Aaron Wester > Resume
Seattle/Bellevue Area - Pre-Dissertation Doctorate, MBA in Technology Management and expert in Interaction Design, Web Analytics, Information Architecture, User Interface(UI) and User Experience(UX) Design
Experience Overview  Experience 07/2009 - Present Demand Media Bellevue, WA Business Intelligence Applications Engineer Developed web analytics instrumentation crawler, scripted in WebQL, using regular expression patterns and XML-based macro driven configurations to crawl millions of pages of internal social media content to identify missing and malformed instrumentation errors for each Demand Media Property, including eHow, Answerbag, Trails.com, Cracked, GolfLink, eNom, Demand Studios and several others. Designed report layouts and developed SSRS reports generated from WebQL crawler CSV output data, imported into Data Warehouse and deployed into report tables. Devised global instrumentation specifications to support Omniture and Google AdSense Premium tracking across all Demand Media Properties. Coded ad-impressions suppression DOM object for enhanced segmentation, NoScript name/value pairing that enable accurate cost reporting and monetization on traffic that suppresses third party cookies and JavaScript with heightened security settings, and Safari DOM Object that enables first party cookies to be created for Omniture on iPhone, iPod Touch and any browser that runs from the Safari engine. Provided profile segmentation reporting and analysis on traffic dimensions using Omniture Insight Visual Workstation for Demand Media executive management staff. Designed reporting tools user interfaces and navigation schemes. led end-user usability studies against Business Intelligence Platform Portal Reports, and revised layout, taxonomies and schemas as needed. Prepared web analytics instrumentation to support internationalization efforts for our Demand Media Properties, including language/region/currency site dimensions. 10/2007 - 05/2009 Press Ganey Associates South Bend, IN Technical Product Specialist Entrusted with full redesign of Press Ganey Online initiative, including user interface(UI), aesthetic look & feel, taxonomies, typography, human-computer interaction (HCI), click-path flows, end-user usability studies and web analytics integration. Press Ganey Online is a suite of web applications distributed to 47% of all hospitals and health care facilities in the United States, and is used by doctors, nurses, administrators and C-level executives to measure performance and improve their level of critical patient care. Created wireframes, sketches, and concept design proofs with Adobe PhotoShop, Visio, white boarding, and hierarchical visual patterns such as visual framework, center stage, titled sections, closable panels, card stacks, movable panels, right/left alignment, diagonal balance, liquid layouts, responsive disclosure and responsive enabling. Developed rapid prototype models using (X)(D)HTML/CSS/JavaScript/AJAX. Conducted storyboarding sessions, and daily feature reviews. Documented technical design specifications, style guides, and user flow diagrams to accompany project plans. Participated in agile story reviews and directed design reviews during development phase of projects. Provided design-level approval for project implementation teams and critical feedback on discrepancies. Injected Omniture server beacon calls for all page links and page views into ASP pages (.aspx). Additionally injected Google Analytic server beacon calls for page views. Updated Javascript URLs and parameters based on the organization's need to track specific events. Developed front-end layout and content for prototypes and product implementation with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, XML, XSLT, and DHTML. Used Microsoft Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server (TFS) to manage coding, file repositories and branches. Collaborated closely with Marketing, Sr. Management, Business Development, Technology and Operations to identify, specify and design core application feature opportunities in a cost-effective and successful effort to reduce subscriber defection, increase feature content usability, and increase customer acquisition rate. Calculated conversions, path flow, and HTML EMAIL distribution performance using empirical metric analysis on a weekly basis to present recommendations on how the organization could reach business strategies, objectives, key performance indicators and end-state goals. Conducted web analytics package trials and built out competitive vendor matrix that identified and ranked feature comparisons for Unica, Google Analytics, Web Trends Enterprise 8.5 and Omniture Site Catalyst. Identified Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and long-term objectives for Press Ganey Online initiative. Collaborated with business stakeholders to