About Me

The Basics..

I am a Knoxville based web developer that focuses primarily on WordPress websites and building sites for my clients although I can do other platforms such as Shopify, SquareSpace, etc if I have to. I have over 15 years experience in web development and even experience in graphic design, app development, server management, RFP procurement, business networking, social media and email marketing, and oddly enough, print magazine production and experience with Kodak InSite.

Over the years I’ve been the main person managing all the development needs and clients for the agencies I’ve worked for. I’m responsible for all development and ensuring our deadlines are met, meeting with new clients and suggesting services they need, creating marketing plans and usually implementing those plans, attending business networking meetings, and managing other employees to make sure projects are on track.

When I’m not working on client stuff, I fill my time with going to rock/metal concerts and trying new restaurants along the way. I also have two axolotls and I’m always doing something to upgrade my aquarium or thinking of new ways I can make the system better. I am active in the home automation community and have written scripts for custom integrations as well as my own plugins for HomeBridge. As of April 2023, I just got licensed in amateur radio so I’m looking to get more involved with that soon.

Years Active

Coding Languages

Addy Awards

Certifications

How It Started

I started playing around with code and HTML in 2008 when the internet was still very rough compared to today. Back then, websites were limited to what they could do and even the codes we used seemed clunky and not as intuitive as today. 2008 was before responsive web development, before Bootstrap, and the W3C was still actively writing today’s standards.

Having started in that state, I was actively developing websites and trying to read up on the upcoming standards and HTML5 as it was being developed.

In my earlier days, I quickly became familiar with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various libraries to the point where I was comfortable building small websites. Back then I did a lot of coding manually before switching to WordPress sites in 2011. Once I made the jump to developing WordPress websites, I learned PHP plus a lot of things about developing for WordPress, such as child themes, plugin development, proper theme development techniques, WordPress Multisite, and how to fix a lot of common errors over the years.

Still Learning

Having done this for over a decade, I’ve expanded my love for code from websites into a little of everything. I still use HTML, CSS, JS, PHP almost everyday as well as learning SCSS/Sass, but I have also been playing around with Objective-C and most recently, Swift, to create mobile apps.

Over the last several years, I have gotten into home automation and created several custom integrations that allow my devices to work with multiple devices. I’ve managed to control Apple TVs with Google Home devices long before the Matter standard was announced and create routines based on sensors all powered by Node and NPM. If I can imagine a scenario that I can simplify of something I’d like to control with my phone, or voice, I usually end up trying to add it to my home server somehow and see if HomeBridge is able to support it.

Shows & Photography Experience

I don’t label myself a photographer, but I have done photos for several concerts and events as well as product photography and some videography work for my clients over the years. I shoot with a Sony a6000 and Sony a7R II mirrorless system and edit using a Photoshop.