Whom I’ve Worked With

Empirical Digital has been in business for over a decade, serving 164 clients as of November 2024. Before founding the company, I spent 10 years at established agencies, building relationships and expertise. Many clients from those early days chose to continue working with me when I launched my own business. I’m still providing monthly services to five clients I initially collaborated with at agencies over a decade ago. Additionally, I still work extensively with agencies and even manage and mentor some agency employees.

My ideal client actively works to improve the world and presents clear opportunities for me to enhance or accelerate their efforts. Here’s a selection of some of my favorite clients.

Consumer Brands

  • AAA
  • Celestial Seasonings
  • Elevations Credit Union
  • EVOL
  • Forever 21
  • Harland Clarke
  • Horizon Organics
  • Hello Kitty
  • IZZE
  • New Belgium Brewing Co.
  • Rudi’s Organic Bakery
  • Stio
  • Udi’s Bakery

Universities

  • Averett University
  • Kettering University
  • The University of Colorado-Boulder
  • The University of Colorado-Denver
  • The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • Tiffin University

Public, NonProfits & Foundations

  • Beyond Celiac
  • The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • The Brewers Association
  • The City of Boulder
  • The City of Thornton
  • The Colorado Trust
  • The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
  • The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
  • The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
  • The Gill Foundation
  • The Great American Beer Festival
  • The Homebrewers Association
  • The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Marketing Agencies

  • Nuclear Networking
  • Rivetica
  • Sympler
  • Vermilion

Manufacturing

  • General Motors
  • Insolroll

High-Tech B2B

  • Lifesize
  • LogRhythm
  • Market Force
  • Nutrislice
  • Nielsen
  • QuickPivot
  • Rally
  • Simple Energy
  • Solidfire
  • Sprint
  • Tendril
  • Uplight
  • Valassis
  • Vericast
  • Zoll Data

I’m fortunate to work with an incredible group of clients, including many whose trust I’ve earned through long-term, confidential partnerships. Many of my most rewarding relationships currently are with companies with whom I have non-disclosure agreements (so they can’t be listed above). I’m grateful for every client I work with and consider myself extremely lucky to have such great relationships with many brilliant and productive people and organizations.

What’s in a Name?

The name “Empirical Digital” reflects my philosophical background and influences my approach to digital strategy. With an Honors degree in Philosophy from the University of Michigan, I bring two core principles from philosophical study into my business:

  1. First, understanding how empirical science evolved from natural philosophy fuels my commitment to evidence-based investigation, which is central to how I approach digital strategy and analytics platforms.
  2. Second, good philosophy is as practical as theoretical, which is why ethics is central to my operations. I avoid black-hat tactics, support privacy laws, and commit to honest recommendations and fair billing rates. I consistently build enduring partnerships by prioritizing authentic client relationships over short-term gains.

In essence, Empirical Digital represents both my methodology and values, combining analytical rigor with a steadfast commitment to ethical practices, integrity, and professionalism.

My Personal Life

I grew up in Flint, Michigan, in a family of autoworkers. I began creating websites in 1995. To support myself through college, I worked on websites, graphics, book design, and log file analysis, building skills that continue to shape my career today.

In September 2004, I moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Boulder, Colorado, where I met my wife Sarah (who had also relocated from Ann Arbor that same month). Over the next 20 years, we explored the mountains of Colorado, traveled across multiple continents together, and brought our two wonderful children into the world. Today, we reside in Superior, Colorado, just outside of Boulder.

When I’m not working there’s a good chance you’ll find me doing the following:

  • I cook for my family nearly every day and put a lot of time and effort into it.
  • In 2017, at the age of 38, I discovered disc golf, which quickly became a passion of mine. Since then, I have qualified for six world championships and competed in 75 tournaments across the U.S., including five majors.
  • I became an Eagle Scout in 1997 and have always enjoyed hiking and backpacking.
  • While I still enjoy philosophy, I now spend much more time learning about history as I grow older. Over the past few years, I have developed a strong interest in ancient history, particularly Roman history and the history of the American Southwest.