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Professional Resume of Rick Short

Summary:
Award-winning Creative Director and eLearning Instructional Designer with over twenty years of experience in Creative and Technical roles in Creative, eLearning, Entertainment and Education industries.

  • Accessibility and 508 Compliance SME (Subject Matter Expert) with over ten years of experience developing, testing and teaching 508 Compliance and Accessibility for K-12 online courses and website front end applications.
  • Experience creating instructional design and e-learning courses for adult and K-12 students using the ADDIE model along with 508 Compliance and Web Content Accessibility (WCAG) guidelines.
  • Experience teaching, training staff in a classroom environment as well as creating eLearning and Instructional Design courses for K-12 students and adult learners.
  • Experience creating instructional design and e-Learning courses and content.
  • Technical writing of user manuals, triage documents, best practices guides and training materials for technical users.
  • Award Winning Artist creating digital art illustrations, stock photography and camera ready artwork for stock agencies, websites, print and mobile applications.


    Methodologies
  • Agile / SCRUM
  • Waterfall Methodology
  • ADDIE Learning Model
  • WCAG 2.0 / 2.1

    Instructional Design Tools
  • Camtasia Studio
  • Adobe Captivate
  • HTML / HTML5
  • Educator LMS
  • Blackboard LMS
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

    		• Development Tools
  • HTML / HTML5
  • CSS / CSS3
  • JavaScript
  • JQuery
  • Twitter Bootstrap 3 & 4
  • ASP, ASP.NET
  • WebGL, Three.js
  • Adobe XD

    Middleware / Databases
  • SQL, MySQL
  • Microsoft Access
  • JSON, XML

    		•
    2D / 3D Graphics
  • Adobe Master Collection
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Paint Shop Pro

    QA Testing Tools
  • 508 Compliance / Accessibility Testing
  • HP ALM
  • Axosoft (formerly OnTime)
  • BrowserStack
  • Bugzilla
  • JIRA
  • Microsoft Team Foundation Server

    • Technical Skills - UI Design, Instructional Design, eLearning, Technical Writing, Digital Art Creation, Photography / Photo Manipulation, Web Development and QA Testing, 508 Compliance and Accessibility Testing.
    Productivity Tools - Microsoft Office, Apache OpenOffice, Microsoft Project, Caliber.
    Soft Skills - Mentoring, Teaching, Training, Vendor Management.
    Industry Experience - Creative, Education, IT Consulting, State and Federal Government, Web Startups, Banking / Credit Unions, Insurance, Entertainment.

    Experience

    Government Contractor 2/2017 - Present
    IT Consultant

  • Received Two Applause Awards from upper management in supporting the QA Accessibility testing activities for Federal and State Government clients as a government contractor.
  • Research Usability testing requirements to perform usability testing for client software.
  • Perform benchmark comparison tests between Microsoft Windows Narrator and Jaws screen readers.
  • Test client website(s) for accessibility and 508 Compliance issues using the Windows Narrator screen reader, WAVE tool, Color Contrast Analyzer, Axe and Site Improve accessibility tools.
  • Write Instructional Design documentation to serve as training for Developers, QA Testers and Upper Management on web accessibility tools using videos, screen captures and Microsoft Word.
  • Mentor and teach QA Testers and Developers on Accessibility and 508 Compliance testing tools.
  • Technical Writer & Researcher in the Robotics & Machine Learning Industry writing white papers on Machine Learning tools and libraries.
  • Teaching writing workshop classes for the White Papers Eminence team covering topics such as APA formatting and writing for research.
  • Writing white papers for the Robotics Cognitive & Automation White Papers Eminence Group on the following topics:
  • Python Machine Learning
  • Natural language Processing using Chatbots
  • Mind Mapping
  • Using Microsoft Visual Studio with Python
  • Writing the Robotics Cognitive & Automation Eminence monthly newsletter.

    Scenic Earth Studios 8/2011 - 2/2017
    Creative Director

  • Managed a team of Artists, Programmers and Network Engineers as a Creative Consultant for companies in Central and Northern Florida.
  • Managed projects, deliverables and project timelines using Microsoft Project.
  • Built relationships with external printing companies, software consultants and managed projects to report to upper management and company owners.
  • Performed QA testing of websites for cross-browser compatibility and responsive web design.
  • Managed creation of websites including design, development, graphic design and project management.
  • Created UI design, front end coding and testing of websites using JavaScript, JQuery, Twitter Bootstrap, HTML5, WebGL and CSS.
  • Created conceptual art and finished digital stock photography, illustration images for websites, print and electronic media using 2D & 3D software.
  • Designed website content to meet W3C WCAG 2.0 and 508 Compliance Guidelines.
  • Created 3D User Interfaces over the web using WebGL frameworks such as Three.js, HTML5 Canvas and WebGL.
  • Tested web applications for cross browser compatibility, responsiveness and mobile friendliness using mobile emulators, mobile devices and desktop browsers.
  • Won first and second place awards for fine art paintings and photography entered at art and show exhibits.
  • Created large 20-foot wide promotional banners and signs for vendors at trade show booth exhibits.
  • Built relationships with external vendors and negotiated contracts with third party large scale printing vendors and software vendors.
  • Created marketing campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogs and email marketing campaigns to promote events, trade shows, exhibits and seminars for clients.
  • Technical Environment: Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Powerpoint, Twitter Bootstrap, HTML5, CSS/CS3, JavaScript (Three.JS, WebGL), Adobe Suite (Adobe Photoshop, DreamWeaver, Illustrator), JSON, Blender 3D, Paint Shop Pro, digital cameras.

