Victor Aguilar
Designer
B.A., Studio Art - Graphic Design, University of Maryland at College Park
With an academic background in classical art history, art-philosophical theory, contemporary art practice, design and typography, Victor manages to synthesize a highly refined conceptual and aesthetic approach with a broad spectrum of technical expertise. Having acquired his first copy of Photoshop in 1996 at the age of 14, Victor is a highly visual thinker with over 15 years of experience in Adobe's industry-standard software combined with an ever-growing arsenal of creative and development tools.
Victor's foundation in the more traditional realm of paint and pencil afford him an artistic vision not often seen on the web. Moving seamlessly between print and interactive, he has produced publications for clients such as Le Alliance Française, LeftTurn Media and While You Were Sleeping magazine. In addition, Victor has initiated numerous independent multimedia projects both off and online in the industries of music, fashion, art, food and technology. Throughout his interactive work, Victor manages to create user-interface experiences that marry the formal qualities of editorial and print-based media with clean, functional web-standards.
In his downtime, Victor is the lead designer, co-founder and a contributing writer for AllOurNoise.com, an independent online journal showcasing the best in past, present and future music. He has also exhibited his artwork at the Union Gallery at U of MD, Transformer non-profit art space, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Cell Projects, London. When not otherwise glued to his monitor, he can be found obsessing over local produce, inhaling black truffle salt or honing his culinary prowess in the kitchen.
Paul Bhorjee
Director of Technology
M.A., Information Technology, American InterContinental University; B.A., Political Science, University of Michigan
With over a decade of programming experience, Paul is our resident expert on .NET and PHP/MySQL web application development. Paul has focused his passion for the web on developing robust, data-driven web applications for corporate clients like Turner Broadcasting and The Royal Bank of Canada as well as governmental and non-profit clients like the DC Government’s Office of the CTO and the Clerk of the US House of Representatives. Paul brings a human touch to engaging with clients and with the rest of the IS departments. He has a unique ability to speak human language to all levels of technical challenges. Under his guidance, the technical team and projects run smoothly and he is the communications link between the Accounts Team and the Design Team, making sure projects come together as planned.
Paul has long held the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer certification and is an expert on the Microsoft Platform. He is intimately familiar with Microsoft Server, SQL Server, and the IIS web server. More recently he has engaged in many LAMP projects that have broadened his development and server environment capabilities. Paul has recently received his Zend Certified Engineer in PHP 5.3 certification - only one of 11 programmers who hold this valued certification in Washington, DC.
When not baking bread, riding his bike, or trolling the gym, he’s playing Bocce Ball, rowing the Potomac, hiking the trails of Shenandoah, or inhaling international soccer news.
Dean Burney
Managing Partner
Director of Design & User Experience
B.A., Advertising, Iowa State University
Dean has an 18-year history in creative services, including advertising copywriting, corporate marketing and Internet consulting. His experience leading and moderating numerous usability studies has helped him develop an innate understanding of user behavior that translates to all his projects. That combined with an equally strong background in information architecture and front-end development results in designs that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Prior to joining Interactive Strategies he was the Creative Director for the Indigio Group, an award-winning web agency based in Denver, CO. In just five years, he quadrupled the size of the company’s user experience team and led the introduction of in-house usability testing as a primary service offering. While at Indigio, his work on the Budget Car Rental culminated in a redesign that was named the industry’s most usable car rental site. Other notable clients included Qwest Dex, Avis Car Rental, Allied Van Lines and several of the nation’s largest newspapers websites, including the Denver Post and the San Jose Mercury News.
When not in the DC office, Dean can most likely be found on a train on his daily commute from Baltimore or lost on the trails of nearby Patapsco State Park. He is the proud new parent of his son, Liam.
Chris DeOrzio
Senior Front End Developer
B.A., Communications and Advertising, West Virginia University
Chris started his career in the days of the dotcoms, as both a designer and developer for an adventure travel site. With one foot in design, and the other in development, Chris was uniquely poised to see where a connection between these two areas was needed. That’s when front-end development became his focus.
With 10+ years of experience in the web field, Chris specializes in the area where design and code meet. Because of his experience in both specialties, he can understand each side and speak their respective languages fluently.
Chris is dedicated to turning design comps into interactive experiences that engage and excite users. Keeping up on all of the latest trends, including HTML5, CSS3 and jQuery, he brings websites to the next level, always keeping in mind the complexity of cross browser differences.
Outside of the office Chris remains on his never-ending quest to master fingerstyle guitar. He also reads history books, watches hockey and searches for the perfect slice of pizza. Chris has never had a cup of coffee.
Lori Evans
Operations Manager
Lori Evans Operations Manager B.S., Marketing and Finance, Penn State University
As our Operations Manager, Lori is responsible for managing our accounting, human resources and office needs. She ensures each I.S. staff member has what they need to do their jobs effectively, productively and happily. In short, she is the Captain that keeps us afloat.
