Accomplished and results-driven professional with an exceptional track record of leading the strategic design, development and marketing of cutting edge products and Internet applications utilizing expertise in the following areas:
- Dedicated and knowledgeable creator of many innovative, award-winning websites, e-commerce applications and online demonstrations that generate enormous revenue and exposure for companies and clients.
- Decisive manager with proven skill penetrating new markets, building, training and motivating large cross-functional teams and accurately assessing complex customer requirements to exceed expectations.
- Exhibits intense commitment to customer satisfaction and attainment of business goals through the research, identification and utilization of appropriate, emerging technology.
Professional Experience
FinanceXpert – Bellevue, Washington 2002 – Present
VP of Product Management
Retained by this start-up financial services software company to position its innovative transaction level solution for market dominance. Led development efforts for Financial Guidance System and four Excel-based mini-solution templates (Retirement Wealth Planner, Universal Life Analyzer, Investor Real Estate Planner and Real Estate Profit Planner). Provides strategic vision regarding product development, pricing, market analysis, risk and long-term value to refine the business plan and maximize competitive edge and capital funding.
- Currently leading marketing of legacy and new product offerings and V2.0 development of Financial Guidance System
- Led and implemented redesign of corporate web site, driving increased traffic and sales
- Led go-to-market development for version 1.0 of Financial Guidance System application in conjunction with offshore development group.
- Developed prototype UI’s and business requirements documentation for version 1.0 of flagship Financial Guidance System application.
- Advised management to segment its flagship product to offer scalable solutions to fulfill the differing needs of small and large clients and to exploit competitor weaknesses by enabling integration with legacy systems.
- Generated a 25% increase in angel and institutional funding by devising product strategy and supporting it with marketing communication pieces illustrating benefits of the approach to potential clients and investors.
- Conducted thorough analysis to clearly illustrate the value of the FX solution to both the company and its clients due to its highly accurate and robust transaction level financial planning and management capabilities.
CVS/pharmacy – Woonsocket, Rhode Island 2006
Consultant - Web site design services
Retained by the leading pharmacy and drug store in the United States to assist the Design Director in the redesign, consolidation and construction of two internal corporate web sites (CVSsuppliers.com and CVSedi.com) into a single, vendor-friendly portal (www.cvssuppliers.com).
Electronic Evidence Discovery – Kirkland, Washington 2004
Product Manager
As the first product manager for this organization, provided services for one of the top electronic discovery software firms in the U.S. Provided overall product management of the EED Discovery software product.
- Assessed market needs and provided market analysis and business intelligence allowing EED to effectively position their Discovery software.
- Conducted customer interviews to drive user-centric feature/requirements development
- Managed business case development.
- Established product positioning and advised on Pricing / Branding / Website / Print Collateral / PR / Advertising
The Cobalt Group – Seattle, Washington 1999 – 2001
Senior Product Manager, Marketing Group
Brought on to revitalize and integrate the product planning, development and marketing functions of the top provider of B2B2C web application solutions to the automotive industry. Structured a clearly defined system of product design, execution and prioritization plans. Directed six product managers as well as large, cross-functional teams across development, marketing, production, MIS and design services.
- Allowed Cobalt to realize approximately $40 million in recurring revenues by providing the leadership to rapidly transform product concepts into profitable offerings and develop next generation versions of core products including AutoShow.
- Combined individual managers and their struggling programs into a single, well-focused execution team that minimized time-to-market and dramatically improved the quality and accuracy of business and technical plans.
- Opened the door to high end recurring revenue opportunities by leading the design and development of Sales Accelerator and MotorPlace Auto Exchange products, which more than doubled participating monthly dealer spend and added $100,000 per month in transaction fees.
- Standardized and streamlined the creation of UML product specifications, workflows and product life cycles through the application of RUP/Rational Rose.
