I’m a Kansas City native with a diverse background in marketing, communications, and digital media. Currently, I serve as the Pastoral Associate for Communications and Parish Life at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. In my role, I lead a team responsible for publishing weekly bulletins, email newsletters, social media posts, live-streaming worship services and events, managing our website, overseeing financial and volunteer giving, and organizing social events to foster a sense of community among our parishioners.
My career journey has spanned several fields, but it all comes back to my passion for communication and media. I studied Music Composition at the University of Kansas. After college, I transitioned into radio and TV advertising with companies like Susquehanna (Cumulus), Time Warner Cable (Spectrum), and Entercom (Audacy). There, I honed my skills in persuasive commercial writing and gained a deep understanding of audio and video production.
Following my time in advertising, I ventured into the insurance industry, becoming licensed in life and health insurance. I worked for a funeral home specializing in pre-arranged planning and later at Spring Venture Group, where I served as a Medicare Supplement Specialist across several states. This experience allowed me to connect with individuals during important moments in their lives, and I found fulfillment in helping them make informed decisions.
In addition to my work in communications and marketing, I’ve always had a strong connection to music and technology. In the early 2000s, I served as the Youth Music Minister at Holy Trinity in Lenexa, where I helped launch the LifeTeen program and a contemporary worship service. My passion for sound reinforcement and A/V equipment led me to serve as Worship Leader and Tech Director at Valley View UMC (now Resurrection OP) from 2012–2016. At Ascension, I’ve led worship at our Sunday evening contemporary service, manage our website and social media, and oversee the technical side of our parish’s A/V needs—one of the many hats I wear in my church role.
Education
I’m a lifelong learner! While some people enjoy TV, I spend my free time watching YouTube or listening to podcasts on topics like web development, microphones, guitar pedals, and running nutrition. In addition to my studies in Music Composition at KU, I completed two certificates in Web Development at Johnson County Community College—Web Technologies and Web Development & Digital Media. I’m passionate about front-end web development, and I enjoy coding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These skills have been invaluable in my work, where I combine media and technology to communicate effectively and creatively at Ascension.
Family
I’m blessed to share my life with my wife, Brandi, and our six children. We adopted two of them through foster care after feeling a strong calling to provide a forever home to older children who might not have as high a chance of being adopted. Our family has grown through the years, and we continue to learn from each other as we navigate life’s challenges together. Recently, our oldest daughter got married, and we’re thrilled to welcome her husband into our family. The photo was taken Fall 2024 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, KS, a beautiful place we love to visit.