Random Testimonials…
“I do not know the Internet. When I tour the United States to visit [Karate schools] in our association it serves a big part of keeping my national schedule. We had notebook problems while [in] Virginia Beach and were fortunate enough to meet Max. He fixed it all [removed viruses and installed security], and introduced new ideas to expand our presence on the Internet. He is a credit to your countrymen.”
~ Grandmaster Hanshi Seifuku Nitta -- Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Association, Kensei Doukoukai, [partially translated from Okinawan by an assistant]
As an Artist and a Computer Geek, when you’ve been down as many Creative Rabbit Holes as I have, a CV is the only way to highlight some of the things I’ve learned and accomplished along the way.
Creative Disciplines:
Print: Book Design (cover and interior), CD and DVD packaging, Brand Identity, Corporate Collateral Materials, Print Advertisements, Direct Mail, Press Kits, Promotional Products, Business and Financial Plans.
Multimedia & Web: Video Graphics, CD and DVD authoring, basic 3D Modeling and Animation, Web design (HTML, CSS, etc.), Web Applications (PHP, ASP, MySQL, etc.), Flash (basic, Actionscript), High-end Powerpoint Presentations, Traditional (graphite, Acrylic paint, etc.), Digital Photography (SLR).
Writing: Business Proposals, Technical Writing, Ad Copy, package Copy, Commentary, Technology Articles, Short Stories, Serial Fiction, Ghostwriting.
Technical Proficiency:
Fluent in numerous image processing, illustration, desktop publishing, productivity and utility packages across PC, Mac, and Unix-like Operating Systems (SGI, Solaris, Linux). These include: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Pagemaker, InDesign, Flash), Code Editors (Emacs, Notepad++), Open Source image/layout software (GIMP, Scribus, Inkscape), Ulead VideoStudio, QuarkXpress, 3Dstudio Max, Microsoft Office (high proficiency in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access). Over 12 years of general System Administration experience with Microsoft and Linux Desktops and Web Servers (IIS and Apache managed through SSH, cpanel, VNC or Remote Desktop), basic SEO Management (including Google Analytics, Yahoo Site Explorer, Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools, etc) and Network Security and maintenance (LAN, Wireless) and multi-platform file servers integration (primarily using SAMBA). Please inquire for specifics.
Professional Experience:
NOTE: From June 1994 to February 2001, my experiences were all within one company, iTRiBE, Inc. My responsibilities were broad because I was both a co-owner in the company as well as an employee. To help manage the business growth, I took on other responsibilities, some of which were outside of my primary creative disciplines. From February 2001 to July 2004, my experience with Autoleap Inc. was essentially an extension of my time with iTRiBE since they had purchased iTRiBE’s remaining software assets and client base. As a result of my entrepreneurial experience, I’ve worked with numerous clients of various sizes and particulars. A partial client list is available on the BGP website.
May 2001 to Present: Business Manager, Graphic Designer and Publisher, Bohemian Griot Publishing LLC, Virginia Beach, VA. Self-employed through this venture, I’ve been designing brand identity packages, [print] collateral materials, lite web programming/integration, setting up Content Management Systems, and providing IT consulting services for small business owners and managers. About 10% of my business has been dedicated to creating brands and presences for non-profit organizations to help them grow. Staying true to its name, BGP provides services for self-published authors and occasionally takes on selected book manuscripts to publish.
September 2005 to February 2006: IT Consultant, Atlantic Video, Inc., Washington DC. Atlantic Video Inc. (http://www.atlanticvideo.com) is a full-service television production company that handles a variety of production types including shows for ESPN, CNBC and The Comedy Channel. For this contract I applied my understanding of media dynamics and general networking background to perform a top-down assessment of this company’s entire IT infrastructure in order to recommend solutions to a variety of network and personnel issues. This included performing security audits, interviewing staff, drafting policy templates, and working with Human Resources to review the resumes of candidates to hire into the IT staff.
February 2001 to July 2004: Web Designer / System Administrator. Autoleap, Inc. San Diego, CA (Virginia Beach home-based office). With Autoleap, I expanded upon the automotive industry templates, applications and services originally developed at iTRiBE, Inc. My functions were split between Web Design, light programming, and integration work depending on client requirements and trends among car dealers. Most programming I did was primarily in ASP, PHP with one of several database backends. My responsibilities also included System Administration, maintaining secure web and mail servers across Microsoft and Linux-based platforms. As a result of my solutions and guidance, some of my implementations earned as much as 6-figures within a quarter for those automotive clients.
June 1998 to May 1999: System Analyst / Web Designer, iTRiBE, Inc., Norfolk, VA. Worked in conjunction with PROSOFT, Inc. to provide technical research, planning, development, and installation of WAVE and VaNetCert for the Veterans Benefits Administration (Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Washington, D.C.). Currently WAVE is used by veterans on a monthly basis to certify their GI Bills and process them online versus by phone or mail.
June 1995 to February 2001: Creative Director, iTRiBE, Inc., Norfolk, VA. Responsibilities included the following: Planning and designing layout for business web sites. Analysis of client business models to structure sites, information tools, and online revenue models that best suit client requirements. Assist clients with integrating web sites into their current advertising and marketing campaigns. Generate cost estimates on client projects. Strategic Action planning and budget projections for the division that handled all custom web design and development. Assisted in the creation of the initial line of iTRiBE automotive products and services, eventually spun off into a separate division. Supervised R&D and planning for new product development, marketing, and developing promotional print materials. Supervised recruitment and training of new artists and programmers. Guided account representatives in new business development. Researched marketing and media business models in order to forecast trends that would affect the products and services we provided to our clients. Worked in conjunction with our Marketing Director to produce all collateral materials in-house then send out for printing. As Creative Director, I had a direct hand in helping iTRiBE grow to handle hundreds of web design clients with just over $2 million in annual sales.
June 1994 to June 1995: Partner, Internet Present & Publishing, Inc., Norfolk, VA. I participated in all areas of the business startup process (choosing location, build-out, developed initial promotional materials, securing startup funding, business/marketing plan development, and etc.). Analyzed client business models to structure their websites and tailored Perl-based applications to their revenue models. Internet Presence & Publishing eventually entered a joint venture with the owners of PROSOFT, Inc. to form iTRiBE, Inc.
December 1994 to December 1996: Creative Director, Content Writer and Co-Founder, Christmas.com (Previously owned by Internet Presence & Publishing / iTRiBE, Inc.), Norfolk, VA. Assisted in the creation, development and branding of www.christmas.com, a Christmas portal site. This site grew to gain a worldwide following, peaking at an excess of 3 million visitors a week during its second holiday season. Assisted in brokering banner advertisement placement and cross-promotional deals. Planned and coordinated efforts between graphic artists and programmers to produce site content (graphic design, special applications, writing) for the site, including helping to build the “Christmas Around the World” feature. Under my creative direction, Christmas.com was featured in dozens of news outlets around the world including CNN and had secured national sponsors like Disney and Macy’s. Christmas.com went on to become a separate company, Christmas Information Services, Inc., and in 2003 was sold to the ETR Group out of Wisconsin.
Education / Training / Certifications:
- BFA in Graphic Design with an emphasis on Computer Science and a minor in Writing (1994) . NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
- CompTIA Linux+ Certification
- Class C Home Improvement (HIC) Contractor
- Currently studying to become a Ubuntu Certified Professional (UCP)
