"A picture is worth a thousand words."   Yes, complex ideas can be conveyed with a single picture. The opening images on this website might at first glance seem to be an odd mishmash of nature and technology. Quite purposefully this portfolio is designed to convey my engagement with innovation and technology, coupled with an awe of nature and a passion for gardening.

As a lover of gardening I've experienced the immense joy that comes from planting a small seed and seeing it produce something that can be easily (and economically) prepared as part of a healthy meal. To learn more about growing and nurturing plants I worked at one of Cleveland's largest nursery and garden centers. Though I'm no longer there, the knowledge gained coupled with the technology skills I've learned at Tri-C (Cuyahoga Community College) are the foundation for a project I'm working to bring to fruition (yep, pun intended).

My interest in the intersection of these two worlds is focused in particular on using innovation to address the issue of scarcity of viable fresh produce for many. The lack of healthy food options--i.e., fresh vegetables and fruit, has resulted in major health issues and even death for millions of people.

The phrase 'food desert' generally conjures up thoughts of urban or inner city populations who do not readily have access to fresh produce. The stark reality though is the lack of nutritious foods is very much a rural problem too. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, several things can contribute to food deserts, including income level, distance to supermarkets, and vehicle access.

Applying technology and ideation/design process thinking to this problem can certainly yield some viable results.

Much of what is presented here is the outcome of training received through the 3D Digital Design and Manufacturing Technology Program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).

My training has included:

• Drawing & AutoCAD
• 3D Solid Modeling
• 3D Digital Design & Printing
• 3D Scanning, Reverse Engineering, and Quality Inspection
• Product Ideation & Design
• Engineering Materials and Metallurgy
• Fundamentals of Products Development and Manufacture