Born in Chicago, IL
Lives in & educated in Orlando, FL
When I was growing up, we went to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, FL - a lot.
When Disney's MGM Studios opened, there was an Animation Tour. We all walked into the building filled with rough carpeting and freshly painted walls. One side of the hallway was a full length window. I walked over and peered through. My mouth dropped.
Artists were sitting at desks. Each desk covered with figurines of the characters they helped create. They were drawing and painting animation cells while we watched.
It was then that I realized you could be an animator for a living.
And I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.
Fast forward to January 2021. I have been in training and leadership for over 20 years. The desire to be an animator never went away. The opportunity presented itself to go back to school for a different career.
Guess what I chose.
Education
University of Central Florida, Presidential Honors
Graduates May 2025
Emerging Media Bachelor of Fine Arts in Character Animation
Creative Writing Minor
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Summa Cum Laude
Graduated July 2010
Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics
Management Minor
Relevant Skills
Animation and Design
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Competent in gesture, perspective, contour, value/light, proportion, form, anatomy, composition, and color theory
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Adobe software suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, PremierPro, Substance 3D Painter, Express and Animator.
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Concept sketching, storyboarding, Maya, Z-Brush, Toon Boom Harmony, and Procreate knowledge.
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HTML language programming abilities.
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Experience in 3D modeling, 2D and 3D animation, and creating a 3D Animated short film from start to finish. I’m a production manager for the film team.
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Story writing, script, treatments, thumbnails, storyboards, beat boards, key frames, animatics, modeling, rigging, environments, concept design, editing, sound design, special effects, prop design and production coordination.
Leadership and Team Development
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Lead operations for 2 full-service and 7 quick-service restaurants and 4 bars at Disney
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Mentored and developed team to cover 25 positions without operational impact at Disney
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Responsible for scheduling all on-site training for employees at Disney and Gate Gourmet
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Took over manager position for 6 months and kept things running for a team at ICUS
Training
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Taught 3D animation using Maya to children between 8 and 17 years old. Began with basics of Maya and progressed through a walk cycle and creating emotions.
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Implemented new techniques, and trained 55 new hires with 0 safety incidents at Disney
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Constructed and executed a training program for over 1,500 employees at Gate Gourmet
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Passion for public speaking; been motivating, teaching and training on stages since 2006
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Taught over 500 customers to interpret reports and navigate websites virtually at ICUS
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Collaborated with Raytheon engineers to create 15 training lesson plans and administer training for a new multi-billion-dollar missile defense program in the US Air Force
Work Experience
Elite Animation Academy
Maya 3D Animation Instructor
Orlando, FL, 2024
Walt Disney World
Guest Experience Manager, Sales, Customer Service, Disney Trainer, Disney Reservation Center, Merchandise, Monorails, Bus Greeting Super Greeter, Emerging Leader Alumni.
Orlando, FL, 2010-2015, 2017, 2023
Chamberlain University
Admission Rep & Quality Evaluator
Downers Grove, IL, 2018-2021
Fairwinds Credit Union
Member Service Rep II
Orlando, FL, 2016-2017
Gate Gourmet
Unit Trainer
Chicago, IL, 2013
Illinois Credit Union System (ICUS)
Trainer/Member Service Rep II
Naperville, IL, 2005-2010
US Air Force
Space Console Operator, Trainer, Scheduler
Beale AFB, CA, 2003-2005