PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Senior Art Director and Packaging Designer with 25+ years of experience developing consumer brands, retail packaging systems, and production-ready creative for mass-market retailers and national private label programs. Specialized in creating scalable multi-SKU packaging systems, brand identities, and shelf-focused consumer experiences for Walmart, CVS, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Five Below, and other national retail accounts. Combines strategic brand thinking with hands-on execution, print production expertise, team leadership, and fast-paced creative problem solving.
CORE EXPERTISE
Retail Packaging Design
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Brand Identity Systems
Art Direction
Multi-SKU Packaging Programs
Private Label Branding
Print Production & Prepress
Packaging Architecture
Typography
Adobe Creative Suite
Production Design
Vendor & Printer Collaboration
Creative Leadership
Product Development
Point-of-Purchase Design
AI-Assisted Design Workflows
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fourstar Group – Milford, MA
Art Director | March 2019 – Present
Lead development of consumer brand identity systems and retail packaging programs for national private label and mass-market retail accounts.
Direct and mentor junior and senior designers across multiple concurrent creative programs while maintaining production accuracy, brand consistency, and aggressive retail timelines.
Manage packaging design initiatives from concept through final production, including creative direction, typography, structural considerations, and print-ready execution.
Collaborate cross-functionally with product development, merchandising, sales, and production teams to deliver cohesive retail-ready packaging solutions.
Coordinate schedules, workflows, and project priorities across large-scale packaging programs to ensure timely delivery and on-brand execution.
Develop packaging systems across high-volume multi-SKU product lines for national retail distribution.
Key Retail Accounts
Walmart • CVS • Dollar Tree • Dollar General • Family Dollar • Five Below • Poundland • 99 Cents Only Stores
Fourstar Group – Milford, MA
Senior Designer | December 2006 – March 2019
Developed consumer packaging systems, private label branding, and retail-focused visual identities across a broad range of product categories.
Created scalable packaging programs designed to maintain consistency across large product assortments and evolving retail lines.
Produced production-ready artwork and packaging mechanicals while collaborating closely with printers, vendors, and overseas manufacturers.
Contributed to brand strategy, packaging architecture, typography systems, and visual merchandising initiatives.
Supported high-volume packaging production cycles while maintaining quality, accuracy, and compressed retail deadlines.
Key Retail Accounts
Walmart • CVS • Dollar Tree • Dollar General • Family Dollar • Five Below • Poundland • Regent Products • Fred’s • 99 Cents Only Stores
WHY Design – Providence, RI
Senior Designer | June 2002 – December 2006
Led creative development from concept through final production across packaging, branding, point-of-purchase displays, collateral, and web initiatives.
Directed photo shoots and collaborated with photographers, illustrators, and outside vendors to support integrated marketing and packaging programs.
Prepared production-ready files, performed high-end retouching, and guided production artists through final mechanical development.
Participated in brainstorming sessions and concept development exercises, translating early ideas into strategic visual solutions.
Developed packaging and branding solutions for toy, recreation, sporting goods, and consumer product companies.
Selected Clients
ABC Development • Aqua Leisure • Bunjeez International • Dumar International • Family Values • Funrise • InStep • Island Recreation • Kel Gar • Kids Preferred • Little Kids • Moose Mountain Toymakers • Pacific Cycles • PTI Sports • Zap Toys
Freelance Art Director / Graphic Designer
August 1999 – June 2002
Provided art direction, branding, packaging, advertising, and production design services for agency and retail clients.
Developed private label packaging systems, promotional materials, direct mail campaigns, posters, and website creative.
Art directed photo shoots and collaborated directly with clients, photographers, and production vendors to execute creative initiatives from concept through delivery.
Selected Clients
Allied Domecq / Dunkin’ Donuts • Allen & Gerritsen • Bradlees Department Stores • Enterprise Press • Leary & Tiziani • Saraceno Photography
Enterprise Press – New York, NY
Senior Designer | March 1998 – August 1999
Designed integrated marketing materials including advertisements, direct response campaigns, point-of-purchase displays, posters, and packaging.
Managed projects from concept development through final production across print and promotional initiatives.
Produced high-quality production-ready files while maintaining consistency across multiple client campaigns.
Selected Clients
Allied Tours • American Friends of the Hebrew University • American Jewish Council • CIT Group • Harris Rothenberg Inc. • Latina Magazine • New York City Opera
Pinnacle Marketing – Hanover, MA
Designer | October 1994 – December 1997
Designed and produced advertising, packaging, promotional materials, and point-of-purchase graphics for regional and national clients.
Supported projects from initial concept through production and print preparation.
Collaborated with account teams and vendors to deliver cohesive brand and marketing materials across multiple industries.
Selected Clients
Allied Plywood • Boston Cedar & Millwork • Brosco Windows • Christy’s Market • Georgia Pacific • Ira Motor Group • Morgan Doors • Quikrete • Simpson Strong-Tie
SOFTWARE & TECHNICAL SKILLS
Adobe Illustrator • Photoshop • InDesign • Acrobat • Adobe Dimension • Shapr3D
Packaging Production • Print Prep • AI-Assisted Design Workflows • Basic HTML/CSS • WordPress • Microsoft Office
EDUCATION
Salem State University – Salem, MA
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Concentration
Minor in Advertising
Graduated Cum Laude
May 1994