Who I Am
I grew up in North Carolina and moved to the great state of Texas in 2002 with big aspirations to become a party promoter and to start a web development firm. Ironically I didn’t get anywhere close to this for about 5 years and had already given up on the idea of promoting parties when everything finally started coming together. Web development has been my business for about 15 years, mostly freelance, so its hard for me to imagine working in some capacity where my tech background didn’t come into play.
I started working in the music industry in 2005 at The Granada Theater. I spent 5 years learning the business and making a bit of name for myself as the marketing director of Granada, using my unique tech expertise to give the Granada a marketing edge. In 2010 I left with my business partner, local talent buyer Kris Youmans, to go work at the Gilley’s Dallas complex marketing the complex, the concerts we booked, the catering company, restaurant and so on.
In spring of 2011, Kris left Gilley’s to start his own production company Tactics Productions. Though I continue to work with Gilley’s, I also function as a managing partner in Tactics Productions. I run our promotions team, plan strategy and build relationships with local partners to expand our audience.
Most importantly…I operate a small digital strategy firm called Social Media For The Masses which offers a variety of services like custom WordPress development, web and graphics design, software development, search engine optimization, social media management, traditional and digital marketing services and more…
I built my first web site in 1994. In 1996 I landed a contract with a local government agency that I worked for more than 6 years, developing software that was unfortunately way ahead of its time. Despite the consistency of the government work and pay, the dullness of the experience has driven me away from those circles professionally. When I left the job and my home in Charlotte, NC in 2002 it was a brash and bold effort to forcibly change my destiny by throwing me into new and unexpected experiences.
…And that really doesn’t begin to cover it. Since I moved out here in 2002, I feel like I’ve lived several lives. I’ve certainly played many, many different roles over the years. From helping to launch a body jewelry brand across the Southwest (and later on Ozzfest 2003), to developing and brand-managing for several award-winning Dallas live music venues; I’ve experienced a very exciting and much more rewarding life since I moved to Texas.
The future holds a lot for me…I work hard for my passions and don’t generally take no for an answer. I am hard at work launching my company and working to build Tactics Productions.
My portfolio includes:
- Gilley’s Dallas (featuring 4 live music venues: Palladium Ballroom, South Side Music Hall, The Loft and Jack Daniel’s Saloon)
I developed a network of web sites, branding materials for digital and print marketing, all advertising designs, coordinated social media, blogging and search engine optimization efforts, performed public relations, event coordination, media buying and other services. - G Texas Catering
I developed their web site, operate the blog, perform search engine optimization, coordinate media buying, ad design and promotional events. - Advantage Valet
I developed a web site and performed extensive search engine optimization earning them great position in Google searches. - KCM Insurance Services
I developed a web site and am managing on-going blogging efforts, which will appear on the site soon. - Tactics Productions
I am a managing partner in this concert production company and am responsible for all marketing including the web site, social media, email marketing, print, street team, public relations and so on. - Blackbird Bakery
I was contracted to develop a custom WordPress theme with unique AJAX features for notable gluten-free food blogger Karen Morgan. One of my best projects… - There have been many more projects than I would like to list here, but these are some of the most notable of my recent projects.
