Universal Studios (2003)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. This project was formerly the Earthquake Ride in Orlando and was scheduled to reset as a new theme titled "Disaster Studios". This was my very first endeavor as a front man for the company as the new Business Development Manager. I went to Orlando to review the job with Creative Universal and put together the scope of work. We got the project and were super excited considering it was my first sale in this brand new role. Midway through the production the current project manager was sounding alarms about being over budget. This prompted me to investigate our estimation department and it turns there was a lot of need for improvement in this process. I lead the process to create a new estimation format and evaluated the standing bid against it. Through measuring the production and installation performance against our financial metrics we were able to minimize the losses as much as we could. In the end we had a happy client and some great work to build from. Unwittingly I had stepped into the estimation and project management roles and the company has had an amazing success rate ever since.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
Family Entertainment Centers (2011-2019)
As owner and operator of Artists at Work, I was a part of some amazing projects that stepped outside some of the attractions we designed and themed and into the remainder of the facility. We were a small business and only able to handle one full facility remodel a year. Most of these endeavors were established FEC's that had installed one of our attractions, and after seeing the quality and ease of our production, couldn't wait to utilize us to improve the rest of their building.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (2010)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. Working on a cruise line project brings all kinds of challenges. This project was part of the largest cruise ships built at the time and everyone was very excited to be a part of it, however pulling it off was not easy. We were awarded the custom playground area smack in the middle of the ship. This project had many considerations such as it constantly travels and our productions were all exterior elements exposed to the temperaments of the ocean. We also had to meet international rules and strict safety regulations. Turns out weight was also important to keep the ships balance, and proper grounding to reduce corrosive decay. We had to work difficult shipping arrangements and loading onto the docks in coordination with the ships captain and port schedule. We were successful, on budget, on time, and with a very satisfied client and we were quickly awarded more work. (PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
Monsters of Rock Darkride (2009)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. This was a fast and very limited budget project with high quality expectations from a design client we had been courting for a number of years. Finally they brought us a project and challenged us to find a way to pull it off. The project was a dark ride in a revamped Hard Rock park located in South Carolina. We decided that this was destined to be a printing job and looked to our outsource vendors as a solution resource. Direct to print was gaining ground and we settled on a product with a black plastic core and white aluminum face. My experience with dark ride production gave me the knowledge on how to bring it all together, including some simple animations. In the end the park itself failed but the company we did the work for was very satisfied with our results.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
ARC Laser Tag (2011-2019)
As owner and operator of Artists at Work, we teamed up with a laser tag company to be their exclusive theming resource we accomplished 50+ installations all across America. This included estimation, designing, installation, and onsite theming. Majority of projects were UV black light productions which proved to allow some unique finishes and solutions. Also included coordinating travel, hospitality, staffing, and outsourced vendors in multiple locations. Our success rate and end product were considered one of the best in the industry at that time. Special thanks to this company and its years of dedication and support to Artists at Work.
(PM for www.arc-studios.com )
IKEA - Smalland (2008-2011)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. IKEA was project that provided a constant source of company revenue with multiple projects each year. When I was promoted to Project Manager it became obvious to me there was room for improvement on the production standards already in place. After extensive review we discovered a some financial loss in production which red flagged this for improvements. Discovery revealed KPI on issues with production approach and lack of documentation. I helped create a program called Standards in Production (SIP's) to help formulate out productions moving forward. This resulted in better quality outcomes and encouraged new contracts to include expansions for international locations.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
Bush Beans Museum (2010)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. This project seemed impossible, after all the client was asking us to make pigs fly (literally). Bush Beans was expanding its corporate museum to include its very successful campaign that involved a pig on a skateboard with pilot googles flying about. This was a fun project that involved some extensive animation using an industrial style solution to keep our curly tailed friend constantly moving around the museum along the ceiling. We also helped produce additional display elements and signage, on budget and on time.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
Legendary Adventures Escape Rooms (2018-2020)
As owner and operator of my very own escape room, it really was a Legendary Adventure! I actually managed every aspect of this project including build site plans, contractor resourcing, build out, inspections, fire marshals expectations, product design, product build out, installation, lighting FX, sound FX, animations FX, scenic work, art finish, signage, and graphic design, and website development. Then I had to figure out marketing and advertising and quickly realized print was not as beneficial as an online presence. Then I had to master the booking system, Google ads, Facebook ads, SEO, Google reviews, and social media management. Unfortunately, in March of 2020 mandatory Covid shut downs happened and I was forced to close up. This resulted in the selling of my escape room to Time Emporium. They took over operations and kept the Puzzler alive till the summer of 2021. During our time we climbed to the top escape room in Fort Collins, Colorado with a perfect 5 star rating.
Give Kids The World (2011)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. If you do not know about Give Kids the World, you probably should. It is place that brings thermally sick children to their resort and explores the theme parks in Orlando, showing them there is magic in this world. Through years of fund raising they have practically transformed their property into a theme park itself. Our project with them was a version of candy land called Matthew's playground. A great story behind it and it was dedicated to a former guest named Matthew who had passed by the time we did this project. Some projects are not about money, but about good will. This was one of them.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
TPC Saw Grass 17th Green (2006-2010)
Proud to have been a manager at Pizzazz Scenic and help grow their company. Every year during the Players Championship fundraisers are set up to entertain guests and raise money for charities. We were tasked with creating the world famous 17th hole replica for guest to take their shot at. A gigantic knee deep pool was constructed with an enormous tent to host this fundraiser. It is a huge success and as a fan favorite it was done every year. Our product had to stand the test of time and was constructed out off foam and fake green carpet. Every year improvements are made and every time the project was successful.
(PM for www.PizzazzScenicContractors.com )
Remote PM for Weber Group (2022-Current)
Proud to have been a manager at Weber Group and help grow their company. I have worked remotely for Weber for several years from my home office in Jacksonville, Florida. This arrangement is somewhat unique but does reflect the times of a post Covid workplace experience. This has worked out rather well with me handling around $8 million in project work load so far. I have ran projects for Hollywood Wax Museum, Castle of Chaos, Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Playskool, Nerf, and numerous other smaller projects. I manage all installations in person to ensure client satisfaction. I have been an important part in developing some of the systems of operations improvements helping them become even more efficient and organized. I will add further breakdowns of these projects in the near future but for now I invite you visit their website so you can learn more about this amazing company.
(PM for www.WeberGroupInc.com )