What excites you about your career here at CLR?

I am most excited about my work benefiting endangered species around the world. At CLR, I design spaces that contribute to conservation by 1) creating memorable guest experiences; 2) enhancing captive animal welfare; and 3) supporting local ecosystems. What could be cooler than that?! Plus, I get to tune into my passion for animals, hand drawing, and problem solving on a daily basis.

What do you like about exhibit design?

My favorite part about exhibit design is developing elements in the landscape that stimulate natural behaviors for the animals. Having happy and healthy animals increases the chance of breeding, which could be the key ingredient to saving certain endangered species!

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

Honestly, what DON’T I enjoy doing? I have a lot of hobbies including (but not limited to): cooking, exploring new places, spending time outside, sketching, hanging out with friends, playing music, crafting, and thrifting.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

I have good control over my facial muscles and can move my eyebrows in a wave motion. I can also play the recorder flute with my nose.

What excites you about your career here at CLR?

Up until three weeks ago, my response would have been the ability to work on the cutting edge of zoo design, hone and learn new 2D and 3D graphics skills, at a firm that is engaged, forward-leaning and highly respected…then I tried that faux-latte-maker thing in the kitchen and now I am conflicted.

What do you like about exhibit design?

As a former zookeeper, I find it incredibly interesting to see how the exhibit designers go about creating these incredible worlds. They are like wizards, creating matter from nothingness.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

Visual alchemy, canine gymkata, and other things probably better just left alone for now.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

I have an odd habit of getting hurt in the most improbable and unlikely ways. At this point I am expecting to get a nasty cut from a jello cube.

What excites you about your career here at CLR?

I love to be a part of meaningful work designing and problem solving for people and animals, and at CLR there is never a lack of something original or innovative to be a part of. Our Team integration of site, buildings, and attractions is cool too.

What do you like about exhibit design?

I love to facilitate visioning workshops with clients because you never quite know how a client’s “personality” is going to come through and therefore what unique solutions await the process. Our clients are fun to engage with.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

I always play family barista on weekends and craft morning lattes to start. I get at least one 6-mile trail run in on the weekend at Valley Green Park. I like to shop, cook, select wines and craft cocktails with my wife, friends and family. I don’t mind a few weekend house chores or building something with my workshop tools. Ending the weekend with my wife watching a good TV show or reading a good book adds a nice finish. With the amount of time spent on the road I suppose domestic life for 2 days is just what I need.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

The last few years I have begun to channel a mean Julia Child impersonation at dinner parties (Bon Appetit Darling!).

What excites you about your career here at CLR?

CLR has a deep and important history within the industry and a reputation for innovation and top-notch projects. I’m excited to contribute my knowledge and skills to continue CLR successful legacy into the future.

What do you like about exhibit design?

I love the need for creative solutions to truly unique challenges.

I love creating habitats that bring out the best and most natural behaviors of the animals.

I love designing spaces that facilitate interaction, education, and wonder for all the guests who attend.

I love how fun it is.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

A lot! Playing and watching hockey, pretty much any other rec league sport you can name (volleyball, kickball, disc golf, etc) kayaking, live music and local festivals, brewery adventures, and weekend trips around the area with our pup Nala.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

I’ve been playing ice hockey for about 30 years now and I’m hoping for at least 30 more!

What excites you about your career here at CLR?

Every day I get to work with a diverse and talented group of people to tackle challenging issues and design meaningful places.

What do you like about exhibit design?

The variety of species…elephants, tigers, takin, bears…it’s pandamonium, sometimes its giraffes me crazy, but mostly it leaves me feline good.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

Hanging with my wife and kids. We’re often adventuring off somewhere like the beach, berry picking, camping, making fairy houses, fishing, long road trips…and believe it or not, the zoo.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

My parents owned a restaurant when I was growing up in Vermont. I’ve probably cooked about 300,000 eggs in my illustrious previous career as a line cook.

What excites you about your career here at CLR?

I get to combine two of my passions: art and animals. Each project is unique, and the design intent is always to provide the best possible life for animals that often are rescues or ambassadors for conservation. Being able to do that using hand drawing, and digital rendering is what makes my job great!

What do you like about exhibit design?

Learning more about the animals we design for! I love researching the animals on a project to develop creative ways to design a habitat that not only provides a safe, healthy, and enriching environment, but also encourages natural behaviors. Also going down the google search hole that usually ends in looking at pictures of baby critters is always fun.

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

Exploring Philly with my dog, Miss Honey. We love shopping the local vintage stores, enjoying the river park, and finding the best cafes for a cold brew and complimentary dog treats.

Tell us something fun or funny about yourself that most people don’t know.

I used to Irish step dance. I’ve performed all over including at NBA games and even in Ireland with professional dancers. I’m fully retired and my dancing days are now behind me.