Personal Details
Quick Facts

- Name: Michael James
- Current Location: Chicago, IL
- Favorite Destination: Glacier N.P.
About Me
I am a creative problem solver with 10+ years of professional experience in web/software development. With my background in fine art I also dabble in design and branding occasionaly. I seek challenging projects and work environments that foster continual learning. I am Comfortable taking a leadership role and have experience managing a small team.
In May of 2016 my wife and I embarked on nomadic lifestyle. We sold our house and nearly all of our possessions to move into an RV and travel the U.S.
As of Jul7 2018, we have moved to the Chicago area, where I grew up. Even though we have slowed our travels down, we are already planning our next adventures.
Work Experience
2018 July - Present
Chicago
U.S. Bank
Senior Application Developer
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2015 May - 2018July
Remote
Senior Web Developer (Contract / Freelance)
I have been primarily working as a PHP/Drupal developer on contract for various agencies and clients. The projects I have undertaken primarily include updates, maintenance, bug fixes, and new features on Drupal 6, 7 & 8 websites. Those tasks consist of back end development, front end development, and configuration management. Additionally I have contributed to projects built using both the Symfony and Laravel PHP MVC frameworks. When necesary I also have worked as a front end developer using the Bootstrap, Foundation, and Compass frameworks.
Techivant | OCT 2017 - Present
Configure and theme new sites on a very large Drupal 7 multisite for various
government entities. The configuration relies heavily on the Panels Module
while the theming uses the Compass css/sass authoring framework.
Melon / Avionos | MAR 2017 - OCT 2017
Worked on various client projects built on Drupal 7 & 8. Most noteably
helped architect a new Drupal 8 Multisite for Mattel. I did back end
development, front end development, and configuration management work
for the new platform that Mattel would use to move many branded sites
onto the Drupal CMS from various other sources. The front end work was done
using the Bootstrap framework
Manifest | APR 2016 - MAR 2017
Mainly worked on bug fixes, new features, and version upgrades on various
client websites built on Drupal 7. The largest project I worked on was
for CDW. Manifest is the publisher for CDW's tech magazines and websites.
The websites were built on a highly custom Drupal 7 multisite, which
deviated from a standard implimentation. Tasks for the project included
speed optimization, bug fixes, and adding a new site instance.
Spry Digital | MAY 2015 - Present
I was brought on as a contractor to suppliment Spry's in house development team on
a handful projects. A couple of projects include work on the back end development
and configuration for Suddenlink, as well as serving as the front end developer for
the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis website. The latter was built using the
Foundation framework.
501 Creative | Various Project Dates
As a contractor I was brought in to make updates, do bug fixes, and add new features
on Drupal 6 and 7 websites.
Freelance | Various Project Dates
I designed and did all front-end and back end development on client websites built
on both Drupal 7 and Drupal 8.
2014 April - 2015 May
St. Louis, MO
NuCloud Global
PHP Software Engineer
As part of the development team, worked on multiple Drupal 7 projects. Created new and updated existing
custom Drupal modules. Worked on project to integrate an appointment app built using the Code Igniter
PHP framework into one of our Drupal projects. Additionaly worked with the Laravel PHP framework to build
the company website and another application to aggregate data from multiple sources into an API.
Provided estimates and participated in planning upcoming work as part of the Agile team.
Worked with GIT as our primary version control and SCM.
2012 November - 2014 April
St. Louis, MO
American Optometric Assocation
Web Developer
Served as the technical lead on web projects. Primary developer for the web content management system (Ingeniux) and responsible for building and maintaining the architecture for CMS-based sites, as well as maintaining the CMS application itself. Also served as the primary PHP, XSLT and Database/XML developer for web-based functionality. Acts ad the technical voice as web projects are planned, prioritized and executed. In addition to web development responsibilities, also provided technical support for CMS users.
2012 February - 2012 November
St. Louis, MO
Lawson Screen & Digial Products
Internet Marketing Manager
Managed Multiple Company Websites including e-commerce store and blog. Primary site used the Joomla CMS. Planned and execute search engine optimization strategy. Update and Contribute to Wordpress Blog, Social Media, and E-Blasts. Worked with team on overall Branding, Marketing and Graphic Design, including the new package design. Recorded and edited short videos for use on website and blog.
2009 November - 2012 January
Kirkwood, MO
2011 - 2012 Lead Developer
2009 - 2011 Web Developer
Garrow Media
Lead Web Developer
Worked with owner to develop search engine optimization strategy. Managed team of 7 Developers, Designers and Copywritghers, as well as continuing to develop client websites primarily built on the Joomla PHP content management system. Developed custom extensions for Joomla to aid in the search engine optimization strategy. Was main point of contact on largest accounts to provide customer service. Traveled to represent company a client trade shows and events. Helped create new web and print identiy for Garrow Media.
Web Developer
Designed and Developed sites on proprietary PHP CMS & Joomla PHP content management system. Maintained hosting server, e-mail and DNS entries for 100+ clients. Implement SEO strategy for client base, and provide analysis. Provide customer support for all services and products. Helped build team, and train new employees on CMS and SEO.
Education
2002 August - 2008 December
Macomb, IL
B.F.A. Studio Art
B.A. Graphic Communication
Minor: Computer Science
Western Illinois University
The first few years of my time at W.I.U. I was a Graphic Communications major with a minor in Computer Science. The Graphic Communication curriculum focusted primarily on Desktop Publishing, Web Design, and Graphic Design. The computer science minor primarilty focused on conputer applications such as spreadsheets and databas applications, but I also got started learning programming concepts, including classes in JAVA. After completeing an intership as a production artist for a large screen printing company I decided to continue my education and started a second degree program. The final years I spent at Western were as a Fine Arts Major concentrating in printmaking. I took studio classes that incuded drawing, painting, ceramics, screen printing, intaglio (etching and drypoint), and lithography. I additionally took a leadership role as President of the Student Art League and started the initative to bring a chapter of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity to W.I.U.
1998 August - 2002 May
Niles, IL
Notre Dame High School for Boys
I attended an all boys Catholic high school, now known as Notre Dame College Prep. Coming from a small Catholic grade school it was a natural fit for me. The school's mission includes a commitment to faith, scholarship, and service. I did fairly well academically and was involved in sports and many clubs. I was a triatlete, participating in Track, Cross Country and Bowling. One of the biggest highlights of my time at Notre Dame was a trip with our Irish Club to Ireland.
References
Via LinkedIn
Skills & Knowledge
- PHP
- MySQL
- HTML/HTML5
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Bootstrap
- Less
- Sass
- XML
- XSLT
- Xpath
- C#
- Apache
- WHM/cPanel
- Git
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- Visual Studio
- Laravel
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Ingeniux
- Wordpress
- Web Development
- Web Design
- Logo Design
- Graphic Design
- SEO/SEM
- Stripe API
- Amazon AWS EC2
Work
-
Lobster and the Cat
Logo
-
Suddenlink
Web Development
-
Bubber Memorial
Logo / Branding
-
Rolling View Farm
Logo
-
Myles Medical Consulting
Web / Branding / Logo / Print
-
American Optometric Association
Web
-
Connects Card
Web
-
Sons of Realty
Web / Logo / Print
-
Garrow Media
Web / Branding / Logo