Employment
The professional journey I have taken is one of triumph and discovery. I am proud of the decisions I have made and the experience I have gained. Through my education and experience I have obtained working knowledge in industries such as Table Top Gaming, Entertainment and Sports, Finance, Mortgage, and Manufacturing. I am prepared and ready to thrive in careers such as Project Management, Event Planning/Management, Marketing, Sales, and Accounting.
Highland Hills Golf Course
2001-2005
At the age of fourteen, I had the privilege of starting my career. The City of Greeley, Colorado had a program that allowed high school students to work part time for minimum wage. I started my journey as a Driving Range Attendant for Highland Hills Golf Course. The job came with the perk of free range-balls and heavily discounted golf. As I was aspiring to try out for the Greeley West golf team, it was the perfect opportunity for me to practice and network. This job was very straight forward and introduced me to repetition and patience. It was solely picking up range balls around the perimeter of the driving range by hand and cleaning them for new use. I was able to reflect and think without many distractions while working which ended up being valuable as an early teen.
​
When I turned 16, I was promoted out of the city program. I received a $0.40 raise and the new title of Cart and Driving Range attendant. I had my license and was now trusted to drive the driving range picker and golf carts. The driving range picker was a rusty old deathtrap on rickety wheels. I loved it. One of my fondest memories growing up is heading to the course after school, clocking in, pulling Ol' Rusty out of the cart garage, hooking him up to the tractor arm and driving my lines from the previous day while getting pelted by earsplitting heaters thrown at me by the regulars. I fired up my Sony Discman with my burned CD full of early 2000 pop punk and emo jams, cleared the range balls, and serviced the carts with the precision of a race car pit crew.
​
​In 2004 I was promoted to the pro shop of Highland Hills Golf Course. As a Pro Shop Specialist, I received an introduction to Customer Service, Management, Accounting, Crisis Management, and financial responsibility. In this role, I processed all of the transactions, scheduled the tee times, announced the tee times as the starter and sold merchandise. Since I was promoted midway through my senior year of high school, most of my shifts started in the afternoon. This meant I was generally working the pro shop alone and was the highest-ranking employee on duty. I was responsible for performing all the duties in the pro shop while also managing the range and cart staff. This was difficult sometimes as I went to school and was on the golf team with some of them. I was forced to learn my style of management very early on. I was well respected by the people I had to manage at a young age because of what I learned as a golf and hockey team captain. I led through empathy and by example with a focus on assigning tasks through strengths
Best Buy
2006-2010
After my freshman year of college, I spent the summer of 2006 with my parents in Aurora, Colorado. It was a new city, and I didn’t know anybody in town except for my family. I took this opportunity to seek employment as the cost of tuition was rising and my cost of living increased significantly as well. I was really interested in video games, movies and music at the time. It was all I had to keep me busy. This transitioned well into my role with Best Buy.
​
I was hired on as a Media Specialist. This was back before you could download, legally, everything under the sun. Physical copies of video games, CD’s, and DVD’s were big business. I loved this job! I spent my days selling, restocking, and organizing all three forms of entertainment. It was in this role that I manifested my stye of sales and relationship building.
​
Having conversations with the customers about the hobbies I love and discovering opportunities to share my passion with others really became one of the greatest joys in my life. I fully embraced my role in the company, and I encountered truly rewarding customer interactions. My favorite experiences happened when the customer had no idea what they were looking for and would come to me for suggestions based on their tastes. I would love to ask, “what are some of your favorite movies/games/artists?”. After listening, I would make suggestions based on my knowledge. One customer enjoyed my movie suggestion so much, that he came back the next day and spent 2 hours and over five hundred dollars building a new DVD collection.
​
In 2007, I drew the attention of another store that was within a mile of my college campus. I had been recognized for sales numbers and customer satisfaction scores consistently throughout the region. I was offered the role of Customer Assistant at the Colorado Boulevard Store in Denver, Colorado. This role was responsible for aiding the entire store wherever I was needed. It required knowledge in every department and all of the company’s policies. It was in this role that I learned and developed a T-shaped skillset, time management, and flexibility. The nature of this role was to stay busy. There was no down time because as a Customer Assistant, I was always needed somewhere. I would sell a refrigerator then as soon as I was done, I would get called over the radio to help unload a truck.
