team of six communication, marketing, and design professionals and collaborated with marketing and communications at the University level in addition to working closely with Senior Vice President’s as the communications partner on a variety of university-wide strategic initiatives. I managed media relations and developed contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders while connecting with student-athletes and telling their stories through various forms of digital and print media.
Prior to my arrival in Jacksonville, I spent three years at the University of Richmond and served as the primary media relations contact, graphic designer, multimedia and social media manager for football, men’s lacrosse and women’s basketball. I was the media relations contact for the football program during 2015 season that featured an appearance on ESPN’s College Game Day and run to NCAA FCS Final Four. The Richmond Graphic Design Team I helped to form ranked Top 50 in the nation in 2016 and Top 25 in 2017 by visual design consulting firm; SkullSparks. I was also the creative lead and project manager on provider transition and redesign of RichmondSpiders.com.
Before arriving at Richmond, I worked at Florida Gulf Coast University where I spent the 2013-15 academic years. While there I was the primary contact for the women's soccer and baseball programs and served as the primary video production contact for the athletic department. I oversaw four ASUN Tournaments, two for both baseball and soccer, on FGCU's campus and also served as the host media relations and broadcasting contact for the 2014 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament first round match at the FGCU Soccer Complex. I was also heavily involved in getting FGCU's ESPN3 initiative off the ground.
I began my professional career at St. Bonaventure shortly after graduation as the Assistant Director of Sports Information. During the 2012-13 academic year I served as the media and public relations contact for women's basketball, men's soccer, softball and women's lacrosse while handling all video production for department.
I worked as an intern in the Sports Information Office at St. Bonaventure for three years while splitting time as the video coordinator and student-manager for the women's basketball program for all four. As an intern I gained experience writing for GoBonnies.com for all 14 varsity sports. In 2011 and 2012, I was involved in the department's increasing presence in social and new media, primarily YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
During my senior year I produced, cut, edited and voiced over many post-game and season highlights exclusively for women's basketball. I helped to plan, coordinate and execute the 2011 "Brown and White Night." I also wrote, designed, produced and edited "A Legacy Defined" – a short-film created for the Athletic Department which told the story of the 2011-12 basketball seasons, during which my women's program advanced to the Sweet 16.
For nine years, I worked in my dream field and for the last three of those years, was privileged enough to be offered and perform my dream job. Some part of me knew that my time as a Sports Information Director was borrowed despite my intense passion for it. I knew it likely wasn’t forever and that someday I’d move into an administration role that took me away from the day-to-day grind of being an SID. There was one thing I knew for sure: that no one ever says goodbye to being an SID but rather, so long for now.
Being an SID filled my heart with memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. My son Reilly is growing up. My wife, my hero, Janelle fights multiple sclerosis every day with a strength that I could never measure or live up to. It has become a greater priority of mine to be home, around family, and build our life away from the beautiful chaos that can come with this field I love.
What I learned early on is that being an SID isn’t a field that one pursues but one that finds you. Once you become a member of this club, you’re embraced by the thousands of others who share in and can relate to your journey. Some of the most valuable professional relationships I’ve built are with my peers. We watch out for each other, cheer each other on, celebrate wins with one another. I often find myself flipping the TV to a game for no other reason than to support the SID I know is sitting there on the sidelines covering their team.
I truly believe that some of the hardest working, most dedicated individuals working in collegiate athletics are the SID’s and the fight for that recognition is ongoing and improving. We are often one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. I can’t guess how many times I’ve been the one to turn the lights off in the gym after a long night; hours after the crowds have left and the student-athletes have put their heads down for the night. There will come a day where it’s no longer known as a “thankless” job and that vernacular will fade into the ether. That is a direct result of work we are capable of and will continue to do, regardless of the glory, or lack thereof, that might come with it.
I hope that every single person who has touched my life, be it a peer, a coach, a student-athlete, administrator, game day worker, student intern or anyone else because of this crazy journey that carried me to every corner of this country, knows how appreciative I am of any role they’ve played. I hope that anyone who has ever worked for me knows that I am and always will be a resource who is just a text, email or phone call away.
I know that I gave everything I had to making St. Bonaventure, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Richmond and Jacksonville great. I am a brand builder. I shape perception. Those places gave me the platform to hone my craft and for that, I am eternally grateful. The mentors that have guided me to this point know how hard I’ve worked for everything I’ve ever achieved, and I want the student-athletes and coaches who I worked alongside to know that I gave every piece of myself to the craft.
None of what is written above is possible without my wife, Janelle. She has my whole heart and has stood with me no matter where this crazy journey has taken us. We welcomed our son Reilly into the world in October of 2018 and his smile can bring anyone out of a bad mood. Not to be forgotten, our puppy Rosie has been with us every step of the way. She provides the comedic relief.
This is just a brief recap of all I’ve done but it’s a story that is far from complete. I can’t wait to find out what comes next.
