Where I’ve been
Born in the East, raised in the Midwest, my interest in animation, especially 3D, started early in life.
Throughout my childhood, I couldn't get enough of Disney and Pixar movies. I was the kid who watched all the behind-the-scenes clips, especially fascinated by the 3D wireframes that gave characters their structure. There was something intriguing about seeing them in their raw, unpolished form.
One of the highlights of my upbringing was creating home movies with my cousins. We had a blast coming up with wild stories and choreographing over-the-top fight scenes. I enjoyed capturing these fun childhood memories, but the process of making these films also ignited my appreciation for creative storytelling.
I was also a doodler in school, earning a couple of awards for my drawings. However, I had a keen interest in the hard sciences as well, with math being one of my favorite subjects. I even started a programming language course with a fellow student during my school days, marking the beginning of my journey into the world of coding and technology.
Where I am
In 2013, I received my Computer Science degree and joined the Air Force. I spent almost 7 years as an MQ-9 pilot where I learned invaluable leadership experience that lent itself well during my time as a flight instructor. I also dedicated my free time to projects expanding my technical skills and quenching my thirst for programming and creative knowledge.
Since then, I have also had the opportunity to continue to build my technical skills as a software engineer and team lead at various organizations across the country. Currently, I am a key member on a team of developers where I have applied my skills and knowledge to bolster our automated testing framework, strengthen the codebase, and implement feature updates.
Currently, I reside in LA and enjoy exploring new areas, playing video games, and traveling with my wife.
Where I’m going
As I step into the animation industry, I'm excited for the opportunities ahead.
I'm actively pursuing roles such as technical director or software engineer, eager to combine my passion for animated films with my technical background.
Meanwhile, I continue to engage in my interests that align with my passions and goals. This involves developing video games and creating productivity tools in Maya, attending the annual SIGGRAPH conference and also refining my 3D art skills through weekly challenges.
My ongoing pursuit of creative and technical endeavors reflects my commitment to continuous growth and innovation. I'm confident that my unique blend of skills and unwavering dedication make me a compelling candidate to contribute and thrive in the animation industry.