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The heck I can't!
Chris Wildeman
La Verne, CA
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About
I lead with empathy, strategy, and a solutions-driven mindset to support both creative teams and operational excellence. With nearly 20 years of experience spanning design, production, print operations, and service leadership, I’ve worn many hats—Designer, Associate Art Director, Press Operator, Production Manager, Service Manager, and beyond. This breadth of experience gives me a unique blend of creative problem-solving and technical expertise, helping me bridge the gap between big-picture vision and on-the-ground execution.
At my core, I’m a builder—of teams, processes, and creative solutions. Whether launching a direct-to-garment print operation from scratch or optimizing workflows for global apparel brands, I thrive in environments where I can help teams scale, solve technical challenges, and push creative boundaries. My approach? Support the heck out of my people and remove roadblocks so they can do their best work.
I enjoy coffee and hard work. Spending time with my wife and kids reigns supreme. I'm one of those weirdos that actually enjoys hiking, but Saturday mornings are permanently reserved for coaching learn-to-play hockey. And because no one is just one thing—ask me about my burgeoning (okay, wishfully burgeoning) voice acting career!
If you're interested in talking with a creative ops expert, a strategic production leader, or just a gentle baritone with a wide range of character voices, let’s connect! -
Education
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A.A Graphic DesignBrookdale Community College2003 - 2008
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Experience
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Customer Success ManagerOct 2024 - Nov 2025 (1 year 1 month)Supporting customer success nationwide, I strive to create seamless service experiences and build lasting client relationships. By working closely with SMB owners on their specific challenges, I’ve been able to deliver thoughtful, value-driven solutions. Through proactive engagement, refined service strategies, and strong partnerships, I help to contribute to long-term customer satisfaction.
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Western Service ManagerMay 2023 - Oct 2024 (1 year 5 months)Provided robust support to Kornit Field Service Engineers nationwide. Through empowerment of and collaboration with my team, we facilitated timely resolution of challenges while delivering consummate service to our customers. Scheduled strategic technical visits and fostered partnerships with stakeholders to lay the groundwork for long-term loyalty and customer satisfaction through service delivery.
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DTG General ManagerCorona, CAJan 2020 - May 2023 (3 years 4 months)Started from scratch and built up a DTG production business unit under the Zumiez umbrella of creative services. Began with 2k weekly impressions, worked up to more than 50k weekly impressions with an operation supporting Zumiez store sales and internal Private Labels as well as external brand partnerships. Facilitated the growth of omni-channel operations from two DTG printers on one shift to six printers running a four-shift model to maintain throughput and budgeted production goals. Managed floor-planning and buildout of expanded production facility from 2,000ft² to 12,800ft², accommodating additional machinery, personnel, and production.
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Facility and Support ManagerCranbury, NJJul 2019 - Dec 2019 (5 months)Initiated and directed the launch of DTG2Go's newest production facility, guiding it through a demanding yet rewarding inaugural peak season. Our team refurbished and installed an aging fleet of DTG presses, encountering challenges along the way. However, through perseverance and collaboration, we achieved notable successes and gleaned invaluable lessons. Our efforts played a significant role in helping DTG2Go maintain a high daily print and shipment average during this project, showcasing our commitment to excellence and continual growth.
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DTG Production ManagerPhiladelphia, PAFeb 2019 - Jul 2019 (5 months)Optimized the DTG Production Department with an awesome team to boost output and improve overall print quality. Improved productivity to best previous Peak-Season records in consecutive off-Peak Season months. We took an already exemplary team to new heights, considerably boosted output with process tweaks, and brought down QC failures by improving overall print quality.
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Applications and Showroom SpecialistEnglewood, NJMay 2018 - Feb 2019 (9 months)Opened and set up a state-of-the-art demo facility in Kornit’s new North American HQ in New Jersey. Optimized systems to provide highest-quality prints and operated the facility with a lofty standard of excellence. Utilized my experience in apparel design, print, and production methods to advance the reach of direct-to-garment giant Kornit Digital through presales samples and product demonstrations. With practical knowledge of color models, applications, and production methods, I was able to educate prospective customers and help them along their journey into DTG. I also used my training as a field service engineer alongside my design and print experience to help existing customers troubleshoot both damaged components and could-be-better prints. Contributed to alpha and in-house beta testing on new products to ensure optimal integration with the Kornit ecosystem.
