At the age of 20 I packed up my snowboard and headed to Telluride Colorado. From that moment on my life would be forever changed for the better.
For the next decade I would would follow my passion for snowboarding , surfing and the outdoors around the world. When that chapter in my life ended I decided to go to Art School in Portland Oregon where I studied Apparel Design with an emphasis on Outerwear and Activewear. Once out of school I began working at Columbia Sportswear and for next six years I would have the opportunity to learn my craft from the some very talented people. After living in Oregon for nine years needed a change of scenery, so I decided to head to Southern California where I could get back to a lifestyle that best suited my sensibilities. Wanting to break out on my own I created Kachka Swimwear and the trademark PonchOlas. When I'm not working on my business I am doing Freelance Design and Consulting for other companies.
Through out the this journey of mine I have gained a profound respect for nature. I try to live a simple yet full life that is centered around the ocean and mountains. It's my love for the outdoors that ultimately inspires my designs.

Education
Art Institute of Portland
Portland, OR
Associates in Apparel Design
Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY
Associates in Occupational Arts
Work Experience
Kachka Designs 2013-present
Ventura, CA
Freelance Apparel Consulting and Design.
Owner of Kachka Swimwear and the trademark PonchOlas
Straight Down 2/2015-1/2016
San Luis Obispo, CA
Senior Activewear Designer/Developer
The Field Outfitting 4/2014-2/2015
Santa Barbara, CA
Production Artist/Product Developer
Columbia Sportswear 1/2008-4/2014
Portland, OR
Design/Product Development Outerwear & Baselayer