My mom gave me the middle name Francis to honor my late grandfather, but I learned early on that a boy with the name James Francis Kogutkiewicz will often find himself greeted with, "Hey, JFK!" Not sure if my mom intended it, but the association instilled in me a fascination with worlds beyond my own.

I've built my career on that curiosity about other people, places and experiences, how they work and what they’re like. Matched with an inherent desire to contribute to a team, I've found these traits fuel creative work that unearths compelling stories everywhere I take the time to look.

For a kid from the Polish south side of Milwaukee, I've been able to put myself on cattle ranches in the Texas Panhandle, in the seat of a racing ATV in rural Quebec, and at center court during the NBA Finals, then share that fascinating perspective with the worlds my clients have wanted to reach. 

I'm fortunate to live within a 10-minute walk of my hometown of Milwaukee, and within easy reach of Lake Michigan, an abundance of parks, and the family and friends I love.