hello.
I'm Heath.

(Yes, like the candy bar.)

LEADER I MARKETER I CREATOR

I’m (currently) a Creative Director who loves connecting big ideas with real, meaningful marketing strategy with really strategic creative work. I’ve never been the “one-lane” type — I get energized by jumping between marketing, design, video, branding, strategy, and whatever a project needs to come to life. Seeing how all those pieces fit together is my happy place and where I fit best.

For more than a decade (am I getting old?), I’ve led creative teams, shaped brands, and produced everything from university campaigns to live sports entertainment to product marketing. I’ve directed video crews, built digital experiences, managed full-scale brand strategies, and rolled up my sleeves for plenty of hands-on design along the way.

What I care about most is achieving our marketing goals while also helping support creative folks to create content that actually connects — work that feels thoughtful, genuine, and fun. Whether it’s a full campaign or a one-off project, I bring collaboration, curiosity, and a “let’s figure it out” attitude to everything I do.

If you’re looking for a creative partner who brings energy, experience, and a good sense of humor to the table…

let’s do something awesome together.

VIEW MY RESUME

I CAN SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

MARKETING STRATEGY

90%

CREATIVE TEAM DIRECTION

TEAM LEADERSHIP

95%

CREATIVE DIRECTION

90%

VIDEO

80%

DESIGN

95%

WEBSITE

90%

I’m great at seeing beyond a single discipline and understanding how all the creative pieces fit together to make a marketing campaign successful—and I can jump in and out of those disciplines as needed. Being able to develop out the larger marketing plan strategy while also knowing the creative disciplines is what sets me apart. (I'm basically a ninja.)

MY EXPERIENCE

I HAD THE MINDSET OF WANTING TO LEARN EVERYTHING, SO I COULD SEE EVERYTHING AND BETTER DIRECT TEAMS AND ACHIEVE MARKETING GOALS. (I'VE WORN A LOT OF HATS.)

Creative Director

Johnson University, 2024-Present

Responsible for brand management, marketing strategy, and creative direction for Johnson University. Responsible for supervision of the creative team (graphic designers, video producers and editors, printshop coordinator and work-study students in the Communications department. Manage social media channels for the university along with maintenance and web strategy for Johnson University’s website.Work with all University departments on design collateral, marketing strategy, and communications support.

Lead Graphic Designer

Johnson University, 2022-2024

Responsible for developing and designing creative print and digital designs along with supporting the entry position Graphic Designer along with the work-study design and photography team. I also collaborate with program and staff departments to align marketing strategies with their goals through the creation of polished, designed print pieces. I actively contribute to enhancing initiatives such as enrollment, program recruitment, and donor participation.

Graphic Designer

Johnson University, 2020-2022

Responsible for developing and designing creative print and digital designs for all departments at Johnson University while also collaborating with the entire creative team and work-study design and photography team.

Marketing Specialist

Van Beek Natural Science, 2018-2020

Responsible for helping develop, design and execute marketing initiatives and campaigns for both livestock and companion animal sales divisions. Helped design and manage digital and print assets including product literature, product labels, event materials, presentations, signage and trade show booths with the goal of maintaining our brand across platforms. Managed and updated Van Beek’s website design and direction.

Director of Video Production & Creative Services

Southern Illinois Miners, 1995-2000

Responsible for all print, billboard, sponsorship and marketing design projects for team along with working with partners to develop sponsorship strategy in season. Managed all aspects of live in-game entertainment including managing the video production team and helping to supervise the promotional team. Filmed and edited team commercials, promotional and sponsorship videos. Responsible for staffing/operation: Cameras, Video Board, Audio mixer, production switcher and replay equipment.

Jen was the Chief Communciations Officer at Johnson University. We built a department and great design projects together. (We also wore 1,000 other hats and spent loads of extra hours strategizing what the department could be & how to get there. She taught me how to effectively communicate, market, set boundaries, and to achieve goals with success. (She also does a mean interruption dance. Please ask me about this anytime.)

Jen Johnson

Director of Marketing and Communications

University of Tennessee Research Department

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

(Like the dundie awards except they are real.)

TCPRA Gold Award-College Viewbook Design
TCPRA Gold Award-Conference Booth Design/Strategy
Collegiate Advertising Awards Gold Award-Johnson Magazine Design
Collegiate Advertising Awards Silver Award-Johnson University Van Wrap
Video Footage featured on Good Morning America (not an award, but still awesome.)

hello. I'm Heath.