Matthew J Heerema's Resume (Last updated September 19th 2008)

Principals only, no recruitment firms please.

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

Web Designer and Front-End Developer with 9 years professional experience. Have worked in the private and public sectors including higher education institutions and major corporations.

Currently working as a Principal Designer for a major Internet media corporation. Responsible for ~40 highly visible Web properties that garner millions of unique visitors each month.

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.

9 years professional Web design / development experience.

Languages
Expert: (X)HTML, CSS;
Advanced: AJAX, DOM, JavaScript;
Competent: PHP, XML, XSLT;

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

Database Platforms: Microsoft Access, MySQL, MSSQL, PostgreSQL

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.

AOL - Weblogs Inc, Principal Designer, Ames, Iowa (Telecommute) (October 2006 - Present)
I am responsible for the creative direction and "front end architecture" of our 40+ industry-leading blogs, including engadget.com, autoblog.com, joystiq.com, downloadsquad.com, tvsquad.com, and tuaw.com.

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

I also work with our 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.

Direct Steps Consulting, Creative Director, Ames, Iowa (September 2005 - Present)
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.)

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

Musician - Singer, guitar, harmonica

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

Accessibility, Section 508, CSS, Graphic Design, Web Design, Web Development, AJAX, PHP, XHTML, Usability