About Me

I grew up in Abilene, Texas, where I had an incredible childhood fueled by creativity and a big imagination. From an early age, people encouraged me to explore that creativity, and it eventually led me into a career in design. I attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2010—and met my wife, Erica, along the way.

After college, I moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and started my career as a Production Designer at a printing firm in Fort Worth. After a few years, I felt drawn to the digital space and made the transition into user experience design, joining Risepoint (formerly Academic Partnerships). Today, I’m the Senior User Experience Designer at Risepoint, where I focus on launching new partners and building digital experiences that are both thoughtful and user-centered.

When I’m not working, I’m usually spending time with my wife and our two sons. I also love slowing down with a good book and a fresh cup of coffee—simple moments that keep me grounded and inspired.

Ice Breakers

  • Early bird by default. Kids set the schedule.

  • Coffee. (Sweet tea from HTeaO gets an honorable mention.)

  • Right now it’s “Feels Like the Very First Time” by Foreigner. Check back tomorrow.

  • Lately, I’ve been loving building Legos with my oldest son.

  • Finishing motivates me most. That sense of completion is unbeatable.

  • Golfing counts, right? I’d love to master it.

  • Ten to fifteen minutes of silence—my reset button before dad mode.

  • Saturday is donut day with the family, games, and movies; Sunday is church and rest.

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Favorites

  • I have quite a few favorites, but the movies I keep coming back to are The Intern and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty—both are inspiring, uplifting, and a great reminder to approach life with curiosity and purpose.

  • Many of my favorite childhood memories involve my grandfather, who passed away when I was nine. We had a spot in Brownwood, Texas, that we would visit occasionally, and he would take me on these rides on our Honda Spree. I remember him turning off the engine as we went down a hill by the water tower, encouraging me to spread my arms and pretend I was flying. That sense of freedom has stayed with me, making it my favorite memory.

  • I’m a sucker for a good burger, but my true comfort food is Chinese takeout—something my wife and I loved ordering in college while watching classic ’90s sitcoms.

  • I used to be a distance runner, but these days I prefer long walks—they’re sustainable, energizing, and something I can do anytime.

  • Fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather and, more than anything, that it’s football season—watching college football with my boys is one of our favorite traditions every year.

  • I’ve really been enjoying Shrinking on Apple TV—it strikes a great balance between comedy and drama, and the storytelling is excellent.

  • A quote that has really stayed with me comes from the movie Bleed for This, starring Miles Teller and based on the true story of boxer Vinny Pazienza. In an interview scene, Vinny is asked, “What was the biggest lie you were ever told?” His answer is, “It’s not that simple.” When the interviewer presses him on why, Vinny explains that that is the lie—the idea that things are too complicated or impossible. He says it’s a phrase repeated over and over because it’s how people are convinced to give up. When asked what the truth is, his response stuck with me: “That it is simple. That if you just do the thing that they tell you, you can't, then it's done. And you realize it is that simple... And that it always was.” That perspective continues to shape how I approach challenges.

  • Music has always been my primary creative outlet. I first picked up a guitar when I was six or seven, and it’s remained a constant ever since. Playing helps me clear my mind and wash away the frustrations, anxiety, and noise of the day.