Hammack Design – Seattle, Washington 1994 – 1999 / 2006 - Present
Owner/General Manager/Multimedia Designer
Established and grew a respected website design and market consultation company providing a wide range of multimedia design services and live online delivery solutions to the music and technology industries. Worked closely with clients and technical teams throughout the US and Europe to conduct pre-design consultation, define project plan and timeline and design, test and deploy innovative web-driven applications, features and content.
- Led Musicscene.com to achieve extensive industry accolades as pioneer in Web Commerce, winning the Magellan Award for website excellence as well as recognition for providing full online purchasing and producing the First Wireless Remote Live Internet Event for the 1997 Seattle Hempfest.
- Requested by BMI and ASCAP as an early e-music authority to participate in discussions to develop an acceptable compensation structure copyrighted material available on the Internet.
- Headed a five-member team to create a website for Rockgrl Magazine, which won a YIN Best of Web award in addition to increasing nationwide presence, subscriptions and advertising revenue for the magazine.
- Supplied Seattle Hempfest and 13,000 viewers with a groundbreaking four-hour live webcast using microwave technology; developed the political activist organization’s website from pre-design to launch and maintenance.
- Defined and implemented strategies to increase fan participation and ease of navigation for clients including Grateful Dead Productions and the Alice in Chains site at Sony.com
- Directed a team of six in performing the full life cycle development of Saros Corporation’s Enterprise Library System (ELS) product line website, which included a powerful online demonstration used at COMDEX 95.
- Extensive list of sales and exposure enhancing client projects includes a Bumgardner online portfolio, JSR Underworld Merchandising online catalog and sites for several record labels.
Sports Concepts, Inc. – Seattle, Washington 1995
Product Designer/Manager
Designed and built prototypes for the NBA-licensed Monster Slam toy product line and contributed to the definition of marketing goals and strategies for this international sports products developer.
- Credited with creating the design for a line of toys that were contracted for worldwide distribution by FAO Schwarz, a deal that led directly to the acquisition of Sports Concepts by an investor group.
- Enhanced the market success of the Monster Slam product by analyzing its target market prior to design and helping the company focus and refine its strategy in terms of product, price, promotion and distribution.
Pioneer Porcelain Enamel Co., Inc. – Seattle, Washington 1991 – 1994
General Manager/Head of Marketing, Sales and Promotions
Directed development of new and existing products while maximizing profitability through major cost reduction and sales initiatives for an award-winning International porcelain enamel products manufacturer. Oversaw all facets of daily operations including budget management, proposal preparation, technical troubleshooting and client prospecting.
- Saved approximately $20,000 per month by modernizing tools, analyzing and restructuring workflows and hiring, motivating and training talented staff to cut average manufacturing cycle from eight weeks to four.
- Drove sales by 23% in one year as the sole salesperson by aggressively pursuing and removing obstacles to lucrative, yet previously untapped markets such as environmental graphic design products for federal agencies.
- Introduced Quality Assurance programs that reduced product losses in production from 33% to just 3% over a three-year period.
- Spearheaded company transformation from a general panel coating company into a dynamic provider of the full range of services including ADA compliant finishes and Type 2 Braille by providing staff with the technical training and confidence to target new opportunities.
Bumgardner – Seattle, Washington 1985 – 1991
Environmental Graphic Designer/Marketing Assistant/Photographer
Held accountability for the production, management and budgeting of multi-faceted architectural environmental signage projects in addition to assisting in business development efforts of this internationally-renowned Architecture and Interior Design Firm. Participated in proposal development, client contact, vendor relations, presentation design and coordination of on-site photography for direct mail advertising and trade publications.
- Responsible for steering company into the environmental graphic design services market to realize a strong new revenue source by bringing work in-house that was formerly contracted to outside graphic designers.
- Leveraged comprehensive knowledge of code compliance issues, materials and manufacturing techniques to provide essential support to the project manager and company principal in charge.
Education
City University – Renton, Washington
Select courses - Master of Business Administration program, focus in E-commerce
Pacific Lutheran University – Tacoma, Washington1985
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art; graduated Cum Laude
Technical Skills
