In 2001, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I moved to Norway to marry my crush.
Once I arrived, I put on my thinking cap — always trying to make the most of my time here on Earth — and asked myself, What should I do with myself now?
An online master’s degree in Information Technology seemed like an interesting challenge. At the time, there were very few online master’s programs in the world, and I decided to give it everything I had.
I applied, enrolled, navigated the complexities of student loans, and ultimately thrived. I completed the program with a 4.0 GPA and, perhaps more importantly, learned how to truly master being a student.
That experience inspired me to later write and publish multiple books — several of which are now available on Amazon — including one based on that journey: How to Succeed as an Online Student.
Along the way, I learned Norwegian, enjoyed the culture, and became a fan of the great bread, even better coffee, and the exceptional healthcare system. Norway taught me how to live well and think deeply.
Returning Home and Finding My Calling
After finishing my degree, my wife and I returned to Alaska — where I was born and raised — so she could experience life in the place I called home.
I was working as an analyst at a small consulting firm when I came across something called The Center for Distance Education at the University of Alaska. This was back in 2005 when “distance education” was still a new phrase.
I stopped in, met the director, and that meeting changed the trajectory of my entire career.
He hired me on the spot to design and teach two accredited online courses — Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Access. For the next decade, I taught students across Alaska how to succeed with these essential tools online.
Becoming an Instructional Designer Before It Was a “Thing”
A year later, I joined the University full-time as a programmer and, soon after, transitioned into instructional design — a role that was brand new at the time.
My mentor, Chris Lott, who had been doing instructional design for a few years, taught me everything foundational: ADDIE, analysis, learner empathy, and the power of asking good questions.
We traveled extensively across Alaska conducting workshops in small towns and villages like Nome, Kotzebue, Barrow, and Bethel — many of which had no roads leading in or out, but somehow Alaska Airlines managed to fly us in on short asphalt runways with 737s filled half with people and half with cargo.
Those travels were extraordinary. I met dedicated educators and community members, helping faculty design courses in everything from chemistry and English to native languages, subsistence fishing, and Japanese.
Through these experiences, I learned what works in education: listening carefully, identifying gaps in student understanding, and crafting experiences that meet real learning needs.
We didn’t just design courses; we designed transformation — always evaluating, collecting data, and improving what we built.
Expanding Horizons
After five unforgettable years, I moved on to Idaho State University and later UC Berkeley, where I expanded my work in learning design.
At Berkeley, I helped launch some of the first online courses (2011–2014), ran faculty workshops, led an eText pilot, and earned awards for quality assurance in LMS implementations. I also helped recommend and implement Canvas LMS campus-wide — leading faculty training, outreach, and support operations.
The Startup Chapter: Innovation and Leadership
Next came GrantStation, where I served as Director of IT and Learning Initiatives — and later earned my PMP certification.
I led a full website redesign from a 1990s relic to a sleek, modern Drupal-based platform integrated with QuickBooks and Moodle LMS. The new site and our revitalized learning initiatives became major drivers of company revenue and growth.
I managed a team of designers and developers, using Jira and Agile methodologies to keep projects on track and under budget. My work contributed significantly to the company’s successful sale to investors shortly after my departure.
Corporate Learning: Banks, Mortgages, and Microsoft
From there, I joined First Republic Bank as a Senior Instructional Designer. I led a complete overhaul of the loan specialist onboarding program, cutting it from four weeks to two and blending live sessions, microlearning, gamification, and mentoring.
I also redesigned and managed the department newsletter — interviewing staff, writing stories, and tracking engagement metrics.
After moving to a remote role with Sprout Mortgage, I deepened my skills in SharePoint design, Docebo LMS administration, and advanced content development. Unfortunately, the company closed abruptly in 2023, and everyone was laid off.
Luckily, I quickly found my next great chapter.
For the next three years, I worked full-time (via TTi Global and GP Strategies) embedded within Microsoft.
I led global learning initiatives for HR and Marketing, designed AI learning paths, and developed a coaching program for marketers to confidently present Microsoft’s AI strategy.
It was an incredible experience — and though the contract ended in 2025 due to vendor changes, the lessons I learned about leadership, scale, and collaboration were invaluable.
Looking Forward
Today, I’m building a YouTube channel and blog to share my experiences and help others grow — all while my wife and I renovate two fixer-upper homes we bought (because, why not add another project?).
I’m also seeking new opportunities where I can contribute my unique blend of technical skill, leadership, instructional design expertise, and emotional intelligence to help teams and organizations thrive.
What I bring:
- Collaborative leadership and mentoring
- Strong instructional design & project management (PMP-certified, Agile, ADDIE, SAM)
- Expertise in Articulate Storyline, Adobe CC, Camtasia, Premiere, and LMS systems
- Proven record of delivering on time and under budget
- A genuine love for people, problem-solving, and creative innovation
If my story resonates with you — let’s connect. I’d love to see where we might build something great together.