We sat down with our newest production artist, David Jean. “Old Fashioned Dave” has worked many years in the business, but maintains a childlike enthusiasm with each person and project he comes into contact with. He’s sure to be the one to round the corner with a deadline in hand and a smile to brighten your day.
 
Schaefer: How did you start in your background as a production artist?
David: Well I started as an illustrator, actually. My sister worked at an agency in Arlington for many years, and I always wanted to get a job there. I’ve worked in the “artsy type” business for years. First, I worked in a music store off and on for 10 years, and worked at photo labs in between.  My brother owned a photo lab and I would run all the film for him. Finally, he said, “You can come on board to help out more,” so I worked there for a while just to get my foot in the door.
Then I started showing he and his team my illustrations and they started to get me to do them. After a while, I left the lab and went on my own, because I would make more money that way. I networked through my siblings and I soon became a graphic artist for Six Flags. It turned out to be a great job, and I did it for 11 years.
 
Schaefer: Everyone around the office knows to send all the dogs your way. We know you’ve had both cats and dogs. Which do you prefer?
David: Ah. I love them all equally, but Chim Chim – my kitty – has a special place in my heart. He’s kind of crazy and thinks I’m his momma. He’s the one that wakes me up in the middle of the night standing on my back – he’s also 18 pounds.
 
Schaefer: Did you have any weird pets growing up?
David: Yeah, when I around 8 or 9, I had a dog named Ginger that bit everyone but me. He was such a mutt. My parents wanted to get rid of him [laughs]. I remember getting him too, because my neighbors just handed him through the fence and said, “Hey do you want our dog?” and we said, “Sure!”
 
Schaefer: After working in a music store for a while, did you manage to pick anything up yourself?
David: Guitar, piano, and drums. It was a great place to work, because I actually met a few famous people like Doyle Bramhall, the guy who wrote a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughn songs. We ended up becoming really good friends. I was only 18 or 19 years old and Doyle was in his thirties. He would always come up to the shop and I always thought he was just a local musician.
We would go across the street and play pool together and just talk. After I had known him for like 5 years or so, I was with one of my other friends who worked at the shop and we were listening to a Stevie Ray Vaughn song and he goes, “Yeah I can’t believe that Doyle wrote this song.” It completely shocked me. That’s how I found out this guy who I had known for years and hung out with, talked music with and jammed with actually wrote 4 or 5 Grammy award-winning songs for Stevie Ray Vaughn’s album… and he grew up with Stevie. He was a drummer, kind of a guitarist, but mainly a drummer and also sings in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. That shows how humble the guy was.
 
Schaefer: If you could move anywhere in the world for a month, where would it be?
David: Japan – anyplace in Japan. Tokyo would be cool, because of how fast-paced the culture is.
 
Schaefer: Which office dog is your favorite?
David: Lulu. Ya know – I really did love Boone so much because he just did his own thing. He reminded me of my old dog, Abby.
 
Schaefer: What has been your favorite project that you have worked on?
David: I would say any of the illustration or 3-D projects. I did some mock-ups for the American Leather logo and also really enjoyed doing the Nuvothera bottles as well.
 
Schaefer: What is your favorite part about being here?
David: The team. I love everybody here. I was talking to my wife about it not too long ago and she said, “Who’s your favorite up there?” I said, “I don’t think I can pick one, because everybody is so unique.” As many places as I worked, and as many cool jobs that I’ve had, who you work with has become super important. I’m so lucky. I whistle on my way to work and skip when I go to my car in the morning. I’m just always happy coming here.
 
Schaefer: Any final thoughts?
David: I’m blessed. In the last year, a lot has changed with how I look at things – how I look at life. I’m 53. I remember so clearly turning 30, like it was a year ago. I remember people saying, “You’re going to turn 30!” Then I got worried because I was like, “I’m never going to be 20 again!” But it goes by so fast, and it’s so cliché, but life goes by fast.
There’s so many things I would have done different, but being here at Schaefer made me realize that I don’t think I would change anything, because otherwise I wouldn’t have wound up here.

We’ve got a new Digital Manager in the hot seat. Sarah de Verges came to us and we found her to be a Baylor bear who’s quick to love in TCU territory. It also helps she shares a love of breakfast tacos, homemade margaritas and all things digital.

Schaefer: How did you get started in digital?

I graduated with a degree in Journalism and PR from Baylor University. My first job out of college was as a marketing communications coordinator. The team was very small, so I was required to wear a lot of hats. I was able to learn a little bit of everything, especially digital. I like the fact that unlike many traditional forms of advertising, you’re able to measure your success in different tangible ways. Just by witnessing the growth of technology we’ve had in our lifetime, it’s infiltrating all industries and opening up a world of possibilities. It’s an exciting niche to be in, specifically in the advertising industry, because it’s only going to continue growing. Right now, I feel as if we’re only at the beginning of what digital will be.

Schaefer: What areas within digital appeal to you most?

