John C. Cruz, MUP
City Planning, Economic Development, Community Planning, TOD
Personal Details
Birth
Address
Phone
Mail
December 31, 1985; Detroit, MI
5 Hubbard Mt. Clemens MI 48043
T: 313.799.2789 | F: 779.490.6690
john@cruzweb.net
I am a web developer turned city planner seeking full time anglophone work in the Montreal area. I will be moving to Montreal in late August 2013 with my fiancé (who will be my wife at the time of the move) and I will not require work sponsorship as I will be legally allowed to work in Canada with a student spousal visa.
Organizations I am looking to join include those involved in community development, economic development, TOD, and public policy, as well as those who do general municipal and master planning in either the public or private sector.
I have retained work at a time when roughly 20% of all college graduates from the class of 2008 have had difficulty finding any sort of work within 6-12 months. I found a job within a month of graduation, kept it during the recession and while working on my master’s degree part time. I am a stable and reliable employee; I have remained in all positions I have held for more than one year.
I am currently working as an immigration data intern for Global Detroit, a web developer for The Red Theory, and a social media coordinator / photographer for the Detroit Revitalization Fellowship Program.
I am not interested in any opportunities pertaining to web/internet development, computer science and programming, or IT / CIS work.
Education
Wayne State University
Master of Urban Planning | Economic Development concentration
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Fall 2009 - Fall 2012
Grade: 3.5/4.0 | View Diploma
Masters Essay Topic: Transit Oriented Economic Development for American Rust Belt Cities.
Capstone Project: Conceptualizing Woodbridge, a Neighborhood Plan.
Michigan Association of Planning Student Conference Host Committee Chairman (2012).
Michigan Association of Planning Student Conference Steering Committee (2011).
American Planning Association Student Representatives Council (SRC) Student Representative (2010 - 2011).
Wayne State Student Urban Planners Communications Chairman (2011 - 2012).
Wayne State Student Urban Planners Co-Chairman (2010 - 2011).
2009-2012
Baker College
Bachelors of Science | Web Development Major (Computer Science)
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Fall 2006 - Spring 2008
Grade: 3.4/4.0 | View Diploma
By the time I graduated I was already working as a full time web developer. Instructors at the college were also hiring me for some additional freelance work to support their own businesses.
2006-2008
Baker College of Clinton Township
Associates of Applied Science Cum Laude | Web Design Major
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Fall 2003 - Spring 2006
Grade: 3.5/4.0 | View Diploma
2003-2006
Mount Clemens High School
High School Diploma | Music Concentration
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Fall 2002 - Spring 2003
Grade: 3.4/4.0 | View Diploma
Graduation Honors for Music and the National Honor Society.
2002 Central Michigan University Jazz Fest class B-C-D Outstanding Soloist Award. Baritone Sax solo during Carnival by Steve Spiegl.
Stage Crew for all in-school productions and the community concert series.
Marching Band, Jazz Band, Student Teacher (6th grade woodwinds).
2002-2003
Mt. Clemens Senior Academy
Edison Schools, Inc.
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Fall 1999 - Spring 2002.
Privatized public school managed by Edison Schools Inc.
Office Aide / Attendance Liaison (2001 - 2002), Football (1999 - 2000), Bible Club (1999 - 2000).
1999-2002
Work Experience
Detroit Revitalization Fellowship Program.
Social Media coordinator, photographer
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March 2013 - Present | Detroit, MI
Social media updates, coordination, correspondence, and planning.
Event photography.
Misc. duties as needed, including preparing demographic reports on applicants, data scrubbing, and putting together powerpoint presentations.
Mar 2013 -
Global Detroit / New Solutions Group
Research and Data Analysis Intern
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November 2012 - Present | Detroit, MI
Research and data analysis on immigration.
Nov 2012 -
Web Developer
The Red Theory Online Services, LLC
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July 2008 - Present | Warren, MI
Back-end PHP Web Development, Front end HTML / CSS / Javascript, Wordpress Development, Web server management, Graphic and Web Design.
I was the company’s first full time employee. When I started it was a home-based business with a handful of clients. We now have a wide portfolio, partnerships with other companies, a brick-and-mortar presence and multiple full time workers.
Jul 2008 -
Michigan Campaign Director
Gary Johnson for President 2012
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August 2011 – November 2012 | Michigan
Statewide campaign director for the most successful write-in presidential campaign in Michigan’s history.
Candidate handler for Governor Johnson and Judge Gray while in Michigan.
Volunteer management, Communications, Event Planning, Fundraising.
2011-2012
Producer for “Defend Your Ride”
CBS Detroit
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September 2011 - December 2011 | Detroit, MI
Produced the first “Defend Your Ride” segments for CBS Local Detroit, interviewing people about their cars and how they used them.
Interviews and Photography
2011
Web Developer / Shipping Coordinator
Banner Sign Specialties | www.signs365.com
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October 2006 - December 2007 | Utica, MI
Developed first version of www.signs365.com, a custom “to-the-trade” website for sign shops to purchase digital signs. Once development was complete, I handled online and phone customer service. Later I coordinated all export shipments.
When I started, the company had no presence on the web. When I left, online sales were up to around $20k per month and in-store sales were almost completely phased out. Since then, the company has continued to build and expand upon my technology, and now has a second printing facility in Arizona.
2006-2007
Letters of Recommendation
Dr. Robin BoyleChairman of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University. |
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Dr. Chade SaghirTransportation Planner, SEMCOG. Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University. |
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Lauren CarlsonDirector of Information and Planning, Michigan Association of Planning. |
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Download Resume as a PDF |
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Extra
I am a semi-professional photographer. View my work at misplacedfocus.com.
I have been part of two Guinness World Records. A performer in the World’s Longest Concert by Multiple Artists in 2010 and a participant in the World’s largest online Secret Santa Game in 2012.
I play saxophone and guitar, love books, urban exploration, and finding new ways to be creative and enjoy life.
Contact me