SolidOffice » Benjamin Horst CV

Benjamin Horst CV

BENJAMIN HORST
Astoria, NY
email: bhorst(at)mac.com

Institute for Integrative Nutrition, New York, NY: July 2011 – Present
Web Development Manager

Design and lead implementation of new features to optimize site utility;
Architect, design and manage development of social media features for Institute graduates.

Shapeways Inc, New York, NY: January – June 2011
Front-End Product Lead

Coordinated with company management and internal teams on strategic goals;
Prioritized and scheduled new site features for social asset sharing platform with ecommerce;
Managed development, UX and visual design team’s agile implementation process;
Created site architecture, feature requirements and page wireframes.

Six Apart, New York, NY: April 2009 – December 2010
Project and Product Manager

Developed project schedules and assigned tasks to developers and designers based on project Statements of Work;
Translated client requests into technical feature documents, architected the implementation of products, and created wireframes and implementation schedules;
Maintained regular client status communication;
Coordinated and assigned new project work to project managers;
Produced work estimates for project bids;
Established timelines, design, requirements and specifications for internal company product development.

Freelance, New York, NY: 2008 – 2009

XHTML/CSS and Drupal website development including information architecture, user interface design and project management (frequently in collaboration with SunRain Productions);
Open Source consulting (especially Microsoft Office to OpenOffice.org migrations);
Business development consulting and angel investor relationship management;
Web application product management for Ecolada.com’s affiliate shopping aggregator.

Air America Media, New York, NY: June – November 2008
Interactive (Web) Project Manager

Designed and developed feature enhancements for flagship web property and measured effectiveness of site changes;
Collaborated with outsourced, remote team of designers/themers, programmers and Drupal experts (Advomatic) to implement customized site features;
Trained internal users on best practices in content management.

Digital202, New York, NY: 2007 – 2008
Senior Project Manager

Translated client requirements into detailed web application featureset;
Planned and carried out development process with globally-distributed UI and programming team;
Designed graphical user interfaces, site process flow, and application logic for Drupal CMS-based websites;
Delivered final product to clients and arranged ongoing site maintenance packages.

SharedBook, Inc., New York, NY: 2004 – 2007
Product Manager, Community Manager and Information Architect

Translated business requirements into software feature list and development plan;
Designed graphical user interface and application logic for a web application;
Managed development process of outsourced team in Israel;
Maintained software specs using TWiki software;
Managed full-time graphic/HTML designer and seasonal intern;
Grew a community of developers interested in leveraging SharedBook’s public API.

Freelance Web Development and Graphic Design, Los Angeles, CA: 2003 – 2004

Developed small business websites for a variety of clients including RMS Communications, Prickly Pear Island, Kirchhoff Companies and others;
Used CafePress for e-commerce applications;
Administered email systems using webhost infrastructure;
Contributed to OpenOffice.org Marketing Project, authored “The Tiny Guide to OpenOffice.org.”
Founder and president, Wikipages.com.

The Chazen Companies, Poughkeepsie, NY: 2001 – 2003
GIS Analyst and Planner

Conducted GIS research and analysis for urban planning and civil engineering problems;
Assessed site development potential using wetlands, soil, slope and orthophotographic data;
Collected and managed company GIS data resources;
Contributed to planning studies, Environmental Impact Statements, transportation studies, zoning and density analyses, and municipal master plans.

Vassar College Department of Geology and Geography, Poughkeepsie, NY: Spring 2003
GIS Lab Manager and Faculty Consultant

Supported faculty and student use of GIS software including MapServer, ArcMap, and MapInfo;
Managed and scheduled use of campus GIS computer lab;
Assisted faculty and student research projects;
Taught practical GIS workshops to department faculty and students.

Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA: 1999 – 2001
Help Desk Manager

Provided computer systems technical assistance to faculty, staff and students;
Instructed users in networking, large-format printing, GIS, CAD, modeling, graphic design, office suites and operating system software (Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows);
Managed summertime student employees’ day-to-day activities.

Harvard Graduate School of Design: Master in Urban Planning, 2001

Vassar College: B.A., with Honors, 1999