WTH is an Ashford?
What is the wind? What is the sky? Nobody knows. Ok, some people know. The point is, identities are slippery. Of this much, I’m certain: I grew up in rural Missouri — an art-obsessed kid in a utility-obsessed place. I watched too much wrestling. And I live to build beautiful, interesting things,
tell stories, and untangle troublesome knots.
For over fifteen years, I’ve been helping brands, large and small, navigate their
own identity crises through thoughtful, empathetic, strategy-backed
concepts and a maddening pursuit of perfection — recently sharpening
those skills with a Master’s in Branding from SVA. I’ve led creative
teams over mountains and through minefields, emerging with only minor
cuts and bruises. I’ve mentored young creatives and developed long, fruitful client relationships. All in service of building brands that stand the test of time and ads that leave a mark — work that makes people laugh, cry, think, or wander out into the streets questioning everything they thought they knew, like “Just what is the sky anyway?”
If that sounds like the kind of work you aim to make, drop me a line.
Experience
2025 – Current
Central Washington University
Creative Director / Director of Strategic Communications and Digital Media
Led a comprehensive brand refresh and identity overhaul for the university. Directed strategy, creative, and digital media, aligning messaging across web, social, print, video, and campus-wide campaigns. Built and mentored a cross-disciplinary creative team while developing scalable systems for intake and project management, all while managing university brand licensing stewardship.
2021 – 2024
Paradowski Creative
Creative Director / Creative Lead
Supervised a team of creatives on advertising campaigns for global corporations and startups alike. Mentored young creatives and cultivated trusting client relationships. Selected to the leadership team to help facilitate a culture of creativity agency-wide.
2014 – 2021
TOKY Branding + Design
Senior Designer
Created, refined, and managed dozens of brands, from start to finish, covering identity, packaging, publication, editorial, signage, apparel, environmental, and more.
2010 – 2014
The Pitch
Creative Director
Oversaw editorial design for over 150 issues of a weekly publication with a circulation of over 50,000. Delivered award-winning cover and layout design, contributed illustration, directed photoshoots, and branded events.
Recognition
The American Advertising Awards
2020 | Gold, Flora Packaging
2019 | Silver, Fizz & Folly Branding
2018 | Judges Choice, FPB Branding
2018 | Gold, FPB Press Kit
2018 | Silver, FPB Illustrations
2018 | Silver, FPB Merchandise Campaign
2017 | Gold, Shift Branding
2017 | Silver, Shift Campaign
2017 | Silver, FPB Mural
2016 | Gold, Hugo’s Branding
2015 | Judges Choice, CHA 100 Campaign
2015 | Gold, CHA 100 Branding
2015 | Gold, CHA 100 Illustration
2014 | Gold, SWT Typography
AIGA
2020 | Featured Work, Cherokee St. Branding
2020 | Featured Work, Flora Packaging
2019 | Featured Work, Fizz & Folly Branding
2019 | Featured Work, FPB Hot Sauce
2018 | Judges Choice, FPB Branding
2018 | Featured Work, FPB Press Kit
2017 | Judges Choice, FPB Mural
2015 | Featured Work, CHA 100 Branding
Brand New
2021 | Featured Work, Native Foods
2020 | Featured Work, STLPR
Communication Arts
2018 | Featured Work | FPB Branding
2017 | Featured Work, FPB Mural
2017 | Featured Work, Shift Typography
2014 | Featured Work, SWT Typography
Cover Junkie
2014 | Featured Work, The Pitch
Dieline
2020 | Featured Work, Flora Packaging
2019 | Featured Work, FPB Hot Sauce
Graphis
2021 | Silver, Origin Packaging
2019 | Silver, Fizz & Folly Branding
2018 | Gold, FPB Branding
2017 | Silver, Shadrock & Williams Branding
2016 | Silver, CHA Healthcare Branding
2016 | Silver, Hugo’s Branding
2014 | Platinum, SWT Design Branding
NAMA
2024 | Gold, NBM Troyer Campaign
2024 | Silver, NBM Handbook
2024 | Silver, Terrain Press Kit
Newmanology
2014 | Featured Work, The Pitch
Print Magazine
2018 | Featured Work, FPB
The Society of Illustrators
2009 | FICA Award Winner
The Society of Marketing Professionals
2014 | Best in Show, SWT Branding
The Type Directors Club
2018 | Featured Work, FPB Branding
Education
2026
SVA, NYC
Master’s in Branding
2024
Jason Bagley’s Audacious School of Astonishing Pursuits
Creative Director Megamachine
I didn't make this up. It’s as valid as any LinkedIn Learning certification.
2009
Missouri State University
BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration
Gallery Exhibitions
2025 | Wallflowers III
St. Louis, Mo
2024 | Wallflowers II
St. Louis, Mo
2023 | Wallflowers I
St. Louis, Mo
2019 | Type Hike: Arch
St. Louis, Mo
2013 | Leedy-Voulkos Art Center
Kansas City, Mo
2011 | Koken Art Factory
St. Louis, Mo
2010 | The Society of Illustrators
New York City, Ny
Expertise
Brand Identity
Brand Strategy
Copy writing
Creative Direction
Graphic Design
Illustration
Software Fluency
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Firefly
Figma
Cavalry
Notion
AirTable
Standards
Jitter
Notable Clients
Bayer
Brinkman Constructors
Centene Corporation
Central Washington University
CHA
Drury Hotels
Enterprise
Hallmark
HOK
MLS
PepsiCo
Pulitzer Arts Foundation
Purina
T.Y.Lin
Verizon
Washington University
* An Ashford, in the etymological sense, is a cluster of Ash trees. Consequently, I am deathly afraid of the Emerald Ash Borer.
