RECENT ADDITIONS:

Jay Francis, Director for Creative Content (Disney)
Doug Friedman, Director of Creative Services (KUSI TV)
Asdru Sierra, Composer, Performer (Ozomatli)
Jason Kirby, The Right Light Photography
Gary Kelley, Broadcaster (San Diego 6, KGTV 10)
Kathi Diamant, Broadcaster (KPBS, SDSU)
Phil Nenna, Design Director (San Diego6 TV)
Rafael Ramirez, Advertising Director (Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Time Warner)
Tony Washington, Digital Artist (World of Warcraft, Marvel, Lady Gaga)
Meilssa Mullin, visual effects artist (Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean)
Tom Gallego, L7 Creative (beats by dr. dre, Intuit, Gold’s Gym)
Jeff Symon, Digital Nexus (Sony Electronics, Campbell Soup)
Jon Youngberg, Pierce Creative Branding (Live Nation, Travelex)
Harley Orion, L7 Creative (World Wildlife Fund, Spirit Airlines, Smithsonian Institution)
Jerry Candanoza, L7 Creative (Little Caesar’s, ExxonMobil, Tecate Light)
Todd Westphal, Photographer (I Shoot America)

ALPHABETICALLY:

Chris Armstrong,  Executive Director School of Animation & Visual Effects, Academy of Art University. Before joining Academy of Art University, Chris worked for over ten years at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) as a senior and lead animator on over a dozen feature films, including The Mask, Lost World, Mars Attacks, Flubber, and Men in Black II, as well as animation supervisor on Galaxy Quest and Star Wars Episode II.

Ryan Baldwin, Vice President of Online Education & Director of Online Photography, Academy of Art University. Ryan Baldwin is a photographer based in central Oregon. His work has been published in magazines, books, and national advertising campaigns. He manages his own stock photo library and his fine prints are available in annual shows and gallery representations. Ryan is especially interested in using his photography as a tool for environmental awareness and cultural preservation. In 2001, Ryan began teaching photography classes at the Academy and is currently the Director of Online Photography.

Jerry Candanoza, Junior Art Director, L7 Creative. Jerry lives by the phrase, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” which translates: A rough road leads to the stars. He began his road to the creative stars by illustrating his first comic book at age 7 and writing sci-fi stories by age 12. He’s an all-around creative good guy who plays guitar, bass and sings. Jerry loves alternative rock, sci-fi, fantasy, action-adventure movies. Jerry’s superpowers include: illustration, branding, web design, brand awesomeness, logo and identity. Some of the brands he has worked on include Little Caesar’s, ExxonMobil and Tecate Light.

Paulina Castro, Producer, Univision San Diego. Studied film and production at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC ). Her passion is film, specifically documentary filmmaking. She has made several short documentaries, winning awards in 2005 with her documentary Trapeze, and for Between drinks in 2009. She won the jury prize for her short documentary Ruta 40 at the BorDocs documentary film festival. She is currently working on her first long documentary called Avenida Bugambilia. Paulina has been an intern, a professor, and is currently a producer.

Manuel Cavada, Photographer, Creative Image Photography.  Mr. Cavada has a studio in the Heritage Park section of National City, CA.  He specializes in live event photography, in addition to operating a busy portrait studio.

Luca Ceccarelli and Eileen Street, Director/Producer team, The Director’s Edge.  Over 30 years’ combined experience developing feature films, we looked for a program to sharpen our skills and take our careers to the next level. When we didn’t find one, we decided to create it. Whether you’re burning to get started or fired up to take your career to the next level, we invite you to join us!

Tiziana d’Agostino Graphic and Web Designer/Educator, Freelance/Platt College. Born and raised in Milano, Italy, Tiziana moved to US to pursue graphic design studies. Active member of AIGA since 1997. Tiziana worked several years in a graphic design studio, mainly as a print designer, before launching as freelance designer in both the print and web environments.

Kathi Diamant, Broadcaster (KPBS, SDSU). In addition to her career as a freelance journalist, Kathi has over 25 years broadcasting experience in San Diego. Beginning in 1983, she co-hosted KFMB-TV Channel 8’s morning talk show, Sun Up San Diego, for which she received an Emmy award. Kathi served as On-Air Anchor/Producer for Fundraising for KPBS TV and Radio from 2004-2008 and continues to work for PBS as a national fundraising host.

Tom Gallego, Founder / Chief Creative Officer, L7 Creative. When his plan to become the next Flea didn’t pan out, Tom hung up his bass guitar and quickly picked up advertising and marketing. Before opening L7 Creative, he was Senior Regional Manager
of I-Tel Media where he helped develop strategies essential to the launch of AOL’s Digital City.  Client experience includes: the American Chemical Society, AOL, Cardiac Science, Life Technologies, Eisenhower Medical Center, Gannett, Gen-Probe, Gold’s Gym, Harman International, iHome, beats by dr. dre, Intuit, Palomar Health, PNC, Pearson Learning and Vizio.

Gary Kelley, Broadcaster (San Diego 6, KFMB-8, KGTV-10). A native San Diegan that grew up on the radio here starting at the age of 13.  For 30 years he played music as a high profile radio personality at most of the top stations in town.  KCBQ, B100, KPRI and KSON and in Los Angeles at KIIS FM, LA’s number #1 hit music station.  For the past 16 years Gary’s been a part of daily San Diego television as a meteorologist/reporter for 10 News and San Diego’s 6, and as host of San Diego Living.

