team lead
Nov 2015 to present
ESRI, Redlands CA
In 2 years, I’ve grown my team from 5 UX Architects to 12; my team works on complex desktop solutions, mobile apps used in the field and cutting edge web solutions for GIS professionals. I’ve brought user-centered design, user research and accessible design to a development team of 400+, implemented design planning in the release planning cycle and refactored user research conducted at 3 ESRI User Conferences (20,000+ attendees).
I’ve brought techniques like Design Sprints, User Story Mapping and Agile design planning to the product design process that brings the user into the planning process.
DIR, INNOVATIONS
Feb 2001 - Oct 2015
ES&S, Omaha NE
The culmination of my experience at ES&S was co-leading a team working on a new business concept at tech accelerator called Straight Shot. We developed a product and service that took unused voting machine data and turned it into used information for county elections staff. It was picked up by the company and piloted at 2 counties. But what I’m most proud accomplishing is the idea I developed from scratch. I pitched an idea to the Chairman of the Board and a $1-million “prove-it” pilot was funded. We proved it using Lean methodology, ultimately the product was developed and released by a sister company. In addition to new product development, I developed the Innovations department and vision pitch deck; the team grew from 3 staff to 21 in 2 years and influenced corporate strategy. I was Product Manager for a Ballot Delivery system for Military and Overseas Americans and lead user experience design for the web based and mobile products we developed.
Other roles I held at ES&S were:
- Director Product Management and Design: Created the Product Management and Design department from scratch ~ Created vision and drove product strategy, researched market requirements and managed priorities for software suite
- Principal User Experience Architect / Designer: Lead UX design for voting and election products.
- Senior Product Manager, Software: Managed election management software suite of 6 products.
- Product Owner, Sr. Product Designer: Created user experience for first internet voting product and lead team that designed the system and security.
DIR, DESIGN
Jan 1999 - Jan 2001
Accutech Solutions, Omaha NE
I directed the Creative and User Experience Departments for a small web design company. I guided the vision, UX and UI design on 15+ projects and was responsible for staffing, budget and project planning. Key Project: Omaha.com
PROJECT MANAGER
Aug 1998 - Jan 1999
University of Nebraska, Lincoln - NET Interactive Media Group
I produced a companion website for a documentary on the college football legend Tom Osborne. I was the editor for companion short story and did additional interviews with Coach Osborne and other Nebraksa football legends. I was the Winner of the 1999 National Educational Telecommunications Association Best of the Best Award.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Apr 1997 - Jul 1998
Antics Online, San Carlos CA
I managed the production of 5 corporate direct e-marketing HTML mail newsletters with weekly and monthly delivery to over 3 million subscribers. I was the point of contact for the content providers like ABC News, CNN and ESPN.
DIR, MULTIMEDIA
Feb 1996 - Apr 1997
Playnet, San Franciso CA
I managed the Creative Services department and digital studio for a Nolan Bushnell start-up that created networked, coin-operated, Internet accessible, counter-top entertainment unit.
PRODUCER
Aug 1993 - Jan 1996
Digital Pictures, San Mateo CA
I created and managed the design, development and production of the first full-motion video games on the market. I supervised a large-scale digital studio and staff. I was a designer and Associated Producer on 20+ video games.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Aug 1990 - Aug 1996
Adair & Armstrong, San Francisco CA
I worked on the production of entertainment and educational products for teenagers. I was also the Associate Producer on the documentary Absolutely Positive by Peter Adair.