    Florida Virtual School 8/2009 - 8/2011
    Quality Assurance Analyst / Instructional Designer

  • Awarded vendor status for creating original digital artwork used in live courses resulting in monetary savings for the company.
  • QA tested 3D games including UI design, game play and user interaction.
  • Participated in weekly scrum meetings to go over 3D game defects and user requests to improve game play, render time and user interface design.
  • Improved game play and reduced errors for courses using 3D game levels, game play and UI design for 3D games developed by vending partner.
  • Reduced errors found in beta released courses by 50% through QA testing.
  • Created new e-Learning courses by creating prototypes of courses including storyboarding, visual modeling and interactive prototypes.
  • Educated Teachers, Managers and Curriculum Services staff by teaching seminars on 508 Compliance & Color Theory in Web Design.
  • Performed hardware testing of courses using Acer Netbooks, iPads, windows laptops and desktop computers.
  • Created team intranet sites using Microsoft SharePoint pages using SharePoint Designer.
  • Ensured 508 compliance standards were met by testing all aspects of course content including alt tags, videos, interactive content and proof reading.
  • Technical Environment: HTML, HTML5, CSS/CS3, JavaScript, Learning Management Systems (Educator, Blackboard), Adobe Suite, Microsoft SharePoint, JAWS Screen reader, Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool, Axosoft (formerly OnTime).

    CFE Federal Credit Union 11/2008 - 8/2009
    Senior Web Developer

  • Served as Primary ASP.NET Developer writing ASP.NET 1.0 & 3.5 code using LINQ, XML, XSL AJAX and Adobe Spry Controls to create data driven website applications.
  • Created Microsoft SharePoint pages for bank branches and departments including adding user groups, granting permissions and building templates.
  • Partnered with web design team to create front-end website development, email campaigns and online marketing campaigns.
  • Created instructional design videos using Adobe Captivate, Flash and Action Script for the IT and Training departments.
  • Created digital graphics for website banners and email marketing campaigns for the Marketing, Training and Information Technology departments.
  • Technical Environment: Web, Intranet, Internet, ASP.NET 1.0 & 3,5, SQL Server 2008, XML, HTML, JavaScript, Adobe Suite, Adobe Captivate, Adobe Flash, Microsoft SharePoint 2007, email ad campaign marketing.

    American Automobile Association 11/2007 - 6/2008
    UI Designer / QA Analyst

  • IT Consultant through Signature Consultants, Inc. for client, American Automobile Association
  • Managed time-line deliverables using Microsoft Project.
  • Performed UI Design and front-end development of an online reservation system for hotels, air flight, car reservations and travel destinations.
  • Developed HTML, CSS and JavaScript code using Adobe Spry Controls, The Yahoo User Interface Library (YUI), Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Fireworks CS3 and Firefox / Firebug debugging utilities.
  • Created graphics, image icons, buttons, animated gifs, layout and design using CSS, HTML, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Fireworks CS3 and Microsoft Paint.
  • Performed QA testing on Travel Info modules using Internet Explorer 6 & 7, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari web browsers along with Firebug debugger to QA test modules and report bugs.
  • Technical Environment: Web, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, Adobe Suite, Adobe Spry Controls, Bugzilla and Microsoft Project.

    The Barcie Corporation 3/2006 - 10/2007
    Senior UI Designer

  • Managed a team of Graphic Artists and Programmers to create websites for a retail pharmacy.
  • Created all web page layout, designs, wireframes and front-end code for company websites using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
  • Partnered with Veterinary Doctors, Shareholders and creative / IT staff to launch an online pet pharmaceutical company.
  • Made recommendations and buying decisions on all PC hardware, software purchases to set up the company infrastructure and testing lab for developers and artists.
  • Wrote standards for all in-house web development and design tools.
  • Reported directly to company owner creating budgets for software, hardware purchases and software development tools.

