President/Creative Director
Las Vegas & Reno
Number of Employees: 36
Years in Nevada: 42
Years with Company: 11
How did you first get into your profession?
When I was going to the journalism school at UNR, I got a copywriting internship with our company and never left. That’s pretty rare for someone from my generation, but I take a lot of pride in having played a big a part in our company’s significant evolution. I’ve never gotten bored, and now if I do, it will be no one’s fault but my own.
What do you like most and least about your industry?
I really love how every day presents a new challenge and every challenge requires creativity of some sort. We’re creative problem solvers, and that’s a fun thing to be. I’m not about to point out things I don’t like about the industry, because the good things outweigh the bad by a lot.
What is the biggest challenge your industry is facing?
Keeping up. The media world is more and more fragmented and individualized, which presents huge challenges as well as huge opportunities when it comes to reaching consumers with appropriate messaging. The best places to talk with people and the best ways to talk with people are changing at the same rapid pace that digital technology is advancing. It’s a challenge to stay on top of it all, but that’s part of the fun.
If you were President, what problem would you address first?
Wow. Hmm. I’m going with education. It seems like we’re falling further and further behind the rest of the world, and if that continues, none of the rest of the problems and challenges we’re facing will get any better. It’s easier to focus on the immediate problems, because there are a lot of them, but at some point we have to be proactive and address the future of our country. Education is part of that future—good or bad.
What business advice would you give someone just starting in your industry?
Make sure you’re passionate about it. If you are, you’ll be successful. If you’re not, you’ll be exposed quickly.
What is the best perk of your career?
Travel. I’ve been to England, the Dominican Republic and all over the U.S. because of our interesting projects. It’s been amazing.