Like many entrepreneurial journeys, mine began in a spare bedroom office with just my dog, a laptop, and big ideas about what live brand experiences could achieve. As Founder and CEO of Department Zero from 2003 to 2020, I built a national experiential marketing agency that delivered over 60,000 activations for Fortune 500 brands across automotive, technology, retail, travel, and CPG sectors. We grew to multiple US offices, managed a field teams of 5,000+, and earned significant industry recognition and awards for campaigns that delivered measurable business results.
When the events industry ground to a halt during the pandemic, I made a difficult choice to close up shop and transition into consulting. I created Ronin to offer something more valuable: fractional executive leadership for agencies and brands navigating growth, transition, and operational complexity.
Today, I help experiential marketing organizations scale strategically. Whether you're integrating new capabilities, winning larger work, building repeatable systems, or need senior leadership during a critical growth phase, I bring over 25 years of operational expertise, creative vision, and P&L accountability to make it happen.
I continue to work with agencies and brand teams who need proven, hands-on leadership to turn ambitious plans into predictable, profitable results. These are partnerships where experience matters, when time is of the essence, and when campaigns need to run smoothly, predictably, and profitably.
At Ronin, we don't just consult. We roll up our sleeves, dig-in with your team, build out the processes and systems, and deliver measurable outcomes that grow business.
Exhibitor Magazine / Corporate Event Awards (with links)
• Best Non-Conventional Event: Opal Apples Pop-up (2019)
• Best Road Show + Judges Choice: Second Skin Brand Launch (2018)
• Best Product Launch: Lufthansa Airlines #MoreConnected (2017)
• Best Road Show: Vanity Fair #LiftTour (2015)
Promo / Chief Marketer Magazine
• Top 200 US Promotional Agency (2013 - 2018)
Event Marketer / Experience Design + Technology Awards
• Best High- Tech Audience Interaction: Scion Live Event App (2016)
Ingrams Magazine (Kansas City Business Publication)
• Best Place to Work (2009)
• Fastest Growing Company (2010)
Published Articles
• AdWeek, Event Marketer, Exhibitor Magazine, MarketingProfs, Trade Show News Network, Marketing Tech News, PSFK, Chief Marketer, Forbes, Media Post, CEOWorld and more.
Speaking Engagements
• Experiential Marketing Summit, AAF, Event Tech and WOMMA.
VIDEO WORK SAMPLES
Brand: Lufthansa Airlines
Introduced new flights from San Jose to Frankfurt with a unique digital game + live streaming activation, virtual reality experiences, authentic flight crews and a chance to win free flights to Germany.
Brand: Vanity Fair Lingerie
Single-day pop-up event in NYC to promote new fabrics from Vanity Fair Lingerie. Custom containers created a luxe lounge, boutique, and meditation zone. We invited busy New Yorkers to join us, for a moment to breathe.
Brand: Dick's Sporting Goods
Product launch mobile tour to introduce Second Skin brand apparel to athletic-minded consumers and CrossFit enthusiasts at large sponsored events across the US.
Brand: Opal Apples
Pop-up orchard and selfie museum installation on Orchard Street in NYC to celebrate National Apple Day. Secondary activation on Fox and Friends. Featuring special tastings, 3-D photo experiences, virtual reality orchard tours, and more.
Project: #BallinOnTikTok College Tour
Brand: TikTok
To amplify awareness, downloads and use among the college demographic, TikTok hit the road to connect with students, celebrate the NCAA tournament basketball and give away free pizza.
Brand: Tourism Australia
Personalized augmented reality experience created for Tourism Australia
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Scion iM + iA launch event on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. Event featured 3D projection mapping, proximity smartphone app, photo engagement, flight simulator and more.
Brand: Delta Airlines
Introduced consumers to new in-flight snack options by deploying pop-up vending machines across the country. Many hungry participants got more than just a bite to eat.
Project: Dealership Training Experience
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Product training event to educate dealership sales associates on the new Scion iM + iA; included hands-on experiences both in the classroom and on the track.
Brand: Pabst Blue Ribbon
Pop-up interactive art gallery experience. Event featured local artists, personalized art creation stations, temporary tattoos, arcade games, live music and more.
Brand: Gordmans
An in-store fashion shows series that collaborates with local student organizations. Events leverage their insight and creativity to showcase new looks and retail product lines.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Consumer test-drive event held outside of the Portland International Auto Show. Attendees were welcomed to drive the entire Scion lineup during a 3-day exhibition.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Created a unique live +digital artwork experience using projection mapping and Wii remotes hidden in spray-paint cans to create digital graffiti art.
Brand: Scion (Toyota Motor Sales)
Series of track test-drive events to introduce the FR-S to Scion dealership sales staff. Featured hands-on tutorials with professional drift driver Ken Gushi.
Brand: Scion / theSLATE( Toyota Motor Sales)
Rally xD racing team "Special Stage" Party @ theSLATE; a pop-up lifestyle venue powered by Scion.
Brand: Scion / theSLATE (Toyota Motor Sales)
Weekly dance competition held at theSLATE, a Scion brand lifestyle pop-up venue in Portland, OR.