EST: 1995
1972, I visited Walt Disney World for the first time and I’ve never been the same.
When I left the family plastics business in 1995 to join a friend and start a portal for the plastics industry (PlasticsNet.com), I knew I was in Walt Disney world-building territory.
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I could become an animator, an imagineer — a world builder. Since 1995 I’ve done all these things and more.
Today, I’m mentoring young minds towards the ultimate endeavor: audience building.
Leveraging AI around uniquely human traits, we’re taking audience building to the next level within our community.
Audience Builders
In partnership with Batavia High School, I founded The Audience Builders Club—a weekly marketing bootcamp where students and customers receive unlimited landing pages, learn cutting-edge AI marketing techniques, and study audience building strategies. The club is free for students and startups, with flexible monthly pricing from $25-$750 based on what members can afford or the value they derive from membership.
Healing Native American Trauma
Lutheran Indian Ministries: 4 hours of interviews, AI writes the voice over script, I narrate the story but change my voice to the executive director. I use AI to animate real images from the website into video clips and AI creates the background music to support the script using Native American Music.
24 Hour Marketing Makeover
On September 11—National Act of Service Day—I donated a marketing makeover to the organization with the greatest community impact and weakest marketing. That morning at 8:53 AM I invited votes. By 11:28 AM I was filming at the Food Pantry, wrapping all videos in just 31 minutes. The next day I delivered 12 videos, a hero video, donation sections, and a custom ChatBot. Approved with no changes. Launch-ready in under 24 hours.
More views than people in town
For the City of Batavia, our interns created 20 videos about summer driving safety that have generated 58,188 views—more than double the town's population of 26,275. Stories told by 7th graders reached more people than actually live here, which was precisely the goal: spreading awareness and encouraging drivers to slow down and be more careful around town during the busy summer months.
Personal Brand Builder
Kids aren't taught how to build their personal brand—yet it's critical for college essays, career paths, jobs, and networking. I created a personal brand building tool (vibe coded) that guides students through questions designed to elicit authentic, thoughtful, and funny responses. I've invited customers and friends to share examples, giving students real-world models from established careers to craft their brand stories.
My AI Art Show at Waterstreet
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Artist Statement
In May 2023, I displayed my AI artwork at Waterstreet Studios, featuring images from 15 years of bike rides along the Fox River, captured on my iPhone 6. The exhibition aimed to show how AI can empower anyone to become an artist and engage with audiences.
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Windshield
During a congressional hearing, Robert Wilson, founder of Fermilab, argued that the lab's value lies in fostering a culture that respects dignity and creativity, a sentiment reflected in his sculpture "Broken Symmetry," made from an aircraft carrier's steel. This sculpture was captured from my iPhone 6 taken through the windshield of my car.
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Chloe
Capturing dance-themed photographs of my daughter Chloe by the Fox River, I learned how a dancer uses their body as a canvas, creating a profound connection between the art of dance and the natural environment.
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Ōtsuka
T. R. Ōtsuka, a Japanese garden builder who immigrated to the U.S. in 1897, is celebrated through a photograph I took—enhanced by AI to show a fresh perspective—of his notable Japanese-style garden at the Fabyan estate in Geneva, a tribute to his legacy.
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Linnea
The bronze sculpture "From the Water Comes My Bounty," donated by Buzz Miller in memory of his late wife Linnea, symbolizes the life-giving essence of water and their shared passion for the Fox River, embodying a profound tribute to her legacy and their connection.
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Easter
During a morning walk with my daughter, I captured the entire Congregational Church of Batavia adorned with Easter wreaths by positioning my phone on the ground for a unique upward angle, showcasing a perspective often unseen in conventional phone photos.
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Blue Moon
Reflecting on my first meal at what is now Pal Joey's in Batavia 17 years ago, I captured a sunset photo of the restaurant from the Peace Bridge, reminiscing about the Blue Moon beer that marked the beginning of my local journey, intertwined with the vibrant life and laughter of the riverside.
