Matthew J Heerema

To work with an innovative, excited, skilled team to create dynamic, appealing, functional, high-impact Web experiences.

Web Designer and Front-End Developer with 12 years professional experience. Have worked in the private and public sectors including higher education institutions, major corporations, and major non-profit organizations.

Proficient with virtually all major Web technologies, expert in several, including CSS and XHTML.

Constantly pursuing professional development and expansion of my skill set and refining of current skill set.

12 years professional Web design / development experience.

Web Technology Strategist specializing in Information Architecture, Content Strategy and Management, Project Direction, SEO, and Usability

Languages
Expert: (X)HTML, CSS;
Advanced: AJAX, DOM, JavaScript;

Design Tools: Text editors, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, etc)

Public Speaking, Teaching, Instruction, Presentation - At several university and non-profit related conferences and gatherings

Thorough knowledge of Web usability principles, WCAG Web accessibility guidelines (including Section 508), and W3C Web standards

Technical Writer, Problem Solver, Quick Thinker, Fast Learner, Outgoing.

Desiring God, Senior Web Manager, Ames, IA (Telecommute) (October 2009 - Present)

• Lead the Web team acting as strategist, design director, and project director.
  

• Assist with front end code and troubleshooting in a Ruby-on-rails environment.
  

• Social Media Strategy and execution.
  

• Site analytics and user testing.
  

• Set up and maintain smaller Web sites as necessary, usually in the Wordpress CMS.
  

• Other management and administrative tasks (budget management, personnel evaluation, etc.)

AOL - Weblogs Inc, Principal Designer, Ames, IA (Telecommute) (October 2006 - October 2009)
Responsible for the creative direction and "front end architecture" of our industry-leading blogs, including engadget.com, autoblog.com, joystiq.com, downloadsquad.com, tvsquad.com, and tuaw.com.

Responsible for the brand identity design, graphical layout, user experience design, and front-end coding (XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP) of our sites.

Work with network leads and ad sales team to direct, create, and implement the graphical and interface elements that are included in promotional efforts, ad campaigns, and UI / feature enhancements to our sites.

Mere Creative Agency, Sr. Strategist, Ames, IA (July 2011 - Present)
Combined my consulting efforts with Direct Steps (see below), and Mike Wandling to offer a more full range of services to our client base.

Full service strategy, design, and development for a wide range of business/organization sizes.

Direct Steps Consulting, Creative Director, Ames, Iowa (September 2005 - July 2011)
End-to-end Web site development and support in a LAMP and Ruby-on-Rails environment. Business management, project management, marketing, sales, technical consulting and training.

Specific skills utilized: Web Standards based development in: CSS, XHTML, XML, AJAX, JavaScript. Graphic Design, Brand Identity Design, Accessibility/Usability Assessment, Search Engine Optimization, Site Speed Optimization, and Content Management

Iowa State University Extension, Web Designer / Developer, Ames, Iowa (May 2003 - October 2006)
Responsible for creative direction of Iowa State University Extension's Web presence.

Graphic Design and Web-standards based development with a focus on usability and information architecture using CSS, XHTML, JavaScript, XML in a .NET C# Environment.

Iowa State University - Thielen Student Health Center & Substance Abuse Prevention Center, Webmaster, Ames, Iowa (December 2002 - May 2003)
Web Design and Programming in a variety of platforms. Database design/management. Designing and maintaining Web-based class registration, event management systems.

Cramer Development, Web Designer / Developer, Ames, Iowa (May 2001 - December 2002)
Web Design and Programming in a variety of platforms, Database design/management, Computer consulting, Computer Network Management.

Iowa State University - I.D.E.A. Office, Webmaster / Systems Analyst, Ames, Iowa (November 1999 - August 2002)
Web Design, Systems Troubleshooting, Database design/management. PC Support.

Eagle Scout - Boy Scouts of America

Student Government - (various administrative and leadership positions in the dorm system and student body.)

Study and Research - Theology, History, Philosophy, Comparative Religion

Musician - Singer, guitar, harmonica

Martial Arts - Aiki-jujitsu, Kenjitsu , Tae Kwon Do

Stonebrook Community Church - community service activities, mentoring of college students in career/personal/social/spiritual areas. Director of Music Ministries.

Content Strategy, Information Architecture, User Experience, Accessibility, Section 508, CSS, Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Development, AJAX, PHP, XHTML, Usability