Jason Kirby, Founder, The Right Light Photography.  Specializing in event and headshot photography for corporations and small business, providing a very direct and clean cut style to his images that creates iconic and engaging content. In addition to shooting Jason has taught 1000’s of aspiring photographers to pursue their dreams of becoming better photographers.

Richard Morrow, Digital Strategist, MiresBall Brand Design. As a seasoned core strategic leader I enjoy crafting integrated custom campaigns. I work in a key leadership role at MiresBall and my primary task is to weave numerous strategic objectives into great solutions with proven metrics. My strong communication and presentation skills allow me to be the strategic leader for clients and agency staff while demonstrating a clear understanding and passion for digital marketing solutions.

Melissa Mullin, Visual Effects, Industrial Light & Magic.  Melissa has worked on live action and animation features, many of these for ILM, the premier visual effects company in the world.  Her credits include the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Iron Man, Rango, and both Star Trek AND Star Wars.

John Murn, Brand Strategist, MiresBall Brand Design.  Every brand requires a unique value proposition to achieve success. My job is to ensure that the defining characteristics that make a brand singularly valuable are refined and communicated in ways that are fresh, attention-getting and, above all, on brand. I create strategic plans and platforms that help brands live their mission from the inside out, starting with employee consensus and culminating in media expression.

Phil Nenna, Design Director, San Diego 6 – The CW. Phil is a San Diego native, SDSU graduate and multi-award-winning designer/composer with a passion for music and cooking. He’s spent over 20 years in the trenches creating for broadcast, print and all things digital, indoors and out. Phil has been an editor and producer, but now enjoys listening to music all day while working.

Harley Orion, Executive Producer / Principal, L7 Creative. To quote Gandhi: “If you are going to be a bear ….be a grizzly” – this is Harley’s philosophy and exactly the attitude he brings to every piece of client business he produces. Part Drupal master, part rock star, Harley adds sharp analytics and a cool attitude to our group of Blockheads. Brand experience includes: Amtrak, World Wildlife Fund, Smithsonian Institution, SanDiego.com, Spirit Airlines, Rokenbok, and UC San Diego as well as numerous entrepreneurial ventures in software, healthcare and new media.

Rafael Ramirez, Chief Creative Officer, iNSPIRE!  Mr. Ramirez has over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, having built award-winning campaigns with agencies including Leo Burnett, McCann Erickson, and Publicis Sanchez & Levitan, for brands including Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, Citibank, Colgate, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, McDonald’s, Nestlé, Safeway, Time Warner, JCP, and P&G.

Jason Raya, Independent Producer.  As a producer with See Through Productions, Mr. Raya is currently working on distribution of the independent feature Luggage.  Mr. Raya co-founded XoPlanet Media, a corporate video production company with offices in San Diego and San Francisco.

Angela Renac, Design Director, MiresBall Brand Design.  As a design director, I bring creative expertise, vision and thought-leadership to multiple disciplines. My role applies strategic and conceptual thinking to brand experiences, delivering best-in-class solutions that push business objectives forward. I oversee all functions of design and implementation, collaborating with strategists, account managers, and design teams/partners to enhance creative processes and results.

Bob Schleeter, Music Director, Marin Academy Music Program.  Bob Schleeter is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, whose passion for music has led to study and performance throughout the U.S. and in many centers of world music, including Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Spain and Greece.   He’s also on the music faculty of College of Marin, where he champions popular music and jazz. His private teachers have included Jim Kelly, Hal Crook, Peter Sprague, Chuck Wayne, and John Scofield; clinic work includes study with Mel Martin, Joe Pass, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Asdru Sierra, Composer, Performer, Ozomatli.  In addition to co-founding the legendary LA-fusion band Ozomatli, Asdru has composed music for independent film and video games, both individually (Dark Watch) and with Ozomatli (Happy Feet 2).  He is a Cal-Arts-trained musician who plays the trumpet and sings lead on many of Ozomatli’s most famous songs. Mr. Sierra is currently collaborating on a variety of musical projects, including a new musical about the Mexican Revolution.

Jeff Symon, Principal and Founder, The Digital Nexus. Digital Nexus is a next-generation Management Consulting & Marketing Company that helps businesses use technology to propel their business forward.  Mr. Symon previously served as President & CEO of The AIM Agency, an award-winning integrated marketing agency working with clients ranging from Sony Electronics and Johnson & Johnson to H&R Block and the Campbell Soup Company.

 
Todd Westphal, Photographer, I Shoot America.  Todd’s photos have been featured in numerous publications, graced the cover of musicians’ albums, and can be found on the walls of homes around the country.  Todd has shot for non-profits in Haiti, photographed fashion with major agencies and clothing lines, taught photography to children, tour managed for national musical acts, and photographed weddings and family portraits. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and is working as an on-set and lifestyle photographer as well as on various documentaries.

Jon Youngberg, Creative Director, Pierce Creative Branding and Digital Innovation.  Jon graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Visual Communication focusing on Graphic Design and Web. Jon started by working with larger companies such as Travelex and Live Nation. Following his agency work, Jon worked as lead web designer for an online reservation company, working with state governments to create online reservations for their parks. In 2011, Jon moved to San Diego and started his own agency, Pierce Creative.