Jay Simons

Beloit, WI 53511 • [email protected] • +1 (608) 607-2758

Professional Summary

Life-long self-educated technologist with a diverse career spanning full-stack web development, systems administration, and IT leadership. Current focus on modern front-end and full-stack development using React and Next.js. Regular technical writer with syndicated publications on Medium and Dev.to. Willing to relocate.

Work Experience

Web Developer

May 2008 – Present
Designly — Madison, WI
  • Front-end development using React and Next.js frameworks.
  • Designed and built websites and e-commerce platforms using WordPress, Shopify, and custom CMS solutions.
  • Back-end development with Node.js, Express, PHP/Laravel, and serverless architectures.
  • Implemented cloud and edge solutions using Cloudflare, AWS, and Google Cloud.
  • Database design using MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and MongoDB.
  • Maintained awareness of emerging technologies to ensure modern, scalable solutions.
  • Developed custom AI solutions, such as semantic/vector search, RAG, MCP servers, data vectorization, on-prem AI, chatbots, telephone IVR and more.

Director of IT

Mar 2005 – May 2008
Vortex Optics — Middleton, WI
  • Led full redesign of the company’s e-commerce platform.
  • Modernized and re-architected legacy in-house IT infrastructure.
  • Outsourced and optimized mission-critical services.
  • Eliminated workflow bottlenecks across ordering, shipping, and accounting.
  • Integrated departments through shared data and automation.

Systems Administrator

Feb 2003 – Mar 2005
Terracom Inc. — Madison, WI
  • Administered OpenBSD servers and Portmaster dial-up infrastructure.
  • Managed QoS and contention ratios for ~20,000 subscribers.
  • Engineered 802.11a point-to-point and multipoint wireless networks.
  • Conducted wireless site surveys and provided top-tier support.

Technical Support Supervisor

Jan 2001 – Feb 2003
JVLNET Internet Services — Janesville, WI
  • Managed ISP support call center with 8–10 staff members.
  • Administered ERP and RADIUS accounting systems.
  • Maintained Red Hat Linux and Windows NT/2000 servers.
  • Provided advanced customer support and onsite services.

Education

Building Construction Technology (Diploma)
Moraine Park Technical College — Fond du Lac, WI
2009 – 2010