For 22 years, I have been addicted to designing and building websites and applications that focus on the user experience and interface design. Graphic design was my passion until discovering the Web in 1995, which began my career in programming and website development and formed a diverse background combining graphic design, user interface and experience design, marketing, and communications—all with strong technical skills in programming and web development. This mixture has helped me bridge the gap between IT, business units, and stakeholders, resulting in successful projects centered on customer-driven design and usability in highly technical IT environments.

Sharing knowledge by coaching and mentoring junior developers is always rewarding, while keeping the team on target and projects moving forward. Simplicity is my mantra, and I take pride in doing more with less to solve business challenges through innovative and efficient solutions.

-          Building websites and applications since 1995, with a passion for UI/UX design, responsive web design, front-end development, and usability.

-          Solid graphic design background emphasizing design that is user-centered and task-based.

-          Familiar with user experience design (UX), website usability, prototyping, and wireframing.

-          Extensive knowledge and use of HTML5, CSS3 (including LESS and SASS), and JavaScript.

-          Working knowledge of several CSS frameworks, including Bootstrap and Foundation.

-          Advanced use of front-end application frameworks, with an emphasis on Angular and Ember.

-          Advanced use of jQuery, AJAX, REST API, JSON and many popular JavaScript libraries.

-          Mobile web development using responsive web design and mobile-first principles.

-          Experienced with information architecture (IA), website usability, and WCAG/Section 508 accessibility guidelines.

-          Sitecore Certified Developer with working knowledge of several content management systems, including Sitecore, WordPress, Drupal, and MODX.

-          Highly experienced in Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and other design tools.

-          Google Partner with certification in Mobile Sites, AdWords, Mobile Advertising, Video Advertising, and Analytics.

-          Visual Studio, ASP.NET, Web API 2.0, C# and PHP programming experience.

-          SQL programming and administration of Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, MariaDB, and others.

-          Experience with version control systems, such as Git and Microsoft Team Foundation Server (TFS).

-          Windows Server administration with working knowledge of networking, such as TCP/IP, DNS, SSL/TLS, SMTP, FTP, and firewall configuration.

-          Experience managing teams of developers, programmers and engineers.

-          Strong problem solving with solid written and verbal communication skills.

Front-End Design and Development – Contractor and Freelancer, Sacramento, CA

September 1995 to Present

For more than 21 years, I’ve been designing and building websites and applications—and just about everything else related to the Web. My experience is based in full-stack web development, mostly using the Microsoft platform for back-end REST API development and Angular and Ember front-end JavaScript frameworks. My recent focus has been UI/UX design, architecture, and strategy.

UI/UX Designer and Front-End Developer (Consultant), SunSystem Technology, Rancho Cordova, CA

June 2017 to July 2017

This was a short, six-week contract to build a web application for data visualization and analysis. The client has several partners requiring a view of projects and other work data stored in SharePoint. I designed and developed an Ember front-end application using OAuth to authenticate users against a Web API application hosted on Microsoft Azure. Once authenticated, data was retrieved from SharePoint and returned to the front-end as JSON using a REST API. It was then visualized using JavaScript components in Ember.

Although the project was short and much of the work was done remotely, I was able to mentor and train a junior developer in Ember, Microsoft Azure, and the SharePoint API. We used Slack and conference calls for regular communication and project updates.

UI/UX Designer and Front-End Developer (Consultant), Nugget Markets, CA

March 2015 to March 2017

Nugget Markets brought me in to work on the front-end design of a line-of-business web application built with the Ember JavaScript framework. Most front-end development involved extensive HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Usability studies were performed to define strategy and common user interface designs for use in the application. Prototypes and wireframes were created to guide the team in a cohesive and well-planned user experience. The application was hosted on Amazon Web Services using a REST API written in Visual Basic .NET, with data stored in SQL Server and MongoDB.

UI Architect (Consultant), State Compensation Insurance Fund, CA

May 2014 to February 2015

While at State Fund, I worked with several teams to establish consistent and professional user interfaces for the company’s line-of-business web applications. Regular tasks included UX/UI architecture; developing front-end application prototypes using Angular, jQuery, and Handlebars; reviewed HTML/CSS/JavaScript code; and optimized existing code and procedures. I mentored several designers and developers in best practices for front-end web design and application development, functioned as an Angular evangelist across multiple project teams, and led several JavaScript and Angular training sessions and brown bag lunch events for developers and programmers.

Sitecore Certified Developer (Consultant), County of Placer, CA

September 2012 to March 2014

Placer County brought me onboard to help upgrade their Sitecore content management system and then redesign their website to be more task-based and constituent-focused, mobile-friendly with responsive web design, and improve the information architecture. The project was multi-phased and involved collaborating with over 30 divisions and departments across the County. Data was identified and exposed for public use in JSON format, and existing server-side applications were moved to single page applications using AngularJS to retrieve and display data. Several jQuery plugins were built to apply progressive enhancements to visual design elements throughout the website.

Web Developer/Sitecore Certified Developer, City of Olympia

July 2007 to September 2012

I was responsible for everything related to the City’s intranet and public website, from back-end integration with third-party applications and vendors to front-end UX/UI design and copywriting. The majority of work involved usability testing and front-end development with Sitecore CMS, jQuery, AngularJS and Backbone. One project included the migration of the City’s 1,500 page website to Sitecore while improving the user experience and adding new user interface elements to the site.

Managing Senior Internet Engineer, Focus on the Family

January 2005 to June 2007

As Senior Internet Engineer, I managed a team of four engineers responsible for the design and daily maintenance and support of 42+ Windows Servers in production and QA. One large project included planning and designing a new infrastructure and moving all production servers to a new hosting provider out of state. The project was successfully completed on time with improvements that reduced support overhead and improved overall performance.

After successfully completing the hosting migration, I moved to the development department and managed a team of 10 developers and engineers responsible for wide range of website projects, from interface design to back-end architecture and programming. Most projects involved collaborating with business units to build new sites or make improvements to 30+ websites.     

Web Architect and Owner, Cahill Interactive

February 2004 to January 2005

I spent a year doing freelance and independent contract work with small and medium-sized businesses. Work focused on strategy, design and marketing, including information architecture and usability. I helped clients discover and document business needs and requirements, project scope and milestones and deadlines. Projects were fast-paced and the work was rewarding but I was eventually lured back to the corporate environment to lead staff and projects in Colorado Springs, CO.

Web Developer, Vision Service Plan

April 2001 to February 2004

At VSP, I worked on the design, development and implementation of the VSP Resource Center—a Web application enabling clients and brokers to access reporting and manage eligibility of eye care benefits. There was extensive collaboration with internal divisions and departments, including IT, Marketing, Client Services, Sales and Information Management. Projects included updating the public website with improved UX/UI design, supporting company intranet and line-of-business applications written in Java, and coding Java Server Pages, ASP websites, Microsoft Access database and Visual Basic applications. I championed email marketing at VSP and worked with Marketing and Corporate Communications to establish policies and procedures for several large email marketing campaigns.

Internet Applications Engineer, AUTOVIA Corporation

November 2000 to February 2001

I worked a short three months at AUTOVIA—a dot com that collapsed 89 days after I was hired. (It wasn’t my fault.)

Although skilled developers should be able to quickly learn any new tool or technology, below is a laundry list of the tools and technologies I am currently experienced with. (In alphabetical order.)