​
The Customer Assistant role would have been so much harder if it hadn’t been for one of the best managers I have ever worked with. I learned how to be a great manager from Shawn. He was a large gruff man from Boston. He was always the loudest voice in the room. A lot of people who didn’t know him were scared to work under him because of these traits. After talking to anybody who was lucky enough to be his employee, you would know that this couldn’t be further from the truth. His best quality as a manager was how easy he made it for his employees to focus on their tasks at hand. He would manage the politics of the workplace for his employees so that it was never a question of how they were performing. He expected your very best, day in and day out, but he showed you his best every day. He fought hard for raises and promotions for his people and at one point, every supervisor in the building had worked under Shawn. An example of this was my promotion to Customer Assistant Senior in 2009 where I was honored to become an extension of his management. I have encountered very few managers like him in my career. I wish that more companies today would work as hard as he did to find value in every employee.
​
In 2009, I transferred to the Greeley, Colorado location to pursue my internship with the Colorado Eagles Hockey Club. I created great relationships at this location and gained respect from my coworkers. At this point I had graduated college and was seeking fulltime employment to pay my looming student loan debt. Unfortunately, my tenure with Best Buy ended because they were not able to offer me a full-time position. The explanation I received was that my hourly wages as a part-time employee were already higher than most of my fulltime peers. They would be required by company policy to raise my wages to a higher amount than a handful of the supervisors. I have Shawn to thank for making my wages to pricey for Best Buy. So, thank you Shawn for discovering and rewarding my talents. I will never forget the lessons you taught me.
TCF Bank
2010-2011
At this point in my life I was really struggling to find employment as entry level jobs in careers linked to higher education were starting to be phased out due to the recession and economic decline. I was becoming accustomed to receiving the response “we would have hired you in a heartbeat two years ago but we are currently downsizing”. I was lucky enough though to find an opportunity through a friend of a friend as a full-time banker with TCF Bank. I lived in Greeley, Colorado and commuted to work in Denver, Colorado.
​
This job was a crash course in Banking. TCF was unique in the way that it was open on Sundays. Most weeks I was working all seven days. During the week, my role would be to spend most of the day conducting outside sales. The last few hours of each day and on weekends, my role would take over as a teller.
​
Outside sales for TCF Bank, at the time I was employed with them, consisted of driving to low-income neighborhoods in the downtown Denver area and setting up a table outside of a gas station. The sales position for TCF Bank was a lesson in perseverance and humility. I met every walk of life in my time standing outside of 7/11 on Colfax and Santa Fe. I was able to develop a strong sense of empathy during my time at my table. I had the privilege of meeting a lot of people that were less fortunate than myself and it put my situation into perspective.
​
My time as a teller taught me how to adapt to many different situations as they arise. My specific branch was located at the northernmost point of Denver in a new development with a large suburban neighborhood surrounding it. This meant two things. It had incredibly low foot traffic and was a prime candidate for robbery. TCF bank was open until 7:00 pm and at most we would have 5 transactions over the last few hours of the day. I learned time management skills in terms of keeping busy during the down times.
​
I was robbed at gunpoint twice while working for TCF Bank. Each group was on the FBI’s most wanted list at the time for robbing over ten banks prior to ours. My fellow teller and I were responsible for the apprehension of both groups through strategic drawer management and GPS packs. Sadly though, after the second occurrence, the physical risk became too great to continue my employment with TCF Bank. I am grateful for the experience I received from TCF Bank, I just couldn’t see myself there long term.
JPMorgan Chase Bank
2011-2016
I started my career with Chase Bank at the Loveland, Colorado Branch. I was excited to start this position because it was significantly closer to my residence than my previous job and a pay increase as well. My first position with Chase Bank was Personal Banker. I was responsible for managing customers’ accounts and selling all Chase banking products and credit card services. It was also my first commission-based job. For the first time in my life, I had a job that rewarded the work I put into my role as opposed to just my time. I thrived in this role quickly becoming one of the top bankers in Northern Colorado.
​
This was noticed and I was offered the opportunity to take on a Series 6 License which allowed me to consult and refer JPMorgan Investments in the state of Colorado. It was a rigorous process that required months of training and preparation. I passed on my first try thanks in part to my education which included Finance courses as part of my major. I specifically remember receiving a bonus from Chase Bank for completing the course which I used to buy my first two custom suits. I also received my NMLS ID which allowed me to help customers with loans and my Notary Public seal at this time.