I like working on the analytics side because, as I mentioned before, you’re able to measure the success of a campaign in a way that you can’t in other traditional forms of media. It’s interesting to be able to see how successful a campaign is running in real-time and have the ability to make changes in order to make it perform even better. Ken made a really good comment the other day where he said, “you’re always playing king of the hill in digital,” because you’re always trying to get better. Just because something is successful, it doesn’t mean there isn’t another tool or software that can make it even better.

 Schaefer: What is it like being a Baylor bear in TCU territory?

Frustrating [laughs]. It’s a fun rivalry except that Baylor’s had a hard year. Next question.

Schaefer: What are your favorite things to do in Fort Worth?

Running or walking on Trinity Trails is one of my favorite things to do here. It’s even more fun to stop at Woodshed or Press Cafe for a quick pick-me-up drink. I think the culture of Fort Worth is great – it’s still feels like an up-and-coming city. It’s been fun to see the amount of growth that has come this way over the past five years, but it’s maintained its “a big town with a small town” feel.

It’s unique because it’s a college town but has more to offer than say, Waco.

Schaefer: If someone in the office ordered last minute lunch for everyone, would you rather it be Panera or Jimmy Johns?

Panera. Because of the bakery aspect, because I would want cookies. I don’t know what Jimmy John’s cookie situation is like.

Schaefer: Actually, they’re pretty good.

Schaefer: Would you say you eat pretty healthy?

Publicly, I try. I try to eat healthy, but I definitely don’t always succeed. I cheat a lot. My desert island meal would probably be a brisket, bacon egg and cheese taco from Taco Heads with extra green sauce and a bottomless marg.

Schaefer: Rumor has it that you and your sister in law have the same name. 

It’s spelled the same way – first, middle and last. There are definitely challenges around the holidays and birthdays because of it. For example, it was her birthday a few weeks ago, and I wrote, “Happy Birthday, Sis” on her Facebook page. I didn’t even think about it, but then someone commented on the post on her page and said, “I got a bit confused here, because it said Sarah de Verges commented on Sarah de Verges’ wall.”

It’s a never-ending battle.

Schaefer: If you could control the music in the office every day, what would you put it on?

I would probably put it on late 60’s or early 70’s classic rock like the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Eagles and Stevie Ray Vaughan. A little bit of everything.

My dad was really into music growing up. I grew up listening to Eagles, the Beatles and the Carpenters. The first album I ever got, or stole from my dad, was a Stevie Ray Vaughan album.

Schaefer: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen happen at Schaefer since you’ve been here?

I don’t know if it’s weird, but it’s definitely unique to have a photographer come in to take Halloween portraits of everyone. That’s never happened before at anywhere I’ve worked. It felt like class picture day, but ten times more fun.

Schaefer: How would you describe the culture here compared to other places you’ve worked?

All of us function like a family. It’s a relaxed environment, but the people here are competitive and work very, very hard. That really sums it up. Because it’s like a family environment, I would say everyone works hard for each other.

Schaefer: If you had to pick three people from the office to be on your team for an Escape Room, who would it be?

I would definitely have Maux with all his man camp skills. I would have to bring Addy for comic relief, and either Kelli or Debbie. We would definitely need a mom or voice of reason in the room.

Schaefer: If you woke up one day and you were digitally impaired, what could you see yourself doing?

If I could do anything in the world, I would be a singer, but I can’t sing. Second choice would be an artist, but I’m also a bad artist. So, those are pretty much off the table.

I should probably stick with digital.

Every blank slate needs a splash of color.

As part of a new capital initiative by the Fort Worth Zoo to enhance and expand current exhibit space, create new amenities, and further bridge the gap between visitors and their wildlife friends, our team was tasked to gradually get the word out. And we mean gradually.

The Fort Worth Zoo’s capital campaign aims to increase exhibition space and enhance entertainment for its guests. Throughout the next eight years, in four separate phases, the zoo’s efforts will help fill the gaps from the original 1985 Master Plan.

Over the last century, the Fort Worth Zoo has continued to invest in this plan by optimizing an authentic, wildlife experience for its guests. So much, that it’s held a firm seat among the nation’s Top 5 zoos.
So where do we come in? Our team has had the privilege of leaving our mark on this fresh, new phase for our neighbor down the road.

It turns out, the Fort Worth community wasn’t the only one taking notice of our efforts.

Our team is proud to announce A Wilder Vision capital initiative campaign was recognized last month as a Finalist in the 2017 OBIE Awards. Each year, the best out-of home creative campaigns are chosen and recognized by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. Google, Apple, Hershey’s and Nike were among the 2017 winning line-up.

A Wilder Vision was created to spur discussion over the 8-year plan that will introduce new amenities and build on current attractions at the Fort Worth Zoo. Each step in the process is aimed at guaranteeing a more engaging experience for visitors and animals alike. With an extensive list of improvements to come, our team took on the challenge to captivate and engage the community in the discussion as they were traveling from Point A to Point B.

And to that, our team can take a victory jump.