EXPERIENCE

Sep 2001 – Present

Founder & CEO

ProtoFuse

I started ProtoFuse (formerly named A2M Interactive, Inc.) in 2001 simply to do freelance work, and I’d design a website for anyone with $300 in their pocket. (Seriously.) As I refined my UX and digital marketing skills and gained business acumen, I went all-in with ProtoFuse on Jan. 1, 2005.

Over the next decade, my team designed websites and inbound marketing strategies for a variety of companies like Stanford University, Dixon Ticonderoga (remember the #2 pencil?), Carefree Communities (acquired in 2016 for $1.68B), and B2B Tech companies. Today, I concentrate on exclusively on helping mid-sized B2B tech companies use digital marketing to grow revenue and improve their sales efficiency.

ProtoFuse.com

Aug 2018 – Present

Founder & Host

‘1 to 10 Podcast’

‘1 to 10’ is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of B2B tech companies that have scaled, or are currently scaling, from $1M to $10M and beyond.

I interview leaders of B2B Technology companies about the strategies and tactics used to grow from small to mid-size, catapulting their companies to the next level.

1to10.tech

Jan 2005 – July 2013

Co-Founder & Lead Strategist

Caxiam Group

I helped found this agency (the roots of what would become ProtoFuse) in a quaint townhome with a childhood friend and grew it steadily to a team of 10 salaried employees. I operated ProtoFuse as a division of Caxiam Group from 2005 to 2013.

We serviced over 75 very different clients spanning all types (B2B, B2C, Non-profit) such as Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Dixon Ticonderoga, Parrish Medical Center, Herff Jones, Inmark Packaging, and multiple startups.

As the brand of Caxiam Group grew, positioning and vision challenges surfaced because of its infrastructure, lack of positioning, and saturation of too many services. In early 2013, my team (and our clients) amicably left the umbrella of Caxiam Group, and the brand of ProtoFuse was officially born.

June 2003 – Dec 2004

Creative Lead

WildCard Systems

Lead a small design team in the creation of turnkey e-commerce website solutions and interactive training for all the major US Banks at the time, along with companies such as AAA, Visa, & ADP. I also collaborated with the CFO and Communications Director to design keynotes, sales presentations, and tradeshow displays. WildCard was eventually acquired by FIS, Inc. in 2005 for $228M.

Dec 1999 – May 2003

Web Designer, Flash Designer

WildCard Systems

Designed and developed custom websites for small businesses from the ground up. Also was the lead Flash animator for multiple interactive applications that were used as training materials for companies like AAA & Visa.

Jun 1997 – Aug 1997

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Illinois Force

I was awarded a 3 month internship program right after High School at a local forging company. I shadowed the Engineering department, helping adjust and plan CAD drawings for over 50 unique parts being shipped throughout the US.

The internship, along with my first semester at the University of Wisconsin Platteville, was enough exposure to the Engineering field for me to realize my pursuit wasn’t backed by passion and I needed to shift my educational focus.

EDUCATION

2011

EntreLeadership Master Series

Dave Ramsey’s Leadership Training & Coaching

EntreLeadership is focused on small business entrepreneurs who are seeking to grow and lead with intentional leadership. The Master Series was a week long intense training held in Orlando, FL in 2011.

1998-1999

AS, Digital Media

Full Sail University

I graduated at the end of 1999 right smack dab in the middle of the dot-com boom. While at Full Sail, I learned the basics of Web Design & Development, Interactive Media (the medium was CDs at the time), Design Theory, and Animation. I was also exposed to Audio and Video Production and collaborated with other students in that discipline to create multiple productions (e.g. TV Shows, Commercials, etc.).

My final project was an interactive CD-Rom built in Macromedia Director — a Led Zeppelin Documentary that took 500+ hours of research, planning, asset gathering, design, programming, and testing.

1997

Mechanical Engineering

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

It took just a single semester for me realize Mechanical Engineering wasn’t my passion. So, I surrendered a 4 year scholarship and a sport I loved to play (Football), and moved myself half-way across the country to Orlando, Florida to attend a tech school (Full Sail University).

I have zero regrets. (Though I do miss tackling running backs).

1994-1997

High School Diploma

Sterling High School

National Honor Society, All-Conference Football, All-Area Football, All-Conference Academic, Baseball, Intramural Basketball, Choir, Fine Arts.