SimplePie — Open-Source Project

Creator and Co-Developer (July 2004 – Present)

• SimplePie is an API library, written in PHP, that enables web developers to simply and easily integrate RSS and Atom syndication feeds (from blogs, news sites, etc.) into their websites and web applications.
• Spent much time looking for pain points involved in working with feeds, and removed those impediments from the developer's workflow, enabling a more efficient experience.
• Engineered the entire user experience: design, code, usability, copywriting, support, evangelism, managing customer feedback, maintaining the ongoing vision for the project, etc.
• Engineered SimpleReader Mobile, a web-based feed reader geared for mobile devices.
• Engineered SimplePie Live!, a web service providing an AJAX-friendly JavaScript API for integrating feeds.
• SimplePie has seen over 30,000 cumulative downloads since January 2006.
• SimplePie.org: 20k -25k visits/mo, 95k+ views/mo, 40% bounce rate average. Visits are 40% referrals, 40% organic search, and 20% direct traffic. Page views grow 20-25% per quarter.

LifeNexus Digital (née Foleeo) — Morgan Hill, CA

Co-Founder, Chief Information Officer, Board Member (September 2006 – Present)

• Strategic planning and development of business, marketing, and technological goals.
• Oversee development of the Information Architecture and User Experience pieces of the WarpShare service.
• Co-architect of our server-side LAMP stack (including an Amazon cloud computing environment).
• Performance tuning in the server/data stack, PHP-based MVC layer, and on the client-side.
• Successfully championed user-centric ideals and user-centered design principles.

Synonym — Chicago, IL

Freelance Web Developer and Strategist (May 2008 – Present)

• Core member of the all-new, all-remote team that is "committed to helping education, innovative startups and non-profits get their message out in a digital world."
• Leverage a deep understanding of best practices in front-end development, layout and design, information architecture, usability, accessibility, and web culture to provide a tremendous value to our clients.

Yahoo! — Sunnyvale, CA

Contracted Front-end Web Developer, Yahoo! Messenger (November 2007 – January 2008)

• Lead the front-end development of the Spring 2008 re-launch of the Yahoo! Messenger website.
• Collaborated with a core team to provide increased usability, accessibility, organic search engine optimization (SEO), and simplified maintenance, resulting in exceptionally tuned performance for 29 locales.
• Involved in tuning the front-end stack for performance, where we employed semantically valid HTML/CSS, server and client-side caching, gzipping, image spriting, code minification, and reduced HTTP requests, resulting in exceptional load times for A-grade desktop web browsers.
• Involved in upgrading and porting the existing site over to a pure PHP5-based MVC framework.

Stryker — San Jose, CA

User Interface Developer (May 2005 – September 2006)

• Authored functional specs and collaborated on technical specs for our Oracle Portal implementation.
• Conducted usability testing sessions as part of our "User-Centered Design Initiative."
• Developed UI, front-end development guidelines, and AJAX-based portlets compatible with Oracle Portal.
• Collaborated with development teams to ensure that new web applications adhered to UI guidelines.
• Wrote numerous articles for the monthly ERP-related newsletter.
• Collaborated with the eBusiness team to improve maintenance and development for the UI of the worldwide GlobalSource project.
• Re-engineered the public Stryker Endoscopy site to follow modern web standards, and built a PHP-based templating system that significantly sped up website development.
• Maintained multiple internal websites and web applications.
• Entrusted with additional project management responsibilities during the last 6 months of the project.

Acxiom Digital (née Digital Impact) — San Mateo, CA

Production Specialist (March 2004 – April 2005)

• Coordinated campaign integration, change requests, and ensured content consistency.
• Performed the quality tracking and reporting of campaign integration-related metrics.
• Consulted on text and HTML templates and personalization link issues.
• HTML and email package expert for client and team.
• Worked with client-provided HTML templates and provided simple HTML design and image editing.
• Developed HTML code guidelines and processes for design optimization.
• Participated in periodic reviews and provided suggestions for strategic and process improvements.
• Acted as syndication expert for internal RSS development team.
• Clients: Banana Republic, SBC, Hewlett Packard, Sony Style, Lexus, MAC Cosmetics.

Golden Rule Produce — Morgan Hill, CA

Technologist (September 2001 – March 2004)

• Designed the company logo, business cards, and established the company branding guidelines.
• Managed development, design, and production of corporate website from concept to finished product.
• Produced our weekly customer newsletter: market research, layout, design, copywriting, proofing, production, and distribution.
• Managed server and client configuration and maintenance (Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP Professional)
• Automated a 16-hour/2-person task down to a 15-minute/1-person task, saving the company over $15,000 per year in labor and production costs.