About Jay

I’ve been a gamer since my dad brought home the original gray Game Boy. I grew up playing across every generation, whether it was my console or a friend’s. Games have always been a constant in my life, and now I want to give back by creating experiences others can enjoy. Making games that genuinely connect with players is what drives me.

Before games became my career focus, I worked in health and fitness for stability. I became a Certified Personal Trainer and Physical Therapy Aide and loved helping people, but sales and graduate school weren’t for me. Games were always my escape, until I realized they were also my passion. Choosing game design and leaving the health and fitness world felt like coming home.

I enrolled full-time at Full Sail University for Game Design and immediately knew I’d made the right decision. For the first time, learning felt exciting and meaningful. The coursework was challenging, especially collaborating remotely, but it was all preparing me for the industry. I was eager to gain real-world experience as soon as possible.

I joined Mobile Deluxe as a QA Tester with no professional experience and quickly found my footing. I became known for detailed bug reports and fast turnaround, especially on Sudoku Deluxe Social. It was my first shipped game and a huge confidence boost. That experience pushed me to take the next step toward design.

I landed a Game Design Internship at Disney Interactive in San Diego, working closely with designers and producers. The internship extended to a full year and expanded to the Glendale studio, where I contributed to Disney Emoji Blitz and Inside Out: Thought Bubbles. On my final day, Disney Enchanted Tales shipped—the game I’d spent a year helping build. Watching that release was unforgettable.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Game Design and have grown from being a Level Designer, to Lead Level Designer, to Game Designer, to Associate Game Designer, to Game Director in less than 4 years, and have been directing ever since. I’ve worked on exciting projects with dozens of amazing partners, and am constantly learning how to be a better leader, team player, designer, and gamer.