Education
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Expected completion, Fall 2018)
Master of Arts – Mass Communications (Specialization in Web Design & Online Communication)

American InterContinental University, Weston, FL (2005)
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Visual Communications

Miami-Dade College, Miami, FL (2002)
Associate of Science – Graphic Design and Internet Technology

Experience
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, Pembroke Pines, FL (February 2005 – Present)
Director of Communications and Design

• Lead all creative projects and collaborations from inception  to completion. Projects include annual reports, magazines, brochures, event  signage, directories,  promotional videos, presentations and web design.
• Manage e-mail subscriptions, membership database and design e-mails for  marketing campaigns and weekly newsletters.
• Establish and maintain relationships with the media. Issue highly visible press  releases for conferences, trade shows, gala awards, and charity events.

Upstairs Media, Pembroke Pines, FL (October 2004 – Present)
Principal/Creative Director
• Provide strategic marketing, branding and design services for individuals  and small businesses in the USA, the Caribbean and Latin America.
• Conceptualize and produce designs for promotions,  advertorials, media kits, product launches and custom publishing projects.

Section One Design Studio, Miramar, FL (June 2002 – October 2004)
Graphic Designer
• Create advertisements, brochures, business cards, signage, and menus.
• Development and maintenance of websites and banner ads.

Professional Skills
Extensive knowledge in:
• Windows and Macintosh operating systems
• Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Premiere, and Indesign
• QuarkXpress, Microsoft Office, Filemaker Pro, Final Cut Pro, WordPress

Fluent in:
• CSS3, HTML5, wireframing and prototype mockups, search engine optimization,  web analytic reporting, digital photography, print and pre-press production

Professional Affiliations
• American Advertising Federation (AAF) Ft. Lauderdale Chapter
• American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Miami Chapter
• Interaction Design Association (IXDA) Miami Chapter

Achievements & Awards
• Platinum Hermes Creative Awards – An international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and programs, and emerging technologies.
• Platinum & Gold Marketing Communications Awards (MarCom Awards) – A creative competition for those involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs.
• Gold Communicator Awards – The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program recognizing big ideas in marketing and communications. Founded two decades ago, The Communicator Awards receives entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest awards of its kind in the world.
• Silver Addy (American Advertising Federation) – The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing advertising pieces produced from entrants around the world.
• Apex Award for Publication Excellence – An Annual Competition for Writers, Editors, Publications Staff and Business, Nonprofit, Agency and Freelance Communicators.
• Graphic Design USA Magazine In-house Design Awards – Inhouse Design Awards is the original and the premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse designers. It provides a unique opportunity for inhouse design, marketing and communications departments to be recognized for their talent, for the challenges they face, and for their value to businesses and institutions.
• American Graphic Design Awards – The American Graphic Design Awards is a four decade old competition. Each year, roughly 1,000 pieces representing all media are showcased in the printed Design Annual and online.
• 500 Role Models of Excellence Scholarship Recipient