About

A unique combination, I carry both non-profit and for-profit leadership experience. After serving in the Army Reserves (where I earned distinguished honors) and obtaining a Master of Arts in Educational Ministry from Calvin Theological Seminary, I started my career working in Christian ministry. It was in director-level roles that I developed a passion for strategic planning, marketing and communications, team building, and new program development--a passion that derived from seeing the multiplying impact these had. I also developed skills in fundraising and advisory board development, for which I was appointment to serve on a large non-profit's national cohort tasked with innovating ways to better engage donors and grow their investment.

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Wanting to test my skills In the business sector, I founded, led, and sold a successful tech start-up (EnvoyB2B) and helped a nationally-awarded marketing firm shift from reactive to proactive client acquisition. Applying my business development skills then to real estate, I led the growth of two top offices in Grand Rapids and helped the second largest broker in Michigan develop and deploy a consultative approach to recruiting across over 50 offices, resulting in national recognition for my work.  

 

Most recently, I served as head of marketing for a 50-year-old distribution company pivoting to a products company. First as a fractional CMO and then as employee, I guided the leadership team in the development of their mission, values, and vision (10-year, 3-year, and 1-year), led a company rebranding and creation of their messaging framework, and oversaw the brand development and marketing for two new national product brands. Also foundational to their success, I led the implementation of CRM with defined customer journey and marketing automations, creative directed the complete overhaul of all marketing collateral, and spearheaded the optimization of digital marketing efforts directly contributing to a 30% YOY increase in total accounts and 24% YOY increase in revenue per customer. 

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Not all of my work has been fruitful however. Failure has been a great teacher--helping me to hone my skills, to understand and accept my weaknesses as an opportunity to lean on others, and to keep my ego grounded. I wouldn't have said it while going through it, but these, like my accomplishments, are gifts.

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Outside of work, I am passionate about being a hands-on father to my three amazing kids, grateful for wonderful family and friends, and enjoy giving back to important causes through board involvement and volunteering. I love being active in my faith community and in the outdoors, renovating my house, assistant coaching my kids' soccer team, and discovering great new restaurants.