BIO

I’ve spent more than 35 years working in the live event industry, specializing in lighting design, programming, technical direction, production management, and live event operations. Many people in the industry know me as “DocLD,” which stands for Dedicated Original Creative Lighting Designs — a name and mindset that has followed me throughout my career.

In 2003, I founded the award winning Creative Backstage with the goal of building a company focused on creativity, professionalism, and high-quality live event production. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work on concerts, festivals, corporate events, special events, and productions involving major entertainers, national events, and high-profile clients across the country.

Throughout my career, I helped introduce technologies such as moon balloons, Avolites lighting consoles, and LED video screens into the Arizona event market. I’ve designed productions ranging from corporate general sessions and outdoor festivals to unique large-scale events, including lighting mountains and designing stages in some very unconventional locations.

My background includes lighting design, MA3 and Avolites programming and operation, LED video integration, stage and production design, CAD drafting and renderings, event logistics, technical direction, project management, and on-site leadership roles including L1, L2, Crew Chief, and Production Management support.

I’m also passionate about giving back to the industry. I founded the Arizona Stagehand Group, created a Stagehand 101 training program, and helped launch the Arizona Live Event Coalition to support and strengthen the live event community here in Arizona.

After selling Creative Backstage in 2019 and retiring from my leadership role with the company in 2026, I decided to slow down from the full-time pace of the production world to spend more time with my wife and family and focus on other family business projects, including custom gifts /creative design work, and other ventures outside the live event industry.

That said, live events have always been in my blood, and I quickly realized I wasn’t ready to walk away completely.

Today, through Garberson Professional Lighting Design, I continue working part-time as a freelance lighting designer, programmer, consultant, and production professional for clients and production teams looking for experienced creative and technical support for live events.