Creativity and Conviction

By Alan James

Son, college student, husband, president and CEO—words describing an entrepreneur in his prime, enjoying the span of a long, successful career. Words that also describe Shippensburg University senior Trevor Roberts.

To see this young man walking across campus, one wouldn’t guess he is the CEO of a respected media company, working with top companies across the country or the president of a concert promotions organization, selling out venues from Hagerstown, Maryland to Altoona. How does he juggle everything and still find time for classes and schoolwork? How did this twenty-two-year-old become a major player before earning his college degree? Two words: creativity and conviction.

Creative from an early age and never afraid to launch out with confidence to engage his world, Trevor was raised in Green-castle. Home schooled for his elementary years and entering public school in the sixth grade, his parents encouraged—and often endured—his creative projects, which ranged from writing, directing, and editing his Civil War feature, “Road To Glory,” to constructing a working toll booth in the driveway.

He spent his summers at Camp Joy-El, a Christian youth camp, where his father was director. This provided a greater playground, allowing plenty of opportunity for him to learn, grow, and serve. It was at Camp Joy-El where Trevor became a person of principle; developing his personal faith, shaping his creativity, and building his convictions which permeate his life today.

In school, Trevor discovered computer technology, teaching himself programs, constantly asking questions in order to learn more, and building applications to simplify processes. Seventh grade found Trevor winning the “Sprint Award” for his description of the technological possibilities of the future.

Although fascinated with the possibilities, Trevor had a practical approach to technology. He persuaded his father to post photos online from Camp Joy-El activities for parents to see what their children were doing during their week away from home. With Trevor taking the helm of the site while still in high school, the camp was one of the first to implement this feature.

“Ever since I can remember I have en-joyed working with computers,” explained Trevor. “Luckily I always had very supportive parents who endured their house being turned into a computer repair shop.”

At home with his older brother Tyler ’06mba, there was much talk and many dreams about one day launching their own company as a way to use their interest in technology in responsible and innovative ways to help others. Out of these discussions, Cross and Crown Productions (CACPro), Inc. was born, allowing the brothers to incorporate their personal faith with their commitment to excellence.

Already a CEO as a high school senior, Trevor finished the second half of his senior year while enrolled in his first semester at Ship. He wasn’t on campus long before he landed a job designing and maintaining the University Bookstore’s online site and then expanded to designing webpages for the various campus organizations.

Cross and Crown Productions continued to grow and refine its niche in the cyber world. Come Alive International, parent company to the largest Christian music festival in the country, contracted the brothers to create and manage their websites, which soon moved into filming and editing podcasts for the ministry’s newest endeavor. Trevor found himself heading to Ecuador with Compassion International to document their work with underprivileged children. With that, Cross and Crown Productions, with a third-floor office suite in downtown Chambersburg, went international.

Since its incorporation in 2002, the young design company has added companies like Virginia-based Prison Fellowship Ministries, Canada’s Believe Festival, and the Drew Michael Taylor Foundation to its client roster. Two designers have been added and the company has expanded beyond web design to include print media, poster, compact disc packaging, and t-shirt design.

In 2005 the brothers dreamed again, launching Vertical Concerts, a non-profit organization committed to bringing positive live entertainment to the local community. Hosting concerts with top nationally known Christian bands, Vertical has held shows throughout central Pennsylvania and Maryland, including Ship’s own Luhrs Center.

Trevor married his long-time girlfriend Jeanette in June 2006. They purchased a home in Shippensburg and are constantly remodeling. The pair opens their home to a weekly Bible study for college and career- age young people.

Switching his major from computer science to art allows Trevor to pursue his passion for web design. He has an eye for design and an understanding of the audience he wants to reach. Renting a billboard for a class assignment, the display depicted sweatshops and the need for people to realize where some of our products are coming from. The billboard caught the eye of professor Steve Dolbin, who was delighted to find the creator sitting in his class.

“I saw the billboard and thought it was very subliminal,” says Dolbin. “I mentioned it in class and came to find one of my students was behind it! You can always count on Trevor to take assignments and projects a step further, to the next level… usually stepping outside the box!”

In May, the Roberts brothers will launch Hopestrands, a non-profit, community-centered, cause-oriented online apparel shop. Members of the Hopestrands community submit t-shirt designs for a cause online, the designs are voted on, and the winning shirt is sold on the site with all proceeds going to the charity of the designer’s choice.

“We are extremely excited about launching Hopestrands,” Trevor reported. “This venture allows us to fully live out our goal and calling to impact lives, and we feel we’re doing it in a way everyone can relate to and get on board with. Making a difference in the world truly can happen one t-shirt at a time!”

Trevor Roberts

Hometown: Greencastle
Major: Art
Activities: Web design, scuba, world travel, concert promotion, his two boys: Toban and Duncan (dachshunds!).
School Activities: Maintaining on-line bookstore, web design for Student Services
Company Websites: www.cacpro.com, www.verticalconcerts.com, www.hopestrands.com
Career Goals: Take Cross and Crown to the next level by assisting companies and organizations in developing the most effective and innovative solutions for utilizing the Internet and design in their respective business.
Life Goals: Live a life consistent with my spiritual convictions.