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Benjamin Horst CV

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

Key Skills

  • Web Application Architecture, Software Product Management
  • Wiki Administration
  • Open Source Software Community Development
  • Mandarin Chinese

Experience

Freelance, New York, NY: 2008 - Present

  • XHTML/CSS and Drupal website development including information architecture, user interface design and project management;
  • Open Source consulting (especially Microsoft Office to OpenOffice.org migrations);
  • Business development consulting and angel investor relationship 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

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.

Education

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

  • Webmaster, Harvard Urban Planning Organization (HUPO);
  • President, Harvard Mac Computing Group.

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

Personal

References

  • Available upon request.