After growing up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Jamie began what is now a 40-year career in the creative products industries. For sixteen years he was a key sales and marketing executive with LEGO working both in the US and Canadian markets. He then continued the trend of working with high quality, privately held toy brands by serving as President of Playmobil USA.
In 2003, Jamie assumed the role of President and CEO of Faber-Castell USA, the US subsidiary of the 260-year-old German parent company Faber-Castell. Most recently he played a pivotal role in creation of the “Enriching Lives Through Creativity and Self-Expression” strategic platform within Faber-Castell while also serving on the global company’s Leadership Essentials development team.
In his current efforts to promote the importance of creativity, Jamie makes regular stops at college campuses and business conferences to speak on the topic, “The Importance of Creativity in Business and in Life.”
Jamie served for fourteen (14) years in a volunteer role for the Toy Industry of America as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Recently he served as a member of the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) Strategic Council and American Specialty Toy Retailers Innovation Council. His volunteer work also includes a role as one of the earliest board members of “Operation Respect” an anti-bullying organization as well as a charter member of the toy industry’s MESH (Mental Emotional Social Health) task force and a volunteer mentor for Traverse Connect.
In April 2023, upon conclusion of his 20 year tenure as CEO of Faber-Castell USA, Jamie launched 4 the Win, a company dedicated to developing successful outcomes through purpose, culture, creativity and connection.
Jamie and his wife, Mindy reside in Traverse City, Michigan.