In addition to her finance background, Lori also has extensive experience working in the interactive space, which allows her to be keenly in tune with the goals of our company, the work we do and the needs of our clients. As a QA Analyst at 10 Notes she conducted usability studies, developed testing methodologies and provided strategic insight on projects that required a deep knowledge of finance. As co-owner of Lucidea, an interactive agency, she helped each client shape a strategic vision for their projects, and managed a team of designers and developers to deliver thoughtful, powerful websites and applications.
When she is not running I.S. like a tight ship, Lori enjoys shopping for great shoes and hanging out with her best canine pal, Buddy.
Vanessa Hampton
Senior Online Marketing Manager
B.A., Marketing, James Madison University
Vanessa Hampton brings over eight years of online marketing experience to the online marketing team at Interactive Strategies. She provides strategic insight on developing and managing creative, well thought out search, email and social media campaigns that meet our clients’ needs. Throughout her career in online marketing, she has managed successful campaigns, improving ROI, for a variety of high-profile companies such as Marriott and Renaissance Hotels, Apartment Showcase, The Nature Conservancy, Forrester Construction and Team Hole in the Wall.
Vanessa is a Google AdWords Certified Professional and working towards expanding her certifications to include Microsoft Advertising and Google Analytics. She is an expert on both search engine platforms as well as their respective online tools. Vanessa also has basic HTML knowledge and works with a variety of email service providers including, Emma, MailChimp and Topica.
Outside of the office, Vanessa enjoys traveling – especially to the beach in the summer, staying active and trying new healthy recipes.
Corey Johnson
Art Director
B.F.A., Graphic Design, Virginia Commonwealth University
As our Art Director, Corey brings the highest level of curiosity and creativity to each project. Like most designers who started out pre-Internet, Corey’s 10+ year career in online experience design is rooted in illustration. The classical training he received at VCU sets the foundation for his work today. From UI design to brand development, through a trained eye he consistently produces work that balances usability with remarkable detail and visual impact – a quality that is hard to find in a traditional web designer.
While Corey designs beautiful experiences, he is also passionate about concept development and excels at finding new ways to represent a brand, express a message or achieve a client’s goal. With fresh, unexpected solutions, his designs drive projects forward and are highly effective. At Interactive Strategies, he has created several forward-thinking designs for clients such as the United Way, Nature Conservancy.
Corey came to Interactive Strategies from AOL where he designed many product screens and iterations of the Running Man (that little yellow guy). Working within such strict brand guidelines influenced his interest in brand development and inspired him to hone his skills in logo and identity design. As our in-house logo designer for such clients as InfinityQS, Mixology and DARPA Mobilize, he creates thoughtful brand identities that speak to the true nature of the business.
When Corey is not in the office working, he is outside the office working. As a freelancer his clients have included the Discovery Channel, GlaxcoSmithKline, Allen Iverson, Daryl Green, Oguchi Onyewu, Real Hip Hop Network and many others. When he's not working (it happens), you can find Corey fishing in one of the area’s many lakes and ponds, or biking one of our great trails.
Cory Jurentkuff
Director of Content Strategy & Communications
M.A., Interactive Journalism, American University , B.S., Mass Communications & Advertising, James Madison University
Like most of us at I.S. Cory wears multiple hats. Our resident wordsmith whose experience ranges from two journalism degrees to being a homepage editor at AOL, Cory believes precise, concise, usable content is a critical component to a successful web experience. She was immediately energized by the field of content strategy, and has built the I.S. content service from the ground up. She develops custom content strategies for our clients; works with them to craft strategic brand messages; immerses herself in their businesses to write their websites and marketing campaigns; provides templates and schedules when they are developing content in-house; and conducts Web Writing Workshops on the finer points of effective online content. Cory continuously refines her craft, having most recently attended content workshops at the Nielsen Norman Group’s Usability Week. As our Director of Communications Cory extends her expertise in messaging and marketing strategy to oversee all outreach and communications efforts for I.S.
With 10+ years managing web projects, including the first AOL.com site in 2005 and multiple site redesigns for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Cory has also served as a Senior Account Strategist, and lends her insight and creativity to our projects across the board. Cory excels at helping clients sort through their goals, challenges and audience needs to find that big idea that will set their web experiences apart and yield the most positive returns. She loves a good conundrum most of all -- because that means she can brainstorm creative ways out of it. She loves brainstorming, too.
When she’s not writing or brainstorming, Cory enjoys reading, Tweeting or watching Nancy Grace. She also loves running, hiking the Billy Goat Trail, getting lost in a museum and quoting lines from [insert movie here].
Brad MacDonald
Technical Director
B.A., Psychology University of Michigan
With an extensive background in software development spanning almost 15 years, Brad is a hybrid between a technologist and a software process geek. Brad's wide-ranging roles have included freelance developer, DBA, QA manager, analyst and project manager.
Brad has lead quality assurance, process improvement and project management efforts for AOL, Cardinal Health, CareFusion and Blackbarn Media. Brad had been deeply involved in software development and has an extensive knowledge of .Net, PHP and SQL, while over the past few years focusing primarily on Drupal.