​
In 2012 I was asked to transfer to the northern Fort Collins, Colorado location to help launch the branch. This is where I received my Business Banking training as it was located in an industrial neighborhood and saw significantly less than average foot traffic. I participated in a sales role at this location which utilized my skills learned at TCF Bank. The northern Fort Collins branch tested my adaptability and perseverance skills as I was relied upon to create my own sales opportunities.
​
In 2013, I moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. I transferred to the Uptown location which was one of the busiest and largest branches in Colorado. It was at this location that I received my Manager On-Duty training. I had aspired to be a Branch Manager at the time, so the opportunity was enticing. My role as Manager On-Duty was to perform my tasks as a Relationship Banker, Investment Banker, Loan Banker, and Notary Public on top of managing the branch whenever the Branch Manager was out of office.
​
This Included a very large, weeklong FDIC annual audit when our Branch Manager was on vacation. I went through rigorous interviews about our policies and procedures without any audit training and was able to guide my team through a successful audit while open during normal business hours. It is an accomplishment that I am very proud of today.
​
I ended my career with Chase Bank at the Austin Bluffs location in Colorado Springs where I was given the opportunity to study Bank Management under Brandon Eldridge. He managed with a level of empathy and composure that received district level notoriety. I learned what it was like to earn the respect of your entire branch and operate together like a “well-oiled machine”. I can honestly say that I never met anybody that had a bad word to say about Brandon in the year that I worked under him before leaving for Ent Credit Union. I hope one day I have the opportunity to jumpstart careers the way that he did.
Ent Credit Union
2016-2024
In early 2016, I was offered a position with Ent Credit Union as a Business Relationship Manager. This role was a natural fit for me. It implemented the values and experience I gained in my roles with TCF Bank and Chase Bank. It was a unique banking experience that Ent Credit Union Offered its medical, legal, non-profit, and manufacturing business members. I managed the area of northern Colorado Springs, CO and Monument, CO. The team was great. I had a fantastic manager in Lisa Fistani and a great supervisor in Jeremy Davis.
​
I managed a book of business with 200+ organizations. I operated on a mobile basis which allowed me to conduct banking transactions at my client’s place of business when needed. Most of my time was utilized as outside sales in this role. I would reach out by phone or through a friendly visit to a prospective clients’ office. I met a lot of great people and participated in very interesting and educational conversations with professionals from different industries.
​
The role I loved most as a Business Relationship Manager was representing Ent Credit Union at society meetings and conventions. We were the main sponsors for the two largest Southern Colorado Dental Societies. Through persistent visits and negotiations, I onboarded one of the two sponsorships one year into my employment with Ent Credit Union. At the time I left the department, this sponsorship had resulted in over $1 million in annual revenue and dozens of new clients.
​
Either Jeremy or Lisa and I would set up a table at their events. We would provide our services to current clients and information to prospective clients. The most valuable experience I received from this part of my role was sitting in on their meetings and learning about the different industries and cutting edge technology they were excited about. It really gave me a leg up when presenting our services to them. This role taught me the importance of not just knowing what your client’s practice, but instead, investing your time and energy into learning it yourself in order to create a quality relationship and build trust.
​
After a couple of years in the Business Relationship Management role, my talents were recognized by the Mortgage Department of Ent Credit Union. I was brought on as a Mortgage Loan Processor. This role was rigorous. I would receive the loan application from the Loan Officer and take it all the way to the closing table. At any given time, I would have ten to twenty loans in my portfolio. It would take anywhere from five to ten hours per file of gathering data from the borrowers, employers, title agents, regulatory agencies, realtors, etc. I was also in charge of the accuracy and formation of all documents for the final package. It was an incredibly high stress, fast paced role.
​
Roughly a year after I began the role, the department decided that it was too much of the process to put on one person so Ent Credit Union decided to split the role in to what is now the Mortgage Loan Processor and Mortgage Loan Closer roles. This was done slowly, and I was chosen as one of the first three Mortgage Loan Closers for my efficiency and attention to detail. Through my five-year tenure as a Mortgage Loan Closer, I was consistently at the top of the department in volume, accuracy, and complexity. I closed close to a billion dollars in loans which resulted in zero net dollar losses to Ent Credit Union. Not only was I one of the longest tenured Mortgage Loan Closers when I left Ent Credit Union, I was also one of a handful with zero loss.
