Jeff is a Lead Designer who directs and inspires his team to develop creative and innovative design solutions. In April 2023, Jeff was promoted to the role of Design Director to provide creative leadership and ensure that our designs consistently reflect the firm's high standards for creativity, innovation, affordability, and flexibility. His creative ideas are grounded by his strong background in fabrication and industrial design. With over thirty years of experience in environmental graphic design, he is prepared to address complex wayfinding and design challenges.
Some of Jeff’s recent accomplishments include fully implemented city wayfinding programs for Milwaukee, WI, and Cedar Rapids, IA, and trail programs for Lake County, IL, and Mammoth Lake, CA, and park signage for Cantigny Park, IL and Forest Park in St. Louis.
From a young age, Jeff loved studying science and anything mechanical in school. After graduating, he started working at a sign fabrication shop as an apprentice to a traditional hand sign painter. Jeff also learned many design, manufacturing, and installation techniques. Over eight years, he occupied many positions throughout the company and ultimately became the shop Production Manager, where he oversaw all design and fabrication.
Jeff then served as a staff signage designer for the Lincoln Park Zoo for five years, designing exhibit graphics and park signage. Among the most prominent projects are the custom underwater exhibit at the Kovler Sea Lion Pool, the zoo's oldest and most popular attraction, and signs for Regenstein Center for African Apes that was featured in the movie "Return to Me."
Following his time at the zoo, Jeff worked for an international architectural firm where past assignments involved conducting comprehensive circulation analyses of healthcare, education, corporate, and transportation facilities, and designing and implementing comprehensive wayfinding and signage systems for national and global clients. He developed signage programs for the Los Angeles Federal Courthouse (the country's largest), and master wayfinding plans for Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, the 17,000-student University of Angola in Luanda, Angola, and Shunyi, China's International School of Beijing.
He also worked for an environment graphics design firm as the lead designer and project manager for a wayfinding and signage program for Chicago's historic Union Station and designed an interior sign system for Comer Children's Hospital.
Outside of work, Jeff loves taking advantage of all of the nature surrounding Traverse City. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, boating, fitness, and riding his motorcycle.