Most recently Brad worked at Social and Scientific Systems, Inc. as a project manager and technical analyst focusing on complex web applications, including the Health Indicators Warehouse, part of the Open.gov initiative.
Outside the office Brad can be found with music pumped into his earbuds, obsessing over the latest news from Apple, defending the canonical Star Wars Trilogy or enjoying downtime with his wife and two daughters (most often with a Venti Americano in tow).
Paul Meyer
Web Applications Developer
B.S., Information Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology
Paul has been programming websites ever since he graduated with honors from RIT – one of the best IT programs in the nation – in 2008. Concentrating on development for websites with database integration, Paul prefers to program in a PHP/MySQL environment, though he supports the increasing popularity of all open source projects.
Paul is fascinated by the interaction between user and website, and is always working to improve that connection - either by using frameworks such as jQuery, or simply programming and designing in a more human fashion. Though he is just beginning what is sure to be a long and successful programming career, he is always eager to learn and adapt his skills to support the innovative and ever-changing world of web development.
When not programming, Paul enjoys spending time with is family, exploring the world of micro brewing, and playing games.
Nate Mow
Lead Application Developer
B.S., Graphic Design, University of Evansville
Nate works as Interactive Strategies' lead application developer, creating custom modules and themes for WordPress and Drupal, implementing data-driven eye candy using jQuery and the Google APIs, and working with the rest of the IS team to create sustainable, efficient web systems. Although Nate currently focuses on open source technologies, he also has deep experience on Microsoft's .NET and SQL Server platforms.
During his 10 year career, Nate has worked with dozens of associations, federal offices and enterprise-class customers, including PBS, USPS, DOE, the IRS, FLOTUS, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the SisterToSister Foundation. Prior to joining the IS team, Nate worked as the Director of Technology for Lucidea, founded 10 Notes (a small interactive agency based in D.C.), and later served as the Director of Technology for Rock Creek Strategic Marketing.
When he’s not wearing his codernaut helmet, Nate enjoys live (loud) music, riding his sweet Raleigh around town (wearing an alternate helmet), and training his dog Rudy on the finer points of being a true soldier of the rockpocalypse.
Bruce Namerow
President
B.A., Marketing, University of Michigan Business School
Bruce honed his marketing and communications skills in politics, first at the Clinton White House before joining the Office of Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt in 1994. The year was 1994 when he suggested that the Congressman consider a website to help communicate his agenda to the public.
Following his passion for the emerging Internet, Bruce soon left politics to work at Magnet Interactive. Before long, Bruce was Senior Producer helping to shape online strategies for Fortune 500 clients such as First USA/Bank One, DuPont, Accenture, USAA Insurance and more. In 2001, Bruce founded Interactive Strategies with the belief that web agencies could do a better job of meeting the strategic needs of clients. In the ten years since, Bruce has grown the company into one of DC’s leading agencies. Rather than focus on growth, he has been driven by the desire to provide innovative and comprehensive web strategies for a select group of clients.
Outside the office grind, you can catch Bruce enjoying a newspaper, riding a bike or spending time with his family.
Kye Tiernan
Managing Partner
Director of Client Service
M.A., Anthropology, University of Chicago; B.A., Anthropology & Film Studies, Indiana University
Kye’s interest in technology began under water -- supporting diverse projects in maritime archaeology in the United States and Latin America. Since surfacing, she has amassed over fifteen year of experience in the world of digital solutions and brand development. Blending strategic design, user research and project management, Kye is interested in understanding how culture shapes the interaction between an organization and its audience. She is also interested in translating brands into digital environments.
Expert at turning complex ideas into intuitive online experiences, Kye’s creative problem solving and approach to user-centered design have shaped solutions for corporate, non-profit and governmental clients, such as United Way, CapitalSource, MAXIMUS and DARPA. Her substantial experience developing instructional technology and educational products for the University of Chicago, Indiana University and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes her uniquely qualified to guide clients through the design and development process. She also leads the IS account team in the conceptualization, research, and development of strategic, customer-driven solutions.
In her spare time, Kye can sometimes be found steeping in warm Caribbean waters. She also spends a considerable amount of time on her head, practicing yoga.
Jacob Wolfsheimer
Senior Account Strategist
Online Marketing Manager
Jacob Wolfsheimer brings over a decade of professional experience to the account management and online marketing teams at I.S. He provides strategic solutions to clients with an emphasis on integrated marketing efforts that drive results.
As one of the first consultants to provide online marketing services to the federal government, he has developed and implemented organic and paid search marketing campaigns, usability tests, media planning and buying efforts and social media marketing and monitoring plans for major national initiatives promoting excellence in business, attracting teachers to the teaching profession and fighting childhood obesity. He has also developed email marketing and reputation management campaigns across nonprofit and corporate clients.
Prior to his career in marketing agencies, Jacob collected a JD from the Syracuse University College of Law and a BA in Sociology and Politics, with a minor in Internet Studies, from Brandeis University. While navigating said higher education, he was a theater geek who performed in a wide variety of plays, musicals and trial competitions, including such classics as "Bye Bye Birdie", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Same Time, Next Year."