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Ken Collins' Resume

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Updated On: May 12th, 2008 by kencollins

Contact Information

Address: 2405 Sterling Point Drive, Portsmouth, Virginia 23703
Phone/Fax: (757) 271-3850
Email:

Objective

I'm an information specialist and I thrive on providing elegant solutions to complex problems. They are based on a love for efficiency, working smarter, and seeing positive results. .

Highlights of Qualifications

PROGRAMMING SKILLS: Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, and XHTML/CSS. I am incredibly proficient in Ruby and have collaborated on quite a few open source projects. To date, I have been programming web applications using Ruby and JavaScript professionally for 2 and a half years. My XHTML/CSS skills far exceed most programmers since I have been developing web sites for more than 10 years and have been doing compliant presentation layer XHTML for more than 6 years.

WEB APPLICATION EXPERIENCE: Ruby and especially the Rails framework is my love and focus. I have been working in Rails since before it the 1.0 version and migrations were a reality. Unlike a lot of other programmers, I know the Rails framework inside and out and I specialize in ActiveRecord extensions in both the abstract high level and in detail at the connection adapter levels. My code is highly organized and I pride myself in working smarter by keeping up to date in the changing landscape of both Ruby and Rails as the technologies move forward. My second love is the Prototype JavaScript framework and programming interactive glue in a fully object oriented way.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Configuring Routers and Switches, Administrating Windows and UNIX-Style Operating Systems in small to mid-size networks including setting up private networks, DMZs, VPNs, and VLANs. Setting up and managing Open or Active Directory Services, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MSSQL 2000 Databases, BIND DNS Services, Postfix & Cyrus Email Services, and countless other UNIX applications.

PEOPLE SKILLS: I love to work with talented people. Even more I love to teach and help others learn about the things I love to do. I currently am the organizer for the Hampton Roads Ruby User's Group (757.rb) where I give talks each and every month. Teaching others and writing articles is not only enjoyable to me but helps me stay current.

ONLINE MARKETING EXPERIENCE: Community/Membership Web Sites, Email Marketing, Hosting and Reporting, Booking Engines, Loyalty Programs, Content Management Systems, Search Engine Marketing, Affiliate Programs, Comparison Shopping Portals, Online Marketing Places, Asset Management, eCommerce Methods, PR Systems, and Online Media Placement.

ADVERTISING EXPERIENCE: Consumer Brands, Food, Cultural & Non-Profits, Travel-Tourism & Hospitality, Financial Institutions, Architecture & Construction, Education, Health & Medicine, Property Management, Advertising Agencies, Internet & Application Service Providers, Technology Companies, and Many Local Industries.

Professional Experience

Decisiv, Inc. - Richmond, VA
Software Engineer - 2006 to Present

Coming soon and to be announced. For questions, plese contact me.

Decipher, Inc. - Norfolk, VA
Technical Director / Network Engineer / Systems Administrator - 2005 to 2006

Coming soon and to be announced. For questions, plese contact me.

Arcamax, Inc. - Newport News, VA
Marketing Director - 2004 to 2005

Joined the Executive Committee to help provide steerage for the company's new business unit that focused entirely on eCommerce sales of closeout CD-ROM Software and DVD Movie titles. It was my responsibility to maintain the profitability of the company, which relied heavily upon my previous Online Marketing experience and my technical prowess to leverage their existing IT infrastructure and Internet Publishing assets.

Successfully integrated all revenue and marketing channels into a trackable system that utilized a combination of their proprietary systems, 3rd party conversion tools, new custom code, and a series of dynamic Excel sheets that captured and reported on aggregate data. A summary of these channels include:

  • Retention Marketing System
  • Search Marketing (Organic & PPC)
  • Affiliate Program & Comparison Shopping Portals
  • Online & Offline Media Placement
  • Virtual Drop Shippers
  • Incentivised Loyalty Program

Completely overhauled the entire pay-per-click search engine (PPCSE) and affiliate marketing systems into a successful prospecting engine within 8 weeks time. Built and integrated conversion tracking code that identified campaign success to the keyword level and post-conversion metrics into the retention marketing system for up to one year past the initial conversion. Benefits of the new systems also reported on:

  • Product Category Performance
  • Ad Copy Response
  • Cart Bailout Metrics
  • Click Fraud Sources
  • Negative Keyword Terms
  • Continuous Data Through the PayPal IPN
  • Relevant Online Partnerships via AdSense & Publisher Referrals

