Experience


Professional Experience

Director of UI/UX Design and Systems Engineer

createTank

Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry

September 2009Present (2 years 6 months)

Data transformation and integration using XML, XSLT, SQL, Oracle, SQL Server, PL/SQL, or T-SQL to produce valid XML.

Heading up new division dedicated to user interface and user experience design. This includes web development as well as mobile apps and other interfaces.

Freelance Web Designer

Sarah R. Barnes

September 1998Present (13 years 6 months) Morgantown, WV

Provide web design, development and consulting services.

Professional Technologist - OIT Web Coordinator

West Virginia University Office of Information Technology

Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry

December 2005September 2009 (3 years 10 months)

Web Design, Development, and Maintenance
• Manage, coordinate, and develop OIT web projects
Develop stylesheets, XML (including XHTML, RSS), database creation (MySQL, SQL), PHP, WordPress, WordPress MU, also some ASP.NET and ColdFusion front-end design customization, content management systems.
• Plan web projects, Web design, layout, design graphics
• Ensure web standards for usability, accessibility (Section 508)
• Monitor web application security
• Apply and oversee style standards according to OIT and WVU web policies
• Assist content managers
• Assist Communications Coordinator with public relations planning and implementation
• Collaborate with project team members
• Serve on planning committee for WV Higher Ed Technology Conference (2008, 2009)
• Indirectly supervise student workers/Graduate Assistants
• Participate in groups such as the Statewide Internet Group, WVU Key Communicators

Writing
• Edit, write, and manage OIT Blog
• Write blog posts, Web content, press releases, copywriting, presentations, technical documentation
• Write and edit content for the web, news releases, and other publications

Adjunct Professor

West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism

Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry

August 2003December 2008 (5 years 5 months)

Teach Public Relations 319 (Editing and Design) - a 16 week class on desktop publishing and graphic design in a public relations context. Students learn how to design logos, letterheads, business cards, advertisements, brochures and newsletters.

Owner/Web Designer

sbahns multimedia, LLC

June 2003August 2006 (3 years 3 months)

Program Manager

WVU Center on Aging

August 2003November 2005 (2 years 4 months)

Coordinated the development of websites, planned media outreach, and develops promotional materials.

Administered the "WVSeniors project." The effort combined a comprehensive website and online community (wvseniors.org), media outreach, grant writing, and training.

Web Developer

WVNET

September 1999August 2003 (4 years)

Leadership & Collaboration
• Managed and developed all Web projects outside WVNET.edu domain
• Took initiative to research, establish and market web services
• Wrote proposals and agreements
• Represented WVNET at conferences and events
• Presented and moderated sessions at WVNET Conferences
• Created and coordinated WVNET Conference “Web Development Track”
• Conference planning teams: WVNET Conference 2000-2002, 2000 WV IT Conference and Expo

Design & Development
• Designed and edited graphics for Web and print
• Redesigned display for fairs and conferences
• Designed brochures, posters, postcards, business cards, etc.
• Developed promotions and direct mailings
• Ensured web site usability and accessibility

Customer Support & Service
• Sold and supported all web hosting and development accounts
• Provided Tier II Macintosh tech support
• Wrote help documentation and articles

IT Consultant

WVNET

August 1998September 1999 (1 year 2 months)

Provided help desk support.

Web Designer

Labyrinth Solutions Inc.

Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Internet industry

19961997 (1 year)

Designed web pages, met with clients, produced marketing materials.



Skills

  1. Advanced CSS
  2. HTML
  3. Wordpress
  4. XML
  5. jQuery
  6. PHP
  7. SQL
  8. T-SQL
  9. User Experience
  10. User Interface Design
  11. W3C
  12. Section 508
  13. PrestaShop
  14. Adobe Creative Suite
  15. InDesign
  16. Illustrator
  17. Photoshop
  18. Fireworks
  19. Aptana
  20. Eclipse

Education

West Virginia University

Bachelors, Foreign Languages (German), History

19931998

3.52 G.P.A., Cum Laude

Preston High School

19891993

West Virginia University

Masters (all but thesis), Journalism

2003

3.91 G.P.A.

I am currently on hiatus from pursuing this degree. With the arrival of our fist child in 2005, our second in 2008, and working on building my freelance business, I have not had time to complete the final stages on my graduate project.

Activities and Societies: Kappa Tau Alpha


Languages

  • English

    (Native or bilingual proficiency)
  • German

    (Professional working proficiency)
  • Spanish

    (Elementary proficiency)

Additional Information

Websites:
Honors and Awards:

DHA Quarterly Awards of Excellence (Individual Recognition by Team): March 2011

DHA Quarterly Awards of Excellence (Individual Recognition by Customer): June 2011

DHA Quarterly Awards of Excellence (Team Recognition by Customer): September 2010, December 2010, March 2011, June 2011

2007 SIGUCCS Communications Awards: Award of Excellence for WVU OIT Website (http://oit.wvu.edu), Best of Category (Quick Reference Guides) for WVU OIT Wireless Brochure