Professional Experience

• June 2007 - Present Google :: Interaction Designer :: Chicago
  • Collaborated with the sales team to design custom YouTube brand channels, contests, gadgets and online advertising for multi-million dollar advertisers such as Miller, Kellogg's, K-Mart and Travelocity.
  • Designed new AdSense and gadget ad formats.
  • Worked on integration projects to incorporate FeedBurner functions and services into Google products.

• May 2004 - Aug 2007 Chicagoist.com :: Editor-In-Chief :: Chicago
  • Cofounded Chicagoist.com, a collaborative Web site about Chicago with traffic of about 693,000 pageviews per month.
  • Managed a staff of up to 30 contributors. Handled finances for the site and staff.
  • Created daily staff workload by researching upwards of 20 Web-based news source, including independent blogs such as ctatattler.com and mainstream media outlets such as Chicago Tribune.
  • Established and maintained relationships with local and national media, public relations and business representatives to develop exclusive content for Chicagoist readership.
  • Planned Chicagoist-sponsored events including annual happy hours, concerts and contests.

• Apr 2006 - Jun 2007 FeedBurner :: Visual/Interaction Designer :: Chicago
  • Designed and coded the FeedBurner marketing site, application site, and internal accounting and reporting systems using HTML, CSS and JSP.
  • Redesigned the FeedBurner coporate blog and podcast, not only graphically and from a UI perspective, but also implemented the Movable Type content management system. Following redesign, subscription count tripled to 30,000 subscribers.
  • Provided direct customer support on FeedBurner and feed-related issues on a daily basis.
  • FeedBurner was a highly sought-after startup and was acquired by Google on June 1, 2007.

• Feb 2004 - Jan 2006 Monster Worldwide :: Interaction Designer :: Chicago
  • Responsible for user interface based on input from users, clients, account services and other interactive/creative team members.
  • Developed documentation, content maps, wireframes, and EDDs.
  • Worked directly with clients to identify interactive solutions for process improvements and to develop strategies and tactics for implementation of those solutions.
  • Worked with the business development group to generate compelling interactive pitches for Fortune 500 companies.
  • Guided and educated team members to help maintain the interactive standards for the department, including design, coding and usability.

• Jan 2000 - Feb 2004 Monster Worldwide :: Web Developer :: New York City & San Diego
  • Designed, built, and maintained dynamic Web sites using html, javascript, CSS and XML for Fortune 500 companies.
  • Involved in Interaction Design projects.

• Sept 1992 - Jan 2000 AAL Capital Management Corp. (now Thrivent Financial) :: Appleton, WI
  • Senior Programmer, Management Information Systems (Designed and maintained corporate web site and intranet.)
  • Programmer, Management Information Systems (Updated and maintained corporate web site and intranet.)
  • Production Assistant, Multimedia Communications (Responsible for the final design and layout of sales software distributed to thousands of licensed field representatives.)

Other Experience

• Appearances & Interviews 2004 - 2007
  • WTTW's Chicago Tonight: Local bloggers segment (2007)
  • Chicago Magazine: "Look Who's Talking" (2007)
  • WGN Radio: Nick Digilio Show (2006)
  • BlogHer Conference Moderator: "From Here to Autonomy"(2006)
  • BusinessWire Panelist: "Navigating the Blogosphere" (2005)
  • Independent Writers of Chicago Panelist: "Writing for Blogs" (2005)
  • Late Night Late Show Guest: Blogger Show (2005)
  • ABC7: "Entering the Blogosphere" news segment(2005)
  • Chicago Public Radio: "Eight Forty-Eight" Food blog segment.(2004)

• 2001 - Present Photography
  • Photography enthusiast, shoots daily and has published work in books, the Advocate, Time Out magazine, the Washington Post, the Oregonian, Fodors.com, and Gothamist.com.

Education

• 2007 Chicago Photography Center
  • Professional-level courses that examined the technicalities of how cameras work, how to get precise exposure and color rendition, elements of good composition, and the psychological relationship between the photographer and subject.

• 2000 - 2001 University of Phoenix :: San Diego, CA
  • Pursued a Bachelor of Science, Information Technology

• 1999 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee:: Milwaukee, WI
  • Certificate in Internet Administration

• 1998 - 1999 Lakeland College :: Sheboygan, WI
  • Pursued a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration & Marketing

• 1993 - 1998 Fox Valley Technical College :: Appleton, WI
  • Associate Degree, General Business
  • Cumulative GPA: 3.78