"You either live life or record it."

Andy founded Astek in 2003 building upon strong relationships with real estate, publishing, and arts clients.  His goal was to create a Web strategy, design, and production agency to service the unique needs of clients in these diverse areas.  Andy’s skills have grown to lead Astek’s work in social media, mobile, and marketing with speaking engagements and publication.

Combining a Communication Studies degree and Journalism minor from Northwestern University with years of practical experience in communication strategy, technology, user interface design, project management, and client interaction, Andy sees the needs of clients from a communication delivery and enabling perspective, rather than purely aesthetic or functional.  While an understanding of the mechanics of the medium is important in delivering the appropriate message to the intended audience, the discussion of communication must begin with clear business goals.

Andy contributes and shares knowledge of the publishing and real estate industries through participation as a member of the Specialized Information Publishing Association (SIPA) and the Chicago Chapter of CoreNet Global.  When he is not beating drums or pounding ivories, Andy is active in the local technology and film communities and supports non-profit organizations in these fields, particularly documentary filmmaking.  He is currently President of Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s board of directors and Vice President of 137 Films, whose first feature-length documentary recently aired on PBS.