The Skills

I've been writing HTML and CSS for over two decades. They change all of the time, as new features are added to the spec and new techniques become prevalent. I pride myself on staying current with the industry standard best-practices, as well as keeping an eye on the horizon so that I know what's coming.
I cut my teeth with jQuery and still have a lot of affection for it, but I've since worked extensively in Angular and VueJS as well. Each has their benefits and drawbacks, so I keep them all in my hip pocket for when they're needed. Learning a new one has become a fantastic and enjoyable challenge.
I first launched Photoshop in 1996 when I was a middle schooler. It's been a love/hate relationship ever since, but I've used almost everything Adobe has to offer at some point, with particular time spent with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Prototyping and wireframing are an everyday part of my life, and I've tried most of the offerings available. My flavor of choice for the last 6 years has been Sketch, but I am able to pick up a new/old one whenever the occasion calls for it.
I probably drink too much coffee. Let's leave it at that.
The current tally is 7, but that total goes up about once every year or two. Who knows where I'll be in 10 years?
I thought I was good, but then the New York Times took over. And we all know the reputation of their crossword...
HTML / CSS
JS
AdobeCS
Sketch
Caffeine
Tattoos
Wordle

The Jobs

2016-Present: InventoryLab

First and foremost, I've always been a designer. With InventoryLab, I have returned to that singular focus as the Senior UI/UX Engineer. I'm part of a fantastic team, with the goal of improving our product's User Interface and User Experience design. Projects have ranged from simple marketing materials to an ongoing, ground-up rewrite of our entire application suite. Going to work at InventoryLab is a complete joy.

2015: BlueRidge Interactive

Working at BlueRidge Interactive was a fantastic challenge. I was hired to help them update and manage their workflow using Agile principles and methods, and to bring their UX and UI to the next level by providing design and creative direction for their multitude of projects.

2014-2015: Modea

Part of my job description has always been creative vision, and my job at Modea was a logical extension of this. As a Product Experience Director, I owned the overall vision for various large scale digital projects for national clients like Aveda and Prudential. This involved creative direction, project planning, management of a dedicated team and full use of Agile principles and methods. I truly enjoyed my time as a Modean.

2010-2013: Anstey Hodge Advertising Group

Building on all of my previous experience in interactive, I began working for Anstey Hodge as the Interactive Art Director in the fall of 2010. It was the one of the most educational and rewarding jobs of my life. I designed websites and online advertisements for retirement communities, major universities, startups, tourist destinations and more. I had the privilege of working under one of the most respected creative directors in the state, and won multiple awards for my work, including a W3 Silver Award for the Cross Keys Village website, and both a W3 Silver and a PRSA Blue Ridge Summit Award for Best in Show for the Step Into Blacksburg website.

2010: The Roanoke Times

Working at the Roanoke Times was a major eye opener. Agencies have deadlines that are a few weeks out - but newspapers have deadlines that often occur the same day. I worked in the advertising department, designing print and interactive ads for clients who purchased ad space with the Times.

2009-2010: The O'Connor Group

After 5 years in Alaska, it was time to move back down to the lower 48 - and my state of choice this time was Virginia. Upon arrival in Virginia, I began my employment as the Senior Art Director for The O'Connor Group. I was the primary creative for the agency, and worked on all of their accounts creating print, interactive and media design.

2007-2009: Brilliant Media Strategies

My first actual professional design position (not including freelancing) was at this medium sized firm in downtown Anchorage. I began as an entry level Production Artist, but was promoted very quickly to Art Director. Initially I did mostly print design, but gradually became the primary interactive designer. I created Flash banner ads, websites and even a small iOS app.