Ian Monroe

407-625-6942
ian@ianmonroe.com
http://www.ianmonroe.com
https://github.com/imonroe

Professional Experience:

  • Senior Web Developer, Veritas Health, LLC
    Deerfield, IL, 3/2016-present
    Drupal 7 programming for a health information publisher. Built custom modules, templates and processes to support a network of several patient-focused sites, including www.spine-health.com and www.arthritis-health.com, which serve tens of millions of pageviews per month.  Collaborated with other developers and designers within in an Agile-like workflow, including version control with Git, virtualized development environments reflecting a LEMP stack on CentOS, and Jira for project tracking.  Produced user interface elements, new content management functionality, and supported redesigns and new site launches.
  • Web Producer, ABA Journal
    Chicago, IL, 8/2010-3/2016
    Updated content and code for www.abajournal.com, a trade magazine-associated news website operated by the American Bar Association, which served ~2M pageviews monthly. Web content production included processing and formatting magazine copy, producing web video and audio podcasts, and email newsletter production. Worked deeply within the ExpressionEngine 1.6-2.9 CMS, including all front-end development, in a LAMP environment. Singlehandedly implemented a full site refactor and redesign, including an infrastructure overhaul, which resulted in 100x greater capacity, while reducing infrastructure costs by 50%. Redesigned and restructured mobile web offerings, and built a mobile app for Android using PhoneGap and jQuery Mobile. Produced in-depth audience research, including analytics and readership survey data. Advised on online strategy, social media, and advertising strategy. Received an Azbee Gold National Award for Online Excellence, Web News Section in 2014. Nominated for 2015 Webby Award for Law Websites. Awarded 2015 Azbee Bronze National Award for Web Site Redesign.
  • Webmaster, Acceler8or.com
    5/2011-11/2012
    Responsible for the technical operations of www.acceler8or.com, a web site dedicated to publishing cutting-edge articles about futurism, new technology, and counterculture.  Worked directly with the editor-in-chief, noted cyberculture author R.U. Sirius, to create and maintain the site from the ground up, including server support, CMS installation and customization, web design, theme programming, advertising operations and content production. Produced audio and video for the web.  Helped create and curate an associated Facebook group for site users.
  • Consultant, “Project R” Alternate Reality Game, Pabst Brewing Co.
    2/2011-9/2011
    Worked with a brand manager to develop an experimental transmedia alternate reality game to promote Rainier Beer in the Pacific Northwest. Contributed to the development of the project from its inception, including story development, game structure, and online asset development, including two websites. Helped administer the game through completion, growing a small, but highly-engaged audience of local opinion shapers, to promote word-of-mouth and create large amounts of user-generated content.
  • IT Specialist, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
    Chicago, IL, 3/2010-8/2010
     Responsible for all technical operations of the premier fine art auction house in the Midwest.  Handled all hardware and software support for a mixed-platform network, including Windows  servers, as well as Windows 7, XP, and Mac workstations, in an Active Directory environment.  Development and maintenance of websites using ExpressionEngine 1.6, Drupal 6 and Übercart 2, in a LAMP environment.  Operation and maintenance of multiple online live-bidding platforms.  Worked closely with marketing and production personnel on internet marketing, email marketing, and social media strategy.
  • Medill Interactive Innovation Project: Online Obituaries
    Chicago, IL, 9/2009-12/2009
     Worked with a team to re-think the structure and content of Legacy.com, one of the top 100 most-visited web sites on the internet. Produced detailed, scholarly research regarding the history of obituary content in media. I was a primary author of a report on the State of the American Obituary (pdf), which has since been widely cited by the Washington Post, Poynter, NPR, the AP, and ABC News. Contributed to the blog at obitresearch.com.
  • Freelance Multimedia Reporter, Web Programmer, Computer Consultant
    Chicago, IL, 12/2008-present
    Wrote technology and arts & culture articles on a freelance basis for publications including h+ Magazine, the ABA Journal, WindyCitizen.com, Medill Reports Chicago, and others.  Provided expert-level consulting services to individuals and small businesses.  Developed web sites for small business clients, including e-commerce sites using Drupal 6 and Übercart 2.
  • Web Editor/I.T. Manager, Orlando Weekly
    Orlando, FL, 12/2001-12/2008
     Maintained all online content for www.orlandoweekly.com, a newspaper website serving one of the top twenty media markets in the United States. Nominated for “Best Weekly Newspaper-Affiliated Web Site” Eppy award from Editor & Publisher magazine in 2006 and 2007. Duties included processing and posting articles, reviews, images, and related materials, developing new content and website functionality, and database and web programming with MSSQL, ASP and VBScript. Managed online advertising systems. Helped to increase website revenues by more than 800% over three years. Simultaneously, provided all technical support services for the business network. Supported file, email, web, and database servers, both Win32 and Mac clients, printers, and associated software. Authored editorial content such as cover stories, music reviews, interviews, and columns. Supervised interns, managed large projects.
  • System Administrator, University of Central Florida College of Education
    Orlando, FL, 9/1999-12/2001
    Supported 250+ node network for faculty and staff of the College of Education, including support for workstations and servers. Taught classes for university faculty on technology and new media. Evaluated and recommended hardware and software for purchase. Assisted in the development of content such as web pages, presentations, and digital video. Helped design a technical support operation including phone support, asset tracking and auditing, and break/fix work.