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Field Service EngineerApr 2017 - May 2018 (1 year 1 month)Used technical knowledge of Kornit systems to perform all manner of tasks associated with new asset installations, diagnostics and troubleshooting, tradeshow setup and performance, system optimization and color correction, etc.
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Digital Art Director/Production ManagerSouth Brunswick Township, NJJun 2015 - Feb 2017 (1 year 8 months)Helped to actualize the successful implementation of Print-On-Demand programs with both Amazon and Zulily, handled all digital sampling for very active sales force and all Licensor meetings with accounts like Target, Forever21, Hot Topic, JC Penney, Kohl’s, Walmart, Urban Outfitters, etc., handled all digital art file prep and editing, and managed a full staff of press operators and production support staff.
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Senior Production Artist/SeparatorFreeze CMISouth Brunswick Township, NJJan 2014 - Jun 2015 (1 year 5 months)Maintained high print standards and brand guidelines for a number of licensed properties such as WWE, Disney, Marvel, Paramount, and Nickelodeon while managing the training of all new artists, researching and implementing new techniques and new tech within Production Art department, handling Pantone Color Callouts and color correction, and creating high-level color separations for a fast-paced, deadline-heavy department.
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Owner/DesignerHearts Are Wild Print and DesignPittsburgh, PAJan 2005 - Jan 2014 (9 years)Brainstormed, comped, proofed, and finalized all design and print work, educated clients on different substrates, inks, and printing procedures to facilitate their decision-making process, mentored several aspiring screen printers (aged 7 to 30), consulted on design and/or printing for the following clients:
MODESTo! Studios, Altar Bar/AltarTV, Planned Parenthood of Western PA, National Council of Jewish Women, Vertical Source Apparel, TwoRiver Clothing, Royalton Clothing, URL Studios, God’s Child Clothing, Charm and Wit Fashion and Retail Copywriting, The School of Rock, Animal Nature, SeaSpray Inn, and the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. -
Head Designer/Production ArtistI&M PrintingPAJun 2012 - Jan 2014 (1 year 7 months)Managed all design work for myriad customer base, organized and codified backlog of all digital files and outputted films, ensured customer art matched proof/pre-production samples, obtained, studied, and implemented the usage of up-to-date RIP and design software, and helped to focus both the production and design style of the shop to reflect a more diverse and contemporary feel.
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Owner/DesignerCasket Company ClothingBelmar, NJJan 2003 - Jan 2014 (11 years)Conceptualized, created, and finalized all design and print work, collaborated with co-owner/guest artists to craft designs based on concepts, designed on a freelance level for bands, organizations, venues, etc. as per meetings with personnel from respective groups, In 2012, Casket Co. was selected to participate in a fashion show at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh) alongside H&M, ModCloth, and Urban Outfitters.
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Graphic/Production ArtistPittsburgh, PAOct 2010 - Feb 2011 (4 months)Ensured all Pantone color callouts were matched and proper inks and processes used, created color separations, maintained high level of print standards, adhered to strict branding guidelines, and designed for a number of licensed properties such as:
Hershey Bears (AHL), Where’s Waldo, Humane Society of the United States, American Taekwondo Association, Chevrolet, Ford, PepsiCo, and General Mills. -
Graphic/Production ArtistG.I. ApparelWall Township, NJSep 2005 - Jul 2006 (10 months)My first run at large design and manufacturing company! I Created color separations, maintained high level of print standards, and adhered to strict branding guidelines, ensured all Pantone color callouts were matched, proper inks and processes used, adhered to stringent job coding system, and designed for a number of licensed properties as well as private labels.
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Affiliations
Freelancers Union Member
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@chris_wildeman, member since 2008
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Following 28
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Followers 13
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