Continually maximized PPCSE marketing from an average of 300 terms to over 30,000 terms and phrases with a 275% increase in buyers and overall campaign profitability. Added conceptually driven keyword campaigns and matching ad copy that captured nearly every tangible search a consumer would find offers and products. This was achieved using a combination of creative thinking at the consumer level and mining corporate date into datafeed campaigns that were dynamically driven by SKU metadata. Deployed keyword buys over the following 1st and 2nd tier PPCSEs, note that 3rd tier PPCSEs are rampant with click fraud and are not included Google, Overture (now YSMS!), MSN, Kanoodle, and the Kaboose Kids Search

Revamped the affiliate marketing program from a passive ad-hoc system that was frequently abused by self-referrals to a managed, proactive, lead generation engine for online partnerships. Established myself as a visible program manager that affiliates could interact with. Encouraged growth by usage of good communications and publishing writing bi-monthly newsletters that contained informative articles on how to maximize and use the more advanced technical aspects of the program. Acquired power affiliates and relevant online partnerships that increased the programs direct sales up 500% with value added buyers into the retention marketing system.

Developed a 2-year business strategy that primarily focused on utilizing the company's previously untapped core strengths within their EC system for Internet Publishing and secondarily on the actionable data acquired over the previous 3 months. Plan called for a company-wide documentation process on key roles within Product Acquisition, Inventory Management, Web Development, Customer Service, Sales, and Support. The result was a shared knowledgebase Wiki that allowed me to appropriately adjust our internal processes to meet future sales goals. To compliment this and expand capacity, I organized an internship program with ECPI's Newport News campus, to train upcoming graduates in the fields of Website Design, Development, and eCommerce.

As a personal reference, I highly recommend a good internet marketing virginia SEO company called Target'em.

SwissDisk, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA
Vice President / Sales and Marketing - 2004 to Present

In the later part of 2004, I partnered with my brother Ben Collins to start up a small company in the niche market of the online storage industry. Even though our company was bought out, I still contribute by maintaining a position on the Board of Directors and continue my prior creative work and online marketing efforts.

Stratum Marketing - Norfolk, VA
Account Executive / Technical Director / Project Manager - 1999 to 2004

As an Account Executive I have applied my planning and strategic thinking to the broadest marketing objectives of various local and national clients to create truly integrated and trackable campaigns that are driven by strong creative concepts. My record shows consistent up sells with the largest return on investments that have given Stratum their richest case studies and established new lines-of-business for future sales.

As Technical Director my responsibilities included identifying customer requirements, making build-versus-buy decisions, maximize technology partnerships, and developing products to capitalize on existing and emerging market opportunities. I defined collocation/hosting needs, hardware/software suppliers, online media placement channels, e-commerce strategies, and customer-relationship & content management systems. Supplemental skill sets for this role includes my ability to write white papers/reports, compile databases into analysis and statistical presentations, provide documentation/training, and many other hands-on IT support services.

As a Project Manager, I have developed and managed many solutions for large-scale projects throughout the company. My successes are attributed to a utilization of strong organizational skills, standard management processes, and a hands-on understanding of numerous UNIX, Windows, Macintosh and Internet development practices. In such, I maintained the highest customer satisfaction rating and strict adherence to project and financial milestones.

InfiNet - Norfolk, VA
Product Development / Lead Technician / Design - 1998 to 1999

Worked to obtain lead technician by providing strong affiliate support, documentation of skills, and the ability to train new/existing staff. Provided the department with new efficient processes and applications.

Working with the head of Product Development, I was awarded a contract with NetSurfer to provide consulting and development for its Macintosh software distribution method. While partially on-site in Atlanta, Georgia, the product was built, tested, and integrated into the CD Surfer Kit for distribution to InfiNet and all of their affiliate newspapers.

Provided design and print services for the Human Resources Department's latest campaign of collateral pieces for their employment workshops.

MacGRAPHICS - Virginia Beach, VA
Account Manager / Design - 1994 to 1998

Honed previous design, typography & layout experience in a full-service boutique agency during the cusp of the digital media age. This allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge and skills in the mechanics of traditional design/layout while using the earliest computer applications.

Worked with exciting local industries and brands such as the logo/collateral design for ABNB Credit Union, package design for Kettler International, and Womble Realty. Streamlined operations and developed efficiencies in workflow for many of these clients including re-writing sales and development specs for Bell Atlantics Yellow Pages ad production.

Created a new line-of-business for Internet Marketing at the onset of the development of other new-media companies. This was done by strengthening an existing client relationship in the Travel-Tourism/Hospitality vertical of the business. I was responsible for hiring and training new staff for this market.