|
Born/Raised: I grew up in a small town in South Dakota – Belle Fourche is at the edge of the Black Hills and about 50 miles from Rapid City (our closest big town!). It used to get 30 degrees below zero every year so I got to Texas as soon as I could.
Graduated: I graduated From South Dakota State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. I always had an interest in business so I took an extra year and took some accounting and business courses, something my engineering professors could never quite understand.
Experience: I started my career in sales for The Trane Company (a heating and air conditioning manufacturer) as a sales engineer. My dad always wondered why after assisting his son to get a college degree why I would choose a sales career and straight commission! While it might have been a little gutsy I really learned a lot and reinforced my desire to own my own business. So I bought a bankrupt air conditioning company and built it up and sold it and then started a publishing business (I know what made me think I could start that kind of business) and we made the INC 500 fastest growing companies. I then sold that business in 1998 and decided to find another business to start. Talking to a friend one time he mentioned that there should be an opportunity in the photography industry as it transitioned from film to digital. So that made sense to me and I started Catch the Moment. We now do events both private and public nationwide and provide both entertainment and sponsorship photo activation with attendee data capture. We have been growing rapidly and made the INC 5000 list of fasted growing privately held companies. I really like our position in the market place and I believe we are on the bubble for the one-on-one marketing revolution that includes event marketing at its core.
Position with CTM: I am the owner and CEO
Personal Info: I live just outside of Houston Texas with my wonderful wife of 43 years. We have one daughter who is a jewelry designer and manufacturer (www.joei.net) and also lives in the Houston area. I work a lot because I love it. On the weekends I Iike to weld and build things. I have been involved with several charities including the formation of the Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) which now has an operation budget of over $10,000,000.
My philosophy: In all of my businesses I have always believed that you work towards having each client be a confidant for your future growth. Being a confidant is one step beyond being an advocate. Over the years I have had many confidants that have not just recommended the companies but actually sat down with me and helped me be a better company from a client’s perspective. It is invaluable.
|