Work
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Webmaster
March 2006 - Present

I have been tasked with re-designing the Foundation's existing websites and have created additional new websites for the Foundation.

The EveryoneGoesHome.com website was re-launched in May 2006. The site was initially maintained with content, concepts provided by our Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program Team. Recently, I have been part of a core group tasked with exploring other ways to enhance the site using audience feedback, brand awareness, E-mail promotion, and development of new site features. Since these the launch of these efforts, we have seen pageviews increase dramatically.

The FireHero.org was re-designed and re-structured to enhance usability. The new design also gives us a solid foundation for adding additional resources for the families and co-workers of fallen firefighters. The new FireHero.org was re-launched in September 2009.

A third website was designed and built for the families of NYC firefighters killed in the line-of-duty. The website was meant to provide information about the programs and resources available to families through the department's Counseling Services Unit (CSU). This website was not used by CSU.

Additional websites have also been created for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend at weekend.firehero.org and National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournaments at golf.firehero.org.

During my work on the weekend.firehero.org website two videos were created to educate the public, new families of fallen firefighters, and the fire service on what the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is all about. They can be found on weekend.firehero.org

In addition to my work on the web, I have also been tasked with numerous graphic projects including: web banners, email promotions, flyers, palm cards, invitations, event programs and signage, brochures, posters and other product packaging. I was responsible for designing product packaging for four resource kits that were sent to over 35,000 U.S. fire departments. During the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend and other Foundation events I take photos for use on the web and other promotions of NFFF programs and services. I have also written articles published on the Foundation websites (writing samples available upon request).

Cygnus Business Media
Site Manager - Cygnus Interactive, Public Safety Division
July 2003 - March 2006
I was responsible for the daily operation of three public safety news portals (http://www.firehouse.com, http://www.emsresponder.com and http://www.officer.com). I supervised up to three web designers that maintained these public safety websites. I coordinated materials for internal online marketing campaigns for our print and tradeshow divisions and worked with sales staff to ensure quality advertising is produced for our clients. While maintaining day-to-day operations of the sites I made site updates and designed creative. I was awarded the "Cygnus Above and Beyond Award" in March 2005 for my efforts to keep websites functioning while short-staffed from late 2004 to the time that I left Cygnus.
Web Developer - Firehouse.com
January 2002 - July 2003
I collected breaking news stories, formatted and posted of content on a high traffic news site, and updated to featured sections of the site. Doing these tasks included hard coded HTML and use of a content management system that was later acquired. In my role as Developer I also designed email newsletters, landing pages, banner ads and other promotional materials for our target audience. I continued to be administrator of the online classifieds, web directory, apparatus sections of the site; I handled customer inquiries, technical support, and billing questions for these sections. I was also responsible for training three designers in site updates and basic operating practices. Examples of my banner design work are located on my graphics page.
Office Manager - Firehouse.com
November 2000 - January 2002
I performed a variety of tasks ranging from client/customer relations to web development. My daily duties consisted of handling client inquiries, scheduling advertiser billing for online media, maintaining records and coordinating employee reimbursements and payment of invoices, and administration of the classified and web directory sections of the site. Other long-term/special projects include: event planning for media (ranging from 50 to 200+ guests), updates/maintenance of the display classifieds site, design and collaboration on promotional campaign media, and preparation and participation for fire/rescue industry trade shows.
Department of Procurement and Supply - University of Maryland, College Park
Senior Buyers Assistant-Construction Procurement
August 2000 - November 2000
Daily activities included soliciting bids and prices from potential suppliers; placing Purchase Orders; preparing and revising Construction Contracts; learning about Government regulations, State Procurement policy/practices, and the Procurement tool utilized by the University, FRS; performed various data analysis tasks.
Education

Bachelor of Science Decision Information Systems
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park 2000
Eleanor Roosevelt Science & Technology High School
Graduated with Merit Certificate, Presidential Fitness Award
Member of National Honor Society
Vice President of the Filipo Mazzei Chapter of the National Italian Honor Society 1995

Activities & Awards
  • Creator/Webmaster of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Website http://www.chvfd.org. This site was given the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 Golden Web Award by the International Association of Webmasters and Designers
  • Fire Photography published in the Bowie Blade News and Firehouse.com
  • Honorable mention in Congressional Art Exhibition Contest (Sponsored by Congressman Steny Hoyer) - Artwork was Hung in the U.S. Capitol
  • Conducted Stress Management Workshop for 40 Teachers as part of college curriculum
  • Authored successful U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant proposal for Fire Prevention Trailer in the amount of $47K (Awarded in March 2006) for the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Part of the Firehouse.com staff awarded the gold ASBPE Interactive Community Award
  • Fifth Consecutive Term as Fire Marshal for the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department
  • 2004 Above and Beyond Award as Site Manager for Cygnus Business Media
  • I am the chair of the Fire Prevention & Statistical Reporting Committees. I also serve on the Ways and Means Comittee and Board of Directors of the Capitol Heights VFD
Skills
  • Languages: Basic, Pascal, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, Javascript, PHP and some SQL
  • Some linux/apache web server administration
  • 2 Major Projects in Systems Analysis/Design (System Documentation Available Upon Request)
    • ARESP Adoption System (1999)
    • Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department Statistical Tracking System (2000)
  • Imaging Software: Adobe Creative Suite Products - Photoshop, Illustrator,InDesign, some Flash; Paint Shop Pro, Page Maker, and some experience with Quark
  • Some video editing/production (sample available upon request)
  • Experience with both hand coded HTML and Macromedia Dreamweaver
  • Print graphic experience (samples available upon request)
  • Experienced in MS Office Products
  • Extensive study of Italian Language/Culture