ABOUT HIM
Monty found his niche for providing the information and skills that aren’t specifically taught in schools, such as the practical topics of personal financial management, résumé/portfolio development, interview techniques and building the framework to become successful in today’s marketplace. His success has come from personal experience in applying the concepts he expounds in this course. Monty spent years working with the Education Management Corporation system of for-profit colleges in various roles. He stayed with the company through its acquisition by the Goldman Sachs investment group, but after a few years with the firm’s new direction, he decided to break out and focus on what he saw as gaps in the educational process.
CAREER
Campus Director, Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Decatur, Georgia
Provided leadership to ensure state and federal compliance and fiscal
responsibility, established a professional development program to provide
student support, and facilitated cross-collaboration among departments
Oversaw Admissions, Director of Student Financial Services, Accounting, Dean
of Academic Affairs, Director of Career Services, Director of Student Services,
IT and Facilities as direct reports
Established a strong relationship with the community through direct involvement
with political leaders, community organizations, and local businesses
Dean of Academic Affairs, Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Started a college in North Carolina, secured licensing by the University of North
Carolina’s Board of Governors, and received national ACICS accreditation and
regional SACS accreditation
Hired and managed all faculty, Registrar, Director of Library Services, and Academic Directors for various programs
Achieved milestones through student success initiatives, faculty development,
curriculum improvement, and administrative support
Developed a Guest Speaker series, Student Government, Student clubs, and a
Student Success Center that included tutoring, mentoring and academic guidance
Lectured in Professional Development
Executive Trainee, Art Institute of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
Trained in all functional areas of the Dean of Academic Affairs position and
assisted in establishing a culture of communication between all departments
Worked with Director of Financial Services on the budgeting process and long-term forecasting, assessing program material requirements and expenses
Assisted the Registrar with course coding and pre-requisite requirements,
transfer credits, entrance exam scores, and all areas of registration and student
records
Facilitated product knowledge trainings for faculty on software-intensive
programs including Web Design and Interactive Media, Game Art & Design
and 3-D Animation
Assisted with three new program proposals for the South Carolina Commission
on Higher Education, including curriculum, facilities requirements, faculty and
staff requirements and all texts and resources needed to properly implement the
programs – all proposed programs were accepted by the Commission
Academic Director, Department of Game Art & Design
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Developed curriculum (and worked with National Task Force on system-wide
curriculum) for this new department
Managed the 3D Animation faculty and curriculum for the Media Arts &
Animation and Motion Graphics & Visual Effects Departments
Led the expansion of this new department through cross-collaboration with
exiting program faculty
Chair of the Professional Development Program for students, the Continuing
Student Review initiative, and the Faculty Technology Committee
Taught Game Art and Professional Development classes
Member of the Student Success Committee and Admissions Committee
Assistant Academic Director, Department of Media Arts & Animation
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
Developed a new curriculum for the animation department
Managed 15 faculty members and scheduled 450 students each quarter
Collaborated with the Miami School to share faculty and best practices
Assisted in the development of the Visual Simulation curriculum
Taught Animation and Professional Development classes
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Founder, President and Publisher,
Kaka'ako Lifestyle Magazine, Honolulu,Hawaii
Founded the luxury magazine Kaka'ako Lifestyle is the digital destination for local living— a one-stop-shop for hyper local, expertly created content for you that inspires and connects communities.
While other sites take a content-first approach to providing local information, Kaka'ako Lifestyle sets itself apart by positioning people first—creating a platform that emphasizes the best of what Kaka'ako has to offer, created and promoted by the people who know it—and represent it—best. These authentic voices in our island ohana, and are key drivers of the brand by providing an inspiring, genuine and trusted look at life in their communities.
Founder, President and Producer,
Exodus Entertainment, Miami, Florida
Founded a full-service animation production company and produced 2-D and 3-D computer animation for video games, television shows, commercials and educational products
Raised more than $1 million in funding for this startup venture
Oversaw a staff of 20 artists
Managed budgeting, payroll and business development
Clients included Mattel, Fox TV, McDonald’s, Warner Brothers and others
Selected by Industrial Light & Magic to premiere two short films at
SIGGRAPH 2000
AUTHOR
Author, I Wish Someone Had Told Me, CFE, INC
Book was written to help students succeed in their education, their careers and
their lives
Includes goal-setting exercises to assist with creating a long-term life vision
Published March 2015 – Available on Amazon
AUTHOR & PRODUCER
The Good To Go Gang (GTGG), Honolulu, Hawaii
Wrote and produced a 30-minute animated exercise video series to fight
childhood obesity
Launched program successfully in Georgia elementary school system
Worked with the Georgia State PTA to coordinate the launch
Free to watch on Vimeo with password PTA4U
Learn more about the campaign at GTGG’s crowd-funding site here
EDUCATION
- Master of Business Administration
University of Miami; Graduated summa cum laude
- Associates Degree, Computer Animation
Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
- Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, University of Vermont; Term abroad, Trinity College, Oxford, UK
BOARD AFFILIATIONS
- Secretary, Business Networking International, BNI Lanikai chapter, 2012-2013
- Member, Atlanta Economic Development Committee, January 2011-February 2012
- Director, Decatur Arts Alliance, December 2010-February 2012
- Member, Decatur Business Association, July 2010-February 2012
- Member, Educational Management Corporation Executive Management Committee, July 2010-
February 2012
- Director, 2006-2007 and Member, 2001-2007, South Florida Chapter, International Game
Developers Association (IGDA)
- Director, Exodus Entertainment, Inc., Miami, Florida, 1998-2005
- Fellow board members included top executives from Warner Bros., Disney, The Equitable
Assurance Company, and law firm Greenberg Traurig.
- Faculty Advisor and Founder, Game Club, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, 2003-2007
- Advisory Board Member, Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) Student Development
Committee, Miami Chamber of Commerce, 2000-2002