Education:

  • Northwestern University – Medill School of Journalism
    M.S. Journalism, 12/2009
    Specialization in interactive storytelling. Training included beat reporting, health and science reporting, arts reporting, as well as multimedia production, including audio and video for the web.
  • University of Central Florida
    B.S.  Liberal Studies – Computer Information Technology, 12/2001
    Liberal Studies degree with a minor in Computer Information Technology, and a specialization in art.

Volunteer Experience

  • Tutor, Adult Basic Education
    Howard Area Community Center, Chicago, IL, Aug. 2015-present

Professional Associations

Technical Skills:

  • Web Programming:
    HTML/CSS, PHP 5.x, 7.x, Javascript, MySQL, Drupal 7, WordPress, Expression Engine, Dreamweaver, Eclipse, Git (SmartGit), Jira, Virtualbox
  • Multimedia Production:
    Digital audio and video creation, Sony Vegas, Ableton Live, Audacity, Flash, Photoshop, InDesign, Audition, Final Cut Express/Pro, shooting digital video, recording field audio, shooting publication-ready photos for print or digital applications
  • Software:
    Familiar with most standard office software applications

Provided expert technical support and web development services on a freelance basis to small businesses and individuals since 1996. Experience with search engine optimization, A/B testing, content management and social media platforms.  Experience with wireframing, user interface design, and audience research.  Worked with third-party API integrations, CMS platforms, and development frameworks, including WordPress, Drupal, ExpressionEngine, Authorize.net, Google Maps, Bootstrap, jQuery, jQuery Mobile, Ooyala, WooCommerce.

Experience creating content, including beat reporting, online journalism, academic writing, graphics, video and audio production, and interactive presentations. Firm grasp of AP style, and editing for print and web.  Familiarity with pre-press processes and file standards.  Familiarity with online advertising processes and systems, including OpenX, Google AdWords and 24/7 RealMedia OpenAdstream.  Experience with capturing and interpreting analytics data with Google Analytics, Chartbeat, and WebTrends.

I am a technology generalist, with a highly developed ability to translate extremely complex technical material into language which won’t intimidate non-technical audiences.

Platforms: Windows 9x, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 7, 8, 10. Server; Mac OS 8.x, 9.x, 10.x; Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/CentOS), Virtual Private Servers on Linode and Rackspace clouds.

Hardware: Extensive experience with PC hardware/troubleshooting, Mac hardware/troubleshooting, Network hardware/troubleshooting including Cisco routers and switches

Personnel and project management experience