create 3-year strategic roadmap with benchmarks and milestones. Conducted benchmarking, opportunity assessments, risk impact analysis, GAP analysis, SWOT matrix, ROI forecasts, external macro-environmental analysis, financial forecast modeling and time/metric/cross-comparative correlation studies Identified opportunity to reduce barriers to entry for web accessibility through PDA resolution-dependent browsers. Conducted benchmarking sessions using browser sniff results to identify Press Ganey subscribers that accessed PGO content from PDA browsers. Designed Press Ganey Online (PGO) metric report widgets for use with iPhone and Windows CE PDA devices. Devised web product style guides for cross-department collaboration. Maintained Microsoft Sharepoint repository for design documentation, storyboarding, user flows, prototypes, discussion forums on Interaction Design techniques, and technical flows. Approached project lifecycle phases through both agile methodologies (user story points) as well as classic waterfall process (discover, design, develop, QA, Deploy, Post-deploy). Conducted focus group testing, usability testing onsite and in native environments, user surveys, multivariate testing, context observations, client surveys and web analytics metric analysis to identify user behavioral trends, dead space versus active space, usage gaps, and performance opportunities. Appointed to represent Press Ganey IT and gain critical insights on web technology and social web advances at the 2009 W3C International WWW Conference in Madrid Spain. Created multiple rich internet desktop application mashup concepts for Press Ganey Online feature widgets using Adobe AIR, Flex (xmla), HTML, CSS and AJAX. Features include displaying and downloading PDF white docs, multimedia tutorial play back, multi-window usage, dynamic report metrics and encapsulated browser display as examples. 6/2000 - 10/2007 United Online, Inc. (NetZero | Juno | Classmates.com | PhotoSite | MyPoints) Warner Center - Woodland Hills, CA Director, Web Production Promoted for exceptional performance with expanded responsibilities and opportunities from Web Producer, to Sr. Web Producer, to Manager Web Production, to Director Web Production over the course of my tenure with United Online. Promotion to Director occurred at the beginning of 2006. Identified, designed and developed save tool features that generated over $8 million in quarterly earnings and stemmed user defection by 10%. Devised internal ad serving method using Transparent Flash overlays saving $175k/annually with cancellation of third party service provider. Additional cost savings gained through number of Flash advertisements injected through this process. Designed and developed NetZero/GM Auto Channel that earned $2 million/annual from top-tiered sponsors/cobrands. Required the design of multiple variations to present to client for approval. Technical Manager on top ranked projects including NetZero DSL, LEC/ACH E-Commerce Billing, NetZeroVoice (VOIP), OAS Ad-Serving Platform implementation, CMS implementation, Symantec Security Suite, Spanish Translation, Microsoft Vista Compliance, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 compliance, and more. Work closely will critical stakeholders to coordinate rapid execution of deliverables for deployment. Provided weekly status updates to Sr Management. Managed manpower resource budget and schedules against Sarb-Ox auditing mandates. Hands-on UI design of NetZero, Juno, Classmates.com, Mega Web Services, & United Online promotional co-branded and co-sponsored promotional web content (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, optimized web-prepped images) for partners and affiliates. Conducted storyboarding sessions, devised user personas, identified usage and user-behavioral patterns, conducted surveys and usability lab sessions. Managed Web Production & Web Tactical Operations teams in New York, Seattle, Utah, California, India, Germany, and Sweden (8 direct reports, comprising staff of 60). Directed global multi-branded web initiatives. Conducted annual performance reviews, promotions, raises, "best in class" new hires and termination processes. Directed Web Production Team to develop utilizing HTML/DHTML, JavaScript, JAVA servlet entities & macros, CSS (layers), CGI, CVS (Eclipse GUI & command-line via SecureCRT for tagging/reconciling/merging/pushing). Worked closely with Servlet team to create dynamic content. launched company-wide CVS strategy, and trained teams on CVS methodologies which is now used through-out the company as a business standard. Implemented project requirements, kick off meetings, project scheduling and resources for developing, then tested and deployed web projects. Worked cooperatively with core business groups. Provided hands-on development when needed, using HTML, DHTML, CSS, JS, JSP, AJAX, XML and XSLT with emphasis on SEO, graphic optimization, page weight and load time optimization through the use of gzip compression, HTTP object reduction, and code optimization techniques. Utilized internal Data-Warehouse (DW) reporting, server log files, Open Ad Stream (OAS) click data, Optimost multivariate A/B performance metrics, Google Analytics and Omniture SiteCatalyst applications to conduct traffic metric analysis and maintain weekly tracking reports on page view, click-through, impressions, fallout, UI benchmarking, sample population hypothesis testing, and geo-targeted conversions to quantify success for UNTD web initiatives. 