1. J a m e s E c k l u n d
jepuffin@gmail.com 402–304-6022 Estes Park, CO www.linkedin.com/in/JimEcklund
Media Specialist Professional
Innovative, creative individual well respected by clients and associates for the ability to solve
communication challenges efficiently, utilizing advanced, cost-effective approaches. A passion for
learning involves constantly searching for new ways to use current and off-the-shelf software tools in
innovative ways to help minimize costs.
Publication Design | CMS Website Design | Automated Forms Design
Logotype Design | On-Line Training Design | Communication Consulting
Career Summary and Achievements
Puffin Publishing, Estes Park, Colorado, Lincoln Nebraska 2000 - Present
President
Managing the print and web design and maintenance for several profit and non-profit organizations.
The websites include: Friendship Force of Lincoln – www.friendshipforcelincoln.org; Friendship Force
International – www.friendshipforce.org; Great Plains Appraisal – www.gpappraisal.com. Great
Scott’s Food Court required extensive graphic design of logos, menus and other printed and signage
materials.
Consulted and helped created a website for Friendship Force International, an international
travel/exchange program. Was awarded the U.S. Volunteer of the year for the
accomplishment..
Created and implemented the FFI club website training program to help local clubs develop
and maintain their websites. I currently support 20 website programs in the U.S. and Canada.
Developed and implemented a recording system for podcasting for my church to post weekly
sermons on the church website.
Union Insurance, Continental Western Group, Des Moines, IA 1989 - 2016
Media Specialist, Web Designer
Managing the print and electronic publishing department and design, implementation, and
maintenance of the company websites since 1995. Company and corporation websites include
Continental Western Group - www.cwgins.com; Continental Western Group - Collector Car Insurance
Program –
www.berkleyclassics.com; www.FirePAK.com - the website for a fire department insurance program.
Designed and implemented MS Word forms linked to SharePoint document libraries which
greatly improving efficiency in information gathering and record keeping.
Developed and implemented a marketing database used by the sales department. It enabled
the field Marketing Department to share records of sales calls and agency personnel contact
information.
Designed and implemented an automated process of displaying agent contact information on
the public website without requiring IT development time by incorporating inexpensive off-the-
shelf software.
Researched and helped bring online a Claims Department Salvage site using an auction
platform. The company brought in over $1 million per year in claims salvage earnings.
Introduced digital publishing of agent manuals to the company reducing and virtually
eliminating printing and mailing costs.
2. Developed an in-house advertising department for the FirePAK agents. Created advertising
and graphics on demand for use in trade publications.
Created and developed printed brochures for the Marketing Department, eliminating the need
of an outside advertising agency saved an estimated $25,000 a year.
Directed an award-winning wellness program and oversaw the purchase and maintenance of
all company exercise equipment. We achieved a Gold certification by the Wellness Councils of
America (WELCOA). Many of the incentive programs I developed were adopted by the Lincoln
chapter of the organization. The Human Resources department found this was a very good
selling point when it came to recruitment for the company.
United Phone Book, Lincoln, NE 1988 - 1989
Graphic Artist
Created computer-aided graphic design of yellow page advertising for clients in the markets
throughout the U.S.
Additional Relevant Experience
Web Designer – Continental Western Group, Des Moines, Iowa
Media Specialist – Continental Western Group, Union Insurance Company,
Lincoln, Nebraska
Consultant, Designer – Puffin Publishing, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
Graphic Designer – United Phone Book, Lincoln, Nebraska
Photographer – Professional Instruments, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ad. Copywriter – Root Marketing, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism Mass Communications with an Emphasis in Advertising
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Associate in General Insurance - American Institute For Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters
Coursework in Progress:
Become a Front-End Web Developer – A 23-hour training series focusing on all aspects of website
development. Programming training includes JavaScript, JQuery, HTML and advanced course in
cascading style sheets (CSS), responsive web design, GitHub, Bootstrap and SASS.
Adobe Certification
Coursework Certificates
Access 2013 Essential Training
3. Acrobat XI: Creating Forms
ASP.NET Essential Training
Create an Expandable FAQ Listing with jQuery and Dreamweaver
Create an Interactive Map with jQuery and Dreamweaver
Create Navigation Menus with jQueryand Dreamweaver
CSS: Core Concepts
CSS: Page Layouts
CSS: Selectors
CMS Fundamentals
Making Sense of the CSS Box Model
Responsive Design Fundamentals
Creating PDF Forms with InDesign
CSS: Visual Optimization
Design the Web: Graphics and CSS Pseudo-Elements
Final Cut Express 4 Essential Training
Flash CS4 Professional Tools for Character Animation
Foundations of Logo Design
Getting Started with Acrobat Connect
InfoPath 2010 Essential Training
Introducing the JavaScript Language
iPhone SDK Essential Training
JavaScript Essential Training
Joomla! 1.5 Essential Training
Joomla! 1.5: Creating and Editing Custom Templates
jQuery Essential Training
jQuery Mobile Essential Training
Managing Documents with SharePoint 2013
Photoshop CS4: Layer Masks in Depth
SharePoint 2010 Essential Training
SharePoint 2013 for Site Champions and Power Users
SharePoint Designer 2013: Branding SharePoint Sites
Shooting with the GoPro HERO:Fundamentals
Shooting with the Nikon D7000
Social Media Marketing with Facebook and Twitter
Up and Running with Adobe Media Encoder
Up and Running with Bootstrap 2
Up and Running with WebEx Meetings
WordPress DIY: Setting Up WordPress
WordPress DIY: Small Business Website
WordPress Developer Tips:Locking Down WordPress
WordPress Plugins: Backing Up Your Site
WordPress DIY: Restaurant Website
WordPress.com 2.7 Essential Training
Moving WordPress with WP Migrate DB and DB Pro