Who have I worked with?
A brief history of my work in UX and beyond
Lead UX Research/Interaction Design – Team Lead ▪ March 2021 – Current
Lead multiple teams of designers on multiple projects concurrently. At one point leading 12 designers across 5 different projects while performing research interviews, design/feature developments as well as team leader duties of 1:1 syncs, team development, and reviews. My projects have ranged from start-ups in banking, insurance and gaming to government contracts and cyber security certification programs. In addition to my leadership duties I also executed research, recommendations, and created a research program that runs concurrent to 2-week Agile sprints.
Lead Experience Owner – Currently Serving, Omnichannel ▪ December 2019 – March 2021
Established, maintained and revised the Currently Serving and New Recruit Strategies across a variety of peer groups and interdisciplinary teams. Leveraged Agile and Design Thinking methodologies to improve processes and remain within regulatory and compliance needs while developing new experiences.
Journey Mapper/Experience Designer – Property/Business Lines ▪ April 2018 – December 2019
Responsible for tracking, developing, and designing the customer journey through the Property and Small Lines Business insurance industry. Developed improvements to the claims process, as well as new products, new endorsements, and service improvements based on customer feedback. Lead the team that redesigned the mobile application for filing claims.
Vendor Outreach Coordinator/UX Developer ▪ September 2012 – April 2018
Developed and tested a variety of Military/Law Enforcement equipment, produced in depth write-ups and multimedia reviews, and worked with original designers/developers to create a more suitable product for release (external stakeholder). Designed and implemented the website and mobile application of the Rogue Dynamics website as well as assiting with mobile application design for a variety of clients.
Independent Innovation and Strategy Consultant â–ª September 2012 - December 2019
Worked with a variety of small businesses/industries to include gyms, restaurants and retailers to help develop websites and/or mobile applications relevant to their products and services. This was done to both modernize/grow businesses and also to improve current offerings and provide solutions relevant to decreased revenue, decreased customer engagement, etc.
(19D) Cavalry Scout/Reconnaissance ▪ January 2002 – March 2010
Worked as part of a Police Mentor Team (PMT) to instruct both U.S. Soldiers and local Afghan police forces in their daily duties. Entrusted with duties/responsibilities significantly higher than my grade, such as mentoring soldiers and leading teams on critical missions and received glowing reviews.
Tools I Use
Figma/FigJam
My preferred wireframing software, although not the only one that I've used over the years. The combination of Figma and Figjam make for a potent tool to drive a project forward in research and design.
Jira
The most recognized name in Agile, Jira is a powerful tool that helps Agile teams maintain and prioritize workload as well as increases communication and execution across the team. I've leveraged Jira on a number of projects to help our teams execute efficiently and effectively.
LucidChart
One of the relative new comers to the UX suite of tools, but I've found myself using LucidChart more and more on recent projects. The tool is intuitive and makes displaying User Journeys an Personas clear and easily communicable to stakeholders.
Octalysis
Octalysis is the premier methodology of gamification across a variety of industries. Their methods make the industry itself less relevant and focus on the "8 Core Drivers" and which gaming techniques can be used to leverage them. The end state is a product that makes the user want to engage regularly and complete desired actions in a smooth, well designed environment.
Dovetail.io
While I'm new to Dovetail as a tool (as of Jan/2023), it is quickly becoming a favorite tool in my kit. Dovetail offers analytics and interview tools that help to make interviews as powerful and productive as possible, increasing the efficiency of each interview cycle and each readout.
Mural
One of first pioneers into the world of digital whiteboards, Mural has set the standard for features and usability. The tool has grown and evolved with user feedback and remains. a powerhouse to this day.Certifications
Specialty Certifications
Octalysis Actionable Gamification
Completed coursework and testing to apply the principles of gamification to everyday interactions and achieve desired results.
Octalysis Gamification Design Expert
Course focused on leveraging the principles of gamification in the design of both core and unique features of apps.
Octalysis Gameful Product Master
Achieved Mastery level accumen in using gaming principles and designs to lead product teams and behavioral design.
Octalysis Gameful Learning Master
Coursework focused on research and application of actionable feedback for improvements to services and/or features.
Enterprise Design Thinking Co-Creator
Certified in leading Enterprise level Design Thinking training and application of principles across various lines of business.
Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner
Certified to practice Design Thinking at the Enterprise level and apply results across various needed lines of business.
DMA Journey Mapping Certification
Course focused on the development of personas and creation of Journey Maps as those personas engaged with key tasks.
SAFe Agile 5.0 - POPM Certification
Allowed me to understand the various aspects of the Agile methodology as well as how to empower my PO/PM on a project
