PROFILE
Creative design leader specializing in packaging, retail merchandising and design management. Proven record directing retail creative and packaging systems to drive major retailer placements, accelerate sell‑in, and scale creative operations. Skilled at cross‑functional collaboration, rapid/36‑hour quick turns, and building repeatable SOPs.
CORE SKILLS
Creative Direction • Design Management • Packaging & Structural/Dieline Design • Retail Merchandising • Brand Strategy • Adobe Illustrator • InDesign • Photoshop • Adobe Cloud Libraries • Prepress • CMF & Color Management • Vendor Management • Sales Enablement Decks • SOPs & Training • Team Hiring & Mentorship • Freelance Budget Oversight
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Retail Art Director — Bear Down Brands LLC
Nov 2020 – Feb 2026, Fullerton, CA (remote)
Directed retail creative for Bentgo, BG and PE portfolios; translated Bentgo Evolve into retail‑ready packaging systems, in‑store displays, product templates and sales assets used across DTC and major retailers.
Launched sub‑brands (Halo, Lift & Flip): art directed logos, dielines, packaging systems, POS displays, 3D renders/animated assets and sales decks to support sell‑ins.
Supported major channel wins: CVS national launch (3,200 stores), Nordstrom growth (+600% YoY at proper stores), a 75k‑unit BTS week at Walmart, and expanded distribution at Sam’s Club, Costco, Kroger and The Container Store.
Built packaging capability: recruited and mentored Senior Packaging Designer; created onboarding templates, reusable dielines, Adobe Cloud libraries and screen‑recorded how‑tos to improve speed and consistency.
Managed high‑volume production: coordinated freelancers, vendors and Product Development to execute frequent 36‑hour quick turns and multi‑week sprints with zero missed critical deadlines; oversaw freelance consultant and outsourcing budgets to optimize resourcing and control spend.
Implemented process improvements: standardized print slug and packaging file practices (COO inclusion), piloted SOPs and improved vendor QA to reduce rework and shorten time‑to‑market.
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Director of Creative Services, R&D - Coyle Reproductions, Inc.
Nov 2016 – Dec 2019, Brea, CA
Nov 2016 – Dec 2019, Brea, CA
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing teams to streamline efforts and drive positive results that generate new leads and maximize sales conversion. Establish and strengthen a full creative R&D department, and manage creative branding, design, and production for various marketing tools. Direct teams in the creation, design, and final development of projects from start to finish, which included retail design, packaging design, environmental design, and large format graphics. Directly involved with full retail environments, POP/POS displays, branding development, packaging, and visual marketing solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally with executive staff, new sales team, and deliver training on all services and selling/marketing techniques.
Significantly enhanced sales by winning new business and clients through design build opportunities.
Successfully onboarded and built stronger relationships with Nike, LaJolla Group/O’Neill, Pedego, Incipio, Fat Sal’s, Suzuki, True Religion, MAC, Puma, Mazda, Skechers and many more.
Recognized for exceptional presentation, pitching, and closing skills utilized to secure high-profile clients.
Hired to enhance market position, maximize the shops potential, generate new profit-enhancing business ideas, and deliver additional services relevant within the industry.
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Director - Refraction Group / Image Options
Spearheaded all branding, marketing, and environmental design for Image Options, it’s clients, and its companies. Actively involved in retail design, packaging design, environmental design, large format graphics, fleet graphics, POP/POS displays, photography, fabrication, and imaging. Built the boutique from the ground up, strategically positioned a creative team to surpass ambitious objectives, and kept abreast with industry/design trends within the marketplace. Oversaw projects from initiation to final completion, which involved pitches, sales calls, project management, file submission, pre-press checks, and final packaging.
Recognized for establishing more efficient workflows throughout the company.
Forged and sustained strong relationships with a vast array of clients, including Asics, Spectrum Brands, Oakley, Vans, Disney, Callaway Golf, Sunny Delight, and much more.
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Creative Director - Vertis Communications
Apr 2007 – Mar 2012, Irvine, CA
Apr 2007 – Mar 2012, Irvine, CA
Held concurrent responsibility for increasing market share and profits through the successful design of packaging, POP display, retail window display, and direct mail programs. Conceived and implemented concepts, guidelines, and strategies in various creative projects and oversaw them to final completion.
Successfully generated new business for the creative department and the print shop.
Demonstrated expertise in brand positioning while excelling within a fast-paced and time-sensitive environment.
Played integral role in the Nike Jordan 23 store window campaigns in Portland.
Creative Directed projects for high-growth brands, including Adidas, Nike, LG, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Oakley, Guess, Jim Beam, and more.