    Walt Disney World Resort 3/2000 - 3/2006
    Programmer Analyst

  • Managed a team of technical writers to create RoboHelp online help files using Caliber, Microsoft Project and RoboHelp.
  • Performed software development of CRM and POS systems, Quality Assurance Testing, Web Portal Development and Design.
  • Developed Enterprise-Wide Intranet, Internet and Web Portal applications in Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic 6, XML, Java Server Pages, Siebel 2000 and Avaya CTI software to create an enterprise wide CRM system for two reservation centers.
  • Provided SQL Server 2000 DBA support for the Point of Sale testing lab and live production servers for all resort, hotel and store locations.
  • Developed Web Portal applications using HTML, Java Server Pages, Visual Age for Java's WebSphere, Epicentric content management software, Visual InterDev 6.0 and Cascading Style Sheets.
  • Performed UI Design of Disney Web portal creating screen mockups using HTML, JavaScript, CSS and XML. Partnered with the Point of Sale QA team to triage QA defects and set up a testing lab to test Point of Sale desktop and server application software.
  • Served as Visual SourceSafe Administrator managing software repository for three teams of over 25 Developers.
  • Provided reports for yearly Sarbanes Oxley Audit reporting to management and external auditors.

    Kemper National Services 3/1999 - 3/2000
    Senior Programmer Analyst

  • Led a five-person development team as Project Leader creating an in-house Visual Basic 6, MS Access application and web intranet applications.
  • Served as Project Manager to give end users and customers weekly status updates on project deliverables, gather requirements and write use cases.
  • Developed web standards for all company web-based software applications as part of a six-member web design committee.
  • Created company-wide intranet, internet and client-server applications using Active Server Pages, JavaScript, Microsoft Access 7, Visual Basic 6.0, HTML, and SQL Server.
  • Wrote user manuals, data dictionaries and technical support documentation for end users and development staff. Provided technical support to other software developers, IT Managers with SQL, Visual Basic, Web related software issues.
  • Increased productivity of team by providing one on one training and mentoring to learn Visual Basic 6 client-server programming to mainframe developers.
  • QA tested client server and web based software as part of the Y2K Year 2000 conversion project.

    The National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc.1/1995 - 3/1999
    Systems Analyst

  • Awarded 105% annual paid bonus for successful delivery of a $40,000 per license software application written in Visual C++/ Visual Basic 4 - 6.
  • Led project as Senior Visual Basic developer as part of a six member development team to create the Retro Update System to be shipped to external Insurance customers.
  • Earned letters of recognition from both internal and external customers for outstanding technical support and customer service. Developed in-house and external software applications using Visual Basic 4 - 6, Apex True DB Grid controls, Microsoft Access, Lotus Notes 3, Visual C++ 1.5 and Folio Views 3.
  • Took lead role of writing and normalizing 120 Microsoft Access database tables shipped with two software applications. Assisted QA team with writing automated testing scripts using Rational Robot to test Visual Basic and C++ Software.

    Pioneer Federal Savings Bank 4/1993 - 8/1994
    Applications Support Analyst / Novell Network Administrator

  • Interviewed vendors to help management with vendor selection for hardware, software and network support applications.
  • Wrote Mainframe applications using COBOL on a UNISYS System A Series Mainframe system for bank managers to create monthly bank statement reports.
  • Served as Novell 3.11 LAN / WAN Administrator building and supporting a 250-user Novell Netware 3.11 LAN on two file servers and a WAN utilizing Dr. Bond dial access routers.
  • Managed and supported a Wide area network (WAN) connection using routers, Ethernet 10baseT T1 connection to connect two remote offices.
  • Supported the entire bank operations center and bank branches with help desk technical questions and teaching software to the mortgage and operations staff.
  • Re-engineered and supported the Fitech MLS mortgage application to customize screens for the mortgage department.

    Commonwealth of Virginia Department of General Services 6/1992 - 8/1992
    Human Resource Information Systems Analyst (College IT Internship)

  • Created an Executive Information System for the Human Resources and Information Technology departments to track new job applicants using Pilot Lightship, SQL, and SQL Lens connectivity to Microsoft Excel, DB2 and Lotus 123.
  • Built an employee database of all DGS employees using a Canon Digital Camera and Pilot Lightship.
  • Wrote all technical documentation for end users including user manuals and technical support documentation.
  • Gave oral presentations to the top 50 executives in top leadership for the Department of General Services including the Deputy Director to demonstrate the EIS system.
  • Trained Management and Executives on how to use the EIS system with in-person hands-on training.

    Signet Bank Card Center 10/1989 - 6/1992
    Human Resource Information Systems Benefits Analyst

  • Created a SMART system database of all lump sum 401K payouts for Benefits Manager tracking.
  • Created custom reports, queries and spreadsheets showing lump sum payouts of 401K recipients.
  • Created reports for upper management to track weekly incoming telephone calls received and taken by customer service representatives from the ROHM telephone system using Microsoft Excel, Word and HyperCard.
  • Wrote a Disaster Recovery plan for the entire Signet Bank Card Center.
  • Won three Silver Star awards for coming up with cost saving ideas for the bankcard operations center.

    Education

    Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
  • Studied courses to work towards a Master of Arts, Education, Leadership and Emerging Technologies
  • Provost Honors Award Recipient for 4.0 GPA

    Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Information Systems
  • Bachelor of Science, Marketing

    Professional Affiliations
  • Member, The eLearning Guild
  • Member, Eustis Florida Artist League