8/1999 - 6/2000 Idealab! Pasadena, CA UI Designer Rapidly developed and deployed web site strategy utilizing every aspect of a new company model backed by Kleiner Perkins, Capital Z, and other strong investors. Worked with in-house and outsourced development teams, Chiat/Day Marketing, and others in building branding, look & feel, identity modeling, logo treatment, persuasive copywriting and site structure. Created screen shot mockups for complex projects in PhotoShop for product development meetings in compliance with slated scheduled release dates for site. Created multi-variant page flow and UI concepts and prototypes for eToys, Overture, City Search, FreePC, iExchange, and many others. Page flows and UI concepts folded in hierarchical visual patterns such as visual frameworks, center stage, titled sections, closable panels, card stacks, moveable panels, right/left alignment, diagonal balance, liquid layouts, responsive disclosure and responsive enabling among others Setup UI flowcharts to help determine site usability/functionality. Participated in project meetings and developed site content and specification criteria to accommodate aggressive product expansion. Designed affiliate driven gif/animated gif/HTML based banners while utilizing proper color balance and image compression. Created marketing copy for web including mailers, supporting template copy, and advertising copy. Developed site functionality using WebMacro, HTML, JavaScript, and Template applied SQL with emphasis on front-end usability while taking into account cross-browser issues such as non-WYSIWYG table cell formatting and scripting compatibility. Maintained project branches in CVS repository/module environments, and merged build branches to beta for sanity tests before pushing to production. Studied targeted focus groups to gather stats based on usability testing for site enhancement. Created brand awareness through illustrations, advertisements and icons that have been displayed on MSNBC, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the cover of the Washington Post, Business Week, and USA Today. 1/1999 - 6/1999 U.S. Congress - House of Representatives (HIR, House Information Resources) Washington DC & Pasadena, CA Web Designer Accepted 6-month government procurement contract for U.S. House of Representatives, 27th California District thru U.S. Congress - HIR (House Information Resources) with emphasis on building out Congressman James Rogan's website during President Clinton's impeachment trials. Congressman Rogan led the impeachment trials and received an average 2 million hits per day during my 6-month tenure. I worked closely with Congressional Ethics Committee and HO/DO staffers to maintain the site content. Conducted presentations and interviews. Managed, trained, evaluated and improved the development ability of interns and HO/DO staffers. Assisted in development for corporate funded children's website devoted to teaching operational government principles, entitled 'Congress for Kids', sponsored by Nestles Corp, Disney and Earthlink. Received Congressional Award for Achievement in Site Design (Congressman James Rogan, 27th California District, R.) in 1999. 6/1998 - 1/1999 DTT Consulting - Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Long Beach, CA Web Design Consultant Assisted in securing long-term Web Administrator contract with the Southern California Gas Company. Developed Web content for various Fortune 500 company contracts. Designed interface layouts for multiple ecommerce websites. Identified user personas, click paths, navigation schemes and concept proofs. 2/1996 - 6/1998 Earthlink Pasadena, CA Web Support Admin. Worked on web development projects and web maintenance for corporate clients. Provided user interface and navigation flow recommendations, including development and implementation assistance. Maintained and monitored server side/client side applications to ensure active functionality including executable PERL, shell scripts, VI debugging, Telnet, FTP, E-Commerce(PGP/SSL), and Restricted Access. Liaison for Corporate & Dial-up Sales, Internic, NOC, SOC, and MTS to coordinate setup of server extensions, domain name registration, and web accounts for clients. 