I was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 2002, I graduated high school and attended Cameron University, where I studied Multimedia/Instructional Design. I learned how to use digital media, in all its forms, to educate, inform, and/or persuade a targeted audience.
However, my journey with using a computer as an artistic medium started long before that.
Beginnings
I have always been imaginative and was a constant doodler as a kid. When my family got our first computer in the early 90s, a whole new window of creativity opened for me. In 3rd grade, I designed and printed custom Valentine's Day cards for all of my classmates. My parents were impressed until they realized I had used all of the expensive printer ink in the process.
Work Life
I began my career at Fort Sill Federal Credit Union in 2004 as a front-line teller. While I enjoyed the experience of working in the professional world, I quickly realized that the finance side of the financial industry was not for me.
During my downtime, I used MS Paint to draw cartoons and won several t-shirt design contests that the credit union held for charity.
In 2007, I saw the need for a company intranet and approached the VP of Marketing with an idea. As my final capstone project, I proposed building a website to house procedures, reports, and other internal documents. The new intranet was approved, and I was given the opportunity to interview with the VP of IT. As a result, I was hired as an IT Support Specialist.
During my time in the IT department, I played various roles, including running reports, managing databases, managing equipment, and providing technical support. I completed the intranet and was tasked with redesigning the public website, which led to me being given the title of Webmaster and put in charge of websites and digital banking channels.
To fulfill my need for a creative outlet, I created animated messages for the electronic signs and lobby TVs. I also began working with the marketing team, creating graphic art for campaigns and educational materials. My skills in design and ability to develop content led me to the career path I am on now.
Digital Marketing
By 2017, I was creating the majority of the promotional content for the credit union. I was given the responsibility of increasing our online brand recognition and began developing a digital marketing strategy.
In 2019, I was officially promoted to Digital Marketing Specialist. In my current position, I use all the skills and experiences I have gained to connect with an audience through digital media, engage them with unique interactions, and communicate a message.
I am passionate about the work I do and constantly strive to learn more. The relationship between the content I put out into the world and its success in being received fascinates me. I am driven to test and tweak what works best, what captures the attention of an audience, and what ultimately persuades them to interact.
I am confident in the path I am on and hope to continue down this road for a long time.