I had the distinct honor and privilege to teach J340: Introduction to Advertising at and for my alma mater, the University of Southern California -- with distinction -- within the prestigious Annenberg School for Communication from 1998 – 1999, have continued to keep my finger on the pulse of academia and advertising and have many influential contacts within the marketing, publicity, advertising and academic communities.  Each semester I taught the class size grew and grew. Teaching this class was both the greatest challenge of my life and provided its greatest rewards.

I was also an instructor at The Art Institute of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, where I taught Typography, Print Production and Publication Design.  Additionally, I have taught numerous design and career-related courses at Brooks College in Long Beach, and was awarded Outstanding Graphic Design Instructor of the Year there.  And, for several years I participated as both a judge and mentor for the California State University, Northridge Graphics Department's Annual Portfolio Review.  Furthermore, I am honored to be a member of the Platt College Advisory Board as well as the Advisory Board of the Robert F. Kennedy High School for the Visual Arts and Humanities.
As an independent contractor I have provided Advertising Direction, Communications, Public Relations, Media Direction, Branding, Marketing, Art and Creative Direction, Copy Writing and Website Design and Production, Executive Leadership, Advertising and Newsletter and Collateral Design for the following clients: Straussberg Advertising & Design (Automobile Club of Southern California), Dick Clark Productions, The University of Southern California, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Sony Films, The American Heart Association, L.A. Care, Bay Area Health Care, Foundation Health, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Platt College, Brooks College, Creatovision Design Group, Destination Enterprises Construction Management, J&S Properties and more.

As Director of Advertising and Marketing for the Rusnak Auto Group, (the only auto dealership in the world that sells Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Volvo…and to the tune of $750 million a year!), I worked in concert with the COOs, Presidents, Vice-Presidents and General Managers.  I oversaw the conception, design and production of virtually all things audio (including an award-winning radio spot) and visual.

One of my proudest accomplishments was the inception and creation of the company's 40th Anniversary logo, and then the subsequent production of an exquisite, white leather, hard cover tribute book to Mr. Rusnak.  Talk about the paradigm of Marketing and Public Relations!  This entailed the selling of advertising as well as designing all content (including a majority of the ads).  Ultimately, despite a cost of $75,000 to print the book, we made a profit — enough for me to bonus my staff.

My duties included maintaining and controlling a multi-million dollar advertising budget, designing, conceptualizing, copy writing and the complete coordination of an enormous amount of print, internet (I redesigned and relaunched www.RusnakAutoGroup.com), broadcast (both radio and television) advertising, countless direct mail pieces, car wraps and a multitude of custom showroom signage.  Additionally, I worked hand-in-hand with the Vice President of Public Relations, assisting in the coordination of innumerable events with countless non-profits and vendors.  Here, I designed invitations (both printed and digital for email), email blast save this date" advertisements