5/1995 - 2/1996 Franklin Covey Pasadena, CA Productivity Consultant Developed relationships of trust with clients. Provided time management and motivational techniques that increased productivity. Gave presentations on utilizing Franklin tools to corporate clients. Increased revenues by securing seminar contracts with Nestle, JPL and other VIP clients. 5/1993 - 4/1995 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Columbus, OH Mission Missionary Gave Seminars and lectures on theological principles, family values, and time management.Community Service Project Leader. Organized events, arranged project funding, recruited volunteers. Managed, operated and lead project crews to exceptional performance. Worked as YMCA volunteer, teaching Volleyball and Basketball to youth ages 6 through 14. T-Ball Coach for Bellefontaine Park and Recs. for ages 6 through 10. High School Football Asst. Coach for Greensfield High School. Led pack to outstanding game-play while emphasizing traditional teamwork values. 10/1991 - 5/1993 Babbages Software Glendale, CA Third-Key Manager Managed client-relations. Assisted management with core-duty responsibilities, including inventory control, hiring, opening/closing, distribution, merchandising, and sales. First and youngest Third-Key Manager in the Corporation. Managed Team of employees to exceptional performance with realized revenue increase of 30%. 5/1990 - 10/1991 Disney Glendale, CA Productivity Specialist Managed client-relations. Assisted management with core-duty responsibilities, including inventory control, distribution, merchandising, and sales. Education 11/2009 University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Doctoral Program DM/IST - Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership/Information Systems and Technology Anticipated program and dissertation completion: 05/01/2011 05/2009 University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Master's Degree MBA/TM - Master Business Administration in Technology Management (GPA: 3.33) 05/2007 University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Bachelor's Degree BSB/M - Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in Management (GPA: 3.49) 06/2004 Dale Carnegie - Business Management Los Angeles, CA Certification Business Management Training and Certification. Skills Languages WebQL, RegEx, (X)(D)HTML, CSS, JSP/JSTL, JavaScript, AJAX, SQL, Java Servlet Macros Application Tools Omniture Insights Visual Workstation, QL2 Studio, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe AfterEffects, Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, Adobe AIR (Application Integrated Runtime), CVS, Web Macro, Dreamweaver, Visio, VI (Visual UNIX Editor), Ultra-Edit32, MivaScript (xbase III), CVS (Concurrent Versions System), Eclipse, TeaLeaf, OAS (Open Ad Stream), Omniture Site Catalyst, Optimost, Google Analytics, Web Trends Web Analytics Enterprise 8.5, Sharepoint, TFS (Team Foundation Server), SpyFu, Google AdWords, Eloqua CRM Integration Package, Joomla!, Dojo, Dijit Publications Publication: Becoming a Web Designer. - Writers Club Press, Paperback: 144 pages, ISBN: 0595215912, 02/05/2002 Publication: ONLINE! The Book - (with John Dvorak & Chris Pirillo) - Prentice Hall PTR, Paperback, ISBN: 0131423630, pp. 233 - 258 (Chapter: Email and Spam), 10/23/2003 Publication: Build a Webpage With Word - (G4Techtv: Call For Help - http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/howto/story/0,24330,3383421,00.html) - G4Techtv, online article, 05/06/2002 Publication: Llama Wars - (G4Techtv: Call For Help - http://www.kennelquest.com/techtv/llamawars.html) - G4Techtv, Star Wars webpage mockup developed for tv show segment, 08/05/2002 Additional Information Occasional guest appearances on G4TechTV show "Call for Help". Conducted 5 minute segments on "Designing for Web" & "Creating PC Adventure Games using AGI/SCI Tools". The show was broadcast to a global audience of 57 million viewers. Volunteer Representative for Glendale City Chamber of Commerce. Consulted and developed web architecture and implemented improved script/graphic design methods. Hobbies include playing with kids, reading them Calvin & Hobbes, video games, playing piano, walking, hiking, camping and extreme sports, designing Apple iPhone video game widgets and Facebook modules. Church calling is presently CTR 5-6 Primary Teacher for ages 5 and 6 in South Bend Ward, South Bend Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Web Consultant for AMRO Fabricating Corporation. Designed and developed all aspects of web interface for their Lockheed/NASA Space Shuttle initiatives and CNC Machine Shop projects located at http://www.amrofab.com Web Consultant for Gilmore Liquid Air Company. Designed and developed all aspect of web interface for their cryogenics, gases and welding, located at http://www.gilmoreliquidair.com |