​
I loved this career because I was able to help people achieve the dream of owning a home. It is by far the most challenging but at the same time, most rewarding job I have had. An experience that will always stick with me was when I closed a mortgage for a wounded veteran with severe PTSD. He lived next to a train that was triggering him to the point where he took to Twitter to seek financial help. A billionaire started following his social media and wanted to help him buy a house away from the train tracks and away from any noise pollution. It was a complicated mess. No one knew about the co-signer/donor until I was assigned to the file a week before closing. I found out about them 3 days before closing when I sent final documents to the title company. It threatened to delay closing. Through lots of overtime, patience, and dedication, I was able to bring all parties together and get the loan closed on time. I learned constant empathy through the most stressful times of my life in this role which I will carry for a lifetime.
Skate City
2023-Present
I have played in-line hockey competitively since I was 12. It has always been a passion of mine. After a fourteen-year hiatus from the sport, I decided to get back into it in my mid 30’s. Skate City owns several roller-skating rinks in multiple states. The Xfinity Arena is also owned by Skate City and hosts national events and recreational leagues.
​
After about two years of playing recreationally, I decided to get more involved with the sport. I completed all of my national certifications to become an in-line hockey referee. I currently am a referee for all age groups at every skill level from weekly recreational leagues to televised professional games. For the recreational games I work alone and for the competitive leagues, I work with a partner. The experience as a referee that I have received has provided me with an advanced knowledge of in-line hockey and crisis management skills.
Brotherwise Games
2024
In 2024 I decided to make a lifestyle change and support my wife with her dreams of becoming a nurse. During the time that she is in school, I am pursuing opportunities and certifications that will allow me to improve my family’s quality of life. Part of this journey is to utilize my education and knowledge to give back to the tabletop gaming community. I reached out to different organizations over the first few months of 2024 and found an opportunity to work for Brotherwise Games at a hobby gaming convention.
​
I traveled to Columbus, Ohio to work their booth for the Origins Games Expo for them. When I arrived, I was welcomed like a member of the family. Jillian, Hayden, and Ethan put their trust in me right away and the work I did for them never actually felt like work. They leaned on me to teach and create excitement for both current and upcoming games. I was teaching and running multiple games at once most of the time. It is because of them that I learned quickly that I wanted to be a bigger part of the Tabletop Gaming Industry.
​
I met and was able to get to know one of the owners, Chris O’Neal. This was an awesome experience for me as it is very rare that I get one-on-one time with someone who own’s a multi-million dollar company. I am finding this approachability to be mostly true for this great industry. It was his humility and the inclusivity of the Brotherwise Games team that really led me to pursue a career in the space. I will forever be grateful for the experience.
Chip Theory Games
2024
I had the privilege of working for Chip Theory games in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Gen Con Gaming Expo. My role was similar to the one with Brotherwise Games. I was put more in a sales role for Chip Theory. I started the first day of the convention selling and restocking product. It was very fast paced but I was selling a product that I believe in so it was fun for me. About halfway through my day, I was asked to present and teach attendees Chip Theory’s newest game.
​
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era is their largest release to date and amassed over seven million dollars in pre-orders through Gamefound. It was also voted game of the convention. I worked the table for Elder Scrolls the entire convention and can be seen on prominent content creators channels during the convention. I had limited training on the game itself before Gen Con and was relied upon to create excitement for the sprawling campaign game and the new flagship of the company. Part of my job was to direct attendees to the preorder site via a QR code after my presentation. Before Gen Con, the preorders were around four million dollars jumping to well over six million dollars shortly after the Gen Con convention.
​
I enjoyed working with the Chip Theory Team. They were a very lighthearted team to work with and I was impressed with the professionalism and care they took with the attendees and representatives. Brandyn and Bailey Osborne were particularly welcoming and have a genuine love for the hobby. Brandyn was always concerned that we were taking care of ourselves during this fast paced convention. He would force a water bottle into my hand and make me stop working when my shift was done. It was this level of empathy and leadership that really drives me to work with him again in the future.
Conhorde
2024-Present
I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Brandyn and Bailey Osborne in 2024 and working with them at Gen Con. They have created Conhorde, along with a group of friends, with the goal of growing the Hobby Gaming industry through inclusive events and training. I am extremely excited to play whatever role I can to contribute to their organization’s success as much as possible. Their mission is also a passion of mine and I love opportunities to introduce people to the joy that tabletop gaming brings me.
Dire Wolf Digital
2024
I will be working at their booth as a brand ambassador at the Pax Unplugged Convention in December, 2024.