Jennifer Nason

Senior Software Developer
PDF Copy of Resume

Phone: Available On Request

Email: jnason.cv@gmail.com

Tech Leader with 15+ Years of Director-Level Experience | Innovator in Hands-On Management and Cutting-Edge Development

Driven by a passion for technology and a knack for strategic leadership, I bring over 15 years of invaluable experience as a Director of Technology in smaller companies and departments. My journey has been defined by a unique blend of managerial prowess and hands-on technical expertise, allowing me to seamlessly navigate the complexities of leadership while remaining deeply involved in the development process.

Throughout my career, I've thrived in environments where I wear multiple hats, seamlessly transitioning between management responsibilities and individual contributor roles. A fervent advocate for staying at the forefront of technological advancements, I take pride in crafting well-thought-out applications that leverage the latest technologies to deliver innovative solutions.

My love for coding is evident in every project I undertake, as I meticulously engineer applications that not only meet but exceed expectations. Whether it's architecting scalable cloud infrastructure, mastering version control through platforms like GitHub, or harnessing the power of languages like JavaScript, PHP, and Python, I'm constantly pushing boundaries to create software that stands out in today's dynamic landscape.

As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I am eager to continue my journey of driving technological innovation, leading teams to success, and delivering impactful solutions that make a difference.

Skills

Languages:
PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, Bash, REST
Software / Platforms:
Jira, Git/GitHub, AWS, RHEL, CentOS, MariaDB/MySQL, Oracle
Management:
Team leadership and mentorship, Technical communication and stakeholder engagement, Budget management and ROI optimization, Agile, Waterfall, Kanban

Experience

Motorcycle Group, San Mateo, Bay Area

• 2014-present

Director of Technology

As the Director of Technology at Motorcyclegroup, I led technological initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience within the company's framework. My role involved a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on technical expertise, driving innovation and optimization across various facets of technology utilization.

  • Custom Code Development and Problem Solving: Implemented custom code solutions and conducted research to address challenges, such as simplifying customer document submission by developing a streamlined process that automatically attaches documents to their applications for processing.
  • Data Analysis and Risk Prediction: Generated data exports of origination data for in-depth analysis, enabling the company to better predict and mitigate risks associated with loan processing.
  • Comprehensive Technology Strategy: Developed and executed a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with business objectives, focusing on enhancing customer experience, reducing costs, and driving innovation.
  • Customer Experience Enhancement: Specialized in providing technology solutions that significantly improved customer experience and reduced operational costs. Implemented automation techniques to streamline manual processes, such as identifying delinquent accounts for inclusion in daily dialing lists.
  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Collaborated with various departments to integrate technology solutions, fostering efficiency and effectiveness across the organization.
  • Security and Reliability: Ensured the security and reliability of the company's technology infrastructure and systems, implementing robust measures to safeguard data and mitigate risks.
  • Budget Management and Investment Decisions: Managed the technology budget effectively and made informed investment decisions to maximize return on investment (ROI) and deliver cost savings while aligning with the company's strategic objectives.

Westwood Group LLC, San Mateo, Bay Area

• 2011-2014

Director of Technology

As the Director of Technology at Westwood Group LLC, I spearheaded technological initiatives to drive efficiency and innovation within the organization's origination software for loans. My role encompassed a blend of strategic leadership responsibilities and hands-on technical contributions.

  • Strategic Technology Leadership: Provided strategic direction and oversight for all technology-related initiatives, aligning them with the company's goals and objectives.
  • Cloud Infrastructure Management: Setup, configured, and maintained web servers on Rackspace cloud platform, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and security of the infrastructure.
  • Version Control and Code Management: Managed code repositories through GitHub, implementing best practices for version control, collaboration, and code review processes.
  • Full Stack Development: Utilized JavaScript, PHP, and Python to develop and enhance the origination software, covering both front-end and back-end aspects as required.
  • Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution: Played a pivotal role in troubleshooting technical issues, offering timely resolutions to ensure minimal disruption to operations.
  • Integration with Third-Party APIs: Successfully integrated third-party APIs into the software, enhancing its functionality and interoperability with external systems.
  • API Development: Developed API endpoints to facilitate seamless communication between the origination software and other applications, streamlining data exchange and workflow processes.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams including product management, design, and quality assurance to deliver high-quality, user-centric software solutions.
  • Continuous Improvement: Championed a culture of continuous improvement, regularly evaluating and adopting new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance the development process and product quality.

MGM Studios, Century City, Los Angeles

• 2006-2011

Director Web Development and Management

As the Director of Web Development and Management at MGM Studios, I led a team of developers and content publishers, ensuring seamless workflow and top-notch user experiences across all MGM websites.

  • Led migration of hosting setup to AWS, resulting in significant reduction in monthly server costs.
  • Implemented streamlined processes for marketing satellite sites and automated uploads to YouTube for copyright detection, enhancing efficiency and compliance.
  • Developed and executed strategies for optimizing website performance, including load time optimization and mobile responsiveness, resulting in improved user engagement and retention.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and launch new website features and campaigns, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives and brand standards.

Lead Web Developer

  • Migrated servers to PHP5 and integrated new features, providing support to micro-site vendors
  • Successfully migrated mgm.com from JSP/Sybase to PHP/Oracle and a new host
  • Doubled traffic within one year by developing stargate.mgm.com in PHP with a MySQL database

Additional Experience

Lead Web Developer, Impress Communications Inc., Canoga Park, Los Angeles

Senior Director of Technology, SoundBreak.com, West Hollywood, Los Angeles

Director of Technology, Ray Gun Networks, LLC, Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Senior Developer, Technical Manager, Spike Inc./Spike Radio, Inc. Sydney, Australia & LA

Developer, News Interactive, Sydney, Australia

Code Samples

Once code is deprecated from current projects, I'm adding it to my Code Snippets repo on Github. Check them out here:

Code Snippets at GitHub

Blog

It's new! Check out Not Your Typical Developer

Personal Development

Placed in the top 100 of the US Cyber Challenge 2023. Attended the Western US Cyber Camp July 2023

Experimenting with AI models, Tensorflow, and trying to get Chat GPT to produce usable code

Member of Association for Women in Science and American Association for the Advancement of Science

Moderating and producing content for YouTube channels on gaming, programming, cybersecurity and photography

Mentored at Frazier Mountain High School 2009/2010 students in the Academy in Web Development

Education

Associate of Science in Computer Science | City College of San Francisco (June 2024)

Planned transfer to 4-year Software Engineering degree fall 2024