Ash Skutches
Easton,PA
Summary
Entrepreneurial and creative Founder passionate about turning innovative ideas into tangible results:
- Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy.
- Adept at leveraging new tools and methods to solve problems and enhance productivity.
- Possesses versatile skills in project management, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Brings fresh perspective and strong commitment to quality and success.
- Background in increasing profits, reducing costs, and transforming customer service standards.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder
Obsidian Industries LLC (dba Leaps and Rebounds)
01.2017 - Current
- Defined, created and articulated the company's mission and vision statements for use by employees. Thus ensuring the company's vision and strategic goals are in alignment with market opportunities and long-term objectives.
- Strategy & Vision: Conducted target market research to scope out Leap's industry competition and identify advantageous trends. Additionally, created and monitored annual promotional programs to increase sales and profit levels by 10%.
- Business Development: Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth. Also, led business planning, market analysis, and go-to-market execution, identifying new growth areas and expanding market penetration.
- Leadership & Culture: Built, mentored, and led a strong company culture, fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence across all departments.
- Product & Operations: Oversaw product development, ensuring alignment with the Leaps customer needs and driving continuous improvement.
Senior Back End Developer
Estate Assist
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Full stack developer specializing in Ruby on Rails and analytics tools. Also contribute to front end Javascript development as needed.
- Write software following the principles of test driven development.
- Consult with product lead to determine optimal development solutions and provide feedback on feature implementation.
- Member of Agile development team.
- Estate Assist is a startup providing a digital safe deposit box where members can securely store and share important account information, critical documents, and key contacts.
Full Stack Developer
Daqri
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Full stack developer working primarily with AngularJS and Rails.
- Focused on tools and features that allowed clients to create their own augmented reality content via the Daqri platform.
- Daqri is an augmented reality company that specializes in pioneering the field’s entry into varied markets.
Development Consultant for Various Clients
Freelance
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Groupiter: a collaboration tool based on Dropbox. Helped develop and improve features for their Ruby on Rails application. Worked closely with iPhone development team to create an API. Significantly reduced technical debt by re-factoring the existing code base and writing extensive tests.
- Handyman Studios: a game consultancy that also created their own game, Edge of Space. Supported integration of existing Ruby on Rails app with the game to provide authentication and additional features. Fixed bugs and created new tools.
- The Collegiate Standard: provider of high quality Greek Fraternity and Sorority jewelry. Improved their main Shopify ecommerce website by cleaning up the code base and adding features. Helped increase traffic by 250% by adding workflow tools, improving navigation, re-designing the home page, and making the entire website mobile-enabled.
Developer
West Arete
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Worked with up to 7 clients at a time to develop product features, working with Ruby, Rails, Shopify, Webiva CMS, and PHP.
- Practiced Agile software development with weekly sprints.
- Helped coordinate and host monthly Ruby groups.
- Projects included: www.trailspace.com, www.coolblue.com, http://redi.beta.westarete.com, www.letterstojoe.com, www.athletictravel.com.
- West Arete is a web consultancy based in State College, PA.
Personal Project
Matchuptips.com
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Project to practice Ruby on Rails skills.
- Create website where gamers could communicate about Street Fighter and share tips. Website is still active today.
- Features included: blog, Facebook integration, admin interface, and all custom-written CSS.
- Implemented modern SEO practices on website.
Intern
West Arete
01.2010 - 01.2010
- Migrated data from legacy database into the new application for an Altoona bus test project.
- Performed well enough to earn full time position after 2 months.
Computer Technician
TurboTune
01.2010 - 01.2010
- Worked with multiple clients in the Lehigh Valley area servicing computers and accessories, and advising clients on technical issues.
Education
Information Systems Technology
Pennsylvania State University
University ParkComputer Networking
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PASkills
- Expert: Ruby, Rails, Javascript, HTML, Vim, PostgreSQL, Git
- Proficient: C, AngularJS, SEO, Unix
Timeline
Founder
Obsidian Industries LLC (dba Leaps and Rebounds)
01.2017 - Current
Senior Back End Developer
Estate Assist
01.2014 - 01.2017
Full Stack Developer
Daqri
01.2013 - 01.2014
Development Consultant for Various Clients
Freelance
01.2011 - 01.2013
Developer
West Arete
01.2010 - 01.2011
Personal Project
Matchuptips.com
01.2010 - 01.2011
Intern
West Arete
01.2010 - 01.2010
Computer Technician
TurboTune
01.2010 - 01.2010
Information Systems Technology
Pennsylvania State University
Computer Networking
Northampton Community College