Professional Career

Like anyone else, I bounced around with what I wanted to be when I grew up. I think I wanted to be a Veterinarian and then an Architect. In High School I really started growing an interest in computer design. My first take on design was PowerPoint presentations. I started at the Department of Defense as a work-study and my main duty was to create presentations for high-level officials within the Defense Department and Federal Government. During that time, I was also attending Anne Arundel Community College. There, I developed an interest in web development. With my graphic design background I wanted to use it in designing websites too. After graduating from community college, I applied for a job with those specific required skills and I was offered the job as a Jr. Graphic Designer with Titan Corporation, later called L3 Communications. I was able to learn web coding like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In 2009, I started interviewing with other employers and now hold a position as a Sr. Web Developer at Serco Inc.

My Background

I was born in Annapolis, Maryland and raised in a town called Pasadena located about 20 minutes outside of Baltimore. I'm 29 years old and live in a little condo with my crazy mutt Rocky. I'm happy with life, enjoying every bit of it. I can be a spontaneous person, but also very laid back. I am just a go with the flow kind of person, I guess you could say. I have been interested in art for as long as I can remember. Started ou drawing just about anything or attempting to. My grandmother taught me how to draw what you see by using pages in a coloring book. That was a good way to train the eye and I eventually became really good at doing that and I still have some of those drawings. I like to think I have a good imagination and some originality when it comes to creativity. Some of my artistic influences are Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol.

Hobbies & Interests

When I'm not working, I usually enjoy spending time with friends and/or family. I like to take my dog for walks, preferably long ones to wear him out and enjoy fitness activities like biking or working out in the gym. I'm a huge sports fan and my favorite teams are the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, I recently have become a hockey fan and I root for the Washington Captials.

Personal Profile

I am experienced in creating professional graphics, illustrations, and websites. I have about 10 years experience in graphic design and seven years experience in web development. I played several lead roles in design projects with the federal government. I am very customer focused and work very well in a team environment. I excel most in Microsoft Office and Adobe Software products. I am efficient in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and ASP.

Software Knowledge

• Adobe LiveCycle Designer ES 8.2
• Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Adobe Illustrator CS4
• Adobe InDesign CS2
• Adobe Audition
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
• Adobe Flash CS4
• Macromedia Fireworks MX
• Macromedia Freehand MX
• Macromedia Director MX
• Oracle Application Designer
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

Web Knowledge

• HTML
• XHTML
• DHTML
• Cascading Stylesheets (CSS)
• JavaScript
• ASP
• PHP
• VBScript
• PeopleSoft/Oracle
• IE, Firefox, Opera Web Browsers
• MAC and PC Systems

Employment History

Serco Services, Columbia, MD
Sr. Web Developer, 2009 - Present

Lead developer in designing and maintaining the customer's Web portal for financial systems. Developed and implemented a training Website that consisted of several training tutorials. Moved to a 6 person web team to help develop and maintain websites within the customer's organization.

L3 Communications, Annapolis Junction, MD
Graphic/Web Designer, 2005 - 2009

The lead for all graphic design and web development for customer’s Webpage. Developed and implemented graphics for presentations and deliverables sent to the customer. Responsible for developing several Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for an Enterprise Data Repository.

Titan Systems Corporation, Annapolis Junction, MD
Graphic Designer, 2003 - 2005

Part of a 5 person web team, main responsibility was to create and implement graphics within the customer’s Web site. Created a new identity logo for customer’s contract. Performed regular graphic design duties for PowerPoint presentations and customer deliverables.

Department of Defense, Ft. Meade, MD
Office Manager, 1998 - 2003

Performed general administrative duties for the Office Chief. Created PowerPoint presentations. Developed several Excel spreadsheets that tracked the organizations financials and award fees. Organized a briefing library consisting over 100 presentations. Tracked over 500 travel packages for employees within the organization. Played a major role in implementing graphics, text and images created for a budget book distributed throughout the Intelligence Community annually.

Education

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online, Pittsburgh, PA
BA, Web Design & Interactive Media, 2010

Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD
AA, General Studies, Minor: Graphic Design, 2003

Catherine Lesniewski
Pasadena, MD 21122
Email: cmles26@intellectelement.com
Web: www.intellectelement.com