___________________________________Art Director, 04/08 ~ 04/09
Concept, Design and Oversee the creation and production of all packaging, POP displays, Consumer and B2B Advertising, Direct Mail & pURL campaigns, Trade show displays, in store retail signage, Concept, Write, and Design training manuals for Design 101, Illustrator, and Large Format, Art Direct Various Photo Shoots from food to product to models, on and off location
Snr. Designer/Jr. Director, 04/07 ~ 04/08
Design and oversee the production of all packaging, POP displays, consumer and B2B advertising, trade show displays, in store signage and more for 5 different lines of home safety products, company newsletter, catalog and website
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Designer/Director - MAG Manufacturing
Apr 2006 – Nov 2008, Irvine, CA
Apr 2006 – Nov 2008, Irvine, CA
Design and oversee the production of all packaging, POP displays, consumer and B2B advertising, trade show displays, in store signage and more for 5 different lines of home safety products, company newsletter, catalog and website
I became an independent contractor for MAG Mfg., in April 2007 to work at Vertis full time.
I became an independent contractor for MAG Mfg., in April 2007 to work at Vertis full time.
Newspaper Ad Production Supervisor - Tribune/Los Angeles Times
Nov 2004 – Apr 2006Managed and trained a staff of 25 production artists with a workload of 200+ nightly volume, nightly deadlines and 24 hour turnarounds for all LA Times Newspaper Ads.
San Fernando, CA, USA
Nov 2004 – Apr 2006Managed and trained a staff of 25 production artists with a workload of 200+ nightly volume, nightly deadlines and 24 hour turnarounds for all LA Times Newspaper Ads.
San Fernando, CA, USA
AdOut - Designer/Team Leader/Manager
Jul 2000 – Nov 2004
Department Manager, 4/02 ~ 11/04
- Re-organized several departments while performing the regular managerial duties
Ad Production Deadline Team Leader and Assistant Manager, 12/01 ~ 4/02
- Trained employees on production procedures and conducted design trainings
- Promoted to Department Manager
Template Designer and Ad Production Artist, 7/00 ~ 12/01
- Designed for a newspaper ad template website and production for various newspapers
- Promoted to Ad Production Deadline Team Leader and Assistant Manager
Jul 2000 – Nov 2004
Department Manager, 4/02 ~ 11/04
- Re-organized several departments while performing the regular managerial duties
Ad Production Deadline Team Leader and Assistant Manager, 12/01 ~ 4/02
- Trained employees on production procedures and conducted design trainings
- Promoted to Department Manager
Template Designer and Ad Production Artist, 7/00 ~ 12/01
- Designed for a newspaper ad template website and production for various newspapers
- Promoted to Ad Production Deadline Team Leader and Assistant Manager
EDUCATION
Apr 2004 – Mar 2007
Bachelors of Science, Graphic Design - Art Institute Of CA, Orange County
GPA: 3.7
Apr 2004 – Mar 2007
Bachelors of Science, Graphic Design - Art Institute Of CA, Orange County
GPA: 3.7
Focus in Packaging, Typography and Deliberate Production
Appointed Art Director, leading the entire class in collaboration with Toyota/Chiat Day to develop marketing collateral for the Yaris launch, Student Mentor and Tutor
Apr 1996 – Apr 1998
Associates Degree in General Studies - Charles County Community College
GPA: 3.4
Charles County Community College, Charles County, MD
Background in Fine Arts/Photography and a Certificate in Accounting
Course Expertise: Art Courses, Accounting Courses
Associates Degree in General Studies - Charles County Community College
GPA: 3.4
Charles County Community College, Charles County, MD
Background in Fine Arts/Photography and a Certificate in Accounting
Course Expertise: Art Courses, Accounting Courses
AWARDS
2014
Iron Merchant 2014
Iron Merchant Team Leader
2014
Iron Merchant 2014
Iron Merchant Team Leader
IRDC - IRON MERCHANT 2014 WINNERS
Another IRDC winner: Team Orange led by Theresa Borowski, creative director, Refraction Group (Foothill Ranch, Calif.), took home the coveted Iron Merchant challenge victory sash for their daring suspended mannequin display. This year’s competition tasked six teams to transform a mannequin using glam holiday-inspired props and a wig (the secret ingredient), plus a glittery crescent moon and the requirement to incorporate a musical element. Designers glued, cut and sketched – a few even bickered – till their creations came to life.
Another IRDC winner: Team Orange led by Theresa Borowski, creative director, Refraction Group (Foothill Ranch, Calif.), took home the coveted Iron Merchant challenge victory sash for their daring suspended mannequin display. This year’s competition tasked six teams to transform a mannequin using glam holiday-inspired props and a wig (the secret ingredient), plus a glittery crescent moon and the requirement to incorporate a musical element. Designers glued, cut and sketched – a few even bickered – till their creations came to life.
SKILLS
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Art Direction, Branding And Identity, Creative Direction, Creative Problem Solving, Creative Strategy, Direct Mail, Direct Marketing, Display Design, Graphic Design, Marketing Collateral, Package Design, Photo Editing, Photo Manipulation, Point Of Purchase, Point Of Sale
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Art Direction, Branding And Identity, Creative Direction, Creative Problem Solving, Creative Strategy, Direct Mail, Direct Marketing, Display Design, Graphic Design, Marketing Collateral, Package Design, Photo Editing, Photo Manipulation, Point Of Purchase, Point Of Sale